Hi guys looking for some advice on purchasing a tower for work.
I require it to run 3 screens at a minimum.
Suitable for CAD software
What is your opinion on the below tower? Should i consider a reconditioned machine ?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/332224282557
Thanks in advance
Just the graphics card alone that can handle your request easily will cost as much (or more) that the whole PC you have listed.
I mean 3 x 1080p screens will produce a theoretical 5760 x 3240 pixels. Plus you need the GPU's rear interface (HDMI, DP etc) to allow/have 3 simultaneous connections of the screens)
So I would say you have no chance of an OB GPU/APU to push that much smoothly.
Cheers
You're probably better off getting something with a xeon (cpu) and quadro (gpu) if you're going that route. What's your budget? probably better off looking through techfasts offerings.
While Xeon and Quadro were great advice previously, I do think the market has changed.
Nobody really needed Xeon, but that was the only way to get more cores and more PCIe. Thanks to Ryzen, Intel's mainstream line has stepped up. So instead of getting a HEDT like the 5960X, or 6900k, or the 7820x… you can just use a 9900k instead. Or better yet, go the route of Ryzen with either the beast r7-3950X, or the better value r7-3700, or the budget r7-1700 CPU. You can go Threadripper and Epyc but that's a waste imho.
As for Quadro?
It really depends if you're doing 3D modelling using various layers (eg Anatomy or Wireframing). Otherwise, a Gaming GPU is likely to outperform it. Basically because modern G-GPUs have a lot more VRAM to match their Work-GPU cousins, and they have a lot better cooling and a lot more on-board shaders and processors. I prefer Nvidia, but AMD's G-GPUs have been better at compute so they make for a slightly better W-GPU. I do know a lot of people specifically bought the RX590-8GB for work (eg Blender). I would recommend that as the budget choice. The Vega 56, 64, and VII are pretty much overpriced and under-stocked. Not sure about the RX 5500/5600/5700 line to be honest. I think the new RTX cards are pretty good at being a W-GPU as well, maybe look into the RTX 2070-Super, but I don't think they're priced competitively. Just trying to provide some extra info.
But as people said, you're going to be looking at $1,000 minimum for the tower alone. $2000 sounds much more reasonable. Getting triple-monitors, where each are decent size, resolution, and quality… that's the part that's going to sting (if you truly need colour accuracy).
Quadro card nearly always outperforms Geforce on CAD apps.
Either way, definitely not the On Board video in your link OP.
OPs looking at a $500 pc. There's quite a few older loaded workstations that are around $500 and would be the best bet compared to current $500 new offerings.
Depending on the CAD software a quadro (or other workstation GPU) might be an absolute necessity. I use solidworks, it's only certified for use with specific graphics cards, that dont include gaming GPU's. It will still work without one, you just miss out on some of the functionality related to live 3d rendering as well as GPU acceleration
No input on what kind of spec you'll need since the actual hardware that is required is highly dependant on what kind of toolsets you're using,
but please don't buy Prebuilt PC's on eBay as you have a higher chance of being ripped off. You are not just being charged the sum of it's parts, you are paying for labour + profit margin, and also because you don't know what parts they're sticking into it (usually, corners are cut on things like power supply, case, motherboard and cooling). Many of the PC's sold on eBay are incorrectly labelled as "high end" or "gaming" or "workstation" with little regard of their actual performance.
Buy your system from a proper system integrator that is transparent with what they're giving you.
Many of the PC's sold on eBay are incorrectly labelled as "high end" or "gaming" or "workstation" with little regard of their actual performance.
The PC linked by OP is described as a "gaming" system and doesn't even have a GPU. To be fair though it does have RGB.
Your gonna want at least 16GB of RAM plus, and 6 cores plus for a smooth experience. In terms of GPU, it depends on what types of simulations you want to run.
What's your budget?
3 screens at a minimum for CAD? $569 no way. $1000 almost possible. $2000+ makes sense.
Do not get pre-built on eBay.
Do not DIY unless you want to be chased up by people at work if things break in the future.
At least get one from a proper computer shop for easy warranty, preferably local.
I don't recommend a reconditioned. Was there a CAD person/computer before?
Don't skimp on CAD. Talk to your accountant if it qualifies for instant asset write off.
If you can tell us the software you're using we can give you better recommendations.
Username checks out….
People actually pay nearly $600 for that pos?
503 People actually paid $349 - $569 for that pos
*fixed
Still too high. It's an amd athlon.bi suppose it would be fine if you just went to use notepad, but then so would a computer that cost $50.
thanks all, appreciate input. Software i currently use on existing laptop with dock that cannot handle is called Planswift. It has a small cad/takeoff integration portion.
Currently have a intel i7 2.4ghz.
Please go easy i do not know a great deal on computers.
Would be great if possible to see your recommendations of what i can purchase that is suitable and well priced.
Thanks
Your budget is what dictates what you'll get really. Do you have a absolute max budget in mind?
Planswift looks like a 2D only application that is used to look at floor plans, but because you're running 3 displays at once you're going to need a mid-range GPU anyway.
Is Planswift the only CAD software you'll be running? Do you run SolidWorks / Autodesk Inventor? Those 'appear' to run preferentially on Nvidia workstation cards, and they can be pricey.
When it's performing badly, check with Windows Task Manager to see which resources are close to 100%. Is it CPU, Memory or Disk? It could be all three, but it's probably just on of that that's lacking.
key points
RAM - 24GB
Video - 2 x nVidia 550ti 1024MB
Specifying your budget may yield more informative responses.
Budget update : looking to achieve sub $1000.00 if possible
If you know somebody tech inclined, I would suggest the following as budget build. Ideally you should be looking for a system that has at least 16GB of ram and SSD at minimum. You can always add a graphics card or two to get third screen. Alternatively there are USB monitor adapters you can use to connect an extra monitor.
Budget Tech Build
$625
HP Z620 Workstation - Xeon 6-Core E5-2630v2 | 16GB DDR3-1600 | Quadro K4000 3GB
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HP-Z620-Workstation-Xeon-6-Core-…
$248
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1TB-Samsung-2-5-860-EVO-SATA-6Gb…
Then reinstall Windows 10 Pro onto on Samsung SSD hard drive. Best to replace hard drive from refurbished/used machines just in case they fail on you.
Pros
-About $873 all up delivered, that gives you 3 displays (1x DVI, 2x Display Port).
-You can feel piece of mind your data will be safe with a new hard drive
-6 months to 1 year time you can upgrade again to a newer system (maybe one with dual processers)
Cons
-Its double the weight of the average computer (10kg); it weights in at about 20kg
-Older computer and 2.6ghz processor. Personally I don't think its gonna make that much of a difference since you have 6 cores and 12 threads along side SSD
Best to replace hard drive from refurbished/used machines just in case they fail on you.
Seems a bit wasteful given it's got a 512MB SSD.
Can't you just run a checking program to see if it's got any SMART warnings?
Nice find! I don't even need a new PC and I kinda wanna buy one.
Sure SSD may last xx months, but if it fails then what?
Since its refurbished, you don't know if it had an easy or hard prior life. Its more to safeguard against potential data loss due to SSD failure.
More details
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhGtiFFvZhc
Disclosure: I own a few HP Z400 and Z200 PCs at home.
Set it to backup each night. Probably a good idea for all of your other work computers too.
Sure a new SSD may last x months, but if it fails then what?
The answer is the same for old or new drive. Have a robust automated backup system.
If you want advanced warning, check the SMART info, it will tell you if the drive has had a hard or easy life.
For instance I just checked mine, it's had 1.1 TB read, 2.4 TB written, no warnings. :)
For about 1k budget you should able to build a new desktop with amd 2600/1600af with rx580/570 depends on how many ram and storage u want..Because it is for work, my advise.. don't go for refub, you don't want your work all gone when the computer has toasted or worse ..burnt your hard drive..
If u want a exact list..It is better u list what software u running..How many ram and storage u want..And what output your monitor need..
There are lots of good secondhand Xeon workstations around on ebay…
Its trying to find the right configuration at the right price, with the right otpions fitted, because some of the options are very expensive to get later..
As alluded the Hp z620 is one option,…
The baby brother, the Hp z420 uses the same mainboard and bios (but a lesser quality case) and not upgradable to dual CPUs.
The Newer HP Z440, is pretty nice as well.. more recent, has NVME support and DDR4 ecc reg support..
My current favourites at the Dell T5610, T5810, and T7810 (dual CPU option).. but you want one, get one with upgraded power supply 685W or 825W
..
A cheap machine would be this..
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HP-Z420-E5-1650v2-6C-12T-3-5Ghz-…
$422.00 delivered with the coupon..
takes ecc registered ram.. DDR3..
here's 64gb for $99 delivered..
There seems to be a misconception that CAD workstations need to have Xeon + ECC memory in combination for it to qualify as "workstation", which isn't always the case
CAD isn't super memory intensive and ECC memory (error correcting code RAM) is meant for long running servers that run constantly (think years) or if you have a simulation that takes a very long time to run (eg more than a few hours) and a single error in RAM can mess up the long calculation. But its added cost does not justify the benefit for Op's specific application.
OP most likely doesn't need a Threadripper / Intel Xeon + ECC memory setup, because most importantly: ECC memory is designed to work with processors that tend to have lots of cores that run at lower frequencies, which is precisely the opposite of what you want for CAD applications, which run best with a processor with fewer cores at higher frequencies.
The second reasoning is that ECC memory is typically slower and more expensive than ordinary RAM, and it's benefits (if it has any) are moot if you are opting to go for outdated Intel Xeon hardware over more commonly available hardware, like say, Ryzen 7 3000 series.
Hi all,
Thank you again for your information it is greatly appreciated.
Unfortunately i am not able to buy parts and build. I am going to look over the above 2 mentioned examples and have linked below a local computer for $1000. Does this one seem good value or should i opt with hoey888/kelvin machines ?
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/ashmore/desktops/hp-z240-sff…
Why not get a used HP Z440 or similar and upgrade it? For $600 I got one with an E5 1650v3 6c12t, 32GB DDR4, 800w PSU, basic graphics and no storage. Just add an M.2 NVMe SSD via PCI-E card for fast storage and a good GPU.
Granted it's 6 years old but the CPU keeps up with my Ryzen 2600 desktop and I'm fond of the case design.
Hi guys please advise which system is of best value in your opinion and why?
I use cad and general office programs with 3 x monitors.
Option 1
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/333569813965
Option 2
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/174273125441
Happy to consider other options
Thank you
Neither are good value compared to building yourself, but the i7 is better.
Regarding option 2
You might want to look for an similar/alternative.
The listing appears inconsistent. The photos show HP EliteDesk and HP Prodesk. These are two different products. Which one will they be posting?
Yeah, neither are good options. You get zero tech support if something fails. Remember if you buy second hand stuff you are forgoing any kind of RTB warranty.
I do not recommend buying refurbs for work-related purposes and you also can't claim your purchase on taxes. Get your computer custom built at a computer store like UMART or MSY.
For a mid-range build maybe consider this:
CPU Ryzen 3600 $330
RAM 16GB Kit $149 (was $159) but if you can afford it, buy the 32GB Corsair Kit for $289
Motherboard MSI b450m MAX $129
GPU Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER $259 but it's possible that you'll want a Quadro instead
SSD Crucial P1 NVME 500GB SSD $115
PSU Seasonic 500w Gold $125
Case Cooler Master MT Case N200 $79
1186
+ Plus costs for building the PC and Operating system.
You can claim refurbished goods on tax no problems and both of the options he has listed are from businesses and offer warranties. A similar system new costs double the price.
That is an awfully low spec machine that would struggle with CAD. Find out the minimum recommended specs of your particular software and start there.