Autodesk provides a list of system requirements for different versions of AutoCAD, however, this list is not necessarily comprehensive. The best hardware for optimum performance is not taken into account and is only mentioned as a minimum requirement. Some lists may also contain outdated or possibly underperforming hardware. We’ve performed our own testing and compiled a list of suggested system requirements for AutoCAD.
Which CPU for AutoCAD?
CPU performance is primarily determined by two key specifications: frequency and core count. The number of operations a single core can complete in a second, which represents how quickly it is, depends on the frequency. The number of physical cores in the CPU is referred to as the core count, which describes how many simultaneous operations the CPU is capable of handling. Depending on how effectively a program makes use of multiple CPU cores, a higher frequency or core count may be preferable.
When choosing a CPU for AutoCAD, it’s important to understand that the majority of program tasks are single threaded, meaning that only one core of the processor is utilized. Consequently, choose a processor with a high frequency in accordance with our advice for the best performance. The Intel Core i9 13900K or i7 13700K are currently some of the best options available due to their high clock speeds and sufficient cores for multitasking.
Two requirements—2D Regeneration and Mental Ray rendering—are exempt from AutoCAD’s single thread restriction. Choosing a CPU with a higher core count may be preferable in this case even though rendering with Mental Ray can be more taxing than 2D regeneration. It is advised that you take into account our specialized rendering workstations in this situation.
The video card controls how 2D and 3D models are displayed in AutoCAD. However, only 3D models require a GPU that is more advanced than the entry-level model. So, if you only intend to work with 2D models, it would be wise to put the money you would have spent on the GPU toward improving the CPU, SSD, or RAM.
AutoCAD Graphics Card Requirements
GeForce or Quadro: which is the best video card for Autodesk AutoCAD?
It is suggested to use an NVIDIA Quadro workstation card rather than a GeForce card for best performance in Autodesk AutoCAD. GeForce cards are more powerful for the money, but Autodesk has not officially approved them for use with AutoCAD. It is advised to use a Quadro card in a business setting to guarantee full support from Autodesk in the event of any software problems.
A faster video card typically translates into better performance when working with 3D models in AutoCAD. However, most users won’t notice a noticeable improvement with a card that is more advanced than a midrange NVIDIA Professional option. Although the RTX A4000 is a trustworthy option, many users—particularly those who work primarily in 2D—may not find it necessary. Furthermore, since AutoCAD uses little VRAM, buying a card with a lot of VRAM is not necessary if you only use AutoCAD.
However, it is advised to have double the VRAM of your cards. The amount of RAM required for V-Ray Next GPU rendering varies depending on your projects. For example, if you have four 8GB cards (32GB total VRAM), it’s advised to have 64GB of system memory. For V-Ray Next CPU, the required RAM will depend on the size and complexity of your scenes. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and have 128GB or more if you’re not sure about the exact amount of RAM you need, as RAM is affordable.
Which Storage Drive should I use for AutoCAD
For optimal performance in V-Ray and other software, we suggest using an SSD as your primary drive. These drives are faster and more affordable than traditional hard drives and improve the speed of booting, launching applications, and loading files. NVMe SSDs with M.2 connections offer the fastest transfer rates.
Having a second SSD to store active projects can also improve performance. A 500GB capacity for the OS drive is recommended to avoid the need for an upgrade in the near future.
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