CAEN

In order for CoE faculty and staff to take advantage of the CAEN Operating Environment (COE) for Windows, it is important that your PC meets the CAEN minimum hardware requirements. CAEN has recently updated its lists of minimum and recommended configurations on the departmental section of the CAEN web site at www.engin.umich.edu/caen/departmental/coe/winrequirements.html. If you will soon be purchasing a new PC to be used with the CAEN COE Windows installation, be sure to keep these requirements in mind.

CAEN recommended system

The Intel Pentium 4 (32-bit instruction set) processor is today’s benchmark standard. It is expected to serve the needs of most administrators and staff at the College today and for the next few years. The current CAEN recommended system is a Dell OptiPlex GX280T with the following features:

• Intel Pentium 4 (3.4 - 3.6) GHz Processor
• 1GB RAM
• 80GB IDE hard disk drive
• 128MB NVIDIA GeForce FX video (DVI-VGA)
• Integrated 10/100/1000 Network Interface Card (NIC)
• 16x DVD+/-RW drive
• 19" flat panel LCD display

This system is available for departmental purchase through M-STORES. The minimum amount of RAM required to receive a COE Windows installation is 256MB. It is advisable to purchase 512MB or 1GB if your work involves engineering and/or design work. RAM prices are low, so it is best to get as much as you can afford at the purchase time. The more you get now, the less likely it is you’ll need an upgrade in the future.

Similarly, the minimum hard disk size required for a COE is 20GB. However, most systems now come with 80GB. Prices are low, so purchase as much as you think you might use. An integrated or AGP video card is the minimum required to receive a COE Windows installation. Mainstream computer manufacturers, such as Dell, offer video cards based on up-to-date technologies with most systems they ship. If you’ll be doing professional level graphics or CAD work, you may want to consider something from the NVIDIA Quadro (workstation) line.

64-bit computing

CAEN’s future goal is to enhance its public computer facilities with 64-bit workstations. While CAEN has recently acquired a limited number of AMD and Intel 64-bit systems, CAEN has not yet developed a COE Windows installation for 64-bit machines. At this time, CAEN does not recommend purchasing any 64-bit systems if you will require a COE
Windows installation or will require support from CAEN.

If you are considering the purchase of a 64-bit system and will require use of the CAEN COE Windows installation, CAEN encourages you to consult with CAEN staff first in order to assist you in pursuing the recommended direction. For example, at this time, AMD Athlon64/Opteron and Intel 64-bit x86 systems are preferred; 64-bit Itanium-based systems (now discontinued) are not recommended.

For additional guidance

Systems are continually changing and so are the CAEN recommendations. For current information about the COE and updated hardware recommendations, be sure to consult the departmental section of the CAEN web site at www.engin.umich.edu/caen/departmental, and the College of Engineering Technology Guide located at inst-tech.engin.umich.edu/db/guide. If you would like to consult with CAEN staff directly, email the CAEN staff at caen@umich.edu or call the CAEN Hotline at 764-CAEN.