Workstation suggestion
Workstation suggestion
(OP)
I am building up a new workstation to do heavy duty electronic analysis calculations. I would also like it to work well with Solidworks.
I notice that Solidworks has a list of "supported" graphics cards. Prominant in the list are the Nvidia Quadro cards.
Not being a computer geek, I am wondering what would happen if I had a workstation that did not have one of the suggested cards. Lets say it had a GeForce GTX590, with something like 1024 CUDA Cores in it? Would that work as well, or do I really need something like a Quadro FX4800?
The reason I ask is there are some pretty incredible deals on "gaming" computers out there with overclocked I7 2600K chips in them. But none of them are available with a Quadro video card. To get such a card, I need to go to much higher priced Xeon type processors. It seems that I would have to pay almost 2X to get what, on paper, seems to be the same performance from a computer that someone lists as a "workstation".
I notice that Solidworks has a list of "supported" graphics cards. Prominant in the list are the Nvidia Quadro cards.
Not being a computer geek, I am wondering what would happen if I had a workstation that did not have one of the suggested cards. Lets say it had a GeForce GTX590, with something like 1024 CUDA Cores in it? Would that work as well, or do I really need something like a Quadro FX4800?
The reason I ask is there are some pretty incredible deals on "gaming" computers out there with overclocked I7 2600K chips in them. But none of them are available with a Quadro video card. To get such a card, I need to go to much higher priced Xeon type processors. It seems that I would have to pay almost 2X to get what, on paper, seems to be the same performance from a computer that someone lists as a "workstation".
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Maguffin Microwave wireless design consulting






RE: Workstation suggestion
Any computer I build will probably have at least 16 GB of high speed ram on it, but I suspect the hard drive is used a lot too.
www.MaguffinMicrowave.com
Maguffin Microwave wireless design consulting
RE: Workstation suggestion
Using GeForce or Radeon cards is a 'crap shoot'. Some people have great performance with them, others have nothing but problems. The RealView function will not be available.
You do not need to got to Xeon machines to get an i7 2600K CPU and an nVidia Quadro or ATI FirePro card.
Lots of good info at https://forum.solidworks.com/thread/42836
SSD's are great but are best used only for non-volatile data (OS, and main program installs). Volatile data would be better kept on a fast HDD. Although the R/W cycles of newer SSDs have been drastically improved.
RE: Workstation suggestion
If you buy your computer from dell you can buy a lower rande quadro fx then 4800 and still get the cpu you want.
Im running on a computer with 2 Q FX 580 one for each monitor. they are not as expensive and not as super as 4xxx but still safer then a gaming card.
RE: Workstation suggestion
I guess the choice is xeon processor/I7 980 type/I7 2600K type or wait 5 months for the new X79 chips to come out and really build a smokin rig.
www.MaguffinMicrowave.com
Maguffin Microwave wireless design consulting
RE: Workstation suggestion
Eric
RE: Workstation suggestion
RE: Workstation suggestion
Kirby Wilkerson
Remember, first define the problem, then solve it.
RE: Workstation suggestion
Simulation rig:
HPz600 , Dual Xeon X5650
24GB RAM (some times there is not enough RAM if the model is crazy large)
300GB SAS on RAID0 (not too much help, perhaps Raid 1 would be better off?)
CAD Rig: (will upgrade soon) 3 yr old system
Q9500, 4GB
500GB SATA on Gigabyte mobo
Put my older CAD system a side, I can almost 100% utilize my HP system if the simulation environment contains many input parameters or even under batch simulation mode. Unless you are extnesively running simulations, otherwise stay away from this config. (it just cost too darn much!) I choose SAS over SSD because of the aging effect of the SSDs.... too much of a risk in a business. btw a nice Quadro FX3800 is more then sufficient for simulation (or try ATI cards now since DS providing a much better support)
However, as for my new CAD system, i will go:
i7 + 16GB RAM on a nice gaming board
intel SSD overclock to 4+GHz
perhaps i will give the firepro8800 just to try it out.....
RE: Workstation suggestion
RE: Workstation suggestion
Usually the gaming video hardware is almost the same as the CAD system hardware with some minor twist such as GPU pipeline lock up & slower RAM. The highend graphics card comes into play when your model is large and consists of thousands of parts. Under many circumstances we don't need that type of cards.
don't ever use gaming cards on CAD software because their drivers are only tuned for high speed computations, whereas CAD cards are tuend for precision computations. Just consider what would you drive to a race and a Car show, a BMW or a Rolls Royce?
SW only uses openGL so just choose a card that runs the best in openGL. At the moment I would suggest ATI firepro cards for the price/performance ratio. (But I am a Nivdia fan :P )