Specs for the System

We've recently been receiving a rash of requests for what our recommended system specifications are for running AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop, Revit and Building Systems.

The good news is that prices for most systems are down in comparison to 5 years ago. The bad news is you need to plan on replacing most production machines in a 24-36 month cycle. As users start to add more content to their CAD files (i.e. property set definitions for FM in ADT/ABS, estimating info in Revit, ADT and ABS, etc.) the files sizes will continue to grow as the deliverable changes.

For all 2004 and up versions of AutoCAD, we recommend you focus on these items:

RAM - get as much RAM as you can afford to buy for your new system - if you have an older system, replace or add RAM to whatever the maximum capacity is. A minimum for AutoCAD should be 512mb, for ADT/ABS and Revit you should have at least 1gb. Your operating system will also impact how much RAM you need - Windows 2000 users don't need as much as XP, and how many other applications you leave open all the time (such as Outlook) will also take up RAM.

We ask this question of our students when talking about performance - how many applications are active at one time when Windows is running. We get a wide range, from one to a million, but the correct answer is one - only one application can be the focus program at a time, and it gets the lion's share of RAM when it's running. However, leaving a lot of applications open can impact how much RAM you have available to work with when AutoCAD or Revit is running. The secret here is to close (not minimize) applications that you're not using. IF you don't know what's running, press ctrl-alt-delete and go to the Task Manager. The processes tab will tell you how much memory an application is actually using - and with Windows there's usually a lot. If you need help understanding what all of the programs do, check with your local hardware or IT expert - they can help you figure out if you need to change how the applications are affecting your system.

Operating Systems - It's Windows 2000 or XP Pro, folks. Anything else you're running isn't really geared towards maximizing Autodesk product performance. Just because your version is able to load in Windows 98 doesn't mean that it's going to work (yes we've had people try this). And if you're still running Windows 95/98/NT or trying to use ME or the Home versions, stop! You'll spend more time fiddling with these things than what it really costs you to upgrade or replace your hardware. And anything before Windows 2000 is no longer supported by Microsoft or Autodesk, so don't waste your time (yes - you do have a value for your time that translates into cash!).

Will your AutoCAD or Revit run on the new 64 bit versions of Windows? Probably without any problem, but without a 64 bit processor on your system, you're not really taking advantage of the new XP. AMD makes good 64 bit processors (Intel has a lot of new stuff in the works), but AutoCAD isn't written to take advantage of 64 bit processors...at least not yet!

Video Adapters - any good 64mb RAM video or above is good for most versions of AutoCAD. The more 3D and rendering you do, the more RAM and better quality you need. I personally prefer most nVidia chipset cards with at least 128mb of RAM over on-board video systems that get their RAM from the system RAM - my new notebook has the 256mb nVidia adapter on top, and the graphics for ADT/ABS and Revit work great. Don't skimp on the video by using the on-board video - it will work but is adequate for 2D CAD only. ATI adapters that support OpenGL are also acceptable - the X700 series is a decent new version for most 2D/3D CAD.

Processors - Pentium 4 2ghz minimum - and don't keep using that old P3 to save a buck. Desktop workstations can now be purchased with dual core Intel processors that are blazing quick. Newer AMD chips are a little quicker than Intel, but that pendulum keeps swinging back and forth as the two companies continue to try to top one another. We stick with Intel due to the reliability factor, but don't have a bad opinion of AMD either.

For notebooks, the Centrino processors work fine and really extend battery life - my new system is a Centrino M 2.0ghz with 2gb of RAM, and the 256mb nVidia, 17" widescreen, wireless networking and Windows XP - and it weighs less than my old P4 2.8 ghz 15" notebook, with more than double the battery life.

To sum it up, you're not helping yourself by trying to keep that old P2/486 running - prices are very reasonable on new equipment. Most monitors will last 4 years and longer, so you can keep those parts if they're still working great, but keep the guts up to date - you'll be glad you did!

David B.