Best PC build under 1K for Solidworks

Dear experts, I hope you can help me build this PC with requirements for Solidworks.
I am trying to find something equivalent for the following that still meets my budget. Thank you.

• Processor: 3 GHz or higher clock speed (preferably closer to 4 GHz)
• Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
• Memory: 32GB (16GB minimum)
• Hard Drive: Solid State Drive (SSD), maintaining at least 20GB free space
• Graphics Card Examples:
  • Standard assemblies; NVIDIA Quadro P1000 or AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100
  • Large assemblies with simple parts: NVIDIA Quadro P2000 or AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100
  • Large assemblies with complex parts: NVIDIA Quadro P4000/5000 or AMD Radeon Pro WX 8200/9100
  • SOLIDWORKS Visualize 2020: NVIDIA Quadro P4000/5000 or AMD Radeon Pro WX 8200/

I hope to be able to get answer for this. Thank you in advance! This was my post but realized I wasn't registered yet. So yes, I hope an expert will soon render enlightenment.

Hey Donnie,
Solidworks is a program that makes good use of Pro GPU features. There are many other CAD or DCC Programs that recommend PRO GPUs, but don't actually need one. Solidworks though has some features, such as "RealView" that will only run (well) on a Pro GPU - just so you know.

That said, Pro GPUs are really expensive, and you CAN use Solidworks with a mainstream/consumer GPU, which often gets you better performance / price, but you will have to make sure you don't need any specific features that might not be supported on a Mainstream-consumer GPU.

Here's a build for under 1K which will perform nicely:

CGDirector.com Parts List: https://www.cgdirector.com/pc-builder/?=Br1vh0y0Jqj

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 3.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.99)
CPU Cooler: AMD Wraith Spire Cooler (Included with CPU) (-)
Motherboard: ASRock B450 Gaming K4 ATX AM4 ($155.06)
GPU: Nvidia GTX 1660 6GB - Gigabyte Windforce ($229.99)
Memory: 16GB (2 x 8GB) Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4-3200 C16 ($70.00)
Storage PCIe-SSD: ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro 512GB NVME M.2 Solid State Drive ($74.99)
Power Supply: Corsair CX Series CX450M 450W ATX 2.4 Power Supply ($91.44)
Case: Corsair Carbide Series 100R Silent ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.90)
Total: $935.37


As for PRO GPUs, we've recently reviewed the AMD Radeon Pro W5500, which is excellent at its price-point, but does cost about 400$, which would push your build over the 1K$ limit.

The Quadro P1000 usually goes for about 340$, but is usually a lot slower than the Radeon Pro w5500, and only comes with 4GB of VRAM. The AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 too is about on par with the P1000, but usually can be bought at around 280$, so this would be a better choice than the p1000.

Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any other questions

Thank you Alex. This is very helpful. I guess I will not need Realview that much anyway. I have a Solidworks version in my laptop and already good to work with though the only thing is that I cannot multitask in this latop due to low RAM and memory.

Yes then you shouldn't have a problem with using mainstream/consumer GPUs. You can always start out with a cheaper mainstream GPU and once you start using the PRO features, can get a PRO GPU.

Excellent advice! Super!

Hi Donnie,

I am an mech& struc engineer working in the field for more than 10 years. If your budget are really tight, I would say go with Alex advice, that will really work. But if you can add up some more bucks on your budget, I would suggest to go with the Quatro series, especially to P2000 or P4000.

In terms of the software, SW, it depends what you are going to build with it. There is a minimum requirement published by SW, but the hardware consumption could be much more than that. For example, if you build a structural thing like shed, it won't consume a lot of resources. But if you are going to build complex component using surface feature or even FEA, then the minimum requirement is not sufficient. In conclusion, it depends what sort of job you are going to do with SW.

Another consideration is there are significant performance difference between gaming card and Quatro series when you go into complex 3D modelling (e.g. workshop shop design, pump station design, vehicle sub-assembly design, machinery design). Because there is a spec (can't remember the name) distinguish them out.

Hope this helps. Or buzz me if you have any other questions.

Hi Alex,

For the build you suggested, what are other towers you would recommend instead of the Corsair Carbide Series 100R Silent ATX Mid Tower Case? Also, what monitors do you recommend for this build?

There are lots of great medium-sized ATX Cases that you can use.

Corsair Carbide 200R Compact ATX Case - Black
CORSAIR Carbide Series 275Q Mid-Tower Quiet Edition Gaming Case
Fractal Design Define R5
be quiet! Pure Base 600 Black
NZXT H510
Lian Li Mid-Tower Chassis ATX Computer Case

To name a few.

As for monitors. It'll depend on how visually demanding your work is. If you're just modeling in solidworks, then all you need is a low-end TN monitor. If you're looking at color-work, you should go get an IPS-Panel Monitor.