Bricscad

Been using it for 10 years or so... half the price of AutoCAD LT and nearly as capable as full blown AutoCAD... I think you can still own your own copy... not rent it.

Dik

I have built most of the computers in my company and the build at the following link is my typical go to build for both engineering and drafting computers. I make modifications here and there based on availability of parts and prices, but this is a good base. The most expensive part is the graphics card, the one in that build is the WX5100 which is AutoDesk certified, basically they have custom drivers for the card. I personally use a 1080 graphics card instead, but I also do gaming. While my 1080 isn't "certified" for AutoDesk, it out performs the latest WX5100 build, but cost more. It should be noted that we have no lag issues at all with our computers when it comes to CAD and we also are working off a cloud based hybrid server which can slow things down occasionally.

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zdc8f9

This build does not include items like case fans, I typically purchase an ATX form factor case that has fans already installed, the one in the build is just a place holder. Additionally depending on how you connect to the internet you may want a PCIe wireless card. If you go the route of building a computer, it's not that hard, the first time would take maybe 4 to 6 hours, but after that you could be able to build future ones in around an hour. The most annoying part is installing windows, if you have a CD with windows you will want to make sure you throw a CD drive in there as well. I went to the Microsoft website and created an installation flash drive and then purchase a 20 dollar key from where ever I can find online selling on that cheap.

A 'rule of thumb' for many AutoDesk programs is that they don't utilize multi-core processing as effectively as many other software packages. This is more the case for Revit than AutoCAD. Perhaps OP's issues are due to AutoCAD 2021's attempt to integrate multiple cores into more operations.

If you're jumping up to higher versions it means you must be on a subscription. I can feel your frustration as the $2,000+ per year should come with top notch technical support.

I have an older Toshiba laptop. It has a 4-core i7 running at 2.40 Ghz, 16 GB ram. It has an Intel graphics card with only 1 GB ram. It runs AutoCAD okay but seems to get laggier and laggier each year.

My advice (with a very important caveat being that you don't have other programs of higher precedence) would be to go for clock speed and ram opposed to something with 32 cores, lower clock speed, less ram, etc... I'm a drafter so I don't know too much about the fancy engineering software commonly used but I do know a lot of them utilize multi-core functionality so take that into consideration too.

Thanks so much for all the information, everyone

Adrienne Gould-Choquette, P.E.
www.adicotengineering.com

Almost any computer that can be used for games... but choose a better monitor. Games computers have the processor 'snorts' as well as the graphics capability. Gaming monitors are not optimised for colour or image quality normally. My one desktop is an AsRock Z390 and an i7, 8700K processor and 16GB RAM, with a Gigabyte RTX 2080 Ti graphics card driving a PB278 ASUS monitor. Works great for everything... even liquid cooled (My son's a gamer).

Dik

Thanks Dik, I didn't consider that connection between gaming and AutoCAD (my son's a gamer too)... sometimes I wonder if it is my monitors? I am going to compare all the spec to my system to see what is lacking and if it can be upgraded - otherwise maybe a new computer Thanks for your time :)

Adrienne Gould-Choquette, P.E.
www.adicotengineering.com

Games require a lot of 'snort' when it comes to processing and to graphics... just what you're looking for. As far a monitors go, different puppies... the need for gamers is different... they substitute image quality for refresh rates... more important to them. If your son is seriously into gaming he can likely point you in the direction of a good system less the monitor. I have two ASUS PB278 monitors and they are great... Graphics card is very fast and near the top of the line a year back. Since I build my systems from parts, my son is always helping me put the parts together... He started when he was about 10 with an ASUS 486 or 386 board; I don't remember which.

Dik

@dik, I sent your response to him and told him he better help me!

Adrienne Gould-Choquette, P.E.
www.adicotengineering.com

I don't know that I agree with the above statements regarding monitors, most "gaming" monitors do have high refresh rates, but also come with superior image and color quality, hence the higher price tag. If you go with a low end monitor for gaming then sure you will sacrifice color and image quality for refresh rates and response time, but those really aren't "gaming monitors". I have a 27" gaming monitor, Dell Model S2716DGR Link which goes for about $500 and a larger 32" Sceptre Link monitor which goes for about $240. The gaming monitor is by far superior in all aspects, however I prefer to use the Sceptre for CAD as it's lower resolution which results in larger buttons, etc. in CAD. For a monitor for CAD, I would recommend the Sceptre any day.

Quote (I sent your response to him and told him he better help me)

If my son... he'd be disappointed if I didn't ask him.

Dik