In continuation from the last blog in this Autodesk Revit series, it’s important to determine which type of workstation is most compatible with architecture students’ needs. There are several things to look for when researching BOXX desk side workstations, including: a workstation within your budget, one that is purpose-built to optimize Revit software and one that is efficient to use for classwork.
The Intel® Core™ i7 or i9-based BOXX APEXX S3 is performance tuned and perfect for Revit. BOXX offers either 16 or 24 CPU cores, but CPU performance is actually the critical factor when considering your Revit workstation. One of the primary Revit performance bottlenecks is CPU frequency. Revit is referred to as "frequency bound," meaning that the application's performance is bound by the clock speed of the processor and not by the number of CPU cores. The reason for this is that Revit, like nearly all CAD applications, is lightly-threaded and in most instances, will only make use of a single CPU core. So…since the majority of Revit tasks are done by one core, a processor with the highest clock speed will provide the biggest benefit.
To optimize CPU speed, consider the upcoming 13th Gen Intel processors (available Oct. 20th) overclocked up to a blazing 5.8 GHz.
APEXX S3 is also equipped with a 750 watt power supply and up to 128GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 memory for demanding 3D design and content creation workflows, storage options including 3x M.2 NVMe, multiple 2.5” SSDs, and 3.5” high capacity hard drives. Lastly, this Revit workstation is available with up to two NVIDIA RTX GPUs. However, for students on a budget, one graphics card will work just fine. (You can save money by not spending on a high end graphics card and putting that money into a faster CPU).
If you’re interested in a more affordable option, the APEXX A3 workstation (now with the latest AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Processors) should be a consideration. This system is also purpose-built for Revit, features up to two professional GPUs, and liquid cooling to prevent your system from overheating. A3 can reach clock speeds up to 5.7GHz and accommodate up to 128GB 3200MHz DDR4 system memory. These features allow students to optimize their productivity and efficiency.
For further information about how to configure your ideal Revit workstation, visit the Revit solutions page on the BOXX website where you can download a free eBook on how to configure which specific workstation is best for you. You can also speak to a performance specialist at 877.877.BOXX.
Look for the next blog in this series on configuring your optimal Revit laptop.