Plant3d Ideal workstation spec

[Anonymous]

Can anyone help?

We want to start using Plant 3d Design package (Showcase, Navisworks, Revit Struc, CAD Struct, 3d Max) but I fell that we lack performance in our stations and will be frustrated..

AutoDesk has this...

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/plant-design-suite/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcartic...

...but this is really not the close to the ideal to get a performance that will not frustrate us... and it seems that AutoDesk can't commit themselves to publish a really good recommended spec.. not sure if it would be because of price tags on required hardware.

I have run the software in different desktops.. from 0 installation to make sure nothing else was getting in the way..

We have HPZ400 workstations NVidia Quadros 4000s (not Kepler's, old generation), 12GB, Processor Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU, W3550  @ 3.07GHz, 4 Core(s).. (and desktops have been cleaned and cleaned and optmized, to make sure no malware and are at optmin speed) 

No SSD drives.

Files accessed off the nerwork.

Could anyone publish your settings if you are happy with what you have?

Thanks

[martinTstewart_Adsk]

The listed System requirements for Autodesk Plant Design Suite 2015 should probably considered more of a minimum required spec.

For a more powerful system, based on your specific requirements,  I recommend reviewing this resource from Autodesk University.

How to select hardware for 3D and BIM workstations running Autodesk products (AU 2013 Class)

Also, there are more classes with useful reference materials to download regarding hardware selection. Simply do a search for Classes on demand at the AU site for that topic:

Autodesk University Classes on demand

(If this answers your question, please mark it as an Accepted Solution).

[Anonymous]

ssd drives help.. we are upgrading to 24 gig ram because of model size..

[Anonymous]

Sorry mate.. I clicked on accept as a solution by mistake.. and I don't know how to go back.
.. but it requires more specs than just SSD.

Andre A. de Souza, BSET
ADI Systems Inc.

Main: 1.506.452.7307
Direct: 1.506.452.2812
Cell: 1.506.999.2429
Fax: 1.506.452.7308
Email: andre.a.de.souza@adi.ca

Let's stay connected-please follow ADI Systems on Twitter and LinkedIn

adisystemsinc.com
[twitter button][linkedin button]

[Anonymous]

I reviewed the video.
The thing is...

What if I am not savvy and don't understand bunkers about hardware and just want to know a good spec.

It is a lot of information to be digested.. I don't see any disclaimer in AutoDesk (http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/plant-design-suite/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcartic...
Saying this is to be treated as minimum.

What is the point if I have to hear for 1:30min of a lecture that is clearly for a specific audience that understands a lot about hardware while this should be published and clear from AutoDesk.


Thanks


Andre A. de Souza, BSET
ADI Systems Inc.

Main: 1.506.452.7307
Direct: 1.506.452.2812
Cell: 1.506.999.2429
Fax: 1.506.452.7308
Email: andre.a.de.souza@adi.ca

Let's stay connected-please follow ADI Systems on Twitter and LinkedIn

adisystemsinc.com
[twitter button][linkedin button]

[dgorsman]

Unchecked that for ya...

There are no guaranteed computer specifications for a couple of reasons.  There are so many different combinations as to make testing impossible.  And users have a lot of impact e.g. somebody streaming the soccer game while they are trying to work on a plant that has everything in a single model will more than likely choke a water cooled gaming monstrostity.  Also, small wellsite/midstream design will be less taxing than a full chemical plant.

With that in mind, what you are looking for:

A fast processor: most tasks are single-threaded, so multiple cores won't help that much.  Multiple CPUs e.g. dual or quad Xeon chips are mostly a waste of money.

Adequate RAM: I'd call 12 GB minimum, 16 GB would be optimal.  Keep in mind design practices will affect where that value lies e.g. modeling everything down to nuts and bolts in a single model is going to tax even the best system.

For purpose design: if this is going to be for visualization (rendering), then your needs will be different than for plant design.

Your quoted system should have acceptable performance.  The rest is up to you to implement reasonable work procedures.

[martinTstewart_Adsk]

Here’s what I’m currently using for a desktop:

Dell Precision T5610

Processor Dual Xeon E5-2650 V2 (8 Core HT, 2.6GHz Turbo)

RAM 32GB (4 X 8GB)

NVIDIA Quadro K4000

Disk Space 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD

It performs very well using Plant 3D.

[dgorsman]

16 cores with 32 GB RAM... rendering must FLY.  😄

[Anonymous]

We’ve been using Plant 3D for the last few years and always trying to keep up with the best affordable hardware for it.

Things that made big changes for us are:

-          SSD Main Drive and i7 Extreme Edition Processors, performs a lot faster (Spec Viewer, Data Manager, Drawings generation).

-          Quadro 5000 graphic card, big difference in the amount of Fatal Errors when using Orbit command. Still get them but not so many and using wireframe. 2015 version seems to move back on this.

-          24Gb RAM, the more the better, particularly with Orthographics, that increases its amount heavily.  If not when generating, pulling from medium-large 3Ds, it will collapse. Sometimes we end up with 100mb file size Orthographic drawings and after a Purge it reduces to 25mb….

Be aware that at some point no matter what hardware you have, even with a NASA computer you’ll still be waiting for the software and you still end up with a few Fatal Errors. This is not just a say it’s a result of four year work, 8-9 hrsa day with it, keeping latest versions and service packs. AP3D is still a green program and we have to live with that.

This is one of our configurations so far:

AutoCAD Plant3D 2015

Main Board: ASUS RAMPAGE IV EXTREME

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4960X CPU @ 3.60GHz 3.60 GHz

RAM: 32,0 GB

Main System SSD - Gen3 SSHD Technology - Intel 510 Series

Windows 7 Professional 64 bits

NVIDIA Quadro K5000

Hope it helps

Alvaro

[Jan-TSpD]

Hello, this is what i use for a desktop, but P3D 2014 runs very slow, graphical also slow.

Dell Precision T7610

Processor Dual Xeon E5-2620 V2 (8 Core HT, 2.1GHz Turbo)

RAM 16GB (2 X 8GB)

NVIDIA Quadro K4000

Disk 1TB HDD

What settings do i have to use (RAM settings?)?

regards, Jan