Minimum System Requirements

[ZTR88]

I am aware that minimum or suggested system requirements are listed for individual Autodesk software installations, but I need some advice on what system requirements and hardware I would need in buying a new machine for a new subscription as I am not as tech savvy as maybe I should be...

My current setup includes a Intel Xeon CPU E3-1245 v3 @ 3.40Ghz / 32GB RAM / and 3 LG displays connected to a Nvidia Quadro K2000 graphics card.

I currently run Autocad and Navisworks simulate 2016 simultaneously with the addition of some BlueBeam PDF software and Outlook. Those are my usual heavy hitters on a day to day basis. In doing that, I do occasionally run into some lag and delays when working with larger files. In the future we will be moving more towards Autocad Fabrication MEP and Navisworks Manage. 

To accomplish what I need to accomplish without running into speed issues, what important factors should I look for when buying (or building) a new machine whether it be a desktop workstation or mobile workstation? Any helpful insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[natasha.l]

Hello @ZTR88, 

Thank you for posting to the forums.

I can't recommend anything specific but I can offer some advice. 

The first step is to look at the recommended system requirements for all the applications you plan to run on this computer & to consider you may be running 2 or more of them simultaneously so if you select a device with powerful RAM, CPU & high-performance Graphic Card(specifically check under Graphics) its best to exceed the minimum required for all of these.  

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[natasha.l]

Hello @ZTR88,

I wanted to check-in with you, I hope you were able to resolve the issue. 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[ZTR88]

Your answer is kinda where I was when i asked the original question. You say I should exceed minimum combined requirements of the software I am running, but by how much? Should I try to record some data as far as what memory and processing power I am using at peak demand? Autocad alone can peak at 8-10gb of memory when I am doing heavy things on large files or even saving and opening. Minimum requirements for Autocad 2016 show 2gb of memory...

[mdavis22569]

I would increase the card ... if you're going to have 3 monitors ...

The Ram on the card will be split up to those 3 monitors. 

For the Ram you're good at 32 in my opinion.

HD: get at least 512 SSD for the first and 1 TB for a 2nd drive.

The chip is good ...

[ZTR88]

I'd like to revisit this and see if i could get some other opinions. It seems as though this topic very much requires and opinion based response and not so much a hard answer. Everyone I talk to seems to have a different opinion on what is needed.

With the cost of these workstations being a few thousand dollars, I want to be sure I get what I need to work comfortably for at least a few years without any major upgrades to hardware. Any other info. or input on the topic would be greatly appreciated!

[mdavis22569]

I spec PC's daily for Autodesk users ... 

The most expensive PC  doesn't mean it can always work with ADSK products.   I do support on 3 devices. One is a Surface Pro 2.  Intel 540 card, then I have an Alienware Laptop and a custom build PC.

Can the Surface Pro do everything, nope.  But it lets me to the minor stuff when traveling, and keeping me from pulling out my laptop. 

The $3k for the Alienware Laptop is just as go as the Desktop I built.  Depending on how long you can wait. There is going to be a great class at AU2018 by Neil Cross going into all of this. He has demo items coming from Dell / Intel  / AMD.   

[ZTR88]

Based on the workload and setup I've described, what would be some basic specs you'd suggest?

[mdavis22569]

Personally for me:

Intel or Xeon   3.5 or higher

Ram 32 min, if you can get 64 great. 

Hard drives: Flash Memory or SSD for your primay. 512 min' then a 2nd drive of your choice 1-2 TB. If it's a normal old fashion drive make it a 7200 rpm.

Graphic's:

I also like the P series cards:  P1000 / 2000 / 4000 / 5000 .. NOT THE 3000. 
I have 2 machines that I use for testing that have the GTX1070 and work great.   So I'll recommend the GTX 1070 / 1080 cards.   Next month I believe the GTX2080 new series of cards come out, and I've seen nothing but great things on them.

Make sure your Power supply can handle the hardware. That's one of the biggest issues I see, they make out the power supply, and then you get issues.