Forums >> Workflow & Implementation >> Hardware >> Looking to buy a new computer system

julius071

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Joined: Thu, Feb 18, 2010
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Current computer system is a Dell Studio Hybrid Pentium Processor 1.86 GHz with 2GB of RAM and this little machine just fine with Revit 2011 but i want to upgrade since fundings are available.

It's been a while I looked at computer systems that is available today with the i5 and i7 being the top processors(correct me if I'm wrong)

I perfer PC and Dell since i only purchase that brand but I'll be interested if Mac is the best to go.

Thank you.

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coreed

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Joined: Fri, Feb 10, 2006
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all i can say is WoW!!

i don't know how you replace that.

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best regards,

coreed,aia

bmpArchitects,Inc.

"Revit has to be implemented, Not installed." 

Long Live Revit

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itsmyalterego

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Joined: Thu, May 28, 2009
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You won't feel it's just fine after you experience it on a newer system  

I personally don't like Dell... <prepare for incoming rant> but some people at my office lobby very hard for them, and leave me to actually get their computers semi-functional.  They can wax poetic about stats and *sound* educated, but suck at using/actually evaluating tech.  Case in point:  Any software glitch is obviously a "virus" and the only solution for a "virus" is to reformat the harddrive, reinstall everything, act like a hero and bill it as 8 hours.  Anyway -- Our latest batch of workstations were Dual quad core Xenons @ 2.67GHz, 12 gigs of ram, and Quadro FX 4800 graphics.  (Dell screwed us by including 70 gig harddrives with glitchy windows 7 upgrades over the top of existing vista installs)  They cost slightly more than $3,000 half a year ago. Probably a fair bit cheaper now.

Despite my negativity, they work great now.  And should continue to perform well for several years.  I wouldn't go with a mac.  Revit 2011 is the first version to really utilize multiple cores, so this is important in whatever workstation you buy.  I don't find the demand for ram ever approaches 12 gigs.  I haven't seen it top 4.  Graphics card is important.  Consider mid-high range cards linked in SLI.  The *newest* *best* card is always too expensive, and yesterdays bargain bin card doubled up can often outperform at 1/4 the cost.  But I'm unsure if Dell will allow you that as an option.

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julius071

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Joined: Thu, Feb 18, 2010
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Revit Architecture 2011 Certified Professional

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coreed

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Joined: Fri, Feb 10, 2006
1874 Posts

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best regards,

coreed,aia

bmpArchitects,Inc.

"Revit has to be implemented, Not installed." 

Long Live Revit

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mbsteve

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Joined: Fri, Sep 22, 2006
759 Posts

take a look at Velocity Micro and @xi I have a Velocity and I am pretty happy with it the way it is put together is really nice. my partner has a @xi, and is very happy.

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RevitCafe

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Try to get DDR 3 ram, 6-8 gigs. A Solid State drive for booting and software only. And a 7,200 rmp drive for content etc... If you can get a deal on two small monitors over one large one, thats good too. The real estate issue with revit is starting to clear up with the ribbon toolbar and the properties window being detached/ floatable.

Pc Perspective keeps a leaderboard for those who want to build a computer on their own. There is a discount available for this kind of purchase...

http://pcper.com/hwlb.php?guide2=y#guide2

As far a processing speed, I had a dual quad and It did better than the dual core for multi processing, but it wasn't necessary. You can try getting a i7 or i9 dual core or a smaller dual quad. 

Cheers,

Craig Hanus

Revit Cafe

www.revitcafe.com

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julius071

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Joined: Thu, Feb 18, 2010
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Thanks for the all information guys helps alot.

Will let you know what machine spec ill get and let you know if its okay.

Thank again.

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Revit Architecture 2011 Certified Professional

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Have to buy new laptop..2009 doesn't suport Windows 2000 Professional

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