this'll work- any of the processors available will be adequate.

i'd go for one of the listed 'mid range' graphics cards, though i haven't kept up with the latest developments- you might want to look at the websites of the gpu-intensive software that you're considering (3dsmax, rhino, photoshop) and see which they recommend.

4gig ram minimum, 8 gigs if you can get it for only twice what the 4 costs.


but here's the important thing: you're getting a desktop, which unlike your notebook, will be very easy to upgrade as more advanced technology becomes cheaper or your requirements change. additionally, your monitor is not attached permanently to the rest of your computer.

and the better technology gets cheaper over a fairly short term

if i were you, i'd aim to spend 800-1200 and plan on making one or two discrete component upgrades over the next few years, and possibly buying an entirely new system (at least cpu, motherboard, and memory) in three years. the economics are such, that you'll get more 'bang for your buck' buying two mid-range computers over 5 years than you would spending all that money on one pc that would have to last (handle current software) over 5 years.

Hey colcol, thanks for the response. I will be trying to get the Precision, maybe waiting for an after Christmas/Boxing sale. I think on the Precisions you can upgrade the RAM. SoI can buy a decent one with lots of room for extra RAM, and then buy the RAM at a cheaper price as I need it.

You're probably right about not wasting all my money on a super expensive computer if I can get the job done for cheaper. I just find that the requirements for running Adobe products and Autodesk stuff just keeps getting crazier. But it makes sense then not to go super expensive, because the next time another version of these softwares rolls out whatever computer I get will probably not be sufficient!

Anyways, do you have any advice about which graphics card is better for the software I'll be using, NVIDIA or ATI? I'm no rendering wizard and will probably never be one, but it does not hurt to have the capacity to teach myself Vray and maybe redo a couple of my projects with better renderings.

Wow, I just feel so overwhelmed with all this software in the first place. 3dsMax, Revit, Photoshop/Illustrator/Indesign, Vray, SketchUp. I literally have no life as I come home after work and try to teach myself this stuff. Is it even necessary to know all of it for working at an architecture firm one day? It just feels so tedious! Maybe it's more tedious on my slow as molasses computer!

I also checked out the Dell Studio XPS. These are cheaper than the Precision line. Anyone have one of those or know about it who would care to comment? Let me know. I am torn between getting a more expensive fancier desktop, or a more basic one which is still pretty powerful. I just don't know how powerful it needs to be for architecture applications.

Anyways, thanks for these tips, I really appreciate it :)

Cheers,
Anouk

Anouk_

Fellow computer buying Archinector. A few things to think about

Graphics Card vs. Processor When it comes to rendering, that largely is driven by the speed and quantity of your processors (I say largely because there are a few specific rendering types/tasks that use the Graphics Card). If you have to choose between processor and the Graphics Card, I always elect for better (or more) processors. Graphics Cards are easier to replace later on down the line, Processors usually require a new motherboard (because the size has changed) and at that point, you might as well start with a new computer. The Graphics Card will make your experience of the computer faster, i.e. programs will run faster (esp. if you are doing a lot of 3D modeling/animation with pans, zooms, camera movement) and video playback will be better.

Autodesk Make a list of the software you expect to be using and then check to see what the recommended configuration is, and also if they have a list of supported Graphics Cards. You can use this to start putting together an idea of what is the least you need and then go from there within your budget.

Upgrade I know it's possible, but it's also a pain and there is some point where you have to upgrade too many components (re: Processors with Mother Board) to really get a good value. Sure, it's probably not necessary to spend your life savings (I totally know my other thread laments my inability to buy a $5000 Boxx), but you don't want to go too cheap. Granted, you are not in school so the demands of your computer are probably less, but I would try to upgrade from the basic requirements of the software if possible.

Oh, and most schools don't actually have good computers for their students to use. They can't afford it, and once 500 people have used a computer, it gets pretty rundown. It wasn't uncommon for kids in my class to spend several thousand dollars on a computer, and some even did that twice in the course of 2.5 years. That "amazing" student work you see is the product of rich, well-connected students.

With all that said, I've been looking myself for a new machine since mine is 4+ years old and got quite the horse beating at grad. school. Since my budget is a bit compromised, I am also looking around the same price range as you. I would look at getting an HP over the Dell. I went and configured the same computer on HP and Dell, and the HP is $714 cheaper. HP will offer student discounts to alumni, but even without that it was cheaper. I feel like they are essentially equal in terms of quality and reputation.

The set-up I went with is the Pavilion HPE-490t:

* Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
* Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-980X six-core Extreme Edition [3.33GHz, 1.5MB L2 + 12MB shared L3 cache]
* 12GB DDR3-1066MHz SDRAM [6 DIMMs]
* FREE UPGRADE! 1.5TB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive from 1TB
* No additional office software
* Norton Internet Security(TM) 2011 - 15 month
* 2GB ATI Radeon HD 5570 [DVI,HDMI, DP, VGA adapter]
* No speakers
* Blu-ray player & Lightscribe SuperMulti DVD burner
* Wireless-N LAN card
* 15-in-1 memory card reader, 1 USB, 1394, audio
* No TV Tuner
* Integrated sound
* HP USB keyboard and optical mouse

For $2000 that seems like a steal. I'm going to wait until Monday to see if they offer any "cyber monday" deals, but if not, then I think this might be my Christmas Gift to myself.

Hey Cherith, great answer! That does seem like a pretty awesome deal!

Have you ever checked out the Design Reform reviews? I read them sometimes trying to figure out what to buy. They had a review last year about laptops and desktops, not so helpful for this year, but it coincides with some of the stuff you've posted with specs etc. Here's the link:

http://designreform.net/2009/09/whats-the-best-computer-or-lapto-for-3d-modeling-and-bim/

From your other thread, I think you're right about preferring NVIDIA over ATI, but ATI is probably fine for the price range we are going for. I just also really wanted an NVIDIA Quadro card because everyone has told me its expensive for a reason, the reason being it's so good!

Also are you going to try and use all new versions of the software? I can't afford legit versions of all the new stuff. I'll be using the 2009 versions of AutoCAD, 3dsMax, and Adobe CS4 Suite I already have. SketchUp will be whatever latest free version is out. I don't think I'll upgrade those for years, but maybe I'll take the trials for a run. It was so easy to get the necessary software when I was in school. Now not so much!

This is definitely going to be a Christmas/New Year/Birthday present for myself from myself!

I don't have much time to do more research this weekend but I'll do some more next weekend to see what else I can dig up. But I think what you have is a really good price for what you're getting! It's just all so expensive just to try to do work to get a job! LOL a few years ago my arch. friends who couldn't even do CAD were getting arch. jobs offered to them left and right and now I need to spend ridiculous amounts of money to train myself on all this stuff! Nope, I'm not bitter ;P

Good luck with the search!

Anouk

For comparison, I just bought the Dell Vostro 3710 2 months ago for $1500. I've heard it rumored that, while the Precision is better tricked out, the bang for the buck isn't there and that a Vostro will get you what you need without all the bells and whistles (though it has its share). Vostro is biz class and is considered a desktop replacement, built for extended use just like the Precision. I bought the i7-720QM Quad core as I don't do much 3D, so I can't comment on that at this point and haven't installed my old copy of 3DStudioMax yet. 6 GB/ 500 GB/ 7200 RPM. WIN 7 PRO, 64-bit, 17.3" (can't describe how worth it it is to get a widescreen in this field... 2 apps, large windows, side by side, graphics...). My graphics card is Nvidia Geforce GT 330M 1 GB. 3 years Trend Micro Security. Camera. Backlit keyboard. Speakers are weak but I always plug into my old desktop's or stereo anyway.

Basically, I multitask a ton & have bazillion applications open at the same time, AutoCAD 2008, Photoshop, Nikon photo editing software, Excel, Acrobat, iTunes, internet explorer, Outlook, Word, etc., etc. I also do some photography/ editing. In one such instance, I had 11 very high-res TIFF files open at the same time in Photoshop for editing with zero lag. It is a workhorse. Just double check on the 3D, it will breeze through everything else.

Worth looking into in my opinion. I know Dell has deals right now too. I peeked at the XPS but their hard drives are tiny.

Wait till after the Holiday...is my suggestion....like February, just before the big Computer Show in Las Vegas. You will find alot more bang for you buck! Economics: Supply and Demand~ Those Elfs be building alot of Computers for Christmas~

Hey Cherith, I'm not sure if you're still on Archinect, but if you are I was wondering what computer you bought in the end? Did you decide to go with the HP? After looking so much at Dells before Christmas, I spent some time looking at the HPs and they seemed pretty good, especially in terms of the price comparison and what you would be getting. I put in some overtime and can now properly afford to buy the computer I want and was wondering how yours worked out.

If you got an HP do you like it and how it performs? I'd just like to know if it's worked well over the last couple of months with all the software applications like cad and 3d, illustrator, photoshop, etc. I'm thinking of getting a similar one. Thanks for the input if you read this.

Cheers,
Anouk

I did get the HP. HP-490t to be exact, although I think now it's a 590-t. Comparing identical components Dell to HP, the HP came in hundreds of dollars cheaper, which allowed me some upgrades here and there. All in all, it came in just under $2000.

So far I have been pretty happy with it. Since I am out of school it probably isn't subject to the horse beating my old PC got, but it's running multiple apps pretty smoothly, doing fine with Revit, Rhino, VRay and the Adobe Family.

Hey Cherith, thanks for the reply. I am seriously thinking of going with the HP as well. I have been looking at the Dell Precisions for a long time, but by the time I get the set-up I want the price is pretty steep at $2000 +, which I'm not really willing to spend. Glad to hear the HP is working well with Autodesk, Adobe etc. That's basically all I need :) Is the ATI Radeon graphics card working well with all your applications, by the way?

Cheers,
Anouk