Forums >> Workflow & Implementation >> Hardware >> CPU Processing requirements?

heinzk1

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I was just wondering when building a newer computer nw a days for Revit, if a high end processor really is needed?  If the machine has large amounts of RAM and a high end graphics card, does the desktop/Laptop need a high end processor?

Just wondering,Heinzk1

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mbsteve

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 http://www.revitcity.com/forums.php?action=viewthread&thread_id=21900

Take a look at the above rendering times are connected largely to processor speed. If you are not doing a great amount of rendering then it becomes less important. See the attached Computer Speed Index, to give you an idea. I don 't do a lot of rendering so this computer seems to work fine for me. However renderings take hours, for pretty much everyone.

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WWHub

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32 bit machines can't use more then 4 gig of ram and I think most recommendations for 64 bit machines is 8 gig so "lots of ram" is not a good statement.  

The high end video card is NOT a requirement either. 

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heinzk1

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Well we are fairly new to the Revit world and have only a few small projects under our belts.  We did find that we had to run x64 machines with 8GB minimum to keep from crashing.  But this discussion is sparked by a conversation with the boss about what type of machines we are going to have to run a few years down the line.

Since it appears that the processors are becoming so powerful so quickly it seems to me that they aleady are out perfomring most of the software being run on them unless its high end gaming.  But it did seem like so far that if we used average processors and not pay the tremendous upgrade for the Newest technology in processors and spent that money on more RAM and better video cards that would be money better spent.

I am I correct in thinking this?Heinzk1

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heinzk1

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Opps! The previous post shoud be a question.  I wasn't stating that I am right in my assumption.

My bad!Heinzk1

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itsmyalterego

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This is a popular subject, but I can't fault it always popping up, because computers change so quickly.  I remember when dual core was all the rage... and there's still threads on here that wax poetic about 4 gigs of ram and dual core on XP, with a 128mb video card... so.

copy/pasting my opinion from a recent thread. 

--You want windows 7, 64 bit. 

--Rendering an image requires processing power almost exclusively, so if you're after photrealistic images and walkthroughs, get 6 to 12 cores.  For your average drafting/modeling, not very much processing power is needed, a typical 4-6 core works great.

--For smooth work, without catches and lag while you spin around a 3D model with transparency, ambient occlusion, and shadows on, you'll need a very good video card.  Consider getting two B+ grade cards that are capable of linking in SLI.  Much much cheaper than buying a shiny $1000 flagship-prototype-wonder-card that'll be merely mediocre in a year's time.  But I understand if it's daunting, and companies like Dell won't offer to do this unless perhaps you speak with a rep. 

--Ram is not as important as some people think.  But I wouldn't have under 6.  And then again, it's cheap. Watch your system resource manager, you'll see that revit doesn't hog the ram at all.  on my machine with 12 gigs, 7-8 gigs sits idle at all times, even during what you'd assume would be demanding tasks.

--for faster loading/saving, consider getting a faster harddrive.  10,000 RPM instead of the average 7,200 drives.  15,000 and solid state never struck me as affordable or reliable, but maybe times have changed. 

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brettgoodchild

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Not sure I entirely agree with alterego...

We use very low end GPU and have no problems at all and using a SLI or Ccross fire config may require additional money to be spent on a better power supply and additional cooling fans.

Also, you are correct in that it will not consume large amts. of RAM however, the more you have the more VM will be available for Revit and that is one of the most important aspects. I can tell you that my Revit hard limit for VM is set at over 16gigs and I am generally using about 80% of that.

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itsmyalterego

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Hmm... We have revit 2011 failing to run, or being unworkably slow on some our our older worstations in their original state... But it works passably in some identical workstations that have had newer graphics cards put in which transformed them into workable machines, like a quadro FX 4500.  Still a good card, though a coupel years old. 

A former "flagship-prototype-wonder-card" I guess.  It was over $1000 new.  I never endorsed getting it... regardless all I can infer is that graphics cards are the most important component for revit's performance.  If 5 year old processors, a decade old operating system, and only 4gigs of slow ram including the GPU's onboard ram doesn't affect performance, that really highlights the graphics card. 

Also, SLI was a suggestion to avoid high costs.  Many mid-range cards don't have nearly the power demands of the double-deckers, With power supplied through the pci express slot only.  So in the end, it should be a cheaper and comparably powerful, without needing a 1kw power supply or something.  But that's a moot point if the need for a good GPU is even in debate.  Just thought I'd put it out there in case anyone is feeling thrifty AND ambitious. 

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WWHub

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Most of our machines are 32 bit - 4gig - with no graphics card - it is built into the motherboard.  Talk about old.... Anyway - we successfully run all the way through 2011 and we have a couple of projects over 200 meg.

Obviously, we don't have hardware acceleration and we can't spin a fulled shaded model easily, we do our work. 

Working on our 64 bit systems now and they will NOT have a high end card.

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itsmyalterego

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"Most of our machines are 32 bit - 4gig - with no graphics card - it is built into the motherboard."

my god... integrated graphics struggle with playing a DVD.  I don't know how you do it.  no catches... delay for the screen to regen when you pan, or zoom out?

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WWHub

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As I said ... no problems most of the time.  PAN and Zoom are never a problem but most of us work in hidden line only.  You do have to pay attention to process on big projects.  Use reduced worksets - save and re-start once a day and we do have occassional crashes but ok.

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