How to configure your workstation for ArchiCAD 27.2.0

ArchiCAD is a process-optimized 3D planning software for architects. ArchiCAD features an intuitive user interface with a focus on building data modeling (BIM). Architects benefit from being able to work with a single file from design to implementation planning. Take a look at our hardware expertise for ArchiCAD 27.2.0:

High-performance processors – The key component for top perfomance with ArchiCAD 27.2.0

The processor is the central unit that largely determines the performance of your workstation. For ArchiCAD 27.2.0, which requires both single-core and multi-core performance, we have put together a selection of processors that are ideal for simple, medium and complex projects. The focus is on the latest Intel Core and Intel Xeon processors.

 
Simple projects:

• Intel Core i5-12600 (6 cores, Turboboost 4.80 GHz) or Intel Xeon W-2225 (4 cores, Turboboost 4.60 GHz). These processors offer outstanding single-core performance and sufficient multi-core capacity to handle smaller projects efficiently and smoothly.

Medium projects:

• Intel Core i9-13900K (24 cores, Turboboost 5.80 GHz), Intel Xeon W-2245 (8 cores, Turboboost 4.70 GHz). With increased multi-core performance, these processors are ideal for medium projects that require more intensive computing power and parallel processing.

Revolutionary RAM performance for ArchiCAD 27.2.0 

Simple projects

• 16 GB of RAM is sufficient for small residential buildings and interior designs with a low level of detail. This amount allows ArchiCAD to run smoothly and edit smaller models without any problems.

Medium projects

• For larger residential buildings, smaller commercial buildings or more complex interior designs with a higher level of detail, we recommend at least 32 GB of RAM. This configuration ensures that ArchiCAD runs stably even with larger models and multiple files open at the same time. With 32 GB of RAM, you can efficiently manage more complex geometries and extensive libraries, resulting in a smoother working environment.

Complex projects

• For demanding projects, such as large commercial buildings, high-rise buildings or extensive urban designs that require a high level of detail and extensive modeling, at least 64 GB of RAM is required. This configuration in quad-channel mode provides the necessary capacity to efficiently edit even the largest and most complex models in ArchiCAD 27.2.0. You can work on several large files at the same time and benefit from fast rendering times and smooth performance.
  

DDR4 vs. DDR5 RAM: Pros and Cons Compared Head-to-Head 

speed:

• DDR5 RAM typically offers higher speeds compared to DDR4. This means data can be transferred between the processor and RAM faster, resulting in improved system performance. DDR5 can reach speeds of up to 4800 MT/s, while DDR4 typically offers speeds of up to 3200 MT/s.

Capacity:

• DDR5 offers higher capacity per module compared to DDR4, meaning DDR5 modules can typically offer higher total capacity. This allows systems to process and store larger amounts of data at once.

Energy Efficiency:

• DDR5 RAM is typically more energy efficient than DDR4. By using lower voltages and more advanced power-saving features, DDR5 can reduce power consumption compared to DDR4. This is especially important for mobile devices and other battery-powered systems, as it can extend battery life.

Latency:

• DDR5 RAM typically has lower latency compared to DDR4. This means that data access times are faster, improving overall system performance, especially in applications that require high responsiveness.

The optimum Graphic Card for ArchiCAD 27.2.0

ArchiCAD certifies NVIDIA Quadro, NVIDIA Geforce and AMD graphics cards. We will be happy to tell you if your graphics card is certified for ArchiCAD. When selecting an enterprise workstation for ArchiCAD 27.2.0, the graphics card is of crucial importance. ArchiCAD is a comprehensive BIM (Building Information Modeling) program that benefits greatly from graphics performance, especially when working on complex projects. Here you will find our graphics card recommendations for simple, medium and complex projects..

Simple projects

• For simple projects, such as small residential buildings or interior design, a mid-range graphics card is sufficient. The following graphics cards offer enough power for basic modeling and rendering tasks without breaking the budget: Nvidia Quadro P4000 (8GB), Nvidia Geforce 4060Ti (8GB), Nvidia Quadro RTX A2000 (6/12GB), AMD Radeon Po W5700 (8GB). They support smooth navigation and editing of models in ArchiCAD.

Medium projects

• For medium projects, such as larger residential complexes or medium-sized commercial buildings, a more powerful graphics card is required. The following graphics cards offer higher performance and additional CUDA cores, which ensure faster rendering times and smoother real-time displays: Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000 (8GB), Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070 Super (12GB), Nvidia Quadro RTX A4000 (16GB), Nvidia Quadro RTX 2000 ADA (16GB).

Complex projects

• Complex projects, such as high-rise buildings, large commercial and industrial facilities or urban master plans, require the highest available graphics performance. The following high-end graphics cards are capable of handling large and complex models with millions of polygons. They offer maximum performance for smooth navigation, demanding renderings and complex simulations: Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000 ADA (20GB), Nvidia Geforce RTX 4080 (16GB), Nvidia Quadro RTX A5000 (24 GB), Nvidia Quadro RTX A6000 (48GB).

The optimal hard drives for ArchiCAD 27.2.0: Performance and reliability in focus

M.2 NVMe SSDs are the optimal choice for ArchiCAD 27.2.0, regardless of the complexity of the projects. Their superior speed and reliability ensure a smooth workflow and maximize productivity. By selecting the right SSD, tailored to the specific requirements of each project type, architects and planners can exploit the full performance of ArchiCAD 27.2.0 and thus implement their creative visions efficiently.

Simple projects

For simple projects, such as smaller residential buildings or individual building modules, a fast and reliable storage option is essential to ensure smooth work. M.2 NVMe SSDs offer significant advantages here:

• Fast data access times: M.2 NVMe SSDs offer significantly faster read and write speeds compared to conventional SATA SSDs and HDDs, which speeds up access to project data and minimizes loading times.
• Smooth workflow: The high performance ensures seamless editing of 2D and 3D model data, so that changes and adjustments can be made in real time.

Medium projects

For medium-sized projects, such as office buildings or apartment buildings, the hardware requirements increase. The number of data points and the complexity of the models increase, which requires a more powerful storage option:

• Increased capacity and speed: M.2 NVMe SSDs offer higher storage capacities, which are necessary to efficiently manage larger amounts of data and more complex models.
• Multitasking capability: ArchiCAD 27.2.0 benefits from the fast access speeds, especially when editing multiple submodels in parallel or rendering visualizations.

Complex projects

For complex projects, such as large urban development projects or specialized industrial buildings, the requirements for storage capacity and speed are particularly high:

• Maximum performance: For processing and storing large amounts of data and highly complex 3D models, M.2 NVMe SSDs offer the speed and reliability needed to handle even the most demanding tasks.
• Efficient data management: The high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) of NVMe SSDs enable efficient data management and fast response times when working with extensive BIM databases.