What’s the best Workstation PC build for CAD in 2024?

Computer-Aided Design or CAD requires specific hardware configuration for best performance. If you need guidance on the best CAD Workstation builds, this guide is for you. Computer-Aided Design, Computer-Aided Engineering, and Computer-Aided Manufacturing are related disciplines that require specific hardware for the best output possible. CAD/CAE/CAM software is a specialized group of software designed for drafting, modeling, and rendering 3-dimensional models on the computer.

So, what’s the best Workstation PC build for CAD in 2024? In a nutshell, the best PC build for a CAD Workstation should have at least a 6-core CPU, at least 16 GB of RAM, a fast NVMe drive for the OS, and preferably an optimized GPU such as a Quadro. This should provide the best performance for most users.

The models could be anything from architectural structures such as buildings, or structural designs of physical structures like bridges, iconic structures, high-rise buildings, etc. They could also be machinery, tools, equipment, and other such stuff. CAD cuts across popular software such as AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, Solidworks, Catia, Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Revit, FreeCAD, Onshape, Creo, AutoCAD Architecture, and a host of others.

When building a PC for CAD, you need to match the best components for the best performance. We are going to examine the most important hardware requirements to build a CAD-capable PC.

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AMD CAD PC BUILDS

TAKE YOUR PICK FROM 3 OPTIONS – BUDGET, MID-RANGE, AND HIGH-END BUILDS

NB: The processor has bundled cooler included.

Alternative Budget Hardware – AMD CAD PC Build

PART	BRAND/MODEL
Processor Options	AMD Ryzen 5 1600 AMD Ryzen 5 1600X AMD Ryzen 5 2600 AMD Ryzen 5 2600X AMD Ryzen 5 3400G AMD Ryzen 5 3600 AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Graphics Card Options	NVIDIA Quadro M4000 8GB Radeon Pro WX 3100 Radeon Pro WX 3200 AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100 GeForce GTX 1660 Super NVIDIA Quadro K1200 NVIDIA Quadro P1000 NVIDIA Quadro P600 GeForce RTX 2060
Storage Drive Options	Seagate Barracuda 1TB Seagate Barracuda 6TB Seagate BarraCuda 8TB
Boot Drive Options	Samsung SSD 860 EVO 250GB Crucial MX500 250GB 3D NAND SATA M.2 Samsung 970 EVO SSD 500GB M.2 NVMe XPG Pro 512GB 3D NAND NVMe
Memory Options	Crucial Ballistix 3200 MHz DDR4 16GB XPG Z1 DDR4 3000MHz 16GB HyperX Fury 16GB 2666MHz DDR4 G.Skill RipJaws V Series 16GB DDR4 Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB DDR4 TEAMGROUP T-Force Delta RGB DDR4 16GB 3200MHz
CPU Cooler	Bundled
Power Supply Options	Thermaltake Smart 500W Thermaltake Smart 430W 80+ EVGA 450 BR, 80+ BRONZE 450W Corsair CX Series 450 Watt 80 Plus SilverStone Technology 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Rosewill Arc Series 450 Watt 80 Plus Bronze EVGA 500 80+ Bronze 500W GIGABYTE 80 Plus Bronze 500W ROSEWILL Modular Power Supply, 80 Plus Gold 500w  Cooler Master MWE 500 Bronze, 80+  Corsair CX Series 500 Watt 80 Plus Bronze  Corsair CX Series 550 Watt 80 Plus Bronze Cougar VTX450 Power Supply 80+ Bronze Certified 450W Apevia Astro 500W ATX Power Supply
Motherboard Options	GIGABYTE B450M MSI ProSeries AMD A320 ASRock AM4 MicroATX Asus Prime B450M-A
Keyboard/Mouse Options	Logitech MK710 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo Havit Rainbow Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard Mouse Combo Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Combo Logitech MK550 Wireless Wave Keyboard and Mouse Combo Dell Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Combo AmazonBasics USB Wired Computer Keyboard Mouse
Case Options	NZXT H210 Mini-ITX PC Gaming Case Enermax LL30 RGB Mid Tower darkFlash Micro ATX Cooler Master MasterBox MB511 Zalman T7 ATX Mid Tower Cooler Master MCB ATX
Display Options	BenQ 24 Inch IPS Monitor ASUS 23.8” Monitor, 1080P Philips 32″ Curved Frameless Monitor Asus Eye Care Monitor Full HD 27″ Frameless ASUS 24″ ProArt Professional HP 23.8-inch Full HD 1080p IPS LED Monitor

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