Archicad is a wildly popular user-friendly, efficient and user-friendly BIM software that includes many powerful tools. However, establishing the right Workstation optimised for Archicad isn’t an easy task because of the various options available, including 3D and 2D modeling as well as photorealistic rendering and analysis that put different demands on the hardware. This article outlines the various hardware needs Archicad requires to determine the ideal Workstation configuration that will optimize you BIM workflows.
CPU
It is the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main component in every Workstation designs. The right choice of CPU for your needs is crucial for maximum performance, and crucial to ensure compatibility with any other hardware you might require. There are two major aspects to take into consideration 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 require. The second thing to consider concerns the frequency of or the speed of these processors’ cores.
Archicad is predominantly a 3D and 2D modeling software program similar to other modeling applications, Archicad runs significantly better on processors that have high clock speeds. Processors with higher clock speeds usually have lower core counts which can have the added advantage of being affordable. If the main use of Archicad is for modeling you, we recommend an Intel Core or AMD Ryzen based Workstation. Be sure to choose the processor that offers the highest clock speeds to optimize performance.
If you are planning to carry out other tasks with the system, for instance rendering with CPUs, you’ll benefit from a greater capacity processor, like the ones we have within the AMD Ryzen Threadripper range of Workstations. If you are looking for a solution to render on occasion such as gaming, a top-of-the-line AMD Ryzen 9 solution may give you more cost-per-dollar while maintaining high modeling clock speeds.
If you intend to use GPU rendering it means that the CPU is not needed to produce these images, and consequently, the additional threads and cores in AMD Ryzen Threadripper AMD Ryzen Threadripper will be not needed. But, you might prefer a more powerful processor like AMD Ryzen Threadripper when you are planning to use several Graphics on your system. Read on for more information regarding GPU rendering options.
Graphics Cards
As with all 3D and 2D modeling applications for professionals we suggest installing an enterprise NVIDIA graphics card instead of the consumer-focused NVIDIA GeForce-based alternative. NVIDIA Quadro graphic cards have been designed and developed especially for workflows designed specifically for professionals. They use drivers that have been rigorously tested to ensure stability and top performance. They also have features like ECC memory, as well as improved computing capabilities that are extremely useful.
We suggest choosing an NVIDIA Quadro Graphics card that has 2 – 4GB in VRAM (Graphical Memory) for those who use it lightly and those who are just beginning to begin learning Archicad. For heavier workloads, you could require 6+ Gb of VRAM.
If you intend to use GPU rendering in applications like Lumion or Lumion, then an upgrade to a graphics card that has more CUDA cores can be an enormous benefit for you. To get even better performance, you should consider going for more than one graphics card. GPU rendering can be scaled very well so the addition of a second card of the same kind usually results in nearly 100% increase in performance. It is also less expensive than purchasing a single premium graphics card.
Memory
Archicad requires a significant amount of memory in the system (RAM) for optimal performance. But, it’s crucial not to spend excessive memory. Memory that is too large does not offer any performance advantages, but upgrading your processor or graphics card will give massive improvement. It is vital to balance memory capacity but the absence of enough memory can negatively impact performance.
We recommend 16GB of memory for users who are starting out to mid-level and 32-64GB for more intensive users. It is also possible to boost your memory capacity in case you plan to run several programs at the same time. In accordance with these suggestions, you’ll need plenty of memory to ensure that your Workstation is running smoothly and without wasting your money.
If you are using an Archicad computer, then we suggest looking into Windows Task Manager while working on your current projects to improve your Memory requirements further. Contact us now if you require any assistance.
Storage
There are three main kinds of storage that are commonly utilized in Workstations in the present. The traditional HDDs (HDD), SATA based Solid State Drives (SSD) and NVMe Solid State Drives (NVMe SSD). HDD’s offer outstanding value for money , and have the biggest capacities for storage drives, however they’re extremely slow when compared to SSD’s. SSD’s that use SATA technology are higher priced than HDD’s however they are much faster than a conventional HDD. SSDs that use NVMe utilize PCIe technology instead of SATA for data transfer,, making them the most speedy and 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 in the best computer for ArchiCAD, which includes either one of a SATA SSD as well as an NVMe SSD according to your budget. The SSD is an operating system that is your main one, 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 due to its an excellent value-for-money and large storage capacities , all while maintaining outstanding performance.
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