[SOLVED] $1800 SolidWorks Build

[guest2019user]

I am building a computer to use for SolidWorks. I am currently and student so I'll be using this for school and hopefully the better part of my career once I finish. I am going to build it myself (I have experience building gaming systems but this is my first for design). I really want to just make sure that everything I have chosen is compatible. But of course I would like general feedback if any areas could use some major consideration. I'm definitely open to making this a Micro ATX system with a smaller case if that is possible. I see that the GPU is "low profile" which assumes that I would need to use an adapter to make it fit with the setup below?


Fractal Design Define C Black Silent Compact ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $89.99

Seasonic FOCUS Plus Series SSR-750FX 750W 80+ Gold ATX12V & EPS12V Full Modular 120mm FDB Fan Compact 140 mm Size Power ... - $119.99

CORSAIR Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2666 (PC4 21300) Desktop Memory Model CMK16GX4M2A2666C16W - $75.99

Intel Core i7-9800X Skylake X 8-Core 3.8 GHz (4.4 GHz Turbo) LGA 2066 165W BX80673I79800X Desktop Processor - $599.99

SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS 500GB Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-V7S500B/AM - $119.75

Refurbished: Acer ET322QR wmiix 32" (Actual size 31.5") Full HD 1920x1080 4ms 75Hz 2xHDMI VGA BlueLight Shield Flicker-Free ... - $139.99

PNY Quadro P1000 VCQP1000-PB 4GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 Low Profile Video Cards - Workstation - $319.99

ASRock X299 EXTREME4 LGA 2066 Intel X299 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard - $221.99

Windows 10 Pro 64-bit - OEM - $139.99

TOTAL - $1827.57

 

[g-unit1111]

For that price you can get a 2nd generation TR4 CPU and get more cores and be able to upgrade to the 3rd generation TR4 for the same money:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Threadripper 2920X 3.5 GHz 12-Core Processor ($373.38 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X399 AORUS PRO ATX TR4 Motherboard ($279.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: AMD FirePro W7100 8 GB Video Card ($489.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M TG ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1832.10
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-17 11:03 EDT-0400

 

[guest2019user]

For that price you can get a 2nd generation TR4 CPU and get more cores and be able to upgrade to the 3rd generation TR4 for the same money:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Threadripper 2920X 3.5 GHz 12-Core Processor ($373.38 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X399 AORUS PRO ATX TR4 Motherboard ($279.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: AMD FirePro W7100 8 GB Video Card ($489.98 @ Amazon)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M TG ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1832.10
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-17 11:03 EDT-0400

Thanks,

What if I did want to stick with Intel and keep the monitor included? What suggestions would you make in that instance?

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks,

What if I did want to stick with Intel and keep the monitor included? What suggestions would you make in that instance?

I personally wouldn't buy a Skylake X build right now since Intel has refreshed their enthusiast line at the higher end with the 10XXX generation, but should be refreshing the mid range CPUs relatively soon. That motherboard and CPU combo that I linked to is actually $168 cheaper than your proposed build. And unlike Skylake X, the TR4 will accommodate the 3rd and possibly 4th generation of the CPU, while performing about the same as Skylake X in most editing and rendering applications. And the savings would allow you to get a better monitor that isn't refurbished.

 

[guest2019user]

I personally wouldn't buy a Skylake X build right now since Intel has refreshed their enthusiast line at the higher end with the 10XXX generation, but should be refreshing the mid range CPUs relatively soon. That motherboard and CPU combo that I linked to is actually $168 cheaper than your proposed build. And unlike Skylake X, the TR4 will accommodate the 3rd and possibly 4th generation of the CPU, while performing about the same as Skylake X in most editing and rendering applications. And the savings would allow you to get a better monitor that isn't refurbished.

I see!

What would you reduce the GPU to in order to accommodate that same used monitor and keep it at 1800? I don't really care about the monitor being used.

 

[g-unit1111]

I see!

What would you reduce the GPU to in order to accommodate that same used monitor and keep it at 1800? I don't really care about the monitor being used.

Is there any reason why you would be set on a used monitor? And that one in particular?

I wouldn't recommend reducing the GPU, professional grade GPUs are hard to come by and much more expensive than consumer grade GPUs, the W7000 is about as low as you can go.

 

[guest2019user]

Is there any reason why you would be set on a used monitor? And that one in particular?

I wouldn't recommend reducing the GPU, professional grade GPUs are hard to come by and much more expensive than consumer grade GPUs, the W7000 is about as low as you can go.

No particular reason. That is just a good cheap deal that I found. My budget is a solid 1800 so I am doing whatever I can to stay within it and the screen is the least important thing to me. I have always chosen size over quality even when it comes to buying televisions for the living room.

 

[g-unit1111]

No particular reason. That is just a good cheap deal that I found. My budget is a solid 1800 so I am doing whatever I can to stay within it and the screen is the least important thing to me. I have always chosen size over quality even when it comes to buying televisions for the living room.

The one thing I would suggest though if you're using your PC for rendering is that it would help to have a higher resolution display and a larger one at that, 1080P just doesn't cut it anymore. I would suggest 1440P. Which can be done on that budget but you might have to make some modifications:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Threadripper 2920X 3.5 GHz 12-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X399 AORUS PRO ATX TR4 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB Video Card ($399.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($117.95 @ Amazon)
Monitor: AOC CQ32G1 31.5" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor ($399.00 @ B&H)
Total: $1846.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-18 11:35 EDT-0400

That's slightly over budget but you get the 12 core TR4 (which slightly outperforms the 9800X) and gives you a much better higher resolution display.

 

[guest2019user]

The one thing I would suggest though if you're using your PC for rendering is that it would help to have a higher resolution display and a larger one at that, 1080P just doesn't cut it anymore. I would suggest 1440P. Which can be done on that budget but you might have to make some modifications:

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: AMD Threadripper 2920X 3.5 GHz 12-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte X399 AORUS PRO ATX TR4 Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (4 x 8 GB) DDR4-3600 Memory ($184.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB Video Card ($399.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($117.95 @ Amazon)
Monitor: AOC CQ32G1 31.5" 2560x1440 144 Hz Monitor ($399.00 @ B&H)
Total: $1846.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-10-18 11:35 EDT-0400

That's slightly over budget but you get the 12 core TR4 (which slightly outperforms the 9800X) and gives you a much better higher resolution display.

Please see the modifications I made below. Switched the case to one I already have. Same motherboard, same power supply, same CPU, upgraded GPU, downgraded memory, downgraded hard drive, downgraded monitor and I'm just above 1800. Please let me know if this combination works. Just want to make sure everything is compatible.

CPU: AMD Threadripper 2920X 3.5 GHz 12-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.90 @ Amazon)
**** Do I need a high-end cooler like this if I'm not overclocking?

Motherboard: Gigabyte X399 AORUS PRO ATX TR4 Motherboard ($279.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: Reduced to 16GB https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232742?Item=N82E16820232742
****G.SKILL Sniper X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3600 (PC4 28800) Desktop Memory Model F4-3600C19D-16GSXKB ($79.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
****Reduced to the 512GB version ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Video Card: Stepped back up the GPU
***AMD FirePro W7100 8 GB Video Card ($489.98 @ Amazon)

Case: Already have a Rosewill Ranger. Is this case compatible? https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16811147061
****Rosewill RANGER Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case,two-toned interior coating,come with Three Fans,Support up to 7 Fans, w/ Window Side Panel (FREE)

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($109.99 @ Amazon)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($117.95 @ Amazon)

Monitor: Reduced to $234.99 (Newegg)
****
Acer EB321HQU Awidpx 32" IPS WQHD LCD/LED Monitor, 2560x1440, 4ms (GTG) Response Time, 1200:1 Contrast Ratio, 10bit Colors, DisplayPort, HDMI, VESA Compatible

Total: $1832.77

 

[g-unit1111]

Please see the modifications I made below. Switched the case to one I already have. Same motherboard, same power supply, same CPU, upgraded GPU, downgraded memory, downgraded hard drive, downgraded monitor and I'm just above 1800. Please let me know if this combination works. Just want to make sure everything is compatible.

CPU: AMD Threadripper 2920X 3.5 GHz 12-Core Processor ($369.99 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 82.52 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.90 @ Amazon)
**** Do I need a high-end cooler like this if I'm not overclocking?

You definitely need A cooler since TR4 CPUs don't come with one. Maybe not that high end, but you definitely don't want to go too cheap on it either. After all these are very high end CPUs and they need a strong cooling source. AMD usually recommends liquid loops but there's plenty of strong air coolers that you can get now for that particular socket.

Memory: Reduced to 16GB https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-16gb-288-pin-ddr4-sdram/p/N82E16820232742?Item=N82E16820232742
****G.SKILL Sniper X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3600 (PC4 28800) Desktop Memory Model F4-3600C19D-16GSXKB ($79.99 @ Newegg)

That's OK. I wouldn't get anything less than Ripjaw personally. You actually need a quad channel RAM kit in order to get the most out of a TR4 since it is a quad channel CPU. So ideally you would want a 4 x 8GB configuration instead of a 2 x 8GB configuration, and you cannot mix and match RAM sets.

Storage: Intel 660p Series 1.02 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
****Reduced to the 512GB version ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Any reason for this? You'll run out of storage space very quickly with just that drive alone.

Case: Already have a Rosewill Ranger. Is this case compatible? https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16811147061
****Rosewill RANGER Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case,two-toned interior coating,come with Three Fans,Support up to 7 Fans, w/ Window Side Panel (FREE)

That's decent but it is a very old case. The thing I would be concerned with is the air flow. On a modern case you should get all the fan slots that you need in order to get the most out of a TR4 CPU.

 

[guest2019user]

You definitely need A cooler since TR4 CPUs don't come with one. Maybe not that high end, but you definitely don't want to go too cheap on it either. After all these are very high end CPUs and they need a strong cooling source. AMD usually recommends liquid loops but there's plenty of strong air coolers that you can get now for that particular socket.



That's OK. I wouldn't get anything less than Ripjaw personally. You actually need a quad channel RAM kit in order to get the most out of a TR4 since it is a quad channel CPU. So ideally you would want a 4 x 8GB configuration instead of a 2 x 8GB configuration, and you cannot mix and match RAM sets.



Any reason for this? You'll run out of storage space very quickly with just that drive alone.



That's decent but it is a very old case. The thing I would be concerned with is the air flow. On a modern case you should get all the fan slots that you need in order to get the most out of a TR4 CPU.

Memory: I suppose that means I need to stick with 32GB since I can't find any 16GB 4x4GB kits.

Hard Drive: Just literally doing all I can to shave off dollars to stay within budget. I do have a few regular hard drives already that I can use for extra storage space that doesn't need to be fast access.

CPU Cooler: If anything else than that cooler sounds dangerous especially with the case I'll stick with the cooler you suggested.

Case: If you wouldn't feel safe with that case then I suppose I would get what you suggested as well. It's just that I still have it brand new sitting in the box since like 2010 and would hate to waste it.

GPU: The GPU I can reduce back down to the 5700 you suggested in order to make room for the cost of the extra memory if I can't get a 4 x 4GB set like you suggested.

 

[g-unit1111]

Memory: I suppose that means I need to stick with 32GB since I can't find any 16GB 4x4GB kits.

Hard Drive: Just literally doing all I can to shave off dollars to stay within budget. I do have a few regular hard drives already that I can use for extra storage space that doesn't need to be fast access.

CPU Cooler: If anything else than that cooler sounds dangerous especially with the case I'll stick with the cooler you suggested.

Case: If you wouldn't feel safe with that case then I suppose I would get what you suggested as well. It's just that I still have it brand new sitting in the box since like 2010 and would hate to waste it.

GPU: The GPU I can reduce back down to the 5700 you suggested in order to make room for the cost of the extra memory if I can't get a 4 x 4GB set like you suggested.

1. Yes, more is almost always better especially when working with a 12 core CPU like that.

2. You can definitely reuse your extra hard drives if you need to.

3. Not at all. I would just be concerned with the age of the case. There's plenty of decent cases that you can get around the $60 - $70 range.

3. Pretty much anything from Corsair, Phanteks, NZXT, or Fractal Design. You can definitely use that case if you want to save money or you feel it's necessary. Newer cases usually have things like more advanced airflow and have bays for newer storage drives.

4. Yeah that would probably be wise.

 

[guest2019user]

1. Yes, more is almost always better especially when working with a 12 core CPU like that.

2. You can definitely reuse your extra hard drives if you need to.

3. Not at all. I would just be concerned with the age of the case. There's plenty of decent cases that you can get around the $60 - $70 range.

3. Pretty much anything from Corsair, Phanteks, NZXT, or Fractal Design. You can definitely use that case if you want to save money or you feel it's necessary. Newer cases usually have things like more advanced airflow and have bays for newer storage drives.

4. Yeah that would probably be wise.

Found quad channel 16GB memory (I would like to know relatively what I would be losing performance-wise by choosing 16 instead of 32 and 2400 versus 3600. My assumption is that it is still better than 8GB of 3600 speed memory but not as good obviously as 16GB of 3600. What does it lean more towards?), drop the GPU down to the 5700 and stick with the newer case. Started thinking about things that the new case may have that a ten year old case won't. USB speeds and such. Plus the reviews on that Rosewill weren't that great. Don't want to be bummed with the case and have to replace it.

Fractal Design Meshify C - Compact Mid Tower Computer Case
($84.99 @ Amazon)
GIGABYTE X399 AORUS PRO (AMD Ryzen Thread Ripper TR4/ATX /3X M.2/Front USB 3.1 Type C/Intel LAN/ALC1220/ Motherboard)
($279.99 @ Amazon)
EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G3, 80 Plus Gold 650W, Fully Modular
($104.99 @ Amazon)
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X (12-Core/24-Thread) Processor 4.3 GHz Max Boost
($349.99 @ Amazon)
XFX Force Radeon RX 5700 XT Graphics Card
($399.99 @ bhphoto)
G.SKILL Value 16GB (4 x 4GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15Q-16GNT
($65.99 @ Newegg)
Intel 660p Series M.2 2280 512GB PCI-Express 3.0 x4 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
($69.99 @ Newegg)
Acer EB321HQU Awidpx 32" IPS WQHD LCD/LED Monitor
($234.99 @ Newegg)

That puts me at $1880 with Windows but I decided not to skimp on a few pretty important things. I don't want to use a crappy case. I think I'm with you on this. This system kind of just designs itself once the processor and motherboard are chosen. I'm still on the fence on the memory but I think this is what I'm going with. Have to pull the trigger on it tomorrow as far as ordering parts so I still have tonight to consider the memory but I can't see spending more than what I'm already spending and it looks like everything is already dangerously close to being inefficient.

 

[g-unit1111]

Found quad channel 16GB memory (I would like to know relatively what I would be losing performance-wise by choosing 16 instead of 32 and 2400 versus 3600. My assumption is that it is still better than 8GB of 3600 speed memory but not as good obviously as 16GB of 3600. What does it lean more towards?), drop the GPU down to the 5700 and stick with the newer case. Started thinking about things that the new case may have that a ten year old case won't. USB speeds and such. Plus the reviews on that Rosewill weren't that great. Don't want to be bummed with the case and have to replace it.

Yeah the new case will definitely have better connectivity options for current devices where the old case won't. You could always sell that on eBay and get some more money to use in your new sytem.

As for that CPU, for AMD you need fast RAM. You can't compromise by going with slower RAM. As for 16GB vs 32? Keep in mind that as get going on drawings and files that have 100+ layers in them, it will slow to a crawl if you have 16GB. I work with Autodesk products every day, believe me, I can speak from first hand experience.

That puts me at $1880 with Windows but I decided not to skimp on a few pretty important things. I don't want to use a crappy case. I think I'm with you on this. This system kind of just designs itself once the processor and motherboard are chosen. I'm still on the fence on the memory but I think this is what I'm going with. Have to pull the trigger on it tomorrow as far as ordering parts so I still have tonight to consider the memory but I can't see spending more than what I'm already spending and it looks like everything is already dangerously close to being inefficient.

Sometimes going over budget happens. That is definitely a wise decision on rethinking the case. Sure you could use an old case for new parts, but then again you know you lose out on current connectivity options. I was using a Corsiar 500R on my previous build, it had a 1394 port, that port is now useless.

As far as being inefficient? That entirely depends on how well your system can change with constantly evolving and updating software. The nice thing about having an AMD system is that you can upgrade to the next two generations of CPU and keep up with the times.

 

[guest2019user]

Yeah the new case will definitely have better connectivity options for current devices where the old case won't. You could always sell that on eBay and get some more money to use in your new sytem.

As for that CPU, for AMD you need fast RAM. You can't compromise by going with slower RAM. As for 16GB vs 32? Keep in mind that as get going on drawings and files that have 100+ layers in them, it will slow to a crawl if you have 16GB. I work with Autodesk products every day, believe me, I can speak from first hand experience.



Sometimes going over budget happens. That is definitely a wise decision on rethinking the case. Sure you could use an old case for new parts, but then again you know you lose out on current connectivity options. I was using a Corsiar 500R on my previous build, it had a 1394 port, that port is now useless.

As far as being inefficient? That entirely depends on how well your system can change with constantly evolving and updating software. The nice thing about having an AMD system is that you can upgrade to the next two generations of CPU and keep up with the times.

Heard you loud & clear. I'll definitely stick with the 32GB memory then. I appreciate your candor! Thank you very much all of your patience and help. And I'm very glad to hear you work with Autodesk.

 

[g-unit1111]

Heard you loud & clear. I'll definitely stick with the 32GB memory then. I appreciate your candor! Thank you very much all of your patience and help. And I'm very glad to hear you work with Autodesk.

Sure! I do a lot of CAD printing and my system barely cuts it sometimes working with multi-layered files. Having extra RAM definitely helps.

 

[guest2019user]

Sure! I do a lot of CAD printing and my system barely cuts it sometimes working with multi-layered files. Having extra RAM definitely helps.

Ended up finding out there is a Microcenter close enough to me that I'm going to make the trip for the parts tomorrow.

Microcenter:
CPU
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X $299.99
MOTHERBOARD
Gigabyte X399 Aorus Pro TR4 ATX AMD Motherboard $249.99
Noctua NH-U14S CPU Cooler $89.99
GPU
PowerColor Radeon RX 5700 XT Dual-Fan 8GB GDDR6 $384.99
***They had another one for $5 less but it was a single fan version
HARD DRIVE
Crucial P1 500GB SSD 3D QLC NAND M.2 2280 $66.99

$1157.47 w/tax

Newegg:
MEMORY
G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3600 (PC4 28800) Desktop Memory $189.99

$201.39 w/tax

Amazon:
MONITOR
Dell S Series Led-Lit Monitor 32" Black (S3219D) $199.99
CASE
Fractal Design Meshify C - Compact Mid Tower Computer Case $84.99
POWER SUPPLY
EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G3, 80 Plus Gold 650W $104.99

$413.37 w/tax

Total with tax $1772.23!!!
*+$30 for gas

 

[g-unit1111]

Nice! Should be a good system!

 

[Azzyasi]

For medium level CAD is very good. I work in CATIA on an old laptop with integrated gpu i7 dualcore 4th gen. And it works. (for medium assemblies with few features (simple parts not real to smallest detail) but with few hundreds components)
I also have a dedicated workstation with xeon and quadro.

As for Solidworks in particular, is vastly more performant on Quadro lineup of GPU's using special features of the Quadro.
Sure the 5700XT is a good card for gaming and will do CAD just fine, but if you find the model sluggish (open a real assembly of an entire car with 10k parts) then a quadro will vastly improve the performance.

The good thing is that cad modelling struggled with limited hardware for ages.. so models were simplified, assemblies level of detail could be adjusted (omitting small parts), silouthed and wraps of large assemblies were in place instead of the real assembly with thousands of a component (example: a car with a wrap for the entire engine and transmision instead of the real model with 2k parts so the car could be loaded with wraps for the big subassemblies to see the big picture of the car)

So i've been doing CAD in CATIA (also from DSS, same as Solidworks) starting on a P4 on win XP and worked ok. The program is optimized a lot to use limited resources so if you ever run out of performance then look after level of detail/wraps/omits/etc techiques used even this day to deal with behemoth models (an entire A380 to the smallest detail). So be assured even the weakest PC from 20 years ago will CAD just fine but will have to resort to techiques to improve performance much sooner.

Same goes for FEA. I've done FEA in Ansys on that same P4, and worked ok but had to do clever meshing to use smallest number of relevant elements. This also better teaches the limitations of the FEA model and how to make a clever small model that is accurate. Today many young FEA analysts just spits the automatic mesher with 2M elements and hit run and 1h later the model is solved. But my experience showed that a 50K element model could to better than the automatic 2M one and with the same hardware is a time saver.

As for workload of CAD - you need single core performance
Workload for FEA - multicore (but many models cant use multicore due to iteration nature of the computation so single core) Larger FEA models can greatly use as many cores you have if you have the model made in such a way to parallelize the computation on sepparate parts of the assembly (rather than a big assembly, go for a Beam structure, then do the assmbly of the joints model, then the full assembly with the reasults from beam and individual joints... this can be made in parallel mode to use all of the cores)

LTT did a video about solidworks CAD hardware

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-90qEJAVkU

 

[guest2019user]

Nice! Should be a good system!

I think I got one of the wrong parts. I got this from microcenter: https://www.microcenter.com/product/479166/noctua-nh-u14s-cpu-cooler

Is that not the same as the one your recommended?

 

[g-unit1111]

I think I got one of the wrong parts. I got this from microcenter: https://www.microcenter.com/product/479166/noctua-nh-u14s-cpu-cooler

Is that not the same as the one your recommended?

No, you need the TR4 specific version: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DX2SX7?tag=pcpapi-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

 

[guest2019user]

No, you need the TR4 specific version: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074DX2SX7?tag=pcpapi-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

Received the correct cooler today. Went to start up the system and nothing happens. No fans spinning on any parts and no noises whatsoever. How do I go about seeing what the problem is first?

Also what is a good replacement for the motherboard I got? I'm going to return it tomorrow since I think it is fried.

 

[g-unit1111]

Received the correct cooler today. Went to start up the system and nothing happens. No fans spinning on any parts and no noises whatsoever. How do I go about seeing what the problem is first?

Also what is a good replacement for the motherboard I got? I'm going to return it tomorrow since I think it is fried.

I'd first check every single connection - it sounds like something could have got disconnected during assembly. Then if that doesn't work before replacing the motherboard look at the PSU. The only other possibility after that is that something could have got bent / broken during assembly. It happens, we've all been there.

 

[guest2019user]

I'd first check every single connection - it sounds like something could have got disconnected during assembly. Then if that doesn't work before replacing the motherboard look at the PSU. The only other possibility after that is that something could have got bent / broken during assembly. It happens, we've all been there.

Thanks for the advice!

I'm thinking since I moved over the motherboard with all the parts from that case/psu to a known good working case/psu and it still isn't responding that I either have the front panel hook up wrong (which is really impossible), I don't have the psu ports hooked up correctly on the motherboard, or the motherboard is just DOA. There are a pair of 4-pin cpu ports side by side and there is one more 4-pin cpu connector above it. I currently have the 8-pin coming from the power supply to the pair of ports. Do I also need to use the extra plug above it?

Also, this is the other motherboard I will have to get since they are out of stock on the first one. Is it ok? https://www.microcenter.com/product/488402/asus-rog-strix-x399-e-gaming-tr4-eatx-amd-motherboard

 

[g-unit1111]

Thanks for the advice!

I'm thinking since I moved over the motherboard with all the parts from that case/psu to a known good working case/psu and it still isn't responding that I either have the front panel hook up wrong (which is really impossible), I don't have the psu ports hooked up correctly on the motherboard, or the motherboard is just DOA. There are a pair of 4-pin cpu ports side by side and there is one more 4-pin cpu connector above it. I currently have the 8-pin coming from the power supply to the pair of ports. Do I also need to use the extra plug above it?

Yes if there's two CPU power ports both must be connected. I'm not entirely sure but I think in order to get the other port powered you must use one of the 8 pin connectors. But don't quote me on that.

Also, this is the other motherboard I will have to get since they are out of stock on the first one. Is it ok? https://www.microcenter.com/product/488402/asus-rog-strix-x399-e-gaming-tr4-eatx-amd-motherboard

That's an EATX (extended ATX) motherboard. You would have to make sure your case meets the dimensions.