Revit Hardware Requirements

I often receive requests for information about the true (Read: Realistic) hardware requirements for running Revit on a Windows operating system. Autodesk does provide a detailed explanation of hardware requirements for not only Minimum and Balanced requirements, but also for Large and Complex models.

Minimum Entry-Level Configuration

• Windows® 7 32-bit Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, or Home Premium     edition operating system
• Single- or multi-core Intel® Pentium®, Intel® Xeon®, or i-Series processor or AMD equivalent with SSE2 technology (highest affordable       CPU speed rating recommended)
• Multiple cores for many tasks, up to 16 cores for near-photorealistic           rendering operations
• 4 GB RAM (Usually sufficient for a typical editing session for a single model up to approximately 100 MB on disk. This estimate is based on internal       testing and customer reports. Individual models will vary in their use of       computer resources and performance characteristics.)
• Models created in previous versions of Revit products may require more     available memory for the one-time upgrade process
• Virtual Memory Switch (3GB SWITCH) not recommended. Revit software     and system stability can be affected by memory conflicts with video           drivers when the /3GB switch is active.
• 5 GB free disk space
• 1,280 x 1,024 monitor with true colour
• Display adapter capable of 24-bit colour for basic graphics, 256 MB DirectX® 11-capable graphics card with Shader Model 3 as recommended   by Autodesk
• Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 7 (or later)
• MS-Mouse or 3Dconnexion®-compliant device
• Download or installation from DVD9 or USB key
• Internet connectivity for license registration and prerequisite component download

Value: Balanced Performance

• Windows® 8 64-bit Enterprise or Professional edition, or Windows 7 64-bit Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, or Home Premium edition operating system
• Multicore Xeon or i-Series processor or AMD equivalent with SSE2 technology (highest affordable CPU speed rating recommended)
• Multiple cores for many tasks, up to 16 cores for near-photorealistic rendering operations
• 8 GB RAM (Usually sufficient for a typical editing session for a single model up to approximately 300 MB on disk. This estimate is based on internal testing and customer reports. Individual models will vary in their use of computer resources and performance characteristics.)
• Models created in previous versions of Revit software products may require more available memory for the one-time upgrade process
• 5 GB free disk space
• 1,680 x 1,050 monitor with true colour
• DirectX 11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 3 as recommended by Autodesk
• Internet Explorer 7 (or later)
• MS-Mouse or 3Dconnexion-compliant device
• Download or installation from DVD9 or USB key
• Internet connectivity for license registration and prerequisite component download

Performance: Large, Complex Models

• Windows 8 64-bit Enterprise or Professional edition, or Windows 7 64-bit Enterprise, Ultimate, Professional, or Home Premium edition
• Multicore Xeon or i-Series processor or AMD equivalent with SSE2 technology (highest affordable CPU speed rating recommended)
• Multiple cores for many tasks, up to 16 cores for near-photorealistic rendering operations
• 16 GB RAM (Usually sufficient for a typical editing session for a single model up to approximately 700 MB on disk. This estimate is based on internal testing and customer reports. Individual models will vary in their use of computer resources and performance characteristics.)
• Models created in previous versions of Revit software products may require more available memory for the one-time upgrade process
• 5 GB free disk space; 10,000+ RPM for Point Cloud interactions
• 1,920 x 1,200 monitor with true colour
• DirectX 11 capable graphics card with Shader Model 3 as recommended by Autodesk
• Internet Explorer 7 (or later)
• MS-Mouse or 3Dconnexion-compliant device
• Download or installation from DVD9 or USB key
• Internet connectivity for license registration and prerequisite component download

However, what does this mean for you and me? If you are a one-man-band, which computer should you purchase? What if you have a team of 10, or 20 users working on large complex models? Which computer should you purchase then? The answer is not as simple as many people believe. Personally, I believe that the requirements of your computer is directly related to the way one designs and models a project, not only during the conceptual phase, but all the way through construction documentation and as-builts. Looking towards the facilities management level (Which I believe the industry is moving towards at a rapid pace), the more important your decision becomes. One might have a perfect design, but if your modelling practices are sub-standard, then your computer performance will suffer.

If your computer performance suffers, then you will lose time and money, your frustration levels will rise dramatically, and you will revert back to the olden days of using AutoCAD. How do we avoid the latter from happening? It is very simple actually. Similarly to every principle in Revit, think towards the future. Do you want to buy a low-end computer that will suit your immediate needs? What if you get a project that is twice the size of your current projects? Do you really want to struggle with a slow and unresponsive computer close to a deadline? 

I believe that to buy cheap, is to buy expensively. I do not want to upgrade my computer every six months to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. Which brings me to my next point: We are professionals. Thus it is expected of us to have the latest technology to do our jobs as accurately and thoroughly as possible. The crux of the matter is to buy at least one level up from the recommended hardware configurations Autodesk recommends.

Yes, it will be more expensive. Yes, your superiors (or you yourself) will complain about the costs. But do you really want to be that person, that company, who has to admit that you cannot collaborate/coordinate/model a project because your hardware is not up-to-scratch? Get the best computers you can possibly afford. And while you are at it, buy another monitor. It is worth its weight in gold.