AutoDesk lists the MINIMUM system requirements for running a particular piece of their software.  That does not include running anything else in the background such as an antivirus program, Microsoft Office, a browser, or your company email program just to name a handful.  Minimum requirements are the STARTING point for configuring a good system.

AutoDesk does not need to update their MINIMUM specs.

Whoever is in charge of your IT department is probably choosing your CAD computer based on the same criteria he/she uses to select computers for secretaries and bean-counters.


Edited by John Connor - 20.Jul.2011 at 23:56

markst wrote: A quad core is better for many reasons, but if you have a small budget, I would go for a dual-core with a higher Clock speed.

I think the small budget is what got them into this mess. It's time for them to make an investment in their hardware. They spend thousands of dollars on high end CAD software but they try to run it on old, outdated and underpowered machines? I'm sorry but a single core machine with 2GB RAM and a cheap video card is NOT a workhorse. Maybe 15 years ago, but not today.

Tell IT to go down to the local Best Buy and just grab something off the shelf. Pretty much any modern computer will run Autocad 2007 with no problems.

Cad64 wrote: markst wrote: I would recommend a dual core 3.2GHZ, a quad core doesn't improve your overall AutoCAD performance. (a quad core only improves the rendering capabilities) It was stated that the OP is running several different applications at the same time. That is why I suggested a quad core processor.

A quad core is better for many reasons, but if you have a small budget, I would go for a dual-core with a higher Clock speed. The higher the better, this is also true for the cache of the CPU. This because AutoCAD 2007 and for that matter 2012 is still only uses one core.  I guess it al depends on the budget.

HP and other are now offering a refurbished models with warranty, maybe that's an option. 

seniyajw: This thread is about computer requirements.  Would you like to tell us what you are responding to?  Your post doesn't seem to make much sense.

Are you trying to do a screen capture of something?

What file are you trying to download?