[Sunrider]

I'm currently building a 3D model from CAD files (combination of IGES/STP) and have reached a point where the software/hardware can no longer manipulate the file.

The model is roughly 500M and I'm getting insufficient memory messages when I try to do anything. Is this a hardware issue or a limitation of the software itself?

I'm looking for a justification case to put forward for an upgrade if this is the case.

Current machine Spec:

Intel Core 2 Duo CPU 6700 @ 2.66 GHz
3G Ram
Windows XP Pro Service pack 2
NVidia Quadro FX3500 PCI Express x16 256 MB

Thanks

[S0ULphIRE]

I'd say it might be a hardware issue there. You might have to look into either investing in more ram, OR increasing your page file size. heck, or both.

[synergy]

If the software will run on x64 systems then I would get Vista x64 or XP x64 and get another gig (at least) of RAM. Most likely that is the problem you are running into. A quad core CPU would also help you manipulate those files at a faster rate.

If you are looking to upgrade you might want to look at an i7 with 6gb of memory.

[Sunrider]

I conviced the company to upgrade somewhat. Got this on order:

Two Xeon E5520 (2.26Ghz) Quad core CPUs
24GB DDR3 RAM
4 GB Nvidia Quadro FX5800
plus 64 bit OS.

Should do the trick.