Config advice - Design office

Hello! New to DS. Looking to buy a few workstations that will be used by architects running AutoCad and some 3D software but not yet at Revit level; no need for overclocking. In the past we've purchased Dell's with processor / graphics card upgrades but they are only "OK" in performance so I'm looking to step it up a notch, figured gamers are the best comparison. Have a tight budget; looking at custom builds so that we have upgrade options later when the office embraces full modeling software.

Budget: roughly $2k
Expectations: handle normal office software plus Sketchup, AutoCad, InDesign, etc.
Specific requests: lots of interest in SS hard drives, option to add second graphics card later, ability to add RAM, quad core processor.

The config I put together:
Chassis Model: Special Deal Hot Seller - Cooler Master 942 HAF X
Processor: Intel Core i5 2300 2.80GHz (Quad Core)
Motherboard: ASUS P8Z68-V PRO (Intel Z68 Chipset) (Features Intel Quick Sync Technology)
System Memory: 8GB DDR3 1600MHz Digital Storm Certified Performance Series (Highly Recommended) (Hand Tested)
Power Supply: 800W Corsair GS (Dual SLI Compatible)
Hard Drive Set 1: Operating System: 1x (120GB Solid State (By: Intel) (Model: 320 Series)
Set 1 Raid Options: - No Thanks
Optical Drive 1: DVD-R/RW/CD-R/RW (DVD Writer 24x / CD-Writer 48x)
Internet Access: High Speed Network Port (Supports High-Speed Cable / DSL / Network Connections)
Video Card(s): 1x NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 1GB (Includes PhysX Technology) (EVGA Edition)
Add-on Card: - No Thanks
Sound Card: Integrated Motherboard Audio
Extreme Cooling: AIR: Stage 2: Corsair A70 Dual 120mm Fans High Performance Cooler
Chassis Airflow: Standard Factory Chassis Fans
CPU Boost: Standard Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 Automatic Overclocking
Windows OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-Bit Edition)
Recovery Tools: Windows Recovery Toolkit (Bundled with Windows 7 CD)
Office: Microsoft Office 2010 Office Home and Business (PC Attach Key PKC)

Build price: $1920

Oh, here's a question: anyone know how many USB ports are on this? Can't seem to find that in the config tool.

Thanks!


Edited by sarapiani - 09 Nov 2011 at 1:54pm

Originally posted by DST4ME but I see the cpu you have chosen is the weak one, any reason for that?

There was concern about the overclocking and heat - with computers stashed under desks and often surrounded by boxes and furniture, heat build-up has been a problem.

I don't know much about overclocking, just the general concept - is it 'on demand' or always on?  Meaning, if a person is just working on email, will the processor be humming at max speed or only what is required, with the OC kicking in when he renders a model?

Originally posted by DST4ME instead of sacrificing the cpu power and oc, why not just put the pc in a place where the ambient air is 75f or lower.

Heh, this made me laugh. Obviously, you have not seen the average architect's desk. They generate more paper than just about any professional I know, except maybe lawyers. There is no free space on the desktops (barely room for a monitor) and with rolls of drawings stashed under the desk, well...

Anyway, thanks for the info on OC at the bios level, that's something to consider. I'll dig a bit more into the "speed step" thing, because if that worked like I think it should, it would be ideal.