<p>DesignBuilder is a professional graphics application and requires a reasonably high standard of computer hardware for successful use. &nbsp;This page contains information on the recommended specification. The main areas you should pay attention to if you are buying or upgrading your computer system to run DesignBuilder are:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Graphics adapter&nbsp;</strong>- a good 100% OpenGL compatible graphics adapter is required to run DesignBuilder. The mid-range and better NVIDIA cards are the most reliable. &nbsp;Some graphics adapters integrated with the motherboard we have tested are unable to run DesignBuilder.</li>
<li><strong>Memory&nbsp;</strong>- DesignBuilder will use all the memory you can&nbsp;provide - at least&nbsp;4GB is recommended and 8-16GB for serious modelling and simulations.</li>
<li><strong>CPU speed</strong>&nbsp;- get as fast as you can afford. i7 or Xeon are ideal.</li>
<li><strong>Cores&nbsp;</strong>- having multiple&nbsp;processors does not necessarily speed up simulations in DesignBuilder but it does allow you to continue using your computer while simulations are running. Quad (or more) core processors also make the software more responsive in use.&nbsp;If you plan to run&nbsp;optimisations and would prefer to avoid online services then a&nbsp;16-32 (or more)&nbsp;core server&nbsp;will allow multiple simulations to be run in parallel and allow optimisations to complete much more quickly than on a standard quad core desktop or laptop.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Recommended</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Windows 7</li>
<li>i5, i7 or Xeon processor with 4 or more cores.</li>
<li>8-16 GB (or more) RAM.&nbsp;</li>
<li>At least 200 GB free disk space. SSD&nbsp;speed up software operation and are more robust especially for laptops.</li>
<li>Pointing device such as a mouse or laptop trackpad. Most users prefer using a mouse to trackpads.</li>
<li>100%&nbsp;NVIDIA graphics adapter&nbsp;with hardware acceleration running in 32-bit color mode.</li>
<li>17" or more, 1280x1024 pixels or larger screen for efficiency during the modelling process and for displaying high-quality visualisation images and walk-throughs of DesignBuilder models and CFD results. Large screens (e.g. 27") are ideal for use with DesignBuilder.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Windows 10, 8, 7</strong><br />DesignBuilder works well under Windows 10, 8, 7. Windows XP and Vista are not recommended and are no longer supported by the DesignBuilder Support Desk.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>(Updated 23.Mar.2016)</p>
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