Processors

[Michael O'Connor]

Getting ready to upgrade notebook and desktop computers.
Looking for comments on the dual core processors, bot Intel and AMD.
Particular interest in issues with MSCAD.
Thanks

[Richard Sands]

I've just got a new PC - MSI P965 Core2 Duo Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 CPU
4 Gig Corsair Ram
Gigabyte GeForce 8600GTS 256 mb Garphics.
Win XP Pro
It runs very fast and I am really pleased with the results.
Haven't had any drama's with 2005. It still does the occasional crash as it did in previous PC's and my Laptop.
I was offered an AMD but advice given was they had slipped behind Intel.
Graphics programs and GIS really fly with this machine.
regards, Richard

[azstew]

Richard and I think alike.

I built 2 for me, this year.

E6600/2GB CAS4 DDR2, 74 GB 10,000 RPM Raptor, 2 x 160 GB storage, 2 x FX 1400 Quadros

AMD X2-5600 2 GB cas 4, 320 GB HDD, 6600 GT (Dual DVI out for $40 on sale)

Both are nice machines.
Having Windows and your main apps, and working drawings on the Raptor speeds load times and saves, etc.
CAD, in general also likes low latency RAM moreso than bandwidth.
Good Luck!

BTW, Richard, how much RAM does the BIOS report, compared to what windows says is available?
It's my understanding that you need 64 bit XP to get the last 1.5 GB.