New Laptop + CAD/Archiect software - what's best specs

Liquid_Entity · 22 Apr 2008 at 14:20

My mate has been quoted £1400+ pounds for a kind of top end Dell Laptop but I think they are trying to just make extra money out.

What is the main core of a CAD, Architect design software used laptop:

CPU ?
Memory ?
Graphics Card ?

I was under the understanding you didn't need a top end gfx card because that's for games etc and that CPU and Memory were the main source of power for it.

Please assist asap

Liquid_Entity · 22 Apr 2008 at 14:51

Programs to be used are:

3d studio max
Autocad adt 2007
Google sketch up
Autodesk Rev-it
Microstation

fish99 · 22 Apr 2008 at 18:19

Something like 3dsMax uses Direct3D to draw the viewports and to do previews, so it does use your 3D card. CPU is obviously very important if you're going to be rendering movie output, but not so much just for design.

Having said all that 3dsMax runs fine on my £550 Vostro 1500 with 8600M GT 256mb / 3GB ram / C2D 2.4 GHz. It would run even better with a 8800 GTX though of course assuming that's what the £1400 system gets you.

Maybe go for 17" 1920*1200 screen for CAD, the extra resolution and screen space is a big deal. A fast drive (7200rpm) would be a good idea too.

DB_SamX · 26 Apr 2008 at 13:11

I used lots of CAD (AutoCAD, SetchUp, ArchiCAD + others) last 2 years ago and I used a Core2duo 2ghz, ati x1800 and 2 gb ram and that was just about ok. I would recommend 4gb at least for rendering faster and smoother. Widescreen is a requirement too.