Are you wondering what are the best desktop computer for CAD work-2017? If you are, we present you 8 of the best desktops for CAD programs like AutoCAD and solidworks. While we will review 5 of them, we will actually provide a list of 8 computers for CAD.
All CAD programs are hardware intensive and require powerful components in the system for them to give a better output. If you think a regular home use desktop is all it takes to run CAD programs, you are sadly mistaken. That is more true if you need a perfect pc configuration for 3D rendering.
Without wasting too much of your time, let’s get into the minimum system requirements on a Desktop PC for CAD applications.
System requirements on the best Desktops for CAD
- Processor: At least Intel i5 or equally competent AMD processor
- RAM: 16 GB or more is ideal but it really depends on how complex your work is going to be.
- Storage: At least 500GB HDD or more. These days SSDs are more popular and rightly so. System with SSDs are faster and more reliable. Although not compulsory we recommend SSD over HDD.
- Monitor: All of these desktop comes without monitor, you will have to buy them separately. You can do so here.
The Million Dollar Question : GTX or Quadro/FirePro on the desktop to effectively run CAD Programs
Graphic card is the single most important computer component to run any CAD program seamlessly. There are often huge debates on whether CAD programs run better on a system with GTX GPU or NVIDIA Quadro series GPU. The answer is it depends. It all comes down to what you are trying to achieve, what your budget is and what specific CAD application you are going to use.
In monetary terms, desktops with gaming series GTX cards cost way cheaper than those with Quadro or FirePro cards. While GTX cards can be used to operate both 3D and 2D AutoCAD, Solidworks and Maya runs seamlessly only on systems with Quadro or FirePro graphic cards. Also, you will experience more crashes on desktops with gaming GPUs. But then again, you can play games on your system during off hours if you have one of the gaming GPUs on your system.
Our Verdict
This is going to be a huge investment and better safe than sorry. Go with a desktop with Quadro GPU unless you are really tight on your budget and/or you are only going to operate AutoCAD now or in the future.
Now, it’s time to help you determine the best desktops for CAD work for 2017 and beyond. We will list several best desktop computers for AutoCad, best Desktops for solidworks, best desktops for 3D modeling and rendering and other CAD applications. We will review 5 of them in more details.
| Desktops | GPU | Recommended Use | Price |
| CPU Solutions 3D* | Quadro M4000 | Any CAD program | Under $3000 |
| Dell Precision Tower 5810* | Quadro K620 | Any CAD Program | Under $2500 |
| Lenovo ThinkStation P410 | Quadro M2000 | Any CAD Program | Under $2000 |
| HP Workstation Z840* | Quadro M6000 | Any CAD Program | $7000+ |
| CybertronPC Blueprint* | Quadro K420 | Any CAD Program | Under $1000 |
| HP L9K24UT | FirePro W2100 | Any CAD Program | Under $1500 |
| iBUYPOWER AM009i | GTX 1060 | Under $1200 | |
| ASUS ROG-G20CB-DB71* | GTX 1070 | Under $1500 |
*These top desktop computers for CAD will be reviewed below.
1. CPU Solutions Express 3D Desktop – The best Desktop for Autocad
Custom built especially for CAD, the CPU solution express 3D desktop is one of the best desktops for any program.
Although this system cost in excess of $2000, it is actually a cheap desktop given its configurations. Compatible with AutoCAD, Solidworks, Revit, Maya and any other CAD applications, this machine is for serious professionals.
This desktop has NVIDIA Quadro M2000 which is tested and certified by solidworks. It will also run any other 2D or 3D applications seamlessly.
The CPU Solutions Express 3D Desktop qualifies to be the:
- The Best desktop for AutoCAD 2017
- Best desktop computer for 3D Modeling and rendering 2017
- Top Desktop for Solidworks 2017
Key Configurations
- Processor: Intel Quad Core i7-6700k
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1TB SSD, 2TB HDD
- Operating System: Windows 7 Pro
2. Dell XTV1N Precision Tower 5810 – The best desktop for CAD
The Dell XTV1N Precision Tower 5810 is another great alternative if you are looking for a similar price range of CPU solutions CAD desktop. This too is packed with enough power to render your 3D modeling seamlessly.
This tower comes with a NVIDIA Quadro K620 graphic card which is certified by almost all of the programs out there. Many professionals agree that NVIDIA Quadro K620 is a good graphic card to run various applications without crashing the system.
Given its specs, this too is fairly priced and can be used for complex projects without having to worry about performance.
The Dell XTV1N Precision Tower 5810 qualifies to be the:
- Best desktop computers for Maya 2017
- Best Desktops for almost every Autodesk products including Revit and Autocad
- Rest of other applications
Key Configurations
- Processor: Xeon E5-1620 v4
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Recommended: Laptops with 16GB Random Access Memory
3. HP Workstation Z840 – The best desktop for Solidworks
The HP Workstation Z840 almost qualifies to be a mini super computer. If CAD is your bread and butter and you are looking for a long term investment, you should take a look at the HP Workstation Z840. If you can afford that is. I could’t. This monster costs more than $7000! But if you can afford it, you should give a serious consideration to this CAD desktop.
This CAD desktop comes with a M6000 GPU with its own internal memory of 24GB. Combine that with the powerful Intel Xeon processor and you will get the performance of lifetime!
This computer is for true-no-kidding-professionals and qualifies to be:
- Best Computer for CAD work using ANY software
- Best desktop for 3D Modeling and rendering 2017
Key Configurations
- Processor: Intel Xeon E5-2637 v4
- RAM: 32GB
- Storage: 1280GB SSD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Recommended: Great desktops for graphic design
4. CybertronPC Blueprint
If you are tight on your budget and looking for a cheap desktop for CAD, the CybertronPC Blueprint would be your option. This is one of the best computers for CAD under $1000.
No worries if you need a powerful system but cannot afford several thousands of dollars. The CybertronPC Blueprint got you covered.
This CAD desktop comes with a Quadro K420 GPU. Not the most powerful and efficient GPU out there but will get the job done without crashing your system too much. You can run AutoCad, Solidworks, Maya, Revit and other programs without having any compatibility issues.
This is the best CAD desktop under $1000 for 2017.
Key Configurations
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 1700
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 1TB HDD
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
5. ASUS ROG-G20CB-DB71
This is another great alternative if you need a multipurpose system where you can also play games in your leisure time as this computer comes with a gaming series GTX 1070 GPU and is VR ready. Please note that this desktop will have compatibility issues with many programs. Solidworks and Maya are known to have compatibility issues with GTX series cards. But, users have reported that AutoCAD works much better on the desktops with GTX GPUs. Know what you are diving into before spending money!
This desktop qualifies to be the:
- Best Desktop for AutoCAD 2017
Buy this if you plan to just use AutoCAD in the foreseeable future, are tight on budget and enjoy playing games every now and then. Rest assured, it is a perfect desktop computer for AutoCAD.
Key Configurations
- Processor: Intel i7-6700, Quad core
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 1TB HDD
- Operating System: Windows 10
Recommended: Complete Guide on Best Desktop Computers For Video Editing
Conclusion
It is a serious investment and you should think of years ahead when choosing the best desktop computer to work on CAD. Using this guide, finding which is the best desktop for CAD will be much easier. Please share this article in your community as well!
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