Getting a new PC
Getting a new PC
(OP)
I will be ordering a new PC from Dell and was wondering if anybody can reccommend a particular machine with the best specs for SolidWorks performance. I'm currently running a Dell 670 - Xeon 3.8GHz - 2gb ram - NVIDIA Quadro 3450/4000 SDI - Dual WD800ADFD-75NLR1 hard drives, one for the operating system and one for SolidWorks files. I am using PDMWorks installed on a networked machine, but all normal work is done on my local system.
I'm not overly impressed with my currernt machine. Its performance seems slow especially when I detail 10 or more models with multiple views within 1 drawing, but this is our company standard.
Anyway, any help or links to a reccommended system is appreciated. Processor, Ram, Raid, etc...
thanks,
tom
I'm not overly impressed with my currernt machine. Its performance seems slow especially when I detail 10 or more models with multiple views within 1 drawing, but this is our company standard.
Anyway, any help or links to a reccommended system is appreciated. Processor, Ram, Raid, etc...
thanks,
tom
Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT






RE: Getting a new PC
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Getting a new PC
Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT
RE: Getting a new PC
Let me know when you get your new machine and I will forward my mailing address to you so that you can pass your old one down to me.
Sorry, I can't recommend an actual model or configuration, but if you just go to the customise pages and start picking the top-of-the-line options you should end up with a fantastic (and expensive) machine.
Maybe what you need to do is get some performance specs from your existing and ask for comparisons from Dell or whichever vendor you go with.
RE: Getting a new PC
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Getting a new PC
Anyway, benchmarks I've seen typically don't favor Dell-built systems (if they're even among those tested). I've worked on three Xi systems and currently own two. Customer support is real, and normally available on weekends.
Now, back to your question. Do you normally do animation or renderings in PhotoWorks? If not, much of the multiple-core use potential you won't harvest with such a chip (although I imagine that will change very soon). I have a dual-core, super-expensive AMD FX-60 chip and it does great in getting my renderings completed much faster--pegs both processors every time. Otherwise, I only use about half the core power during normal SW use. Depending on what you need, you may be better off going for a super-fast single-core processor (save a little money) to get things done more quickly. If you've lots of applications running at the same time, multiple cores can help ease that load and decrease crunch times.
Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reason trumps all. And awe transcends reason.
RE: Getting a new PC
Windows XP / Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 5000
SolidWorks 2007 SP1.0 / SpaceBall 5000
Lava Lamp
www.Tate3d.com
FAQ376
RE: Getting a new PC
You'd have ~40% faster raw CPU speed, plus the benefits of dual core processing which increase drawing speed by another 10-20%. The 10k hard drives in a RAID0 array would significantly improve disk I/O. 64bit operation would eliminate memory limitations.
If you have HUGE assemblies and need MORE THAN 4GB RAM, get the Precision 490 with Xeon 5160 and 8GB RAM. Still well under $5k.
RE: Getting a new PC
there is one more reason I am leaning towards a dual core processor. thats because I always have autocad and SolidWorks running at the same time. My boss also informed me that we will be getting one seat of ProE, a few of our customers are pushing this real hard. So no doubt it will also reside next to Solidworks on my PC.
Thanks,
Tom
Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT
RE: Getting a new PC
http
Dblcrona
RE: Getting a new PC
Phil
RE: Getting a new PC
It will save you a lot of grief if you can spin things so that complying with the company standard does not require having so many models and views within a single drawing file. Changing the standard so that each part / subassembly gets its own drawing number and drawing file would be the easiest to deal with within SolidWorks. If all of the drawings for a given project have to have the same drawing number, you may still break the drawings into separate files and deal with managing the sheet # of # notes manually.
Eric
RE: Getting a new PC
Maybe its time I made a new case to management
tom
Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT
RE: Getting a new PC
So on the next super-rush project I created a set of prints which had less details on them (still D-size) but shrunk them down to B size and issued them in "book" form. It created a bit of a stir but time was too short to change anything (my plan was working). About halfway through the alloted machining period I asked the shop floor people how they liked the new style prints, and without exception, they were much preferred.
When the next project came along, I detailed all parts on B-size sheets. Nothing was said. This is now that companys standard. Sometimes you just have to force the issue. Of course if the company doesn't like it they could force you to look for another job.
RE: Getting a new PC
Well said...
I will try this on my next project
Is there a way to copy one components detail with all annotations from a multi-detailed drawing to a new single drawing? In case I want to update my current job which is partially done and change to all B size single components per sheet?
Tom Malinski
Sr Design Engineer
OKay Industries
New Britain CT
RE: Getting a new PC