GPU for hobbyists

lgswensawing
Observer
Observer

GPU for hobbyists

lgswensawing
Observer
Observer

Hi all!
I'm new to building computers and just finished by first build. I still need a graphics card for it though. I am not a gamer, but I do a lot of CAD. I use Solidworks at work and school but I cannot afford a Solidworks licence for home use. And I learned CAD on Autodesk producs and love Inventor and Fusion 360. Both of these programs use DirectX instead of OpenGL. I'm trying to figure out what GPU to get. The most current information I can find is an article from 2013.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-workstation-graphics-card,3493-7.html
I have a budget around $150 USD max. I'm confused at how to tell which card will give me the best bag for my buck. Autodesk only officially certifies FirePro and Quadro cards. But from the benchmarks from 2013 it appears that workstation cards are not necessarily the best way to go considering the higher cost.
Does anyone have any experience ruining CAD that uses DirectX on workstation cards verses gaming cards? Or maybe some recent benchmarks with Inventor or Fusion 360?
Thanks

My current setup:
Asus z170-a
Intel Core i5-6600K 6M Skylake Quad-Core 3.5 GHz
Team Dark 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3000 (PC4 24000)
Corsair CX 450M PSU
Corsair Force 240G SSD
be quiet! PURE ROCK CPU Cooler
Intel 7260HMWDTX1 Dual Band Wireless-AC

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rhasell
Advisor
Advisor

Hi

 

Get the biggest and best gaming card for the $150.

 

I am biased by saying get a Nvidia GeForce card because I have never owned an ATI.

 

I have no idea of the prices as I am in AUS and everything here is expensive.

 

 

 

 

 

Reg
2025.1.2
Please Accept as a solution / Kudos
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M15A
Participant
Participant

I used to run Inventor on GTX560 but its like five years ago, and it was 30day trial version of Inventor 2010 i think. It ran quite good. 

Is there a way to get Inventor for hobby use? like for affordable price? Because where iam from single licence costs almost four times my monthly sallary wich is not affordable at all.

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Tigerpirro
Advocate
Advocate

Short answer, go for a GTX 1060. Best value you can find right now. 

Or buy second hand from someone dumping their old Titan cards, or thereabouts.

Have a nice day.

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Tigerpirro
Advocate
Advocate
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swalton
Mentor
Mentor

Inventor is not really priced for hobbyist use.  Students can get a free 3 year license.  See http://www.autodesk.com/education/free-software/inventor-professional

 

Another option is Fusion 360.  I have not used it, but it can be free for students, hobbyists and startups.  See: http://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/try-buy

 

 

Steve Walton
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