Re: computer build for CAD use (and games)
 

Depends on the version of the program.

After setting the program to run as Administrator and in XP SP2 compatibility mode, I was able to get Solidworks 2007 to run on my father's laptop (running Vista) without any problems. And it wasn't even the Vista-beta version.

For the most part, it seems that the copious issues that we used to have with CAD (and practically every other application in existence) and Vista are slowly being resolved as the programs are upgraded/patched.

But if you still need to run versions of software that date before about this year, then I would advise sticking with XP.

Re: computer build for CAD use (and games)
 

You should also make sure Disable Desktop Composition is enabled in the Compatibility tab of the program's property window.

Re: computer build for CAD use (and games)
 

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4790X ATX Ultra Durable II AMD Mobo
With a
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6Ghz 65W Dual-Core Black Edition Model ADO5000DSWOF
Cooled by a
ZALMAN 9500A 92mm 2 Ball
And two sets of (4 gigs total)
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066 Model F2-8500CL5D-2GBPK
With a
EVGA 512-P3-N801-AR GeForce 8800GT 512MB GDDR3
And two at raid0
Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YS 250GB SATAII
Powered by a
OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W PSU
All in a
Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS w/ 25CM Fan

They just dropped prices of Intel proc's by 50%. I'd seriously consider going for Q6700 (only like $250 now) and an Intel mobo. Even if you just stay dual core, I'd seriously recommend Intel. I'd been a hardline AMD/ATI user before this last batch of upgrades/rebuilds about a year ago, and I haven't looked back with my Intel Quad/8800GTS build. Its great.

But... if you're going for a CAD box... idk... it's probably worth shopping around for an NVidia Quadro card instead of a mainline gaming card like the 8800 or such. Also, don't cheep out on ram too much, there is actually a difference btw nice ram and cheep ram as speed goes, even if they are teh same DDR type and all.

Re: computer build for CAD use (and games)
 

I have a dual core 2.8ghz P4 with 4gb ram and recently upgraded to a Quadro 6700; it made a huge difference. I have some ridiculous assemblies in terms of resources, and I have yet to cause any decent lag.