redbeardcad Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 After the last issue with ACAD and Vista my IT director has finally decided I can have a new computer... In April. So I need to know what people think would be good graphics cards, processors, etc. for ACAD 2012 & 2013. I say 12 because most times I'm in 13 something goes wrong (Vista). So I have gone back to 12. Some of you will be proud... I'm learning how to use the Ribbon now and I guess I'll have to learn Windows 7 too. I like my XP and toolbars and I'll miss them. Its like loosing a finger. Thanks for any input. Oh, it has too be a Dell computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLW210 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Is there a budget price? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Why does it have to be a Dell? You've just limited yourself to the choices they offer. What if there was a graphics card you really wanted and Dell did not offer it? Would Dell be willing to acquire the card, install it, and still cover the warranty? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzframpton Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Why does it have to be a Dell?Probably because the original poster's company has a contract with them. My company is like this. Has to be Dell no matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbeardcad Posted October 10, 2012 Author Share Posted October 10, 2012 I'm sure there is a buget, but I'm not privy to that info. So I'll shoot for the stars hoping to get to the moon. Yes, Dell is who they are enslaved to. If I can give them enough info to justify some or all the spec maybe Dell will put the stuff in. Wishful thinking, I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 The same policy is in effect at the company I work for too with the exception of the two of us that use AutoCAD day-in and day-out. IT had no clue as to what constituted a robust system for CAD use. If I had left the choice to them or some Dell sales rep who knows what piece of garbage I would have been stuck with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tzframpton Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 I've been more than satisfied with previous and current Dell company computers that are Workstation level, built for CAD design. Just depends on budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 We tried one Dell Precision workstation during the downturn in the economy. The bean counters shoved it down our throats. We were lucky to still be working so we took it. What a dog. Could not get out of its own way. When we finally had the opportunity we swapped it out for a Xi MTower PCIe workstation. BIG difference in performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f700es Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 No problems with Dell, my last one at home lasted for 8 years before I bought a new one and sold it on Craigslist. You can get a lemon in anything, that is what warranties are for. Ok here is what "I" would look for... CPU = core i7 Sandy Bridge based not sure if Dell offers anything with the new AMD FX Zambezi cpu. The i7 is a hyper thread quad core unit while the AMD actually has 8 cores. Ram = all you can get. Ram is cheap no less than 12gb. OS = Windows7 Pro 64-bit all the way. Video card = nVidia is the one to get here. If just AutoCAD and no revit and or inventor then a Geforce GTX series will work fine. GTX 660 Ti will work. Look for a solid state main drive (256gb) and a normal magnetic drive for storage (1tb) DVD burner and I think you are set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 I'd second the above ^ ^ ^ specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLW210 Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Right before time to purchase, check out the most recent Dell workstation offerings and spec out the most expensive with all upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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