SolidWorks is a computer-aided design and computer-aided engineering software program that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. The modeling software requires your computer system to have a set of resources specified by the developers to ensure you can install and use all its capabilities. In this blog post, we will analyze the system requirements of SolidWorks 2021 and discuss the best practices to ensure ease of use and efficiency in handling the software.
What Resources Are Required to Use SolidWorks?
- Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
- Server Products: Windows Server 2016 and Windows Server 2019
- Microsoft SQL: SQL 2014, SQL 2016, SQL 2017, SQL 2019
- Microsoft Office,: Excel and Word, 2016 or 2019
- Processor: 3.3 GHz or higher
- RAM: 16 GB or more
- Disk Drive Type: SSD drives are recommended for optimal performance
Is SolidWorks Compatible with Windows Home Editions?
No, SolidWorks does not support Windows Home Editions. Similarly, it also doesn’t support macOS. You may be able to install and use SolidWorks on a Windows Home Edition version or a Mac computer with Windows OS but installing the software on an unsupported operating system may cause it to malfunction.
What Type of GPU Is Recommended for SolidWorks 2021?
Most NVIDIA Quadro and AMD Radeon Pro graphics cards are certified for SolidWorks. A graphics card with OpenGL hardware acceleration will deliver superior performance and stability. The enhanced performance will be easily noticeable in 3D model viewing using tools such as refresh, rotate, zoom, and pan. While a certified graphics card is essential, SolidWorks is a CPU-bound software and can deliver seamless performance on a faster processor.
Is SolidWorks Supported in Virtual Environments?
Though the specifications laid out here can provide a good starting point for SolidWorks installation, the best practices include hosting it on a virtual desktop for easy access and use. Cloud-hosted SolidWorks can be accessed from anywhere and used for designing and modeling efficiently. SolidWorks can work smoothly when hosted in a virtual environment. However, it requires one of the tested and certified graphics cards to deliver optimal performance in a virtual environment.
Why Run SolidWorks in the Cloud?
The on-premises installation has limited scope for scaling, which negatively affects your experience while working on bigger projects. Locally installed SolidWorks cannot be accessed on devices outside the one where you have installed it. Running SolidWorks in a virtual machine hosted in the cloud has several advantages over hosting it on a local computer or server. Hosting the software in the cloud allows it to scale freely, ensuring your designing and modeling requirements are easily met. Furthermore, hosting also gives you the ability to use it from any geographical location on a wide range of devices.
Do You Want to Host SolidWorks on a Virtual Desktop?
Apps4Rent provides cloud infrastructure and application migration services to all types of businesses. We can help you set up a cloud-based SolidWorks workstation with our NVIDIA GPU-powered servers in SSAE-16 certified data centers. We have also joined hands with the world’s leading cloud solution providers like Microsoft and Citrix to ensure unmatched performance, stability, and security for your software. Contact us for hosting SolidWorks on our highly secure and reliable Virtual Desktops, Citrix Virtual Desktops, or Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktops. We are available 24/7 via phone, live-chat, and email for hosting plan inquiries and assistance.
