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Need help selecting new Workstation for Soildwork 2020

Question asked by Henry Gonzalez on May 18, 2020
Latest reply on May 21, 2020 by Heiko Sohnholz

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Hello all,

First let me say that I have never built up or selected a workstation for CAD purposes and know little about PC in general, just enough to be dangerous. I plan on upgrading to Solidworks 2020 and need to spec out a Dell workstation capable of handling this plus Simulation standard edition for the next foreseeable 4 years if possible. The assemblies I normally work with rarely exceed 1000 unique part files and on average the normal assemblies I work with are about 250 unique parts in size. I just purchased Simulation Standard edition and will be starting to learn how to use this so I just want to make sure my new workstation can handle my normal workload and some occasional sim work. If possible I would like to stay under $3500. Any advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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Glenn Schroeder @ Jean Giacomoni on May 20, 2020 2:50 PM

Jean Giacomoni wrote:

Good read:
What specs do I need for a new computer to use SolidWorks?

I'm glad you liked it. I posted the specs for my new Dell there. I'm satisfied with it so far.

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Heiko Sohnholz May 20, 2020 2:13 PM

Hi,

i would recommend to go for (at least):

- 6-core/8-core *as-fast-it-gets* CPU; at least 4.5 GHz

- 32 GB RAM

- SSD NVMe is standard as a local "hard-drive"

- Quadro RTX 4000

Simulation support multi-core but not in all aspects. So don't waste money for a 12-core or else...

To save money, a P4000 GPU will do the job, but you want to be happy the next 4 years...

I think this spec will fit easily in your budget.

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Henry Gonzalez @ Heiko Sohnholz on May 20, 2020 4:19 PM

Thanks for the recommendations.

As for RAM selection Dell currently has two options for 32 GB RAM at the same price:

32GB 2x16GB DDR4 2933MHz RDIMM ECC

32GB 2x16GB DDR4 2666MHz RDIMM ECC

Should I go with the RAM with higher speed?

On the CPU you recommend at least 4.5 GHZ. Is the Turbo speed and normal speed? I don't see a 4.5 GHZ normal CPU in my price range?

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Henry Gonzalez May 20, 2020 8:58 PM

First, let me say thanks to everyone who posted and made a suggestion or suggested another tread to read to get down the right or better path. After much reading and coming to the realization that I am not a SW power user and therefore don't need an uber workstation I decided on the following selection which should serve me well for the next 4-5 years. Plus I have been very happy with the performance of my Dell Precision 3520 Laptop over that past 4 years and Dell Tech support so I am going back for another Precision.

Does everyone have something similar? If so, how do you like it? or any final tweaks that I should consider?

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Heiko Sohnholz @ Henry Gonzalez on May 21, 2020 6:54 AM

Hi,

nice configuration. For the same price I would go for the faster RAM - but it will not matter that much. And yes - I was talking about the turbo speed. Dell Precisions are well built and a recommendation. This includes the next-day-on-site-warranty as well.

Go for it!

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6 Replies

Jean Giacomoni May 20, 2020 2:12 PM
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Good read:
What specs do I need for a new computer to use SolidWorks?
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- Glenn Schroeder @ Jean Giacomoni on May 20, 2020 2:50 PM
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  Correct Answer
  Jean Giacomoni wrote:
  
  Good read:
  What specs do I need for a new computer to use SolidWorks?
  
  I'm glad you liked it. I posted the specs for my new Dell there. I'm satisfied with it so far.
  Like • Show 2 Likes2
  Actions
Heiko Sohnholz May 20, 2020 2:13 PM
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Correct Answer
Hi,
i would recommend to go for (at least):

- 6-core/8-core *as-fast-it-gets* CPU; at least 4.5 GHz
- 32 GB RAM
- SSD NVMe is standard as a local "hard-drive"
- Quadro RTX 4000

Simulation support multi-core but not in all aspects. So don't waste money for a 12-core or else...
To save money, a P4000 GPU will do the job, but you want to be happy the next 4 years...

I think this spec will fit easily in your budget.
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- Henry Gonzalez @ Heiko Sohnholz on May 20, 2020 4:19 PM
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  Correct Answer
  Thanks for the recommendations.
  
  As for RAM selection Dell currently has two options for 32 GB RAM at the same price:
  32GB 2x16GB DDR4 2933MHz RDIMM ECC
  or
  32GB 2x16GB DDR4 2666MHz RDIMM ECC
  
  Should I go with the RAM with higher speed?
  
  On the CPU you recommend at least 4.5 GHZ. Is the Turbo speed and normal speed? I don't see a 4.5 GHZ normal CPU in my price range?
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
Henry Gonzalez May 20, 2020 8:58 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
First, let me say thanks to everyone who posted and made a suggestion or suggested another tread to read to get down the right or better path. After much reading and coming to the realization that I am not a SW power user and therefore don't need an uber workstation I decided on the following selection which should serve me well for the next 4-5 years. Plus I have been very happy with the performance of my Dell Precision 3520 Laptop over that past 4 years and Dell Tech support so I am going back for another Precision.

Does everyone have something similar? If so, how do you like it? or any final tweaks that I should consider?
Like • Show 0 Likes0
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- Heiko Sohnholz @ Henry Gonzalez on May 21, 2020 6:54 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Hi,
  nice configuration. For the same price I would go for the faster RAM - but it will not matter that much. And yes - I was talking about the turbo speed. Dell Precisions are well built and a recommendation. This includes the next-day-on-site-warranty as well.
  Go for it!
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions

Need help selecting new Workstation for Soildwork 2020

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