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Originally Posted by Max Lobovsky
Personally, I would suggest getting whatever PC meets your price requirements from HP/Compaq. Dell, IBM, and Sony really are overpriced for a home user. The default set of components are usually good, except that a lot of PCs still have a default of 256MB memory which is definitley not enough. 512 is the minimum, and at $750 (assuming you aren't getting a monitor), I'd go for 768 or 1GB. Finally, I'm not sure if AutoCad uses multiple processors very well, but if you really want this machine for CADding, a Hyper-Threaded Pentium probably is your best bet.
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Regarding memory:
Get plenty--but don't go overboard. For my Pro/E work (i.e. 3D CAD), I often wish that I had more than 512 MB of RAM, but it's not really an obstacle that often. When I'm in Autocad 2004, 512 is not a problem. Do not buy ECC or registered RAM. That's not needed on a sub $1000 (USD) computer--it adds error-checking to the RAM, which, while nice, is not worth the price premium. (It's also slightly slower, because of the ECC function.) Also, don't bother with fancy RAM that advertises higher speeds and lower latencies--just get DDR400 (i.e. PC3200), which is used on almost all modern systems. (Note--if you can get one of the really new P4s, they may need different RAM. But I doubt that those are within your price range yet.) So my recommendation is 512, though up to 1024 isn't out of line, if you can afford it.
Regarding processors and Hyperthreading:
Intel's P4 "C", "D" and "E" models (the newer ones on the Northwood, Gallatin and Prescott cores), the 3.06 GHz P4 "B" (Northwood), and the newer Xeons (Foster, Prestonia, Gallatin and Nocona) are the only mainstream processors with Hyperthreading (or an equivalent). Don't let that stop you from getting something else, if the price is right. Hyperthreading won't help you with Autocad specifically--it only acts
somewhat like a dual-processor machine when the otherwise unused portions of the chip can be devoted to some other operation "in the meantime". For (a simplified) example, if one program needs to use the CPU's floating point unit, but would otherwise saturate the processor, Hyperthreading would allow another program to access the integer unit as if it were on a second processor.
In any case, if shopping P4s, go with a P4 2.6C or better; there's really no advantage to paying more for a new Prescott, due to a lack of optimizations in current software for its new features (SSE3, mainly).
Also, in terms of AMD, look into the Athlon64 line, with particular emphasis on the non-FX models (which are slightly more capable, but unreasonably priced). Any Athlon64 should be fast enough.
Multiple processors are out (in that price range), unless you want a dated Athlon MP (not recommended).
Regarding pre-built systems:
Dell (Small Business section) has a recurring deal, valid only in the US (lucky you...) which offers a Poweredge 400SC server for around $300-$450 (USD), depending on options. This machine is in fact an excellent workstation (or even home PC!), with a motherboard that supports socket 478-based P4s, on an Intel 875 chipset (the most capable one that Intel sells for socket 478 P4s). Unlike most servers, it has AGP capability, and will happily suit your needs. Some warnings, though--be careful customizing options on the Dell site. You may be automatically charged more (so be watchful for a $50 charge for seemingly nothing at all--that's a customization fee, which may or may not be worth it). Don't buy much RAM from Dell--they're expensive. In any event, this motherboard should accept any decent quality non-ECC, non-registered DDR400, in a single or dual channel configuration. (For a
slight boost in performance due to dual-channel mode, install
matching pairs of memory modules in the appropriate slots, as opposed to one at a time.)
Perhaps the best feature of any major OEM is the warranty (that is, if you're not interested in doing it all yourself). Don't overlook it, especially if the computer isn't for you personally (and someone at school might have to deal with it).
And don't ever, ever buy a Sony. (Way too much money, for mediocre performance, and, in the case of some of their fancier VAIO models, proprietary hardware.)