SOLIDWORKS System Requirements

SOLIDWORKS is a demanding software application, so it’s important to make sure your computer meets the system requirements before you purchase it. Here’s a quick rundown of the minimum and recommended system requirements for SOLIDWORKS:

5 Best Terrific Laptops for SOLIDWORKS

Operating System:

  • Windows 10 64-bit (all editions except Home) or Windows 11 64-bit

Processor:

  • Minimum: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
  • Recommended: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 or better

Memory:

  • Minimum: 16 GB RAM
  • Recommended: 32 GB RAM or more

Graphics Card:

  • NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 or AMD Radeon Pro WX 8000 (or equivalent)
  • SOLIDWORKS recommends using a certified graphics card. You can find a list of certified graphics cards on the SOLIDWORKS website.

Storage:

  • Minimum: 50 GB of free disk space
  • Recommended: Solid-state drive (SSD)

Other Requirements:

  • A pointing device, such as a mouse
  • An internet connection (required for activation and online features)

It is important to note that these are just the minimum requirements. If you plan on using SOLIDWORKS for complex designs or large assemblies, you will need a more powerful computer. You can find more detailed information about the system requirements for SOLIDWORKS on the Dassault Systèmes website.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when choosing a computer for SOLIDWORKS:

  • Make sure your computer has a good graphics card. SOLIDWORKS is a graphics-intensive application, so a good graphics card is essential for smooth performance.
  • Consider getting a solid-state drive (SSD). SSDs can significantly improve the performance of SOLIDWORKS, especially when opening and saving files.
  • Make sure your computer has enough RAM. SOLIDWORKS is a memory-intensive application, so it’s important to have enough RAM to avoid crashes and slowdowns.

SOLIDWORKS requirements for laptop

SOLIDWORKS minimum requirements for a laptop are:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit only)
  • Processor: Intel or AMD processor with SSE2 support (i5 or Ryzen 5 recommended)
  • RAM: 16 GB (32GB or more recommended for large assemblies)
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA Quadro or AMD Radeon Pro graphics card with a minimum of 2GB of dedicated video memory (4GB or more recommended)
  • Storage: Solid state drive (SSD) with at least 25GB of free space

Recommended specifications:

  • Processor: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor
  • RAM: 32GB or more
  • Graphics Card: NVIDIA Quadro RTX or AMD Radeon Pro with a minimum of 4GB of dedicated video memory
  • Storage: NVMe SSD with at least 500GB of free space

Additional considerations:

  • Display: A high-resolution display with good color accuracy is recommended.
  • Ports: Make sure the laptop has enough USB ports to connect all of your peripherals.
  • Battery life: If you plan on using the laptop on the go, you will need a laptop with good battery life.

It is important to note that these are just the minimum requirements. If you are planning on using SOLIDWORKS for complex modeling, rendering, or simulation, you will need a more powerful laptop.

Here are some additional tips for choosing a laptop for SOLIDWORKS:

  • Look for a laptop that is certified by Dassault Systèmes, the makers of SOLIDWORKS. This means that the laptop has been tested and approved to run SOLIDWORKS smoothly.
  • Consider buying a workstation laptop. Workstation laptops are designed for demanding professional applications like SOLIDWORKS and typically have more powerful processors, graphics cards, and RAM than consumer laptops.
  • If you are on a budget, you may be able to get away with a less powerful laptop, but you may experience some performance issues.

SOLIDWORKS graphics card requirements

SOLIDWORKS doesn’t have specific graphics card requirements, but it does recommend using a certified card for optimal performance. Certified cards have been tested and approved by Dassault Systèmes, the makers of SOLIDWORKS, to work well with the software.

Here are some general recommendations for graphics cards for SOLIDWORKS:

  • NVIDIA Quadro cards are generally the best option for SOLIDWORKS, as they are designed for professional workstation use and have features that are optimized for CAD applications.
  • NVIDIA GeForce cards can also be used with SOLIDWORKS, but they may not offer the same level of performance or stability as Quadro cards.
  • AMD Radeon Pro cards are a good option for users who are on a budget, but they may not be as well-supported by SOLIDWORKS as NVIDIA cards.

It is important to note that these are just general recommendations, and the best graphics card for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. You can find a list of certified graphics cards on the SOLIDWORKS website.

Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing a graphics card for SOLIDWORKS:

  • The size and complexity of your models
  • The types of features you use most often, such as rendering and simulation
  • Your budget

If you are unsure which graphics card is right for you, it is always best to consult with a qualified professional.

SOLIDWORKS system requirements PDM

SOLIDWORKS PDM system requirements vary depending on the specific version of the software you are using. However, here are the general requirements for the latest version of SOLIDWORKS PDM:

Client Workstation

  • Operating system: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 (64-bit)
  • Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or higher, with a clock speed of 3.0 GHz or higher
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended)
  • Graphics card: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 or AMD Radeon Pro W6800 or higher (recommended)
  • Disk space: 50 GB of available disk space

Database Server

  • Operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022
  • Processor: Intel Xeon or AMD EPYC processor with at least 4 cores and a clock speed of 3.0 GHz or higher
  • Memory: 32 GB RAM (64 GB recommended)
  • Disk space: The amount of disk space required will vary depending on the size of your SOLIDWORKS PDM vault. However, it is recommended to allocate at least 1 TB of disk space for the database server.

Archive Server

  • Operating system: Microsoft Windows Server 2019 or Windows Server 2022
  • Processor: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or higher, with a clock speed of 3.0 GHz or higher
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended)
  • Disk space: The amount of disk space required will vary depending on the size of your SOLIDWORKS PDM vault. However, it is recommended to allocate at least 1 TB of disk space for the archive server.

It is important to note that these are just the minimum requirements. For optimal performance, it is recommended to exceed these requirements. You can find more detailed information about the SOLIDWORKS PDM system requirements on the SOLIDWORKS website.

SOLIDWORKS processor requirements

SOLIDWORKS officially recommends the following minimum processor requirements:

  • Processor: 64-bit Intel or AMD processor with SSE2 support
  • Clock speed: 3.3 GHz or faster

However, these are just the bare minimums to run the software. For optimal performance, especially with larger or more complex models, SOLIDWORKS recommends a more powerful processor. Here’s a breakdown of recommended processors based on your needs:

  • Basic use: Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5
  • Moderate use: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7
  • Advanced use: Intel Xeon or AMD Threadripper

It’s important to note that clock speed is just one factor to consider when choosing a processor for SOLIDWORKS. The number of cores and the overall architecture of the processor also play a significant role in performance. In general, more cores and a newer architecture will provide better performance.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind when choosing a processor for SOLIDWORKS:

  • Single-core performance: SOLIDWORKS still relies heavily on single-core performance for many tasks, so a processor with a high clock speed is important.
  • Number of cores: As SOLIDWORKS becomes more multithreaded, the number of cores becomes increasingly important. More cores will allow you to work with larger and more complex models more efficiently.
  • Thermal throttling: Make sure the processor you choose has adequate cooling to avoid thermal throttling, which can significantly reduce performance.

By considering these factors, you can choose a processor that will meet your needs and allow you to run SOLIDWORKS smoothly and efficiently.