3D Modeling & Design – Do you REALLY need a Xeon and Quadro??
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For your unrestricted 30 days free trial, go to freshbooks.com and enter in “Linus Tech Tips” in the how you heard about us section. Buy ZOTAC's MEK1 on Newegg: geni.us Buy ZOTAC's MEK1 at their store: geni.us What exactly makes Solidworks work.. solidly? We test a whole bunch of hardware to give you the answer. Buy a Quadro On Amazon: geni.us On Newegg: geni.us Discuss on the forum: linustechtips.com Our Affiliates, Referral Programs, and Sponsors: linustechtips.com Linus Tech Tips merchandise at designbyhumans.com Linus Tech Tips posters at crowdmade.com Our production gear: geni.us Twitter - twitter.com Facebook - @LinusTech Instagram - @linustech Twitch - twitch.tv Intro Screen Music Credit: Title: Laszlo - Supernova Video Link: youtube.com iTunes Download Link: itunes.apple.com Artist Link: soundcloud.com Outro Screen Music Credit: Approaching Nirvana - Sugar High youtube.com Sound effects provided by freesfx.co.uk
The video opens with an overview of SolidWorks system requirements and the need to test different hardware configurations. The host explains that a consumer-grade laptop with an i5 CPU and 8 GB RAM can handle small assemblies, but for larger models and longer rendering sessions a desktop is preferable. He then presents a series of performance tests using SPECviewPerf, comparing NVIDIA Quadro cards (P1000, P2000, P4000, P5000, P6000) and AMD Radeon cards (RX 580, Vega 56, Vega 64). The host concludes that a Quadro P4000 offers the best balance of price and performance for a budget workstation. In the second part the host turns to CPU options, arguing that single‑core performance is critical for SolidWorks, and that the Intel Core i7 8700K outperforms the Ryzen 7 1800X in his tests. He also discusses memory requirements, recommending 16 GB of RAM for models up to 500 parts, and a 512 GB NVMe SSD for fast load times. Finally, he summarizes his build recommendation: an Intel Core i7 8700K, a Quadro P4000, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, all assembled in a Silverstone FT‑04 case. The video is well‑structured, with clear transitions between GPU and CPU sections, and the host provides concrete benchmark data to support his recommendations. Viewers appreciate the depth of the analysis and the actionable build guide.
The comment section shows strong demand for an updated build guide, with many viewers asking for a 2020/2021 refresh. Viewers praise the host’s thorough testing and express enthusiasm for the Quadro recommendation. Some comments suggest adding more 3D software coverage, but overall sentiment is positive, with a high like count and several replies confirming the usefulness of the video.
Topics · review · pc · tech · linus · computer · nvidia · intel · performance
Questions answered
- Which GPU offers the best value for a budget SolidWorks workstation?
- The host recommends the NVIDIA Quadro P4000 as the most cost‑effective choice for medium‑size models and long rendering sessions.
- What CPU should be paired with the Quadro P4000 for optimal SolidWorks performance?
- The Intel Core i7 8700K is the preferred CPU, delivering strong single‑core performance and good multi‑threaded scaling.
- How much RAM is sufficient for models up to 500 parts?
- A minimum of 16 GB of RAM is recommended, with the option to upgrade to 32 GB for larger assemblies.
- What SSD size is ideal for fast model loading?
- A 512 GB NVMe SSD provides quick load times and ample cache for SolidWorks simulations and renders.