Updated Computer for Simulation and Visualization
Updated Computer for Simulation and Visualization
Hello,
I’m considering purchasing a new laptop since I’ll be working remotely from my home desktop. My current setup includes an i7 7700k with 32GB RAM and a GTX 1080, which performs adequately for architectural modelling in Rhino 3D and Revit, as well as rendering with Vray. The Dell workstations at my previous job featured 8-core Xeons, 64GB RAM, and Quadros, offering better performance and stability for certain tasks. I’m wondering if it’s worth trying to match the speed of those tower systems in a new laptop—perhaps by buying a high-end model like the Dell Precision 7560 (~£4500) or opting for a more affordable Precision, and using my existing desktop’s power through remote connections or distributed rendering.
Portability, weight, and battery life aren’t my top priorities, though carrying something that costs around £4500 in a backpack seems unusual. My main concern is getting good value and ensuring the device lasts long enough. I’m not very experienced with rapid hardware changes—like whether an Intel 13th-gen chip or a newer XPS model could keep up with current rendering demands.
Another possibility is choosing a gaming laptop, but I haven’t explored that much yet. Also, I’m relocating to Germany from the UK soon. Is there any chance of price differences there?
Thank you for clarifying this, and I appreciate any advice or insights you can provide.
If using it professionally, opt for a Precision or comparable model from another vendor and consider purchasing an extended warranty. It doesn’t need to be fully utilized, but choosing the right amount of memory and storage and upgrading yourself can save some costs. For the CPU and GPU, sticking with the current options is usually best.
Late model unlocked i7 laptop features 8 cores. You might also explore an AMD Ryzen-based setup.
Quadros are decent, but they’re typically three to four times more expensive than similar gaming GPUs. It’s worth evaluating your hardware to see if unlocked features and drivers provide significant benefits. Increasing VRAM could be the key factor, especially since it greatly improves performance in recent 3D modeling software.
Thanks for your reply. Eximo, I noticed the new Asus Pro Art models mentioned in another discussion—the W7600 might be a good middle ground. The warranty is definitely important to me, so I’ll need to check what Asus offers when they launch. Anyone have an idea of when these are likely to be available in Europe?
I haven't personally used a late model Lenovo mobile workstation. Dell and HP have been more common choices in the workplace. We previously owned some nice D30 Lenovo workstations, but that was a long time ago (and they performed poorly with a RAID 5 array of WD Raptors, which frequently failed). My brother tends to purchase high-end 'gaming' ASUS laptops. He uses them for running schematic and board layout software, GPU for pathing on circuit boards, and 3D renders.
My workplace uses various laptops and workstations, all of which are Lenovo. I personally own a Lenovo Legion gaming laptop.