The Revit Workstation: A Simple Formula

What is the best computer for Revit?

It’s all up to one’s budget; keeping in mind project type/size and what else will be done on the machine.

I would recommend that whatever manufacturer(s) you go with, when you spec out the Workstations you consider a handy equation that I use:

IF ($$$=Available) Then (Autodesk Recommended Specs * 4) ELSE (Autodesk Recommended Specs * 2)

...If you want to use that in a Revit "calculated value" :-) then I believe it would read:

IF $$$>Available, (Autodesk Recommended Specs * 4), (Autodesk Recommended Specs * 2)

Consider that what you want you need. Look down the road 1 year+...

BTW: I mean I would double at the very least, each of the specs individually, some I’d go beyond double… but double is my minimum.

In the past Video Cards did not make a big impact on Revit but everything else one probably uses (and now Revit more and more) use heavy GPU so I’d still go for the gold there too.

Look at the links below…Hmmm Multiple Xeon’s… I know only Rendering in Revit uses multiple processors but doesn't 8 sound very good to you?

I’d also check the AutoCAD Recommended Video Cards (yes: ACAD, they are somewhat GPU heavy)... perhaps use the Inventor or MAX, or Maya GPU specs and again get better than their highest recommendations, up to your budget's limit…

The better the computer the longer it's Revit Life Cycle (RLC).

Look into leasing vs. purchasing…

Anyways, ADSK says the black and I said the Red

J's Minimum System Recommendations for 64-bit Autodesk Revit Architecture
* Windows XP Professional x64 edition (SP1 or later) Vista 64 since XP 64 is...
* Intel Core 2 Duo 2.40GHz or equivalent AMD processor How much can I spend on Xeons?
* 8 GB RAM 8 minimum!!! 16 or 32 for really useful/heavily used systems.
* 5 GB free disk space Ha!!! 5 GB to install!!! maybe a couple of Terabytes is better.
* Dedicated video card with hardware support for DirectX 9 (or later) How many GB can I afford? (Hmmm maybe multiple SLI's)
* Internet Explorer 6.0 SP1 (or later) Mozilla for me but IE is there anyways, if ADSK needs it.
* Two-button mouse with scroll wheel Yeah, because someone won't let people like Logitec into the API enough to allow the Space Pilot, etc. to work with it... Oh sorry, I combine a Wacom Intous Tablet, and depending on where I am, a Space Pilot or Space Navigator with a Mouse and a Wacom Cintiq.

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Take care!!!
-J