Should I choose a Dell precision outlet model?
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I am in need of a new computer to run and render sketch up landscape design models.
I was considering getting a dell xps 8700 with i7 4770 and gtx 645 (for now) card that was at Costco for $700 on sale.
Would I be better getting a dell business out precision model. I am seeing ones that I could get with a 25% off coupon for not too much more. For instance there is a t1700 with the same processor and a quadro k600. I have also seen Xeon processors with quadro 2000 and 4000 available.
I am mainly using sketchup, autocad 2012 2d and CS5 photoshop.
I am not sure what I will render in yet, but it will probably be something inside sketchup like maxwell render or something that is covered extensively in "Rendering in SketchUp: From Modeling to Presentation for Architecture, Landscape Architecture and Interior Design]"
Any opinions or other ideas for a $600 to $900 system?
Thanks!
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I'm not a fan of the quadros. and multi core cpus won't do much good for sketchup. although they will help with some renderers and other software.
What do you have now? What actual rendering programs do you use. then we'll know better what cards like what programs. have you considered putting all that money in a couple nice upgrades? a solid state drive will be one of the biggest performance increases you'll ever see and it will effect PS, Autocad and SketchUp. you could put 600 in two GTX 770's and have a pretty impressive render time in SLi.
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Thanks for the reply. My current computer is a latitude e6400 laptop,not really upgradable.
I am thinking a i7 4770 with a gtx 760 and 16 GB ram is my best bang for buck as long as it has room to upgrade video card in future.
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a 4770 with 16GB and a gtx 760 should be fine for your needs and in this price range.
But yes, do you a favor and add a good SSD! -
Thanks.
Do you think a gtx 640 or gtx 645 ( as in the dell xps at Costco) would provide adequate sketchup performance as long as I don't use too many big 3d trees?
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you could just try it and see if it is enough for your work - since it is already included. But looking at the raw performance the 760 is maybe two times faster than a 640/645
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Yeah... gotta ditch the laptop. I don't know if I would suggest a corporate box though.
here's the problem... small corporate boxes are not good for future expansion. they are very tight inside making working on them or fitting other hardware in difficult, the power supplies are normally oddly shaped and under powered, boards are underpowered and often have one or two selling points on them but other hidden draw backs, they normally don't have sli or triple sli or crossfire available.
You can get a box built with basic components on ebay from a small time local shop anywhere in the US for around 400-500. then you can have a box big enough to upgrade later. You mention to GTX640; if it turned out to be not enough power, then you could buy another one and put it in sli with your first card if you had sli capability.
Do you know how to build a computer? you might be happier with one you built.
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Yes, a preconfigured Dell sys is mostly very limited on the specs (space, PSU, expandability) so a custom build will allways be more flexible.
But i think for a GTX760 the XPS 8700 specs should be enough. From what i have found (no guaranty) the XPS 8700 comes with a 460 Watt OEM PSU made by Delta Electronics with 32A on the +12V rail and two 6-pin PCIe power connectors. The reference GTX 760 needs ~170W and 2x 6-pin - but there are other models who need 1x8-pin or 1x6-pin+1x8-pin! -
I have an 1100 watt power supply with 2 GTX 470's (2)6 pins per card. I think my next cards will be GTX770's I'll buy one and then another later. $300 a pop. smokin fast.
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