How to optimize your workstation for Sema 24.2

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Sema Software is a specialized solution for timber construction that offers comprehensive tools for planning, design and manufacturing. It enables precise 3D modeling, automatic material calculation and seamless integration with CNC machines to make the entire construction process efficient and error-free. Sema Software supports carpenters, engineers and architects in the realization of complex timber construction projects, from planning to execution. We configure the optimal business workstation for your individual Sema applications and offer you the opportunity to put the system to the test with a test license for Sema via remote access. Contact us and arrange a free remote test. Below is our expertise for Sema 24.2:

Check your SEMA workstation with our ultimate system guide

The optimal processor for Sema 24.2 for every project size

Making the right choice of Intel processor for Sema 23.3 depends heavily on the complexity and size of the projects. Sema 24.2 is a powerful software that has different hardware requirements depending on the application. Recommendations for small, medium and complex projects are given below:

Small SEMA projects

For small projects that do not have too high demands on computing power, a 12th or 13th generation Intel Core processor is ideal. These processors offer a good balance between performance and energy efficiency. An Intel Core i5-12600K would be an excellent choice here. These processors offer enough cores and threads to process smaller Sema projects smoothly without overloading the system.


Recommended processors for small projects:

  • Intel Core i5-12600K (10 cores, 16 threads)


Medium and complex SEMA projects

For medium-sized projects that require more computing power, it makes sense to use more powerful processors such as the Intel Core i9 or Intel Xeon W-2200 series. The Intel Core i9-12900K offers a high number of cores and threads, which is advantageous for parallel calculations and larger amounts of data. The Intel Xeon W series also offers stable and reliable performance, especially in workstations used for CAD and 3D modeling.

Recommended processors for medium and complex projects:

  • Intel Xeon W-2245 (8 cores, 16 threads)

  • Intel Core i7-12700K (12 cores, 20 threads)

  • Intel Core i9-12900K (16 cores, 32 threads)

SEMA currently makes optimal use of the performance of an 8-core/16-thread CPU configuration with high single-core performance. Intel's high-end X-series processors, XEON server processors and AMD's Threadripper platform offer no performance advantage when using SEMA.

When using SEMA 24.2, a powerful software solution for the construction industry, choosing the optimal RAM plays a crucial role in the efficiency and speed of project processing. The two most widely used RAM technologies, DDR4 and DDR5, offer different advantages and disadvantages that should be weighed up depending on the complexity of the project.


DDR4 vs. DDR5: Technological differences

DDR4 has been the standard in many computers for many years and offers solid performance at a reasonable price. The typical clock frequency of DDR4 is between 2133 MHz and 3200 MHz, which is sufficient for most applications, including CAD software and 3D modeling.

DDR5 is the newer technology that offers significantly higher clock frequencies (from 4800 MHz) and an improved data rate. In addition, DDR5 supports larger memory capacities per module, which is particularly important for complex applications is an advantage.


Small SEMA projects

For small projects that involve simple floor plans and less complex 3D models, DDR4 is sufficient in most cases. A typical machine with 16 GB DDR4 memory at a clock speed of 2666 MHz or 3200 MHz is able to handle these tasks quickly and efficiently.

  • Our recommendation: 16 GB DDR4 (2666-3200 MHz)


Medium SEMA projects

For medium projects that involve more complex structures and larger amounts of data, DDR4 can still be used, but performance is improved by larger memory sizes and higher clock speeds. Here, 32 GB DDR4 with a clock speed of at least 3200 MHz would be ideal. DDR5 can also be considered if a future upgrade is planned.

  • Our recommendation: 32 GB DDR4 (3200 MHz) or 32 GB DDR5 (4800 MHz)


Complex SEMA projects

For large and complex projects that require extensive 3D models, detailed planning and calculations, DDR5 offers clear advantages. The higher bandwidth and faster data transfer speed of DDR5 can lead to a significant increase in performance. 64 GB or more DDR5 memory is particularly suitable for these types of projects.

  • Our recommendation: 64 GB DDR5 (5200 MHz or higher)

When choosing the best Nvidia graphics cards for projects on SEMa 24.2, it is crucial to consider performance and special feature requirements. Nvidia offers two main lines of graphics cards: the Quadro series for professional applications and the GeForce series for consumer and gaming purposes. Here is a look at the best models in both categories, tailored to small, medium and complex projects.


Small SEMA projects

The Nvidia RTX A2000 is a capable choice for use on SEMA 24.2, especially for professional users who need stable and reliable graphics performance. The Quadro series, which the RTX A2000 belongs to, is specifically optimized for professional applications such as CAD, 3D modeling and other graphics-intensive tasks, making it ideal for use in SEMA 24.2.
The RTX A2000 offers solid processing power and high precision in the representation of complex 3D models. It supports advanced features such as hardware-accelerated ray tracing and enables excellent image quality and smooth representation of large and complex projects. Its certified drivers ensure stability and compatibility, which is particularly beneficial in professional environments.

Overall, the RTX A2000 is a good choice for SEMA 24.2 users who rely on reliable and professional graphics performance.

  • Performance: The RTX A2000 offers solid performance for small to medium-sized projects, especially in the field of CAD and DCC (digital content creation).

  • Memory: 6 GB GDDR6, sufficient for most applications of this size.
    Special features: Supports ray tracing and AI-based applications, offers excellent value for money for beginners.

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is a suitable choice for SEMA 24.2, especially if you are looking for a cost-effective solution with good graphics performance. This graphics card offers enough power to smoothly display most 3D visualizations and graphics-intensive tasks in SEMA 24.2. Thanks to its support for ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), you can benefit from improved display quality and optimized working speed. The RTX 4060 Ti is a good option for users who need solid graphics performance at a moderate price and is suitable for most professional applications in SEMA 24.2.

  • Performance: Ideal for smaller projects and everyday tasks, with excellent performance for gaming and basic creative work.

  • Memory: 8 GB GDDR6, sufficient for most small projects and some medium-sized tasks.

  • Special features: Good performance for the price, supports ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) for improved image quality and performance.


Medium SEMA projects

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super is a solid choice for using SEMA 24.2. This graphics card offers a good balance between performance and efficiency, making it capable of smoothly displaying demanding 3D visualizations and graphics-intensive tasks within the software. With its powerful GPU architecture and support for modern technologies such as ray tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), the RTX 4070 Super can help optimize the display quality and working speed in SEMA 24.2.

  • Performance: An excellent choice for medium projects, offers powerful ray tracing and AI-powered features.

  • Memory: 12 GB GDDR6X, sufficient for more demanding creative tasks and larger projects.

  • Special features: High performance for gaming and content creation, supports the latest technologies such as DLSS 3.0 for improved performance and image quality.


Complex SEMA projects

The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 is a powerful choice for using SEMA 24.2. Its high computing power, especially in the area of ​​graphics calculation and display, ensures a smooth and efficient working experience. With the RTX 4080, complex 3D visualizations and large amounts of data can be processed without any problems, which significantly improves performance in SEMA 24.2. The card also supports modern technologies such as ray tracing and AI-accelerated processes, which can potentially further optimize the quality and speed of your work.

  • Performance: The RTX 4080 is one of the most powerful graphics cards in the Geforce segment, ideal for complex simulations, advanced 3D rendering and large data analysis.

  • Memory: 16GB GDDR6, excellent for large and memory-intensive tasks.

Our note

Nvidia graphics cards that are not part of the GeForce model range, such as the RTX A series, do not offer a major performance advantage in the SEMA program. While these cards are optimized for professional applications, they do not benefit from the special architecture and operation of SEMA to the extent that a noticeable performance gain is achieved over the GeForce graphics cards.

When it comes to choosing the right M.2 SSD for your projects, be it for simple tasks or complex applications, speed, reliability and capacity play a crucial role. In this comparison, we look at three top-class models from Samsung: the 970 Evo Plus, 980 and 990. These SSDs offer various advantages and are optimized for different requirements.

Samsung 970 Evo Plus

Performance: The 970 Evo Plus is known for its impressive performance in the area of ​​read and write speeds. With up to 3,500 MB/s for reading and up to 3,300 MB/s for writing, it is one of the fastest M.2 SSDs of its time. This speed makes it ideal for small to medium-sized projects that require fast access times and high data transfer rates.
Technology: Equipped with Samsung's V-NAND technology and Phoenix controller, the 970 Evo Plus offers an excellent combination of speed and durability. The SSD also features dynamic thermal throttling to prevent overheating and maintain performance over time.
Capacity: Available in sizes from 250GB to 2TB, it's flexible enough to meet different needs, be it for storing operating systems, software, or games.

Samsung 980

Performance: The Samsung 980 SSD sets a new benchmark for value for money. It offers solid performance with up to 3,500MB/s read and up to 3,000MB/s write speeds. While it falls slightly behind the 970 Evo Plus, it's still an excellent choice for most mid-range projects where performance and cost must be balanced.
Technology: The 980 uses the NVMe 1.3c protocol and Samsung controller technology. It offers good performance at a lower price. This makes it particularly attractive for users who are looking for good value for money without compromising on speed.
Capacity: The 980 is available in variants from 250 GB to 2 TB. This is sufficient for many applications where high speeds are desired but storage requirements are rather moderate.

Samsung 990 Pro

Performance: The 990 Pro represents the latest generation in Samsung's SSD range and offers outstanding performance values. With up to 7,450 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write speeds, it sets new standards for speed and efficiency. This SSD is particularly suitable for complex and demanding projects where maximum performance and responsiveness are required.
Technology: The 990 Pro uses the latest Gen 4 PCIe technology, which enables an even higher data transfer rate than its predecessors. With improved cooling and optimized firmware, the 990 Pro delivers consistently high performance and long durability.
Capacity: It is available in capacities from 1TB to 4TB, making it ideal for large projects that require processing large amounts of data.

Our Conclusion

Small projects: If you are looking for value for money and don't need the most extreme speeds, the Samsung 980 is an excellent choice.
Medium projects: For a balanced mix of performance and price, the Samsung 970 Evo Plus is ideal. It offers high speed and reliability that is sufficient for most applications.
Complex projects: The Samsung 990 Pro is the best choice for applications that require maximum performance and speed. Its advanced technology and high speeds make it the top choice for demanding tasks.