Small Form PC for AutoCAD - advice needed

Rick Sanchez on 31/08/2015 - 23:05

Hi all!

I'm looking to get a PC to be used with basic software (Office and similar), mostly 2D CAD and basic 3D software (sometime might have to use wireframe 3D CAD models and/or rotate views, SpaceGASS etc)

It also needs to be relatively small as I do not have the space for a PC tower.

At the moment thinking of the Optiplex small form factor, i5, no GPU, dell outlet ~$550

We have a 3rd gen one at work and it works ok (not the smoothest though)

Is there a better recommendation? How would the Gygabite Brix or similar perform? Mini ITX build might be better otherwise?

Thanks! :)

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 31/08/2015 - 23:20
    +1

    A dell outlet build is the most cost effective, as you're not having to shell out potentially $100 bucks just for windows. However they tend to be specced with weak PSU's which limits the addition of discrete GPU.

    The question is whether just a Core i5 with iGPU is enough to fulfill your demands? What are you running right now and are you using a GPU?

    Looks like what you might actually need is a workstation card, although I'm not sure of their performance hiearchy a dedicated GPU certainly helps with rendering and 3D views.

    • Rick Sanchez on 31/08/2015 - 23:44

      Good point. Think I can get a cheap windows from uni, otherwise might try the reddit MS software swap and risk it.

      Right now everything works fine with a Vostro desktop, no gfx card, 3rd gen i5.

      Just realised that the small form factor cpu is still substantially more powerful than the i5-5200u. So will need to stick to small form / mini ITX build and NUCs are a no-go.

      Will see what pops up on the outlet tomorrow, thanks :)

  • Diji1 on 01/09/2015 - 00:32

    nVm…

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