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CAD · Mechanical engineering

Workstation for SolidWorks, CATIA and CAD: the hardware that really matters

In CAD, most of the work runs on a single core. That is why a machine with many cores is not always smoother. This guide explains where to put the budget depending on how you work.

ACD&CO technical team8 October 20266 min read

The processor: clock speed before cores

When modelling, rebuilding features or moving an assembly, SolidWorks, CATIA, Inventor and most CAD software mainly use a single core. What you notice most is the processor’s clock speed and architecture, not its core count. A high-clock Ryzen 9 or Core runs CAD more smoothly than many server processors.

Cores pay off in everything else: rendering, finite element simulation, CFD and calculations that do spread out.

Graphics: certified or not

CAD vendors certify specific graphics cards and drivers. RTX PRO cards (2000, 4000, 4500 and 6000 Blackwell) have certified drivers and ECC memory; some visual features, such as RealView in SolidWorks, are officially enabled with certified cards, and the software vendor’s support requires them.

A GeForce works in many cases and delivers a lot per euro, especially if you also render. If your company needs certification or official support, we configure the workstation with an RTX PRO.

Memory by the size of your assemblies

As a guide: 32 GB for parts and small assemblies, 64 GB for large assemblies and heavy drawings, 128 GB or more for simulation with large meshes. ECC memory prevents a memory error from corrupting a file after hours of work.

Simulation and rendering: this is where cores count

Finite element simulation and CFD spread across cores and depend heavily on memory bandwidth: that is where a Threadripper, with more memory channels, makes the difference. For photorealistic rendering (Visualize, KeyShot), the GPU and its memory.

Disk and data

NVMe SSD for the system, the software and open projects. If several of you work with PDM, the data server matters as much as the workstation: backups, permissions and a fast network.

Which machine for how you work

Indicative starting points for CAD
WorkProcessor and memoryGraphics
Parts, drawings and small assembliesHigh-clock Ryzen, 32 GBRTX PRO 2000 or a mid-range GeForce
Large assemblies and occasional renderingRyzen 9, 64 GB ECCRTX PRO 4000 or RTX 5070 Ti / 5080
FEA or CFD simulationThreadripper, 128 GB ECC or moreRTX PRO 4000 or 4500

In the catalogue, the Pro (€7,160) combines a 16-core Ryzen 9 and 64 GB ECC with an RTX 5080; the Advanced (€10,690) moves up to Threadripper. If you need certified graphics, we swap it for an RTX PRO in the configurator.

Catalogue · published prices2026 Catalogue16 configurations from €1,110 to €64,850, with assembly and a 24-hour test.See →ConfiguratorConfigure your workstationFrom the RTX 5060 Ti to the RTX PRO 6000, with compatibility validated in real time.See →Guide · BIMRevit and BIM workstationProcessor, memory and graphics for large BIM models.See →Guide · graphics cardsRTX PRO vs GeForceMemory, power draw and form factor: which card makes sense when.See →Guide · simulationSimulation workstationCores, memory and licences for Ansys, Abaqus and COMSOL.See →Guide · renderingRendering PCMore cores, more VRAM or several GPUs: how to decide.See →

Frequently asked questions

GeForce or RTX PRO for SolidWorks?

A GeForce works and delivers a lot per euro. If you need certified drivers, features such as RealView or official support from the software vendor, an RTX PRO.

More cores or higher clock speed?

For modelling, clock speed. For simulation and rendering, cores. If you do both, a 16-core Ryzen 9 is a good balance.

How much memory do I need?

It depends on your assemblies: 32 GB for light work, 64 GB for large assemblies and 128 GB or more for simulation.

Which software do you use?

Tell us the software, the size of your assemblies and whether you simulate or render. We send a written proposal in under 12 business hours.

See the catalogue