ArchiCAD System Requirements

ArchiCAD system requirements | ArchiCAD is a powerful Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that empowers architects to bring their creative visions to life. From intricate 3D models to comprehensive documentation, ArchiCAD equips you with the tools to design, visualize, and manage the entire architectural workflow. But to harness the full potential of this remarkable software, ensuring your system meets the minimum and recommended requirements is crucial.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the technical specifications needed to run ArchiCAD seamlessly. We’ll explore the essential hardware and software components, from processors and RAM to graphics cards and operating systems. Whether you’re a seasoned architect or a budding enthusiast, understanding these requirements will pave the way for a smooth and productive ArchiCAD experience. So, buckle up and get ready to unlock the door to architectural excellence!

Best laptops for ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD system requirements

Operating Systems:

  • Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
  • macOS 12 (Monterey) or 13 (Ventura)

Recommended Hardware:

  • Processor: 64-bit processor with four or more cores, such as an Intel i5 or i7, or AMD Ryzen equivalent.
  • RAM: 16 GB or more is recommended; for complex, detailed models 32 GB or more may be required.
  • Hard disk: Installing ArchiCAD on a SSD (Solid State Drive) is highly recommended for faster performance. 5 GB free disk space is required for the installation, and 10 GB or more is recommended for each active project.
  • Graphics card: DirectX 11 compatible graphics card with onboard memory of 4GB using 4K display resolution or 2GB using lower display resolution is highly recommended as the minimum.
  • Display: A resolution of 1920 x 1080 or higher is recommended.

Internet Connection:

  • ArchiCAD 24 and 25 require an internet connection for installation and licensing.
  • Collaboration and BIMcloud features require a stable internet connection with adequate bandwidth.

Additional Notes:

  • Redshift Rendering: To utilize the Redshift rendering engine, an NVIDIA graphics card with Cuda 7.0 or higher, or AMD’s Navi/Vega is required. It is recommended to have at least 8GB of VRAM for optimal Redshift rendering performance.
  • Plotters and Printers: ArchiCAD supports most major plotters, printers, and digitizers.

It’s always best to check Graphisoft’s official website for the most up-to-date system requirements, as they may change with new ArchiCAD releases.

Here are some additional tips for ensuring optimal performance with ArchiCAD:

  • Close any unnecessary applications while running ArchiCAD.
  • Regularly update your graphics card drivers.
  • Optimize your system for performance.
  • Consider using a dedicated workstation for ArchiCAD if you work with large, complex models.

Archicad 27 system requirements

Operating System:

  • Windows 11 64-bit
  • Windows 10 64-bit (minimum build 1809)
  • macOS 13.4 Ventura
  • macOS 12.6 Monterey

Processor (CPU):

  • Intel or AMD processor with a single-thread Cinebench R23 score of 2000 or higher (e.g., AMD Ryzen 5 1500X, Intel Core i7-3770K or better)

Memory (RAM):

  • Minimum 16 GB recommended

Graphics Card:

  • Minimum 4 GB of graphics memory (VRAM)
  • For optimal Redshift rendering performance, 8 GB or more VRAM is recommended

Storage:

  • Minimum 40 GB of free disk space

Additional Information:

  • Archicad 27 is a 64-bit application.
  • All major plotters, printers, and digitizers are compatible (driver support provided by the operating system).

Archicad 26 system requirements

Operating System:

  • Windows 10, 11 (64-bit)
  • macOS 12.3 Monterey
  • macOS 11.3 Big Sur

Minimum Hardware Requirements:

  • Processor: 2 GHz or higher
  • RAM: 8 GB
  • Disk: 5 GB of free space
  • Graphics card: 2 GB VRAM DirectX 11 compatible graphics card
  • Display resolution: 1440 x 900

Recommended Configuration:

  • Processor: 3 GHz or higher multi-core processor
  • RAM: 16 GB or more
  • Disk: SATA SSD with at least 10 GB of free space
  • Graphics card: 4 GB VRAM or more, DirectX 11 compatible graphics card with the latest drivers installed
  • Display resolution: Full HD+ (1920 x 1080) or higher

Archicad 24 system requirements

Minimum System Requirements

  • Operating System:
    • Windows 10, 11 (64-bit)
    • macOS 10.15 Catalina or macOS 10.14 Mojave
  • Processor: 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor
  • RAM: 5 GB of RAM (8 GB or more recommended)
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 4.0 compatible graphics card
  • Display: 1140 x 900 display resolution (1920 x 1080 Full HD recommended)
  • Hard Drive: 5 GB of free disk space (SSD recommended)

Recommended System Requirements

  • Processor:
    • Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 (or better)
  • RAM: 16 GB of RAM (or more)
  • Graphics Card: 2 GB+ VRAM OpenGL 4.0 compatible graphics card
  • Display: 1920 x 1080 Full HD display
  • Hard Drive: SSD (NVMe SSD recommended)

Archicad 20 system requirements

Minimum System Requirements:

  • Processor: 64-bit processor with two cores (minimum)
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • Hard Disk Space: 5 GB free disk space required for installation, 10 GB or more recommended per active project
  • Graphics Card: OpenGL 2.0 compatible graphics card
  • Display: Resolution of 1366 x 768 or higher
  • Operating System:
    • Windows 10, 11 (64-bit version)
    • Windows 8.1 (64-bit version)
    • Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan
    • Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite

Recommended System Requirements:

  • Processor: 64-bit processor with four or more cores
  • RAM: 16 GB or more (for complex, detailed models)
  • Hard Disk Space: SSD (or Fusion) drive recommended; 5 GB free disk space required for installation, 10 GB or more recommended per active project
  • Graphics Card: Dedicated graphics card with at least 4 GB of VRAM
  • Display: Resolution of 1920 x 1080 or higher

Archicad 18 system requirements

Minimum:

  • Processor: 64-bit processor with two cores
  • RAM: 4 GB
  • Hard disk space: 5 GB free disk space
  • Graphics card: OpenGL 2.0 compatible graphics card
  • Display: A resolution of 1024 x 768 or higher

Recommended:

  • Processor: 64-bit processor with four or more cores
  • RAM: 8 GB or more (16 GB or more for complex models)
  • Hard disk space: 5 GB free disk space (10 GB or more per active project)

Operating System:

  • Windows 10, 11 (64-bit)
  • Windows 8, 8.1 (64-bit)
  • Windows 7 (64-bit)
  • Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite
  • Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks
  • Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion