Product Design & Modelling

For programs like Creo, Inventor, Solidworks, Catia

Much like 3D CAD work, almost all 3D product design and modelling functions are 'CPU bound', which means that it relies primarily on a single processor core. Since the clock speed of a single core defines performance more than any other variable, a workstation with fewer cores, but higher clock speed is recommended.

If your workflow includes occasional rendering, then consider a CPU with multiple high-frequency cores. The built-in render engines are often multi-threaded, meaning that you will see substantial performance gains when using a CPU with a higher core count.

For CAD, CAM and CAE workloads, we advise on using NVIDIA Quadro graphics cards. Although in most cases 'consumer-grade' cards perform comparatively, NVIDIA Quadro GPUs are tested, certified and supported by companies like Autodesk and Dassault.

Simulation

For programs like SolidWorks Simulation, Creo Simulate, Autodesk Fusion 360

Simulation is a highly multi-threaded process and will take advantage of a higher core count. Although, you will see diminishing returns on anything over 10 cores for the majority of simulation software.

For CAD, CAM and CAE workloads, we advise on using NVIDIA Quadro graphics cards. Although in most cases consumer grade GeForce cards perform comparatively, NVIDIA Quadro GPUs are tested, certified and supported by companies like Autodesk and Dassault.

Visualisation

For programs like SolidWorks Visualize, Keyshot, VRED

Note: NVIDIA RTX Ray Tracing support as been announced for Keyshot 9. Keyshot 8 requires multi-core CPU based systems.