New PC for CAD

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Jorge

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Hello, we are using 3Shape Dental Designer (2009 edition)
I am going to build a new PC (and keep the old one for backup)
Some questions:

1) What is better, "old" Intel socket 1366 with i7 950 processor or the new 1155 socket with the new 2600K processor?

2) What is better, a gamer graphic card (eg. Nvidia GTX 470) or a workstaion card (eg. Quadro FX1800)?

Any recomendation is welcomed.
TIA
 
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Official answer is
CPU:
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz or better

HDD:
80GB or more

RAM:
2GB or more

Graphics:
OpenGL 2.0 support and at least 512 MB of memory

OS:
Windows XP SP2, SP3 or Windows Vista SP1

We have run on much lower spec's but it struggles with large restorations - I am inclined to say gamer card and go with the cheaper processor - don't however go with the 64 bit OS as last time we tried scan suite would not run under 64bit- although a fix was promised.

Gforce9600M on my machine is fine but any time I try to compair graphic cards, I give up no one seems to give a standard set of numbers that makes any sense.

Not much help - sorry
 
DMC

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tom's hardware is the site you are looking for Colin.
Tom's Hardware: Hardware News, Tests and Reviews
Charts, benchmarks 2010 Gaming Graphics Charts (High Quality),3D Noise


I just ordered a new Alienware with six core i7 overclocked.
Dual solid-state hard drives in RAID 0 config.
I like nvidia graphics cards, as their drivers are more stable.
GTX series is good.

That should kick some asswhole. Being built now....

I passed on the Dell workstations with the Xeon processors.

From what I've seen....the 3Shape scanner isn't exactly high-resolution. The output files are kinda small and not very detailed.


I will be running CIMs Sum3d for CAM and Rhino w/Dental Shaper on it mostly.
 
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Hey Scott...What scanner do you think is the best?
 
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Delcam for their scanner recommends the Quadro cards which are made for cad/cam. I'm looking at the Quadro 2000 model......There are several models in this series, and they aint cheap!

edit...Delcam also recommends 8Gb ram for 64 bit applications .
No clue what 3shape recommends .
 
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You have to make sure your program is "graphics accelerated" to take advantage of a nice graphics card. Otherwise all it does is keep your frame rate up when you pan and zoom inside your software. Actually processing the data setc will be processor dependent unless the software takes advantage of some kind of GPU computing. Call your rep and ask.

also, The Tech Report - PC Hardware Explored gives nice up to date reviews and comparisons of processors and cards and does value (performance for dollar).

-Patrick
 
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Delcam for their scanner recommends the Quadro cards which are made for cad/cam. I'm looking at the Quadro 2000 model......There are several models in this series, and they aint cheap!

edit...Delcam also recommends 8Gb ram for 64 bit applications .
No clue what 3shape recommends .

nvidia makes that and quadro is old stuff. For $1 more you can get a single GTX card, also made by nvidia. I run that in Lava scanners. GTX240 or 260 is good. You do not need dual cards. We aren't trying to win video games here.
 
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edit...Delcam also recommends 8Gb ram for 64 bit applications .
No clue what 3shape recommends

See post #3 - Dual Core 2GHZ plus - personally I would go with a decent video card and a bit more ram than minimum but your not trying to manipulate 3D images like an x-box - this isn't CAD design for Airbus. I have seen Dental Designer running on fairly old laptops, just a bit slowly.

The stock machine they supply is a Dell Optiplex 760 over here (UK) - works just fine but not as showy as an Alienware but $1000 cheaper.
 
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Alienware has liquid cooling for processors and video.
Active vents on the chassis that open to expell heat.
Extra power supplys for up to four hard drives.
1666mhz RAM speed vs less for other systems.
The guts inside are very nice with premium componants from Dells top shelf.

They do look cool, but mine are under desk, out of sight.

I get on-site service if I have a problem for no charge for first year.

Probably an over kill for just a design station, but the CAM is what eats up processor power.
 
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Just make sure you get a nVidia. ATI causes problems with the 3Shape scanning software.
 
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Yo, honestly, the computer doesn't really matter. I was running Dental Designer on an old HP laptop with 1gb of ram and some shi**y nvidia card and it ran fine. This isn't a complicated solidworks assembly or realistic rendering..it's a simple dental design and there's no sense in spending $3k+ for a computer. I actually just got a brand new i7 8gb ram 1gbnvidia for $600 and some dollars off the HP website and there is no lag on my software. Sure, it doesn't have the vents and neat liquid cooling but I'm ok with that.
 
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Hey! Nobody answered his original questions!

1) What is better, "old" Intel socket 1366 with i7 950 processor or the new 1155 socket with the new 2600K processor?

-The new one is definitely better but is it worth the upgrade/price difference? YES in terms of performance per dollar. Do you need it to run your software smoothly? it doesn't sound like it from what other's have said. The 2600K has gotten EXCELLENT reviews. If you are ready to spend the money, go for it. There are some slightly less expensive alternatives (in the 1155 line) where you might want to invest the savings in a 2nd monitor. Also, the K means it's unlocked so you can overclock it if you want. If you aren't into that, no need to spend the extra bucks for the K.

read the conclusion here. This article also lists some alternatives.

Intel's 'Sandy Bridge' Core processors - The Tech Report - Page 19


-Patrick
 
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Thanks for your answers and comments
I need a new computer for invoicing (now a Pentium 4 ten years old) so I buy a new PC for CAD, move the old CAD PC to spare PC and the today spare PC goes to invoicing. This way everybody is happy.
I will go with the 2600K CPU (no sotck here now) and the gamer graphic card. (the rep. here does not now the Quadro cards)
Regards
 
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Travis I ordered a custom built computer from Vision Computers yesterday. I asked for the 2600 after reading this thread, but couldn't wait since my scanner training is next week, grrr. Wish I could have waited since there was very little difference in price. I did bump up my ram, thanks.
I called Delcam about the graphics card since I was totally confused after reading this thread and talking to other friends. There lab tech and software specialist ? said the quadro would be a better choice, the GTX etc are gaming cards..........
I'm kind of bummed out after seeing the chart with the 2600 coming in at 3rd place, the i7-870 2.93 I ordered was near the bottom .....thanks !! :mad:
Also order a 24" 1920x1200 monitor after going round and round on size. Decided to go with recommended resolution of 1920x1200. Monitors with 1200 starts at 24" and up.
Charles
 

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