Computers...

In search of a desktop computer. I don’t keep up with computer stuff, but I don’t like to buy cheap and often. So I’m pretty lost on what I actually need vs what the internet is telling me what is good.

I plan on buying a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 in a couple months to act as my “at school computer”. Mainly because I want to take notes/do math homework on the tablet itself using OneNote. I’ll be going into biochemistry as my undergrad and have no idea on what type of programs will be required/useful. The coursework is going to be very intensive (obviously) in chemistry, physics, and biology. So I need something that is going to potentially fill the computing requirement of those fields.

If I was going for something that required the use of CAD, then the options would become clearer. But because I don’t know what is coming my way...I’m lost. Do I need 8, 16, 32 GB of ram? The latest i7 processor? What GPU? 10 billion petaflops of storage, etc?

Now for the restrictions, my absolute max budget is $1500 for a computer. I would prefer sub $1k as I want a 27” monitor, but if the difference is extreme (in performance) I have a 23” monitor that will do the job for a couple months.

What say you SVTP?

ssj4sadie said:

In search of a desktop computer. I don’t keep up with computer stuff, but I don’t like to buy cheap and often. So I’m pretty lost on what I actually need vs what the internet is telling me what is good.

I plan on buying a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 in a couple months to act as my “at school computer”. Mainly because I want to take notes/do math homework on the tablet itself using OneNote. I’ll be going into biochemistry as my undergrad and have no idea on what type of programs will be required/useful. The coursework is going to be very intensive (obviously) in chemistry, physics, and biology. So I need something that is going to potentially fill the computing requirement of those fields.

If I was going for something that required the use of CAD, then the options would become clearer. But because I don’t know what is coming my way...I’m lost. Do I need 8, 16, 32 GB of ram? The latest i7 processor? What GPU? 10 billion petaflops of storage, etc?

Now for the restrictions, my absolute max budget is $1500 for a computer. I would prefer sub $1k as I want a 27” monitor, but if the difference is extreme (in performance) I have a 23” monitor that will do the job for a couple months.

What say you SVTP?

Click to expand...

The question is what do you it for. My wife uses the 10 year old system I built for $800 with zero issues. She needs only the internet and email.

I run databases, complex spreadsheets, occasionally lightroom. I need faster but have another computer for that.

Just wait for a good sale and get something for $1000 or a bit more and I'm sure you will be more than satisfied. Solid state hard drive, plenty of ram and a separate video processor.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

Alienware.

ssj4sadie said:

In search of a desktop computer. I don’t keep up with computer stuff, but I don’t like to buy cheap and often. So I’m pretty lost on what I actually need vs what the internet is telling me what is good.

I plan on buying a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 in a couple months to act as my “at school computer”. Mainly because I want to take notes/do math homework on the tablet itself using OneNote. I’ll be going into biochemistry as my undergrad and have no idea on what type of programs will be required/useful. The coursework is going to be very intensive (obviously) in chemistry, physics, and biology. So I need something that is going to potentially fill the computing requirement of those fields.

If I was going for something that required the use of CAD, then the options would become clearer. But because I don’t know what is coming my way...I’m lost. Do I need 8, 16, 32 GB of ram? The latest i7 processor? What GPU? 10 billion petaflops of storage, etc?

Now for the restrictions, my absolute max budget is $1500 for a computer. I would prefer sub $1k as I want a 27” monitor, but if the difference is extreme (in performance) I have a 23” monitor that will do the job for a couple months.

What say you SVTP?

Click to expand...

I was thinkin' of upgrading too, but my current system is still gettin' the job done.

IMac desktop. I put up with Bill Gates crap ever since Windows 3.1. I abandoned that about four years ago. Finally.

do not get anything less than 16GB of ram and a 1tb hard drive. frankly I would go with 32gb of memory. Do you know what specific software you are going to be using. that could help better determine your needs. I am not sure I would go with a MAC just because software is expensive enough without paying the MAC tax. I support WIndows but have a couple of macs I use at home in addition to my windows stuff. if you are adventurous you could build your own. it is pretty easy to do.

You buy the requirements of the CAD software’s recommended hardware. Typocslly i7 processor, 32gb, nvidia 1060 video card and an SSD.

If going for a career with CAD, memory is the biggest bottleneck. 32gb-64gb is what you want and a big capacity SSD. Personally, Ive only ever trusted Intel SSDs and so far Ive never been let down.

If youre up for a challenge, you can build your own PC and put the money you save from a prebuilt rig into higher end parts. Ive been building my own systems since 2004. They arent difficult to assemble and there are TONS of building guides on youtube.

Ended up buying an Alienware Aurora R7. Specs from Dell:

Intel Core 8th Generation i7-8700 Processor (6 Core,Up to 4.60GHz,12MB Cache,65W)
Windows 10 Home 64bit English
2 TB 3.5 Inch SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
16GB (2X8GB) 2666MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
8X Ultra Slim DVD+/-RW Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5
Dell Outlet Alienware Aurora R7

Also got a 27” monitor cost $1475 for the setup after taxes. Computer alone was ~$1060 before taxes.

not a bad set up. you can always up the RAM to 32 later if you need it

ssj4sadie said:

Ended up buying an Alienware Aurora R7. Specs from Dell:

Intel Core 8th Generation i7-8700 Processor (6 Core,Up to 4.60GHz,12MB Cache,65W)
Windows 10 Home 64bit English
2 TB 3.5 Inch SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
16GB (2X8GB) 2666MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
8X Ultra Slim DVD+/-RW Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5
Dell Outlet Alienware Aurora R7

Also got a 27” monitor cost $1475 for the setup after taxes. Computer alone was ~$1060 before taxes.

Click to expand...

Smooth said:

I was thinkin' of upgrading too, but my current system is still gettin' the job done.


View attachment 1576025

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Sent from my iPhone using the svtperformance.com mobile app

The type of programs you run will be the defining factor, but if you aren't 3d modeling or rendering, $1500 will get you one hell of a computer.

If I were you, I'd head over to pcpartspicker.com and mess around. Here's just a quick one I put together. You can save money by downgrading some stuff or waiting for sales: System Builder - Core i7-8700K 3.7 GHz 6-Core, Radeon RX VEGA 56 8 GB Air Boost 8G OC, Vortex 3620 ATX Mid Tower - PCPartPicker

And yes, building a computer seems difficult, but if you can do anything car related, you can put PC parts together. It's almost as simple as legos.

What kind of CAD platform?

AutoCAD: Any modern system will be fine

Solidoesn'twork: See if the DoD is willing to sell you one of their supercomputers, because Solidoesn'twork is a terribly inefficient memory hog. In 2006, I ran a 256mb RAM / 128mb VRAM PC and Solidworks said it needed more ram. Now, I have 32gb RAM / 12gb VRAM and Solidworks says it needs more ram to draw a damn circle. Screw you, Dassault, the only engineers that like your programs are slobs.

ProE/Creo or Inventor: 16gb RAM minimum, 2gb VRAM minimum. You won't run into problems unless you do a lot of FEA, thermal/flow, or complex motion analysis.

NX: Here's a helpful flowchart. Are you using NX? Yes -> Don't.

When it comes to CAD, it used to be "the more VRAM the better." That hasn't been the case in the last decade though. Memory speed and GPU speed make more of an impact in performance these days. Another thing to consider is having a PCIe SSD with the operating system and CAD program installed locally. Even a 10krpm HDD won't be able to compete with the speeds of a SSD, especially in PCIe and not SATA3. It makes a massive difference.

Most processors have been multi-core for the last decade as well, and it's surprising that so many programs/applications don't make use of the extra cores. Check that whatever programs you intend to use can actually utilize the processing power before you buy the system, or you may be chasing the wrong goal.

I used to build my own PCs back when there was a benefit of doing so. It's still worthwhile if you want the absolute maximum performance without paying a disgusting premium because you can shop around for parts better. When it comes to an average system, a lot of smaller companies offer decent build packages and help on price with their volume/buying power. I bought an iBuyPower system early last year because I couldn't get within $500 of the system cost sourcing the parts myself. The video card alone was half the cost of the system, and Amazon had some sale going on for it. I had to do some small upgrades to it when it arrived, mainly for cooling, but otherwise it has been great (and came with a legal copy of Windows)

ford_racer said:

And yes, building a computer seems difficult, but if you can do anything car related, you can put PC parts together. It's almost as simple as legos.

Click to expand...

The actual build process is easy, as long as all of the parts are compatible. Where I see people get into trouble (and have myself) is when a manufacturer uses garbage Chinese components that were soldered poorly (avoid AZZA) and it fries everything, or reusing power supplies with bad rails, or not configuring fans properly. Little things that really mess you up.

The moment I started using high quality power supplies all of my PC problems disappeared. Just some advice for anyone building a computer.

If the power supply is not 80+ rated, it should be a HARD pass.

80+ Gold full modular is the only way to go.

ssj4sadie said:

Ended up buying an Alienware Aurora R7. Specs from Dell:

Intel Core 8th Generation i7-8700 Processor (6 Core,Up to 4.60GHz,12MB Cache,65W)
Windows 10 Home 64bit English
2 TB 3.5 Inch SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
256GB PCIe M.2 NVMe Class 40 Solid State Drive
16GB (2X8GB) 2666MHz DDR4 UDIMM Non-ECC
8X Ultra Slim DVD+/-RW Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with 8GB GDDR5
Dell Outlet Alienware Aurora R7

Also got a 27” monitor cost $1475 for the setup after taxes. Computer alone was ~$1060 before taxes.

Click to expand...

Looks like a solid choice. I would have opted for 32GB of RAM, but like @RDJ said, you can also upgrade your memory down the road. Let us know how you like it when it arrives.