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 2025? In a nutshell, the 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
AMD Budget CAD PC Build
Choose this build if you want a budget CAD PC based on the AMD platform. All parts are vetted for compatibility.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming B650-E WiFi
- GPU: PNY Quadro RTX 4000
- RAM: Crucial Pro DDR5 RAM 32GB Kit
- Storage: Samsung 990 PRO SSD NVMe M.2 2TB
- CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 chromax Black
- Case: Corsair 3500X ARGB Mid-Tower ATX PC Case
- PSU: be quiet! 80 Plus® Gold Pure Power 650W
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AMD Mid-Range CAD PC Build
Choose this build if you want a mid-range CAD PC based on the AMD platform. All parts are vetted for compatibility.
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Motherboard: ASRock AMD X870E Taichi Lite
- RAM: Patriot Viper Venom DDR5 RAM 64GB
- GPU: HP Quadro RTX 5000
- Storage (OS/Apps): Crucial P310 1TB NVMe M.2
- Storage (Media/User Files): Silicon Power 4TB UD90 NVMe
- CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken 240mm AIO CPU Liquid Cooler
- Case: Fractal Design North XL
- PSU: MSI MPG A750GF Gaming PSU Full Modular 80+ Gold 750W
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AMD High-End CAD PC Build
Choose this build if you want a high-end CAD PC based on the AMD platform. All parts are vetted for compatibility.
- CPU: AMD Threadripper Pro 9985WX
- Motherboard: ASUS Pro WS TRX50-Sage
- RAM: A-Tech 256GB Kit ECC-Registered 256GB
- GPU: PNY Quadro RTX 8000
- Storage(OS/Apps): Samsung 990 PRO SSD NVMe M.2 2TB
- Storage (Media/User Files: Toshiba X300 8TB Performance & Gaming HDD
- CPU Cooler: SilverStone Technology XE360‑TR5 AIO Liquid Cooler
- Case: Fractal Design Define 7 XL
- PSU: ASUS ROG Loki 1200W Platinum White Edition 80+ Platinum
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INTEL CAD PC BUILDS
TAKE YOUR PICK FROM 3 OPTIONS – BUDGET, MID-RANGE, AND HIGH-END BUILDS
Intel Budget CAD PC Build
Choose this build if you want a budget CAD PC based on the Intel platform. All parts are vetted for compatibility.
- CPU: Intel Core i7 14700K
- Motherboard: TUF Gaming Z790 BTF WiFi
- GPU: PNY Quadro RTX A2000
- RAM: Teamgroup T-Create Expert Overclocking 32GB Kit
- Storage (OS/Apps): Silicon Power 512GB NVMe M.2
- Storage (Media/User Files): Samsung 990 PRO SSD NVMe M.2 2TB
- CPU Cooler: be quiet! Pure Rock 2
- Case: Phanteks PHEC370A Mid Tower Gaming Case
- PSU: MSI Mag A650GL Gaming PSU Full Modular 80+ Gold 650W
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Intel Mid-Range CAD PC Build
Choose this build if you want a mid-range CAD PC based on the Intel platform. All parts are vetted for compatibility.
- CPU: Intel Core i9 14900K
- Motherboard: ASUS TUF Gaming Z790 Plus WiFi
- GPU: HP Quadro RTX 4000
- RAM: OLOy DDR5 RAM 64GB
- Storage (Media/User Files): WD_BLACK 4TB SN850P NVMe
- Storage (OS/Apps): Kingston NV3 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
- CPU Cooler: Lian Li Galahad II Trinity 360mm
- PSU: Cooler Master MWE Gold Full Modular 80+ Gold 850W
- Case: Lian Li O11 Vision ATX Mid Tower
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Intel High-End CAD PC Build
Choose this build if you want a high-end CAD PC based on the Intel platform. All parts are vetted for compatibility.
- CPU: Intel Xeon W9-3475X
- Motherboard: ASUS Pro WS W790 Sage SE
- GPU: Lanner Quadro RTX 8000
- RAM: Samsung Memory ECC-Registered 256GB
- Storage (OS/Apps): WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe
- Storage (Media/User Files): Lexar 8TB NM790 SSD PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2
- CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S DX‑4677 CPU Cooler
- Case: SilverStone Technology SETA H2
- PSU: ASUS ROG Loki 1200W Platinum White Edition 80+ Platinum
Most important Components for the best CAD Workstation build
PROCESSOR
Your processor must be powerful enough to handle the complex 2D or 3D models inside your CAD software. Getting a Core i3 or Core i5 processor is not recommended, even though your software will still run. But in terms of performance, you will be severely limited.
It is recommended to go for the Intel i7/i9 line of processors for CAD, or, if money isn’t an issue and you want to run simulations too, then go for a Threadripper chip. We’ve put together a Threadripper build you should consider. The AMD Threadripper series offers massive performance in multi-threaded rendering, and they’re a good option to future-proof your workstation.
RAM
You’re going to need large amounts of RAM for the best performance. For budget builds, you should go for at least 8GB, but you are going to have performance issues if you are handling large models. It is recommended to go for 16GB and above, for the best performance.
GRAPHICS CARD
When it comes to choosing a graphics card for your CAD PC, it is quite tempting to go for a gaming graphics card, probably because of the cheaper prices. The problem is that gaming cards are not engineered specifically to run CAD software. Gaming cards specialize in drawing high-frame-rate game graphics, but their performance is limited when it comes to handling CAD software. It is recommended to go for an Nvidia Quadro or an AMD Radeon Pro GPU for CAD, though GTX 1080 will still perform ok. But, if you are serious about CAD, by all means, go for a Quadro or a Radeon Pro GPU.
CAD/CAM Software for CAD Workstation Build
Here’s an aggregated list of the best options for a CAD Workstation build you should consider.
| APP | DEPLOYMENT | PLATFORM | COST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid Edge CAM Pro | Desktop | Windows | Ranges from $75/seat/month (Design and Drafting) to $329/seat/month (Premuim) |
| GibbsCam | Desktop | Windows | Contact GibbsCAM to obtain current pricing |
| Fusion 360 | Cloud | Windows, Mac, Linux | $60/month or $495/year |
| Solidworks CAM | Desktop | Windows | $3,995 per license |
| CATIA | Desktop/Cloud | Windows | $10,000 per license |
| OpenSCAD | Desktop | Windows | Free |
| Rhino | Desktop | Windows, Mac | Starts at 995€ for Windows / 695€ for Mac |
| SolidCAM | Desktop | Windows | Contact SolidCAM for pricing details. |
| HSM | Desktop | Windows | Monthly – $60 1 Year – $495 3 YearS – $1,335 |
| CAMWorks | Desktop | Windows | Contact CAMWorks to obtain current pricing |
| NXCam | Desktop, Mac | Windows, Mac | Contact NX CAM to obtain current pricing |
| MasterCAM | Desktop | Windows | Between $4,000 and $40,000 per seat |
| PowerMill | Desktop | Windows | From $65 |
| FeatureCAM | Desktop | Windows | From $65 |
| Cimatron | Desktop | Windows | Contact Cimatron to obtain current pricing |
| SprutCAM | Desktop | Windows | From $895 |
| SurfCAM | Desktop | Windows | Contact Surfcam to obtain current pricing |
| AlibreCAM | Desktop | Windows | $2,375 (Expert), $4,750 (Pro) |
| AutoCAD | Desktop | Windows | $185/month or $1,470/year |
| EXAPT | Desktop | Windows | Contact EXAPT to obtain current pricing |
| Inventor CAM | Desktop | Windows | $340/month, $2,720/year, $7,345/3 years |
| TopSolid’Cam | Desktop | Windows | From $3,995 |
| MachineWorks | Desktop | Windows | Contact MachineWorks to obtain current pricing |
| SmartCAM | Desktop | Windows | From USD $25/month |
| Tebis CAM | Desktop | Windows | Contact Tebis CAM to obtain current pricing |
| TinkerCAD | Cloud | Windows | Free |
| FreeCAD | Desktop | Windows, Mac, Linux | Free |
| BlocksCAD | Cloud | Windows | Free |
| Creo | Desktop | Windows | $2,310 per license |
Concluding thoughts
These recommendations for CAD workstation build may not work for everyone, but specifically for those who really need it and have no idea which components to get. You can easily get a technician to put it together for you, or you can follow our guide on how to build a PC step by step. Also, tutorials on Youtube will go a long way if you prefer to go that route.
You can check our other build guides for more guides. We have lots of reviews to also check out. Please let us know in the comment section what you think.
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