Topics: Dell Business Workstation, Workstations, RAM, Hardware, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, AutoCAD, Processors, GPU, Memory, Graphics Cards, AMD, Video Cards, Operating System, Dell Workstations, Windows, CAD

Topics: Workstations, Autodesk, RAM, Hardware, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, 32-Bit, AutoCAD, Processors, Operating Systems, GPU, Memory, Graphics Cards, Upgrade, Video Cards, Operating System, 64-Bit, Windows

RAID is an option you'll likely want to consider for a new workstation, depending on the model you choose. The acronym stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disks, and refers to the redundancy that provides reliability and data security. By far, the most common options offered in workstations are RAID modes 0 and 1.

Topics: Workstations, Hardware, Hard Drive, SSD Drive, RAID, CAD

This series is comparing hard disk drives (HDD) versus solid state drives (SSD) for CAD workstation storage. Read part 1 here.

Topics: Workstations, Hardware, Hard Drive, SSD Drive, CAD

When it comes to thinking about what should go in our workstations, we — both hardware suppliers and users— too often dwell on the glitzier technology inside, the "speeds and feeds." How many CPU cores or GPU shaders there are, what frequencies they're clocked at, and how many polygons/second or texels/second the GPU can churn through.

Topics: Workstations, Hardware, Hard Drive, SSD Drive, CAD

This series focuses on helping our readers understand what CAD workstations cost and how much they are going to have to spend to find a machine that meets their CAD production needs. The first part focused on entry-level systems. This post will discuss mid-range ($2,500 to $7,000) and high-end (more than $7,000) systems.

Mid-Range and High-End

Topics: Workstations, RAM, Hardware, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, Processors, Memory, Graphics Cards, Video Cards, Display, CAD

Optimizing hardware for SolidWorks is essential for getting the most out of this heavy-hitting CAD application, as we've discussed on CADspeed previously. So we were thrilled when the SolidWorks forum addressed this very issue recently on their forums.

Topics: Workstations, RAM, SolidWorks, Hardware, Graphics Card, Multi-Threading, Hard Drive, Processors, SSD Drive, GPU, Memory, Graphics Cards, Backup System, Video Cards, CAD

Autodesk has released it's juicy new 2012 software upgrades, and you finally have that software license in your hand. Here's a few tips from the Autodesk folks on preparing your system before installing Autodesk software.

Topics: Workstations, Autodesk, RAM, Hardware, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, AutoCAD, Processors, Operating Systems, GPU, Memory, Graphics Cards, Upgrade, Video Cards, Operating System, Windows, CAD

In September we announced the release of the 2012 version of Vectorworks® software. The release contains more than 100 performance and usability improvements to help users save time and increase their productivity. If you’re thinking about trying one of the Vectorworks design series programs, or if you’re ready for an upgrade, you may have some questions about hardware selection. Here is a brief overview to get you started.

Topics: RAM, Hardware, Hard Drive, Processors, SSD Drive, Memory, Video Cards, Vectorworks, CAD

Previously, we discussed the meaning behind the various index scores reported by the Cadalyst Systems Benchmark. Next, we talked about operating the benchmark. In this, part 3 of our blog, we finish discussing the operation of the Cadalyst Systems Benchmark.

Topics: Workstations, Autodesk, RAM, Hardware, Graphics Card, Hard Drive, AutoCAD, Processors, GPU, Graphics Cards, RAID, Benchmark, CAD