Archicad is a wildly popular user-friendly and effective BIM software that includes an array of highly efficient tools. But, setting up an archicad-compatible Workstation optimised for Archicad isn’t easy because of the many options available, including 3D or 2D modelling analysis, photorealistic rendering, and more that put different demands on the hardware. This article will explore the diverse hardware needs Archicad needs to find the best computer for ArchiCAD configuration that will optimize the efficiency of your BIM workflows.
CPU
It is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the key component of the success of all Workstation build. The right choice of processor for your particular needs is crucial for maximum performance, and crucial to ensure compatibility with other hardware that you might require. There are two major elements to be considered when choosing the right processor to use for BIM use. One of the first decisions you must consider is the number of threads and cores you’ll need. The second factor to consider will be the frequency, or the speed of the processor’s cores.
Archicad is mostly a 3D or 2D modeling software program Similar to other modeling applications, Archicad runs significantly better when using processors with high clock speeds. Processors with higher clock speeds typically come with lower core counts, with the additional benefit of being more economical. If the main use of Archicad is modeling it, we suggest either an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen based Workstation. Be sure to choose the processor that offers the highest speeds for clock speed to maximize performance.
If you are planning to carry out other things on your system, for instance rendering with CPUs, you’ll benefit from a greater number of cores, such as the ones on the AMD Ryzen Threadripper range of Workstations. If you are looking for a solution to render on occasion or other tasks, a premium AMD Ryzen 9 solution may provide better price-for-quality while still keeping high speed for modelling.
If you intend to use GPU rendering it means that the CPU is not needed to produce the images, so the additional threads and cores of AMD Ryzen Threadripper AMD Ryzen Threadripper will be ineffective. But, you might prefer a more powerful processor such as AMD Ryzen Threadripper when you are planning to use more than one Graphics within your system. Check out the following article for more information about GPU rendering options.
Graphics Cards
Like all 3D 2D modeling applications for professionals We recommend using an enterprise NVIDIA graphics card instead of an affordable consumer-oriented NVIDIA GeForce-based alternative. NVIDIA Quadro graphic cards have been designed and developed exclusively for use in professional work. They are based on rigorously tested drivers to ensure stability and top performance. They also have features like ECC memory, as well as improved computing capabilities that can be extremely useful.
We suggest choosing an NVIDIA Quadro Graphics card that has two to four GB of RAM (Graphical Memory) for those who use it lightly or those just starting to begin learning Archicad. For more intense workloads, you could require 6+ Gb of VRAM.
If you are planning on GPU rendering in applications like Lumion and other such applications, then choosing an upgrade to a graphics card that has more CUDA cores is hugely beneficial to you. To get even better performance, consider opting for more than one graphics card. GPU rendering is extremely efficient and, consequently, using a second graphic card with the same model typically results in a 100% increase in performance. It is also less expensive than purchasing a single top-of-the-line graphics card.
Memory
Archicad requires a significant amount of memory system (RAM) for optimal performance. But, it’s essential not to invest in excessive memory. The excess memory will not provide any advantages in terms of performance, however upgrading your processor or graphics card will give significant enhancements. The balance of memory capacity is crucial but insufficient memory will negatively impact performance.
We typically recommend 16GB for users who are starting out to mid-level and 32-64GB for more intensive users. You might also want to boost your memory capacity when you are planning to run several programs at the same time. In accordance with these suggestions, you’ll need plenty of memory to ensure that your Workstation runs smoothly and efficiently without overspending your money.
If you already have an Archicad computer, then we suggest using Windows Task Manager while working on your current projects to improve your Memory requirements further. Contact us now if you require further assistance.
Storage
There are three main types of storage employed in Workstations currently. Classic hard disk drives (HDD), SATA based Solid State Drives (SSD) and NVMe Solid State Drives (NVMe SSD). HDD’s are a great value for money , and have one of the largest capacities available for storage drives, however they’re extremely slow when compared to SSD’s. SSD’s that use SATA technology are more expensive than HDD’s , but are much faster than a conventional HDD. SSDs with NVMe use PCIe technology instead of SATA in order to move data, making them the fastest and most efficient alternative, by a large amount. There is a cost in order to enjoy this fast speed however the improvement in performance has made them the most sought-after drives in the present.
We recommend a dual-drive configuration, which includes either one of a SATA SSD and NVMe SSD according to your budget. The SSD is the primary OS, applications , and projects files. Traditional Hard Disk Drive should also be set up for cost-effective, long-term large storage. This combo has become extremely popular with Workstation users because it provides an excellent value-for-money and huge storage capacities, while maintaining outstanding performance.
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