Choosing the right Computer

[Anonymous]

I need to find the right computer to help me translate files (normally STEP) files into Inventor and then work with them to design new parts and assemblies. We are working more and more with large (file size not a lot of parts) assemblies that have been exported from another CAD system and we need to work with them in Inventor. Currently our best computer is running Windows XP Pro SP1 with AMD Athlon 1.3 GHz with 1GB or ram. It also has a NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420. I don't have any problems with the graphics, but even after I translate the files (which could take an hour for a 60MB file) it takes several minutes to do the simplest things such as move an item in an assembly or place constraints.

So I have the opportunity to suggest what type of system to purchase to aleviate some or all of these issues. Do you have any suggestions on what type of system to purchase? I would like as many specifics as possible. What OS, processor (single or dual, I hear dual is the best), RAM, video, etc. Any information would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

XP Pro is a good OS, I would keep at least a Gig of RAM in not more (get the dual-channel DDR - FAST, FAST, FAST!) As far as a Processor - we run the P4 3.06 and we haven't had 1 problem yet, if you went with 1 P4 3.06 I would run 2 Gig of ram, If you go with the Dual P4 I would run atleast 1 Gig of ram. For a Video Card I would go nVidia Quadro4 900 XGL or something similar. The P4 3.6 just came out and ahould be a bit faster than the P4 3.06 HT that we run, but it will cost you too. There are also the new 64 bit processors that would run good, but IV won't use the 64bit process yet (I'm sure by IV9 it will)

[Anonymous]

Here is mine and I'm very happy with it so far. Working with complicated
castings without any problem !

IV 7 sp1
Dell Workstation PWS 360
Windows XP Pro sp1
Pentium 4 -
3.0 GHz & 1.5GB of RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 1000 - 6.14.01.4371
18 x 20
dual UltraSharp Monitors

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"MWalker" <
href="mailto:mwalker@transferflow.com">mwalker@transferflow.com> wrote
in message
href="news:f179ea9.-1@WebX.maYIadrTaRb">news:f179ea9.-1@WebX.maYIadrTaRb...

I
need to find the right computer to help me translate files (normally STEP)
files into Inventor and then work with them to design new parts and
assemblies. We are working more and more with large (file size not a lot of
parts) assemblies that have been exported from another CAD system and we need
to work with them in Inventor. Currently our best computer is running Windows
XP Pro SP1 with AMD Athlon 1.3 GHz with 1GB or ram. It also has a NVIDIA
GeForce4 MX 420. I don't have any problems with the graphics, but even after I
translate the files (which could take an hour for a 60MB file) it takes
several minutes to do the simplest things such as move an item in an assembly
or place constraints.

So I have the opportunity to suggest what type of system to purchase to
aleviate some or all of these issues. Do you have any suggestions on what type
of system to purchase? I would like as many specifics as possible. What OS,
processor (single or dual, I hear dual is the best), RAM, video, etc. Any
information would be helpful.

[Anonymous]

MWalker wrote:
> I need to find the right computer to help me translate files (normally
> STEP) files into Inventor and then work with them to design new parts
> and assemblies. We are working more and more with large (file size not a
> lot of parts) assemblies that have been exported from another CAD system
> and we need to work with them in Inventor. Currently our best computer
> is running Windows XP Pro SP1 with AMD Athlon 1.3 GHz with 1GB or ram.
> It also has a NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420. I don't have any problems with the
> graphics, but even after I translate the files (which could take an hour
> for a 60MB file) it takes several minutes to do the simplest things such
> as move an item in an assembly or place constraints.
>
> So I have the opportunity to suggest what type of system to purchase to
> aleviate some or all of these issues. Do you have any suggestions on
> what type of system to purchase? I would like as many specifics as
> possible. What OS, processor (single or dual, I hear dual is the best),
> RAM, video, etc. Any information would be helpful.
>

I use a lot of dumb solid parts that start out as STEP or SAT. We also
have one 50 piece assembly that started life as a Pro/E assembly
provided us by an outside design service. Our machines handle them
without many problems or speed issues (only my computer is dual processor).

--
Hal Gwin
Mechanical Designer
Xenogen

W2K SP4
Dell Precision 650
Dual 2.66 GHz Xeon
1.5 GB DDR
Quadro4 900 XGL
nVidia 6.14.10.4351 drivers
Dell UltraSharp 19" LCD

[Anonymous]

Simple, the most money can buy.

Go to Dell site and max out a Precision 650, then
take the print out and find something that you can aford elsewhere or start
whitling it down to the money you have. That should hold ya tell the 64 bit
stuff hits the market and IV is ported over to it LOLOLOLOLO.

I've got a 450 with dual CPU, RAID 0, 1.5GRAM,
900XGL,..... and there are many days that I would like to have much more. I'm
pretty sure that with IV you can really never have too much computer if your
going to take on anything more than a 10 part assembly
;>).......

And don't let the ney sayers tell you that dual
proc.s don't do anything for you, they're worth every penny when it's time to
generate prints (and many other times).

Good luck.

gcooper

[Anonymous]

Go with an Intel 3.06 or faster with the 800 FSB. Use XP with the /3GB switch (requires patch from MS), and lots of dual channel PC3200 ddr400 ram from Corsair or someone like that. Any of the Quadro4 series ought to work although the 7xx and 9xx series would be best.