Fusion 360
Fusion 360
I'm setting up a new computer at work. The colleague who does design work also creates the tool cut path. I've tested on three different machines...
A Dell running an i7-8700 with 32GB 2666MHz CL15 Samsung 2.5" SSD takes 34 minutes to generate the path.
They are currently using a custom-built i7-14700K with 64GB 6400MT/s CL32 Samsung NVMe, which generates the path in 14 minutes.
This was tested on one of our CAD team members' computers.
Another setup is a custom-built R7 7700x with 64GB 6000MT/s CL30 Samsung NVMe, taking 17 minutes to generate.
My personal machine at home does the same. When it's generating for the first half, it uses all available threads except the 14700Kf, which doesn't use E-cores at all. In the second half, it only uses one core during generation.
I can replicate the i7-14700K setup since I already have two built in the company, or I was considering the 7950X.
I haven't tested anything on the 7950X yet, but if my current 8-core, 16-thread machine with slower RAM is only 3 minutes slower than a 16-core, 32-thread one, then it should be competitive in the first half of generation and catch up later.
I might upgrade to a higher-end CPU next year if I'm stuck with this 14th generation chip.
Am I just trying to convince myself to go for the 7950X, or is the i7-14700K the better choice?
Which CAD programs are being utilized?
What are the suggested specifications from the makers for hardware and software?
Most companies offer details in terms that range from basic to optimal.
You should aim beyond the bare minimum; seeking the highest possible standards is ideal.
It's possible there are compromises, but staying within recommended limits might still be beneficial.
They are working with Fusion 360 and the manufacturing add-on.
Auto desk suggests complex modeling is supported.
Recommended specs include a processor at least 3 GHz with six cores or higher, and 8 GB of RAM or more.
I’m using an i7-8700 with 32GB RAM, which is sufficient for smooth rendering.
With 32GB of RAM, the computer handles rendering well without lag.
I’ve tested three machines: the i7-8700, i7-14700K, and R7 7700X all produced identical results.
The i7-14700K performs best, but I’m curious if a newer AMD CPU like the R9 7950X would match or surpass its speed.
It’s also worth noting that upgrading to an AMD system with a new CPU is an option, especially since I’m stuck with the 14th generation Intel processor.
Honestly, a simple task like Fusion 360 can run on a basic machine, but the goal is to achieve the fastest rendering times possible.
The R9 7950x is roughly around $500 USD, isn't it? But remember, "time is money." The real issue is how quickly it can be rendered. Would a chart or table help clarify this? Consider the return on investment: if every minute of rendering costs $1, saving 500 minutes would cover the CPU expense in just over an eight-hour workday. What are the hidden costs of waiting? How many resources are idle during that time? Or what about re-rendering if it fails? It might not be practical, but buying and testing it could be worthwhile. Ultimately, you’ve already tested and have a baseline—just share your findings and learn from them.
Feel free to explore further and document your results.
I chose a R9 7950x configuration, but I should have ordered everything next week. I’ll run some tests and share the results on how the CPUs perform against one another.
So update time.......the build process.
I used an Asus Prime X670-P with a Ryzen 9-7950x.
G.skill had 2x32GB 6000MT/s CL32 RAM.
One problem was that the board didn’t show troubleshooting lights; it only displayed the power button status.
When I first booted, I saw a slow flashing light—one second on, one second off.
I thought maybe it was related to memory learning, so I left it alone. After about ten minutes, I kept pressing the power button and restarted.
Once that was done, I installed Windows multiple times without any issues.
Then I powered down the machine and had it tested by the design guy, who noticed his elbow touching the power button and causing a shutdown.
That incident marked the start of the problems.
I searched online for error lights; the slow on/off blink indicated a GPU issue, and a quick four blinks suggested a RAM problem.
Every time it booted, it would flash the lights. I tried five different RAM modules in all three PCI-e slots but found no fix.
Next steps included updating the BIOS, clearing CMOS, testing with a RAM stick, removing the CPU, and re-seating it with a fresh CMOS.
After a few reboots, it finally reached the BIOS and saved via F10, exiting without changes—still not booting.
In short, I reset the CPU, memory, and RAM for the same Intel build I built at the start of the year for two CAD staff members.
I also tested with the same design and generation on an Asus Prime Z790-A and a Dell i7-8700.
Generation times varied: 34 minutes for the i7-8700, 18 minutes for the X670-P, 14 minutes for the CAD build, and 17 minutes for the home build.
I’m not sure if the slowdown on the X670-P was due to underlying problems, but it only used 10 of the 32 threads during generation.
New parts will arrive tomorrow, so I’ll retest after the build to see if the new version matches the CAD machines—though they’re made from the same components, we’ll find out.