Alarming Poll Results: Why Are So Many CAD Users Limiting Their Performance with Desktops?
In early August 2011, the good folks at Cadalyst.com asked their audience, What type of computer do you use primarily for CAD-related work?” As of October 29, there were 1,453 responses: “Standard Desktop” and “Desktop Workstation” were tied at 35%, followed by “Mobile Workstation” (11%), “Standard PC Notebook” (9%), and “Mac” (7%). Why are so many CAD users missing out on the ability of workstations to improve their performance?!
I’m right with the author of the CADspeed blog post about this, who says, “As every user knows, CAD software isn’t your standard PC software. It takes some horsepower to work with these heavy-duty programs. Add 3D rendering, design analysis, or other high-end tools, and you’ve got to have a machine with some muscle behind it.”
That’s why I’m so surprised that the post (which was written in September when there only 905 votes tallied) goes on to say that “…we aren’t too surprised that our poll results show that desktop professional workstations are, so far, the most common among our readership (37%). The standard desktop PC is a close second (35%).”
A close second is no surprise?! In my view, workstations are so far superior to desktop computers when it comes to running CAD applications—even 2D applications—that I can’t believe the amount of “Standard Desktop” responses didn’t ring any alarm bells.
Honestly, it shocks me that anyone would use a desktop PC, a laptop, or a Mac for CAD work, when workstations aren’t that much more expensive and offer so much more computing and graphics power.
Here are just a few of the many reasons to choose workstations over any other kind of computer for CAD:
Workstations last up to 50 percent longer than desktops. They’re built more durably and are engineered with better cooling features. The longer lifecycle alone can justify the extra cost of the machines
Workstations let you bring products to market faster. With the ability to handle up to eight core CPUs, stronger graphics processing cards, and faster hard drives, for example, workstations do what every company wants done: Speed workflow!
Workstation configurations are certified to work effectively with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Creo, CATIA, NX, and other popular CAD applications. If you’re not running these applications on certified configurations, you’re unlikely to get support when you run into problems
Workstations dramatically reduce system crashes and data loss due to memory glitches, because they offer Error Correction Code (ECC) memory. Anyone who’s ever encountered the “BSOD” (blue screen of death) will appreciate this!
The company I work for, Lenovo, makes every kind of computer listed in the Cadalyst.com survey except for Macs, so I’m not posting this just to snag your business.
Honestly, I want every CAD designer and engineer to reach their fullest potential by experiencing the power and efficiency that professional-strength workstations provide. I’d love to hear all your desktop vs. workstation experiences, so please send them in!
I’m curious (I know it killed the cat). When you say that workstations are “built more durably” are you referring to the case, power-supply, motherboard, processor (or all-of-the-above)?
I also wonder why you don’t seem to be mentioning Autodesk’s Inventor product in your blogs? Don’t IBM and Lenovo products get along well with Inventor?
Thanks in advance.
Signed,
A workstation “true believer”
Workstations typically use higher quality components than desktops because they are designed to be run for longer periods of time. Many desktop computers may use off the shelf motherboards and power supplies of unknown quality. Lenovo has very tight control over the design and selection of the main components in their workstations and will specify higher quality components resulting in better reliability and durability. The cases are also typically designed to be more robust and easier to access interior components.
Lenovo products get along great with Autodesk Inventor! I know Inventor is a terrific product, so stick around and you may see it on this site!
Thanks for the post!
Bill
How does the Xeon 3000,5000 series compare with the E3, E5 series? The Intel website shows the 3000, 5000 series to be launched earlier than the E3, E5. Yet the workstations have the E3 as Entry-point and 3000,5000 series in the high-end models.
The E5 CPUs are becoming available now and you will see higher end workstations transition from 3000 and 5000 “Westmere” CPUs to the new E5-xxxx “Sandy Bridge” CPUs. The new E5 CPUs will outperform the old 3000/5000 series CPUs.