Modern Revit Hardware Setups

[Anonymous]

Hi All

I am currently reviewing out Standard Revit Workstation setup for our company. I'm looking to see what the best setups are, with regards to productivity. Bear in mind that, we only really use the Structural components and minimal Architectural tools within Revit, and that we do not currently work on huge projects.

Basically, I'm wondering what the community's opinions are on traditional setups vs. more modern setups. 

Traditional setups would be as follows (my current setup in brackets):

• CPU: High clock Quadcore (i7 7700 3.6GHz)
• RAM: 16GB minimum depending on the type/size of the project (16GB DDR4 2400MHz)
• Storage: 250Gb SSD minimum (Samsung 500Gb 850 EVO)
• GPU: 2Gb minimum Quattro card (GTX 1060 6Gb)
• Dual monitors (2x 24" generic monitors)

I have a few specific questions:

1. Storage: how does Revit access storage, is it mostly sequential, or random? - I'm wondering if there would be a noticeable difference upgrading from a typical SATA SSD, to an NVME SSD such as a Samsung 960 Pro?
2. GPU: There is the age old question: does a Quattro or Firepro card out perform a Geforce card? - I'm of a mind that Geforce cards, such as GTX 1060/1070s will be more versatile and better value that a Quattro card.
3. Are dual monitors still the best setup in todays age of ultrawide monitors and high resolution screens? I'm tossing up between dual 27" monitors (1080p or 1440p), or a single 34" 1440p monitor, or perhaps a single 32" 4k monitor

Also, on a side note, how important is having a fast server for working-sharing using local models?

I know it is a lot, but I would greatly appreciate some feedback

Thanks

Nick

[ToanDN]

Your specs are very reasonable. 

1.  You do need fastest SSD as you budget permits because Revit creates tons of temp files in your local HDD especially for projects with links.

2.  I always favor the GeForce GTX line of video card over the "pro" Quadro cards.  If you don'r work on humongous projects that require the top-end Quadro then don't don't bother with the mid-range and low-end ones.  They always seems like a scam especially after I hacked the driver to make a GeForce card detected and perform better than a Quadro four times its cost 12 years ago.

3.  I would add is using 3x24"xFHD monitors instead of 2x24 or 1x34.  3-monitor setup give you one on the center for Revit and it is much more convenient than 2 sice by side.  I found it better than 1x34 for multitasking.  Having different applications on different monitors minimize ALT-TABbing by a lot.  If I can have it my way, it would be 24-34-24.

[Anonymous]

Great thanks. that is exactly what I was after about the SSDs. The 960 Pro has more durability and a longer warranty too.

Yea I'm in the same boat with regards to the GPU. I'd love to know if anyone has actually done some up-to-date testing of modern GPUs.

As far as monitors go, we don't do a huge amount of multitasking when we are modelling/drafting. the most we would need would be Revit and perhaps a PDF markup or drawing, or an email. but with the functionality of good ultrawide monitors, you can split up the screens how you see fit.

I'm of the mindset that my perfect setup would be a decent laptop coupled with a 34" 1440p monitor