Better in what respects? And why not a laptop?
For the recommended specs for your CAD-programs, see the system requirements of those programs. Any decent program like that has a page on their website that tells so.
Also ask the school what they recommend as a minimum.
Kees
Hey i am a civil engineering student looking to but a desktop computer which would be better 'all in one' or 'a tower' also what specs would be needed for CAD and google sketch up?

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