Originally posted by sammorris:

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Intel CPUs come with coolers as long as you buy them marked 'retail' and not 'OEM'.
Which country do you live in, and I will try and find a parts list for you.

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Originally posted by sammorris:

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Graphics cards vary in performance in the same way CPUs do, but to a far greater extent. For basic usage like web browsing, word processing, downloads and watching Standard definition video, it doesn't really matter what graphics card you have. HD video adds a little demand, and is beyond the scope of the majority of integrated graphics chips. The main reason you would have a powerful graphics card though, is for games performance, and occasionally, graphics based processing (such as Folding at Home and 3D rendering). If you're not a gamer, and don't use GPU-accelerated programs, then you only need what is required to render HD video, for which I'd recommend a Radeon HD4670.

Of the CPUs, the X3220 is not more expensive because it is more powerful. It is more expensive because it is intended for the server environment, not for home use PCs. It is also based off an older revision of the technology, so it could in fact be marginally slower.

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Originally posted by sammorris:

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The HD4670 is enough to play games like that OK on a small screen, but I've no idea how much graphis power Solidworks requires. To be on the safe side, look at an HD4850, they're nearly double the performance, and still good value.

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