Revit and CPU Core counts

[ttaylor47TR5]

Hello,

I'm currently researching workstation specs for some new machines.  I've had configurations sent to me from several different vendors and most of them are using a Xeon E5 for the CPU.  However with the new i9's I'm inclined to ask for one of those.  Only one of our vendors is willing to spec an i9-7940X in their machine.

I'm assuming it's because the other vendors like Dell or HP are going with what they know.  The i9 CPU's are still pretty fresh on the market but pretty much every benchmark and passmark score you can find the i9's are outpacing the Xeons like crazy.  

So my question to you is, while the Xeons are good at multitasking and have their proven track record to back them up.  Why should I go with a Xeon vs an i9 that had more cores and is faster.  Does Revit utilize a lot of cores?  Even then, the Xeon's they keep calling for are quad core or 6 core processors which doesn't make sense to me.  

The only downside I've been able to find on the i9's is that the use up a bit more power, and run a little hotter than the Xeon's would.  If you guys could help me understand the difference and why Revit would be better with a Xeon vs an i9 then I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

T.

[amorap · Accepted solution]

Hi from Spain.
Today, the scenario with one lonely app running in your computer is far from reality. Revit is running at the same time with many other apps. There are a lot of processes running in the background: Windows OS eats a lot of resources, just from the start.
I think it`s common having more than just a program running at the same time, specially in project development with BIM methodology, and also is common having two or more monitors, for "real" multitasking (In my case, I've three 24" screens, one for Revit, one for Arquímedes, a QTO program, and the last one for Word, Communications, Excel...)
In this scenario, a multicore CPU is useful, but a huge amount of RAM is also needed.
Modern CPUs are ready to deal with this challenges. I think that high-end CPUs, (i7, i9, Xeon, Ryzen...) over 6-8 cores / 12-16 threads, can satisfy to the majority. Xeon CPUs are more suitable to very long and intense tasks. Usually Xeon CPus have a slower clock speed tan i7, i9 or Ryzen CPUs, then the system durabilty and stability could be better tan faster CPUs. Xeon is also scalable, you can build a system with 2 or more Xeon processors.
Regards.

[adrian.esdaile]

Multi-chip Xeons are useless for Revit, in fact anything more than 4 cores is useless as so little is multihreaded in Revit it's just not worth it. Oh yes, multi cores help rendering in Revit, but honestly who the hell renders in Revit these days? The same user who also does their image editing in MS Paint?

You need speed, speed speed and more speed. i7 minimum. Gaming gfx card - far cheaper than Quadro and is just as much use in Revit (ie, none) . The bonus is you'll have a really useful VR rig for getting real work done in something based on Unity.

Unity gonna eat, you, Revit...

[KrisAribal]

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@adrian.esdaile wrote:

Multi-chip Xeons are useless for Revit, in fact anything more than 4 cores is useless as so little is multihreaded in Revit it's just not worth it. Oh yes, multi cores help rendering in Revit, but honestly who the hell renders in Revit these days? The same user who also does their image editing in MS Paint?

You need speed, speed speed and more speed. i7 minimum. Gaming gfx card - far cheaper than Quadro and is just as much use in Revit (ie, none) . The bonus is you'll have a really useful VR rig for getting real work done in something based on Unity.

Unity gonna eat, you, Revit...

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Yeah, but consider this. When you're working with Revit, are you sure that Revit is the only programs that's running? I don't think so. Remember there's a ton of background process that run simultaenously and having a multi-core CPU and a ton of RAM will definitely help your computer. 

[KrisAribal]

That's what matters most system stability. Go for Xeon. You also get the ECC Memory support with Xeon too. I'm wondering why OEM likes Dell or HP doesn't have a competing AMD workstation though? AMD has threadripper that has a ton of cores than the Xeon workstation class chip. It support ECC memory out of the box, unlike intel they want that on their Xeon not on their Core i-series lineup. 

[nmarcelis]

I recently did test on different hardware models.

Model   creation benchmark

6128Gold, P5000
Update
   13.71   update previous version file

Model creation benchmark

  138.02   TOTAL

Export benchmark

   87.29   export all views as PNGs at 300 dpi

   61.31   export all views as DWFs

  111.52   export all views as DWGs

   70.19   print all views as vector *

  115.16   print all views as raster *

Render benchmark

  165.16   render

Graphics - Standard View

   36.21   TOTAL

9700K, RTX2080

Update
    6.48   update previous version file

Model creation benchmark

   82.93   TOTAL

Export benchmark

   48.17   export all views as PNGs at 300 dpi

   38.72   export all views as DWFs

   70.19   export all views as DWGs

   46.36   print all views as vector *

   77.36   print all views as raster *

Render benchmark

   62.91   render

Graphics - Standard View

   20.74   TOTAL

6700K, M2000

Update
    6.78   update previous version file

Model creation benchmark

   85.02   TOTAL

Export benchmark

   48.72   export all views as PNGs at 300 dpi

   41.48   export all views as DWFs

   71.62   export all views as DWGs

   46.05   print all views as vector *

   74.41   print all views as raster *

Render benchmark

   74.42   render

Graphics - Standard View

   28.82   TOTAL

Conclusion:
Go for high frequency cpu with a moderate amount of RAM (16-32gb).
The impact of the grapics card, depending on the specific needs, don't have a big impact.

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