Intel’s ‘Ivy Bridge’ Core i7 3770K may have just celebrated its first birthday, but it continues to be the processor of choice for mainstream CAD.
![](https://develop3d.kosinus.hr/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/WSX4-fw.jpg)
Single threaded applications thrive on this high GHz chip and with four cores and eight threads, there’s power in reserve for rendering and simulation. And the best thing — it only costs £220.
For this ‘Workstation Enhanced’ WSX4 the Core i7 3770K has been clocked up to 4.3GHz from 3.5GHz, resulting in a healthy range of benchmark scores.
While the CPU is relatively old in computer terms, the graphics card is bang up to date.
The Kepler-based Nvidia Quadro K2000 was only released in March this year and, while the AMD FirePro W5000 looks to have the edge in PTC Creo and SolidWorks it should provide a solid option for mainstream CAD.
With a 120GB Intel 520 Series SSD and a 1TB 7,2000RPM HDD, the machine offers both performance and capacity. However, those who use multiple applications, such as the Autodesk
Product Design Suite, may benefit from an upgrade to a 240GB SSD.
For a mainstream CAD workstation some might find the 220 x 500 x 500mm to be a touch on the large side, but it does make servicing easy. Furthermore, because every Workstation Specialist machine features the same chassis, self repair over the phone, under the guidance of a WS engineer, is made easier, helping get back up and running quicker should it develop a fault.
The WSX4 is a good all-round CAD workstation, delivering solid performance at a decent price.
To view comparative scores from other workstations please click here
For details of all our specific CAD/CAM/CAE benchmarks click here
Specifications
» Intel Core i7 3770K (3.5GHz clocked to 4.3GHz) (Quad Core)
» 16GB (2 x 8GB) PC3-1600MHz Quad Channel DDR3 memory
» Nvidia Quadro K2000 (2GB) GPU
» 120GB Intel 520 Series SSD + 1TB 7,200RPM SATA3 HDD
» WS motherboard (Intel Z77 Chipset)
» Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
» 3 year full parts & labour system warranty
CPU benchmarks
(secs – smaller is better)
CAM (Delcam PowerMill 2010) – 1) 145 2) 228 3) 322
CAE (SolidWorks 2010 Simulation) – 81
Rendering (3ds Max Design 2011) – 214
Graphics benchmarks
(bigger is better)
CAD (SolidWorks 2013) – 48
CAD (Creo 2.0 – SPECapc graphics test) – 4.47
Intel Core i7 3770K (3.5GHz clocked to 4.3GHz) (Quad Core)
16GB (2 x 8GB) PC3-1600MHz Quad Channel DDR3 memory
Nvidia Quadro K2000 (2GB) GPU
WS motherboard (Intel Z77 Chipset)
120GB Intel 520 Series SSD + 1TB 7,200RPM SATA3 HDD
3 year full parts & labour system warranty
145
228
322
81
214
48