Graphisoft Archicad System Requirements

Archicad is a building information modeling (BIM) software application that offers architects an intuitive design environment and accurate building information. The software complies with all digital-delivery requirements, helping professionals working in the architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) industry. Graphisoft releases a new version of Archicad each year with new and improved features. In this article, we will outline the minimum and recommended system requirements for the latest version of Archicad, which is Archicad 24.

Why Use Archicad?

• Archicad works on macOS and Windows with no major differences in its functionality.
• The tool provides features for designing buildings from conceptualization to construction.
• A new version is released every year to ensure architects and engineers have the latest capabilities.
• The software comes in 27 different language versions with architectural and tool defaults optimized for the local market.
• Archicad can be used as a stand-alone solution or can be integrated smoothly into Graphisoft’s ecosystem that also includes BIMcloud and BIMx.

System Requirements for Archicad

Just like any other BIM software, Archicad needs your system to have specific software and hardware components for error-free installation and smooth performance. Minimum system requirements ensure your software is usable, while recommended specifications enable it to deliver a better performance. We will discuss both.

Minimum System Requirements:

The Archicad installation requires a minimum of 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor, 5 GB or more of free space, an OpenGL 4.0 compatible graphics card, and a display with a resolution of 1140 x 900. In terms of an operating system, Windows 10 64-bit or macOS 10.14 or higher versions will be required.

Recommended System Requirements:

Based on the size of the project, the recommended system requirements can be classified into the following three categories.

Entry-Level Projects:

To work on entry-level projects, such as a residential home, Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU is recommended. More than 8GB of RAM and SSD hard disk are good to have. A 2 GB+ VRAM OpenGL 4.0 compatible graphics card can better handle multimedia activities. Similarly, a 1920 x 1080 FHD display on Windows 10 64-bit or macOS 10.15 operating system can deliver an enhanced viewing experience.

Mid-Range Projects:

Mid-range projects, that may include apartments and office buildings, shall be handled on a system with Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor, more than 16 GB of RAM, and NVMe SSD. This type of project increases the requirements for a high-performance graphics processing unit (GPU). Thus, an OpenGL 4.0 compatible graphics card with a capacity of 4 GB or more is recommended. Likewise, a display with a resolution of 2k (2560 x 1600) on a Windows 10 64-bit or macOS 10.15 machine is recommended.

High-End Projects:

Projects such as high rises and hospitals will need you to further upgrade your hardware to ensure the software performs efficiently. It is recommended to install Archicad on a computer with the Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 processor for high-end projects. 32 GB or more of RAM can ensure there are no lags while you work. NVMe SSD can accommodate your software and files better in comparison with SSD. An OpenGL 4.0 compatible graphics card with 6GB or more of VRAM is recommended for multi-media processing. A monitor with a resolution of 5K (5120 × 2880) will be ideal for viewing details. Windows 10 64-bit or macOS 10.15 computer are recommended for the software to work normally.

Note: You will additionally need Archicad 24 CodeMeter Act software protection key or CodeMeter hardware key to start Archicad 24.

Hosting Can Help You Work on All Types of Projects

When Archicad is installed on a virtual machine, it delivers seamless performance on all devices, even under extensive use. Hosting Archicad on a virtual desktop provided by Apps4Rent ensures that the recommended resources are always available. We have NVIDIA GPU configured on our servers and offer you Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) and Citrix Virtual Desktops – powered by HDX technology – enabling your software to work smoothly under heavy use and allowing you to focus more on the designing part. Contact our cloud technology experts, available 24/7 via phone, chat, and email for hosting plan inquiries.