it's a persistent question, and it always comes out of it more or less the same config
processor greater than 3Ghz
RAM at least 16GB
An SSD for the system or a disc platter greater than 7200rpm
A pro nvidia or AMD graphics card depending on the use (e.g. an nvidia 2000 for assemblies greater than 100 parts, etc...)
A homemade assembly pc, yes but once the component price calculation is completed we realize that if we take for example a motherboard that accepts RAM higher in speed than 1333Mh we climb very quickly in price.
and then for example the hp Z400 all complete (by contacting axemble which has interesting prices) is cheaper than spending hours making a CAD machine
After that, I only have 6GB of RAM, it's more than enough for the activity I do at the company.
And I don't recommend Windobe 8, there's nothing like Seven to run Solidworks.
Make sure you install the right drivers, as sometimes you need to install the ones offered on the Solidworks Customer Portal rather than the ones offered on the manufacturer's site.
I add @bart that if you have several versions installed on the same workstation be careful to take the driver common to the 2 versions.
and 16GB is especially as soon as you do the assembly you feel a nice difference. Me c my 16GB I am just when I open my assemblies to more than 2000 parts
2.7GHz (at the moment it doesn't want to be above 85% of the max frequency for I don't know what reason, it's good at max performance... but sometimes it goes to 110%...)
At Dell you don't have a good PC reference? otherwise if you need a good machine we'll go to HP.
otherwise we use for large assemblies.
we quickly exceed 400-500 pieces...
It is used for rendering but rarely for simulations.
@bricesk_2 if you have display difficulties when you move your assembly then yes the card can be a problem. But I also think that your core i7 has 2.7 and can be limited, because in different stations there are configs at 3GHz mini. For my part I have an i7 3770 at 3.4 GHz and no problems in the processes.