Need feedback for ordering new computer for autocad use

[gbelous]

Our office is considering getting a new computer for my daily cad use. Currently we use 2009 and would like to upgrade to 2012 and hopefully 13 when we get it.
The computer I use now is 4 years old and is starting to run slow when using multiple programs or even cad just by itself. 3D is a nightmare!

It is a Dell T7400
Quad core Xeon Proc E5420
2.50GHz, 2X6MB L2 Cache, 1333MHz
4GB, DDR2 ECC SDRAM memory
NVidia Quadro FX1700 512MB dial DVI Graphics Card
Dual monitors
Windows Vista OS

I was hoping someone out there could help break down what would be an ideal set up for running 2012 and up, with the occasional 3D rendering through cad as well as frequent photoshop use (CS4). I also use occasionally sketch up, impression, those little add on programs. Autodesk has the "system requirements" for installing the program, but that I am guessing is nowhere near what an ideal set up would be for easy daily use.

I have looked thru some posts to get an idea, but I figured it would just be easier to ask. We also have a "computer guy" who can piece together a computer if that's recommended as well, he did that with our server, however I don't think he is too familiar with autocad's needs so that's why I'm here.
I'm not trying to go crazy because there is a reasonable budget (maybe between 2k and 2.5k), but what's something that would be powerful to hold out for another 4 or 5 years?

Typically, we buy directly bought from dell, but if we could get a better system for less by building it ourselves, it doesn't matter. I just need some ideas to hand to the decision makers.

Basically...if you had $2500, what components would you get for a new computer?

Thanks!

[ReMark]

I would go with a Win7 64-bit computer with software (AutoCAD) to match.

Hard drive: SSD for the main drive for your program files and a regular platter drive for storing files on.

Memory: 8-12GB of RAM. But RAM is relatively cheap. Get as much as you can afford and make sure it is the highest speed.

Get a good mid-level graphics card. Example: nVidia Quadro 4000.

The rest is up to you and your IT guy.

[gbelous]

Yeah, we were planning on win7-64
it's the graphics and processor mainly that's in question. and i agree, ram is easily added/changed to fit needs. I would start with asking for 8-16 and see how that goes.

we have 2 it guys...one in another state who used to work here so he hangs on and manages issues from far. he always has just gone thru dell and done whatever packages fit our needs and budget. the other it guy is new and is local. he pieced together our new server so i am assuming he is more open to other ideas than dell or putting together parts to make the computer. so i am exploring both options. he will be in monday so i was hoping to get some ideas to run by him.

[f700es]

Nothing wrong with another Dell, just get one with enough power to last a few years. Right now I would have to go with a 3rd gen core i7 such as an i7-3770 over a Xeon. I don't think the cost difference is worth the marginal gain in performance. Get all the ram you can, 16+ GB should not be much with a $2,500 budget. Is this for tower only or does this mean LCDs as well? For the video card stick with nVidia. You can spend $2K on this alone, the new nVidia Tesla card look sweet but you pay for it! I think that you can get a good mid to high GTX based card that will run with a Quadro for less money. Look for a mix of SSD for you boot drive and applications with a standard drive for storage. DVD burner of course and 64-bit Windows7.

If you go Dell look at the XPS line as I think they offer a good bang for the buck option at the moment. These are my options and option to much discussion.

[gbelous]

This is just for the tower, I have 2 dell screens from my current computer that i will keep.
Thanks for the feedback, taking notes as we speak lol

[gbelous]

I had stated in the first post that I do the "occasional 3D rendering" but I think we would do more if we could handle it. I have done some fairly complex exterior day and night renders as well as interior ones that take a long time to work on just due to hardware speed. If this capability could be improved then we would do more in house rendering which I love to do.

[f700es]

Just looked at NewEgg....

Motherboard Cost ASUS Sabertooth X79 LGA 2011 $329.00

CPU
Intel core i7-3820 SB-E 3.6 GHz $300.00

RAM
24GB (8GBx3) Avexir DDR3 1600 $185.00

Hard Drives
Samsung 256GB SSD $225.00 Samsung 2TB SATA $120.00

Video Card
MSI GF GTX660 Ti 2GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0x16 $310.00

Other
DVD-RW $20.00 DVD-Rom $20.00 Case and PS $200.00 Card Reader $20.00 MS Windows7 Pro OEM $140.00

Total $1,869.00

[f700es]

What do you use for rendering?

I had stated in the first post that I do the "occasional 3D rendering" but I think we would do more if we could handle it. I have done some fairly complex exterior day and night renders as well as interior ones that take a long time to work on just due to hardware speed. If this capability could be improved then we would do more in house rendering which I love to do.

[gbelous]

nice break down. i'll definitely print that for monday!

we use autocad. haven't really explored other programs for two reasons, time it takes to learn and also the hardware probably can't handle it. we are a small firm and if i can produce acceptable renders on cad, they don't see the need for adding another and perhaps pricy program.

we also sometimes do basic prelim stuff in sketchup (which runs worse than cad) and impression just for color, but other than that it's just cad lol

[ReMark]

Rendering is memory intensive. Just something to keep in mind.

I would expect to keep this computer no more than four years tops as it will start to show its age by year three if you keep current with software updates/releases. That's when you start thinking about the next computer. Too many companies think that if they buy a computer today they don't have to replace it for 10 or more years. It ain't worth the hassle or the headaches.