Graphics card for CAD, 2x24" and general spec check

[Megaross]

Well I'm building a new workstation in the new year, I've got a nice cash injection on the way with a decent job so it's probably good to do before my laptop completely fails.
So far as a combination of specs I've had recommended on another forum

MSI Z68A-GD55 (G3) Intel Z68 Socket 1155 8 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard
Intel Core i7 2600k 3.4GHz Socket 1155 8MB Cache Retail Boxed Processor
Coolermaster Hyper 212 Evo (Sockel 775/1155/1156/1366/AM2/AM3/AM3+/FM1) (Going to overclock the i7)
Corsair 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz Vengeance "low Profile" Memory Kit CL9 1.5V
OCZ 60GB Agility 3 SSD - 2.5" SATA-III - Read 525MB/s Write 475MB/s 80,000 IOPS
OCZ ZS Series 750W 80+ Bronze PSU with 135mm Fan & single +12V Rail
Fractal Design Define XL Full tower case
Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
Iiyama ProLite X2472HD - 24" - widescreen (2 of)

Got a couple of 2.5" storage drives to use temporary til hard drives come down in price a bit, I've got a lot of media, keep having to write downloads to dvd's which is annoying because I stream to a media player. Obviously got the SSD for boot/ main programs.

Basically I've heard I shouldn't really need a graphics card as the onboard supports dual screen and should be adequate. To me that just doesn't seem right, I do a fair bit of 3D solidworks stuff and occasionally Autocad architecture. I also do use Cubase a fair amount and 2 24" screens have to be quite power hungry.
Any thoughts on this?
Gamings not really my thing these days, I might play a bit of cod but I don't keep up with it all.

[root]

http://www.ebuyer.com/247162-pny-nvidia ... m=products

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/2gb-amd- ... e+shopping

[chat_to_rich]

I would say the 60GB SSD will be too small, go for 120GB. The 120GB Agility 3 is £123.99 on ebuyer at the moment.

[tombarry]

Wow thats some good spec -if you can afford it and I think your board can take 2 pci_e cards so it can handle all them 3d memory hungry rendering
the one above is great but have a look at this info

http://www.cad2.com/graphics_cards/index.htm

[Megaross]

60gb SSD is fine for my needs, it's only for windows, cubase, solidworks, autocad arch. I can put the other apps on a different drive because perfomance isn't key for those.

I don't need a pro card, the way it was explained to me last time I considered it they're only really neccesary when accuracy is key and pretty much all I do is preliminary designs and ideas, nothing that'd really get used without going off to a proper firm for alterations and adjustments first if I did decide to use it. I'm an inventor/ amateur architect.
I reckon a normal gaming card would do the job for less money if I do infact need one, a 550 or something? Or would I be better off going for a lower down pro card? Baring in mind I am on a budget.

[ultimatehandyman]

Have you worked out the complete price?

Sounds like a very good spec machine

[Megaross]

Roughly know the cost, around £1200-£1300 by the time I've got the peripherals.
Cheers man.

[Megaross]

Think I'm going to get an 8800 second hand and unlock it to a quadro now, cheap and cheerful and I can always upgrade in the future