What Computer Do You Need for SolidWorks? Minimum and Recommended Specs

One of the most common questions from people starting to learn SolidWorks or planning to use it professionally is: "Will my current computer run SolidWorks?" The answer depends on the size of the projects you'll be working on.

Official SolidWorks System Requirements

Based on current requirements: Operating System Windows 11 64-bit, minimum 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended), SSD recommended for storage, and certified professional graphics cards are preferred.

Minimum Computer Specs

For beginners and basic modeling work: Intel Core i5 (12th Gen+) or AMD Ryzen 5 (5000 Series+), 16 GB RAM, 512 GB NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 3050/4050 or equivalent, and Windows 11 64-bit can be sufficient.

Recommended Computer

For users planning regular use: Intel Core i7/Core Ultra 7 or AMD Ryzen 7, 32 GB RAM, 1 TB NVMe SSD, NVIDIA RTX 4060 or professional NVIDIA RTX A Series/AMD Radeon PRO, and at least a Full HD IPS display.

For Professional Users

For large assemblies, rendering, simulation, and complex projects: Intel Core Ultra 9/AMD Ryzen 9, 64 GB or more RAM, 1–2 TB NVMe SSD, and NVIDIA RTX A2000/A3000/A4000 or AMD Radeon PRO Series.

How Much RAM Do You Need?

16 GB is suitable for training, basic parts, and small assemblies. 32 GB is recommended for professional use and large assemblies. 64 GB and above is preferred for simulation, rendering, and very large assemblies.

Graphics Card Selection

For best stability and driver support, certified professional graphics cards recommended by the manufacturer are preferred. For training and mid-level use, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050–4060 series can be used.

Laptop or Desktop?

Both options have their advantages. A workstation laptop equipped with 16 GB RAM and an NVIDIA RTX GPU runs SolidWorks comfortably. If portability is needed, a laptop is a reasonable choice. A desktop has advantages in cooling and upgradability.

Does SolidWorks Run on Mac?

SolidWorks is developed primarily for Windows. While some virtualization solutions can be used on Mac, the manufacturer does not provide direct macOS support. A Windows-based system is recommended for training and professional use.