Best Workstation to Buy, Ones to Avoid?

[ahefner]

As the title implies, I'm looking for info on which workstations (and options like 3 GB RAM, Core2 Duo, OS, etc.) are working best for everyone and I'd also like to hear which are falling short.

I'm running a Dell - Optiplex 745 with Core2 Duo, 3gb RAM, DVD/CD R-RW, 250gb HD and it seems to handle Revit ok. There are a few situations where it lags but over all not too bad.

Also, how is everyone transmitting Revit models between yourself and clients? The only current solution we have is CD/DVD and courier. FTP would be nice, but the architects do not currently have one, and we're reluctant to host anyone else's files but our own.

[Mottiqua]

A,
There's a forum http://forums.augi.com/forumdisplay.php?f=15 that deals with hardware and acceleration. Might be able to look at a few things there...

[ahefner]

Thank you sir. This is exactly what I was looking for.

[Mottiqua]

You're welcome. 'cept I'm not a "Sir"...lol

[ahefner]

Please accept my apology.

Thank you madam!

[mmadert]

I am using a Dell Precision M90 Laptop workstation with Core 2 processors and 4 Gig of memory. It has a Nvida FX3500M mobile graphics card which drives the integral 17" monitor very well at 1920 x 1280. The Core 2 processor all that I can ask for. I just completed a 1M ft2 data center in 3D using this machine and have no complaints about the speed.

My only gripe is that the Nvida FX3500M mobile card does not have a dual DVI output. The output for a second monitor is only 1280 x 768. This sucks. I have a 30" Dell flat screen monitor on my desk that I can't use effectively. Dell really screwed us on this one. Their tech supported wasn't even aware of the limitations of the graphics card they bundle with this "workstation" computer. Dell only offers the dual DVI on their gaming computers the XPS series.

The Dell 1710 XPS gaming laptop includes an Nvidia 7950GX card with a true dual DVI output to support larger CAD monitors. I'll be upgrading to this one soon.

Hope this helps.

[ahefner]

Oh, that is definitely helpful.

Does anyone know how to look up which graphics card you have installed (all I can find regarding mine is that it's a Radeon X1300/X1550, but which memory option does it have?)?