How to optimise your workstation for CATIA 3DExperience

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Greater performance for complex CAD projects. Less waiting time. More efficient design processes

CATIA and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform place high demands on hardware - especially when dealing with complex 3D models, large assemblies, and sophisticated design projects. Choosing the right business workstation is crucial to fully leveraging the potential of your CAD applications. We configure your workstation specifically for your CATIA or 3DEXPERIENCE environment. Drawing on our deep expertise in CAD workstations, we tailor the processor, graphics card, RAM, and other components to your unique requirements. Your benefits at a glance:

  • Enhanced CAD performance: Hardware optimized for demanding models, assemblies, and complex geometries.

  • More efficient workflows: Reduce performance-related wait times and foster productive design work.

  • Customized configuration: The ideal enterprise workstation for your specific applications, projects, and IT environment.

  • Test the performance yourself: Use remote access to try out our system—complete with a CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE trial license - within your own working environment.

Depending on your specific application and current system, targeted hardware optimization can deliver performance gains of up to 25%. Experience the difference—hands-on and with no obligation. Curious about the untapped performance potential in your CATIA environment? Test our configured business workstation via remote access and evaluate its performance against your own specific requirements. Schedule your free remote test today. We would be happy to advise you on the optimal workstation for CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE. Do you already have a support contract with us? If so, we recommend a certified business workstation for CATIA/3DEXPERIENCE, tailored precisely to your needs.

Request a FREE performance test now

The best CATIA 3DExperience Workstation recommendations by Uli Ludwig

Greater CAD performance. Less waiting time. The ideal workstation for CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE

Maximum CAD performance begins with the right hardware. Companies working with Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE and CATIA require IT systems that are powerful, reliable, and optimally tailored to their design processes. Whether dealing with complex 3D models, extensive assemblies, or demanding development projects, the right enterprise-grade hardware is a critical factor for efficient workflows, high productivity, and long-term investment security.

But which workstation configuration is truly the right one for your specific needs? Beyond processor performance, key factors include the professional-grade graphics card, available system memory (RAM), high-speed NVMe SSDs, and full compatibility with the specific version of 3DEXPERIENCE or CATIA you are using. Equally important are certified hardware configurations, stable drivers, reliable manufacturer support, and long-term, predictable system availability.

We assist companies in identifying the ideal enterprise hardware for their CAD environment, ensuring that technical requirements align with business objectives. We look beyond raw computing power, taking into account your intended use cases, the complexity of your models, the number of workstations, and the specific requirements of your IT infrastructure. This approach helps you avoid both unnecessary capital expenditure and costly performance bottlenecks.

Whether you are equipping new CATIA workstations, upgrading existing ones, or establishing a standardized hardware platform across multiple locations, selecting the right equipment lays the foundation for reliable and cost-effective CAD operations. Furthermore, factors such as warranties, service levels, lifecycle management, and total cost of ownership (TCO) should be considered as early as the procurement stage.

Are you planning a new hardware acquisition, or would you like to improve the performance of your existing CATIA workstations? Let’s discuss your requirements. Together, we will identify suitable enterprise hardware solutions for your 3DEXPERIENCE environment—tailored to your specific applications, company size, and budget.

Get a no-obligation consultation today and request a hardware recommendation customized for your business.


CATIA & 3DEXPERIENCE: Why Certified Hardware Makes the Difference

  • Greater stability: Reduced risk of crashes, graphical errors, and unexpected disruptions

  • Verified compatibility: Hardware, drivers, and software versions are perfectly aligned

  • Seamless workflow: Reliable graphics performance for complex 3D models and large assemblies

  • Reduced downtime: Fewer instances of troubleshooting and interruptions to daily work

  • Lower downstream costs: Less effort required for support, bug fixing, and system adjustments

  • Investment security: A solid foundation for selecting the right workstation - tailored to specific project requirements.

Our conclusion: Certified hardware is about more than just raw performance. It establishes the basis for a stable, efficient, and cost-effective CAD workstation - allowing your staff to focus on their design work rather than technical issues. Certification: The most critical factor in an enterprise environment A workstation may be technically powerful, yet still not the best choice for a professional CATIA environment. Dassault Systèmes maintains an official certification program for hardware and software, which involves testing workstations, operating systems, and graphics drivers within defined configurations. Before making a purchase, we recommend verifying the following:

  • Official hardware and software certifications

  • Is the specific workstation model approved for the version of 3DEXPERIENCE or CATIA you are using?

  • Are the GPU and driver version part of a supported configuration?

  • Is the version of the operating system you are using supported?

  • If working in a virtual environment, is there a suitable, certified VDI configuration available?

Important: It is not just the brand or product family that matters, but the specific configuration itself.


Implications of Using a Non-Certified CPU with Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE

Using a CPU that is not part of a hardware configuration certified by Dassault Systèmes does not necessarily result in limitations when using 3DEXPERIENCE. The software can still operate stably and efficiently on non-certified systems. However, such usage falls outside the scope of an officially validated hardware configuration. Potential implications for companies include:

  • Compatibility and Operational Reliability: In a non-certified configuration, the seamless operation of the software cannot be guaranteed to the same extent as it is through official certification testing.

  • Performance: A high-performance, non-certified CPU may deliver excellent results for specific CAD applications. Nevertheless, actual performance depends on the specific application, the overall system configuration, and the nature of the workloads.

  • Troubleshooting and Support: In the event of technical issues, troubleshooting may become more complex. Depending on the circumstances and the applicable support terms, it might be necessary to first replicate the issue on a certified configuration.

  • Planning and Investment Security: For companies with stringent requirements regarding availability, standardization, and long-term operational reliability, a certified workstation configuration provides an additional layer of assurance.

Our Recommendation: For smaller CAD projects or less critical use cases, a non-certified CPU can be a cost-effective alternative—provided that performance requirements are met and system stability has been sufficiently verified for the intended application. For professional enterprise use, however, we recommend ensuring that the entire hardware configuration is certified. This includes not only the CPU but also the workstation model, graphics card, drivers, operating system, and the specific version of 3DEXPERIENCE being used.


You define your project - we configure your optimal workstation

Tell us the scale of your project and your requirements for Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE. We will handle the technical specifications and create a custom workstation configuration, precisely tailored to your individual CAD and engineering workload. We evaluate suitable, certified enterprise-grade workstations, carefully balancing the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage components. Our goal is to maximize performance potential while preventing any bottlenecks between the processor and the graphics card during the configuration process. Your specific needs regarding rendering engines, simulations, and computationally intensive design tasks are also factored into the selection. The result is a solution that is not only technically impressive but also perfectly aligned with your company’s investment goals and productivity requirements. The outcome: a bespoke workstation configuration optimized for your 3DEXPERIENCE workload - complete with a tailored quote. You focus on your projects; we’ll take care of the right workstation.



Key Hardware Components

  • CPU - Processor - For many interactive CAD tasks, CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE benefit significantly from high single-core performance. Additional processor cores can be advantageous for calculations, parallel workloads, and other concurrently running applications. Therefore, when selecting a CPU, prioritize a high clock frequency and strong single-thread performance. Do not base your decision solely on the number of cores, as simulations, rendering, and batch calculations may have different performance requirements.

  • GPU - Professional Graphics Card - The graphics card is critical for 3D rendering, working with large assemblies, visualization, and smooth navigation within CATIA. Professional-grade graphics cards—such as NVIDIA RTX PRO or suitable AMD Radeon PRO models—should be evaluated based on their performance, available video RAM (VRAM), and driver stability. It is particularly important to verify that the specific graphics card and driver version are compatible with—or certified for—the version of CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE you are using. Also, consider the number of monitors and the resolution required for your setup.

  • RAM - System Memory - Large product structures, extensive assemblies, and running multiple applications simultaneously require sufficient system memory. For basic design tasks, 32 to 64 GB of RAM may suffice, with 64 GB serving as a sensible baseline for many professional CAD workstations. For very large assemblies, complex projects, or additional analysis workloads, consider 128 GB of RAM or more. On compatible platforms and where specific requirements exist, ECC (Error Correction Code) RAM can provide an extra layer of data integrity; however, this must be supported by your chosen workstation.

  • SSD - Storage - A high-speed NVMe SSD improves loading times, file operations, local caching, and overall system responsiveness. Companies should ensure sufficient storage capacity for operating systems, applications, local project data, and temporary files. When design data is stored centrally, the performance of the connected storage system is also critical; slow data access can lead to delays, even when using high-performance workstations.

  • Network - Reliable and Fast Data Connections - A high-performance network infrastructure is essential for the productive use of 3DEXPERIENCE and CATIA, especially when design data is stored centrally, large assemblies are loaded, or virtual CAD workstations are utilized. In addition to adequate bandwidth, low latency, stable connections, and reliable data transmission are of primary importance. For professional CAD workstations, a wired Ethernet connection is generally recommended. Depending on the size of the company, the volume of data, and the existing IT infrastructure, 1 GbE or 10 GbE connections may be appropriate. In scenarios involving large datasets, centralized storage systems, or VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) environments, switches, server connections, and storage links must be dimensioned accordingly. When using 3DEXPERIENCE in the cloud, companies must also consider their internet connection, the latency to the respective service, and the stability of the connection.

  • Cooling, Power Supply, and Platform - To ensure that hardware can deliver its performance consistently and reliably, the cooling system, power supply, and the overall platform must be well-coordinated. Adequate cooling prevents performance throttling during extended periods of high load. The power supply should provide sufficient headroom for the processor, graphics card, and any potential future hardware expansions. In an enterprise environment, factors such as business-grade support, long-term availability of spare parts, and maintaining a consistent hardware platform across multiple workstations are also highly relevant. Regular BIOS, firmware, and driver updates should also be part of the IT operational concept.



Typical Hardware Profiles for Catia and 3DExperience

The following hardware profiles serve as an initial planning guide for procurement and do not constitute an official hardware certification from Dassault Systèmes.

  • For basic design work involving smaller parts, a CPU with high single-core performance and 32 to 64 GB of RAM is recommended. An entry-level to mid-range professional-grade GPU is generally sufficient. An NVMe SSD should be used for storage.

  • For professional design work involving larger assemblies, a CPU with high single-core performance should also be selected. 64 GB of RAM is a reasonable starting point. Additionally, a high-performance professional-grade GPU with sufficient VRAM, along with an NVMe SSD, is recommended.

  • For very large assemblies and complex visualizations, higher hardware requirements must be considered. In such cases, a high-performance CPU paired with 128 GB of RAM or more should be evaluated. Furthermore, a higher-end professional-grade GPU is recommended. The required VRAM capacity should be determined based on the specific models being used and the visualization requirements.

  • For design workstations that are also used for simulations and CAE applications, the hardware configuration depends significantly on the specific solver being employed. Depending on the application, a high number of CPU cores and a large amount of RAM may be necessary. Therefore, CPU and GPU requirements should be assessed individually for each specific solver.

  • In a VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) environment serving multiple CAD users, the hardware configuration must be tailored to the number of concurrent users and their respective work profiles. Key considerations include appropriate, certified GPU virtualization, suitable vGPU profiles, and a high-performance network infrastructure.



Which processor families are suitable?

  • The official certification lists include configurations featuring various processor families, for example:

  • Intel Core and Core Ultra – for many traditional CAD workstations and small- to medium-scale projects

  • Intel Xeon and Xeon W – for professional workstations where factors such as platform features, expandability, and high computational demands are relevant

  • AMD Ryzen and Ryzen Threadripper PRO - also included in certain certified workstation configurations

Verifying a specific configuration against the official certification overview provided by Dassault Systèmes ensures an informed basis for decision-making and supports an IT infrastructure that is as reliable and predictable as possible.

The 3DEXPERIENCE platform from Dassault Systèmes is a comprehensive tool for product design, simulation, data management and collaboration. A powerful workstation is crucial to utilise this platform efficiently, especially when it comes to memory. In this context, DDR4 and DDR5 are the two current generations of RAM that should be considered for different requirements and project sizes in 3DEXPERIENCE.


1. Basics of DDR4 and DDR5


DDR4 (Double Data Rate 4):

Speed: Typical frequencies are between 2133 MHz and 3200 MHz.

Bandwidth: Offers a maximum theoretical bandwidth of up to 25.6 GB/s at 3200 MHz.

Latency: Lower latency compared to DDR5, which can be an advantage in some applications.

Availability: Widely available and cheaper than DDR5.


DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5):

Speed: Frequencies range from 4800 MHz to 7200 MHz or higher.

Bandwidth: Offers a maximum theoretical bandwidth of up to 57.6 GB/s at 7200 MHz.

Latency: Higher latency than DDR4, but the higher bandwidth compensates for this in many cases.

Availability: Newer technology, tends to be more expensive, but future workloads will be more optimised for it.


2. Small projects

Project examples: Simple CAD models, basic simulations, data management for small teams.

Our recommendation:

DDR4: 16-32 GB at 2133-3200 MHz. For small projects, DDR4 offers sufficient performance at a lower price. It is important to have enough memory for multi-tasking, but without over-investing in the latest technology.

DDR5: 16-32 GB at 4800-5200 MHz. If the hardware purchase is new and long-term use is planned, DDR5 could be a future-proof choice, although the direct performance benefit for small projects is minimal.

Small projects benefit from sufficient memory rather than maximum speed. Here DDR4 modules offer good value for money.


3. Medium projects

Project examples: More complex CAD models, moderate simulations, more intensive data processing, collaboration in medium-sized teams.

Our recommendation:

DDR4: 32-64 GB at 2666-3200 MHz. DDR4 continues to offer good performance for medium-sized projects, especially when high capacities are required.

DDR5: 32-64 GB at 5200-6000 MHz. DDR5 can offer advantages for medium projects, especially in scenarios with intensive data flow and parallel running processes. The higher bandwidth of DDR5 can bring noticeable improvements in performance for medium-sized projects, especially in applications that require intensive memory access.


4. Complex projects

Project examples: Large-scale simulations, detailed and complex CAD models, extensive data analyses, large teams and collaborative development environments.

Our recommendation:

DDR4: 64-128 GB at 2933-3200 MHz. For very extensive projects, DDR4 can be used at high capacity, but the speed could be limiting.

DDR5: 64-128 GB or more at 5600-7200 MHz. DDR5 offers the necessary bandwidth and future scalability for extremely complex workloads.

Complex projects benefit significantly from the high bandwidth and speed of DDR5. This minimises bottlenecks with large amounts of data and complex calculations.


5. Our conclusion

The choice between DDR4 and DDR5 when using 3DEXPERIENCE depends heavily on the type and size of the project:

Small projects: DDR4 is sufficient and cost-efficient.

Medium-sized projects: DDR5 offers a good compromise between performance and future-proofing here.

Complex projects: DDR5 is clearly preferable to ensure maximum performance for highly intensive tasks.


Note: In addition to the choice of RAM, other hardware components such as CPU and GPU are also decisive for the overall performance in 3DEXPERIENCE, especially for simulations and rendering tasks. A balanced system architecture is therefore essential.

Which graphics cards are certified for 3DEXPERIENCE? - A guide for professional CAD workstations

The optimal graphics card for a reliable CAD workstation - Certified NVIDIA graphics cards for CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE

For using CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE, I recommend a selection of professional NVIDIA workstation graphics cards, categorized according to the complexity of your CAD projects. Key factors include not only raw graphics performance and VRAM capacity, but also certification for the specific software version, driver stability, assembly complexity, and the required level of visualization quality. Important: Dassault Systèmes certifies specific hardware and software configurations. Labeling a graphics card as "CATIA-certified" without verifying the software version, driver, and—in some cases—the workstation model itself, would be too broad a generalization.

NVIDIA graphics cards for CATIA V5 and 3DEXPERIENCE - Comparison by project scale


Small projects - Individual parts, technical drawings, small assemblies, and standard design work

NVIDIA RTX A2000

  • Budget-friendly workstation option

  • From the older Ampere generation; a relevant choice for used or existing workstations

  • 12 GB VRAM (in the 12 GB variant)

  • A solid foundation for standard CAD tasks and small-to-medium-sized models

  • Always verify certification and driver compatibility for your specific version of CATIA

NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada Generation

  • Modern entry-level CAD solution

  • 16 GB VRAM

  • A compact, professional-grade workstation GPU

  • A sensible choice for a new CAD workstation with moderate performance requirements

  • NVIDIA provides certified drivers for this model series within the Dassault Systèmes ecosystem

NVIDIA RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell

  • 16 GB of graphics memory. A more recent generation of professional GPUs

  • An attractive option for new purchases intended for long-term use

  • A specific, certified workstation configuration, for instance, is listed by Dassault Systèmes

GeForce alternative: The RTX 3060, RTX 4060, or RTX 5060 may technically work for simple models. However, for a mission-critical, officially supported CAD workstation, we would recommend the professional-grade RTX series.


Medium-scale projects - medium to large assemblies, numerous individual components, more complex surfaces, and regular 3D visualization.

NVIDIA RTX A4000

  • Ampere generation, 16 GB VRAM

  • An interesting, older workstation card for existing CAD environments

  • A solid option for assemblies with moderate to high resource requirements

  • If purchasing used, check the condition, cooling solution, and remaining driver support

NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada Generation

  • Ada generation, 20 GB VRAM

  • A well-balanced professional GPU for more demanding CAD workstations

  • Provides a good memory buffer for larger models and visualizations

  • Our preferred choice when a high-performance Ada-based workstation is required

NVIDIA RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell

  • Blackwell generation, 24 GB VRAM

  • A modern professional GPU with an additional memory buffer

  • An attractive choice for new acquisitions and more demanding visualization tasks

  • For CATIA/3DEXPERIENCE, verify that the specific workstation and driver configuration are officially certified

Our Conclusion: All three graphics cards offer viable options for medium-scale assemblies and regular 3D visualization. The NVIDIA RTX A4000 is an economical solution for budget-conscious procurement, while the RTX 4000 Ada (with 20 GB VRAM) is our preferred choice for high-performance CAD workstations. The RTX PRO 4000 Blackwell (with 24 GB VRAM) is recommended for modern workstations with higher memory requirements and demanding visualization needs. Beyond performance, the final selection should be based on your budget and whether the specific hardware and driver configuration.


Complex projects – very large assemblies, numerous components, complex surfaces, high-quality rendering, and memory-intensive visualization

NVIDIA RTX A5000

  • Ampere generation, 24 GB VRAM

  • Powerful, older-generation workstation card

  • An attractive option if you are looking for a used professional-grade GPU with a generous amount of graphics memory

  • Check for current certification and driver support before purchasing

NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada Generation

  • Ada generation, 32 GB VRAM

  • High-performance professional GPU for large and demanding 3D scenes

  • 32 GB of graphics memory provides greater headroom for memory-intensive visualizations

  • A solid choice if you specifically want to utilize the Ada generation

NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell

  • Blackwell generation · 48 GB VRAM (in the 48 GB version)

  • Modern, high-end workstation-class hardware

  • Substantial memory headroom for highly demanding visualizations and large-scale scenes

  • Particularly compelling for high-performance CAD workstations intended for long-term use

For particularly memory-intensive tasks, the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Workstation Edition with 96 GB is also an option. However, this is not necessarily the most cost-effective choice for standard CATIA use; it is worth first verifying whether your specific workloads actually take advantage of the additional GPU performance or the large amount of memory.


To make sound hardware decisions, companies should consult official sources of information: Dassault Systèmes – Hardware and Software Support

Dassault Systèmes’ support information serves as the primary resource for verifying compatibility with the platform version in use and relevant hardware configurations.

https://www.3ds.com/support/hardware-and-software

NVIDIA - ISV Certifications

NVIDIA provides information on certified workstation graphics cards and software applications. It is crucial to ensure that the specific combination of graphics card, driver, operating system, and application is covered.

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/products/workstations/isv-certifications/

AMD - Certified Applications

AMD offers information regarding its professional Radeon PRO product family and its support for select professional applications.

https://www.amd.com/de/products/graphics/workstations/radeon-pro/certified-applications.html

Certification details should always be verified against the specific software version currently in use and the intended operating mode. Cloud-based installations may have different requirements compared to locally hosted applications.

Selecting the Right Graphics Card Based on Use Case

The optimal configuration depends on a company’s specific requirements.

Smaller CAD Projects and Standard Design Work

For working on individual components and smaller assemblies, an entry-level professional graphics card may suffice. Key factors include confirmed application support and a driver version compatible with the system environment.

Medium to Large Assemblies

As model complexity increases, factors such as graphics memory, driver quality, and the overall performance of the workstation become more significant. A balanced configuration comprising the CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage is often more effective than focusing solely on maximizing graphics performance in isolation. Complex Designs and Sophisticated Visualization

For very large assemblies, elaborate visual representations, and graphics-intensive workflows, hardware should be sized based on specific use cases. Higher-performance workstation graphics cards can provide additional headroom; however, the actual performance required should be verified through appropriate testing or manufacturer recommendations.

Cloud-Based 3DEXPERIENCE Environments

When accessing the software via a browser or cloud-based services, it is essential to determine which computational and graphical tasks are performed locally versus in the cloud. This distinction leads to varying requirements for client-side hardware.

Why Certification Is Relevant for Companies

Opting for a certified hardware configuration is not merely a matter of graphics performance. It can also facilitate the planning, operation, and standardization of an organization’s IT infrastructure.

Key aspects include:

  • Operational reliability: A configuration tested for the intended application and system environment.

  • Predictability: A more robust foundation for selecting and standardizing CAD workstations.

  • Supportability: Improved conditions for the structured analysis of technical issues (subject to specific support terms).

  • Investment protection: A sound basis for procurement decisions and long-term operational use.

  • Cost-efficiency: The ability to align performance tiers and costs with actual requirements.

Certification is not a blanket guarantee of performance, nor does it replace the need to assess individual requirements. Rather, it serves as an important selection criterion within a professional procurement process.

Our Conclusion: Evaluating Certification Alongside Application Requirements

For companies utilizing 3DEXPERIENCE, professional-grade graphics cards from NVIDIA and AMD represent key options for building high-performance CAD workstations. Determining the best GPU for your needs depends on the software version in use, the operational model, the complexity of your designs, and your requirements regarding support and system standardization.

An informed decision should therefore take three factors into account: official certification, the actual level of graphics performance required, and cost-effectiveness over the entire period of use.

Our recommendation: Always verify the certification against your specific system configuration before procuring new CAD workstations or upgrading existing ones. This ensures a reliable foundation for hardware planning that is both tailored to your needs and future-oriented.

Workstation Recommendations for 3DEXPERIENCE: Certified Systems for Small-Scale CAD Projects

Small-Scale Projects: Reliable CAD Performance – Certified Workstations for Professional Entry-Level Use

  • HP Z2 G1i Miditower, Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, Nvidia RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell, 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD

    The HP Z2 G1i is a cost-effective workstation designed for smaller CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE projects. It is well-suited for designing individual parts, smaller assemblies, and creating technical drawings. With 32 GB of RAM and a professional-grade NVIDIA graphics card, it provides a solid foundation for daily CAD tasks.

  • HP Z2 G1i Miditower, Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, 32 GB DDR5 RAM, Nvidia RTX 2000 Ada, 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD

    This version of the HP Z2 G1i offers increased processing power for more demanding design tasks. It is particularly well-suited for users who run multiple applications simultaneously alongside their core CAD design work. The workstation combines high interactive performance with a professional graphics solution. The Z2 G1i is listed under ISV certification for CATIA; please verify the specific graphics card and driver combination.

  • HP Z4 G5 Miditower, 64 GB ECC DDR5 RAM, Nvidia RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell, 512 GB M.2 NVMe SSD

    CATIA / 3DEXPERIENCE included in the ISV certification list

The HP Z4 G5 is a professional-grade workstation intended for smaller CAD projects that require higher levels of reliability and memory expandability. With 64 GB of ECC RAM, it provides a solid foundation for CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE. It is a particularly attractive option if a durable, stationary workstation is preferred.


Mid-sized Projects: Boosting Engineering Productivity - Professional Hardware for Demanding CAD Tasks

Large assemblies, extensive product structures, complex parts, and concurrent CAD applications

  • HP Z2 G1i Miditower, Intel Ultra 9 285K, 64 GB DDR5 RAM, Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada, 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD

    This high-performance Z2 configuration is well-suited for mid-sized assemblies and complex parametric designs. The NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada, featuring 20 GB of VRAM, supports demanding graphical visualizations and large CAD models. With 64 GB of RAM, it offers a balanced combination of processing, graphics, and memory performance.

  • HP Z4 G5 Miditower, Intel Xeon W3-2435, 64 GB ECC DDR5 RAM, Nvidia RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell, 512 GB M.2 NVMe SSD

    The HP Z4 G5 provides a robust foundation for everyday professional CAD work. It is designed for mid-sized assemblies, comprehensive drawing sets, and running multiple design applications simultaneously. The inclusion of ECC (Error Correction Code) memory is particularly beneficial for users who require a professional-grade, highly reliable memory platform.

    HP Z4 G5 Miditower, Intel Xeon W7-2575X, 22 cores, 64 GB DDR5 RAM, Nvidia RTX 4000 Ada, 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD

    Equipped with an Intel Xeon W7-2575X processor, this workstation offers extra computing power for complex product structures and resource-intensive background tasks. It is ideal for demanding CAD environments where design, data processing, and other technical applications are performed in parallel. For handling large assemblies, upgrading the system memory is recommended.


Complex Projects: Performance Without Compromise - High-End Workstations for the Most Demanding Engineering Requirements

Very large assemblies, complex product structures, compute-intensive simulations, and sophisticated visualization

  • HP Z4 G5 Miditower, Intel Xeon W7-2595X, 26 cores, 64 GB DDR5, RTX 4000 Ada, 1 TB M.2 NVMe SSD

    This performance-oriented configuration is designed for large assemblies and demanding CAD projects. The combination of a powerful Xeon processor and a professional NVIDIA graphics card provides a solid foundation for complex modeling and extensive product structures. For handling exceptionally large datasets, we recommend configuring the system with 128 GB of RAM and a larger NVMe SSD.

  • HP Z6 G5 Miditower, Threadripper Pro 7985WX, 64 cores · 64 GB RAM · RTX 2000 Ada (16 GB) · 4 TB SSD

    Equipped with a 64-core processor, the HP Z6 G5 is aimed at users with exceptionally high requirements for parallel computing power. It is particularly well-suited for compute-intensive simulations, extensive calculations, and combined CAD/CAE workflows. For very large product structures, we recommend expanding the system memory to at least 128 GB.

  • HP Z6 G5 Miditower, AMD Threadripper Pro 9995WX

    This high-end workstation is designed for highly compute-intensive technical applications and heavily parallelized processes. Featuring 96 processor cores, it offers immense computing capacity for demanding simulation, analysis, and rendering tasks. It is especially well-suited for complex engineering environments where high computing power translates into a measurable productivity advantage.


Excellent Refurbished Enterprise Workstations for CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE

Acquire professional-grade CAD performance cost-effectively – discover our refurbished enterprise workstations for your business

Our high-quality refurbished enterprise workstations from HP and Dell offer companies an economical way to equip professional CAD-ready setups while effectively reducing capital expenditure. We provide a range of systems tailored to specific requirements—from budget-friendly entry-level models to high-performance workstations designed for demanding design and visualization tasks.

The HP Z2 G9- featuring an Intel Core i9-12900K, 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX A2000 with 12 GB of VRAM serves as an affordable entry point for handling small-to-medium assemblies and routine design tasks. Please note that official certification for CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE has not yet been confirmed for this specific configuration. For those requiring greater performance headroom, the HP Z2 G9 equipped with an Intel Core i9-14900K, 64 GB of DDR5 RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada- offers a modern alternative. The combination of a powerful CPU, ample RAM, and a professional-grade GPU makes this system an excellent choice for demanding CAD environments. While this model and graphics card combination appears in existing certification documentation, the formal approval for this specific configuration remains to be verified.

For professional design workflows and larger assemblies, we recommend the HP Z4 G4 (featuring an Intel Xeon W-2265, 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX A4000) or the Dell Precision 5820 (featuring an Intel Xeon W-2295, 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA RTX A4000). Both systems are compelling, refurbished enterprise-grade solutions for companies seeking reliable workstation platforms with professional-grade graphics performance at an attractive price point. The specific model and GPU combinations are detailed in the verified certification documentation. Final suitability depends on the exact hardware configuration, operating system, graphics driver, and the specific version of the software being used. For highly demanding visualization tasks, the HP Z4 G4 equipped with an Intel Xeon W-2295, 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 6000 with 24 GB of VRAM is an excellent option. Its substantial graphics memory provides the headroom required for complex models and sophisticated rendering. Please note that official certification for this specific configuration with CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE has not yet been definitively confirmed. Offering even greater computing capacity, the HP Z6 G4 features dual Intel Xeon Gold 6254 processors, 64 GB of DDR4 RAM, and an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 6000 with 24 GB of VRAM. This workstation is particularly well-suited for demanding technical applications, large-scale projects, and compute-intensive visualization tasks. It is worth noting, however, that additional CPU cores do not automatically translate to higher performance for interactive CAD tasks. As with the previous configuration, the official certification for this specific setup with CATIA and 3DEXPERIENCE should be verified separately.

In conclusion, our high-quality, refurbished enterprise workstations from HP and Dell offer companies an attractive way to expand or modernize their CAD infrastructure cost-effectively. From the budget-friendly, entry-level HP Z2 G9 and the professional-grade HP Z4 G4 or Dell Precision 5820, to the high-performance HP Z6 G4 for the most demanding applications, we provide a range of performance tiers tailored to diverse operational requirements. Certification must be verified for each specific configuration and the version of CATIA or 3DEXPERIENCE being used before a workstation can be explicitly marketed as officially certified.


 

To recommend the best Samsung M.2 SSDs for use in 3D Experience projects, you should consider different project sizes: small, medium and complex. These categories differ in their requirements for storage capacity, speed and reliability. Here is an overview of which Samsung M.2 SSDs are best suited for each category.


The ultimate hard drive recommendation for 3DExperience


1. small projects

For smaller projects in 3DExperience, such as editing simple CAD models or less intensive simulations, a fast and cost-effective SSD is sufficient.

Recommended SSD: Samsung 970 EVO Plus

Storage capacity: 250 GB, 500 GB, 1TB or 2 TB

Read speed: Up to 3,500 MB/s

Write speed: Up to 3,300 MB/s

Advantages: High performance at a good price-performance ratio. The 970 EVO Plus offers fast boot and load times as well as sufficient space for smaller projects and applications.

Recommended configuration: 500 GB should be sufficient for most small projects.


2. medium projects

For medium-sized projects involving more complex models or larger assemblies, you need an SSD with higher capacity and even faster performance.

Recommended SSD: Samsung 980 PRO

Storage capacity: 500 GB, 1 TB or 2 TB

Read speed: Up to 7,000 MB/s

Write speed: Up to 5,000 MB/s

Advantages: The 980 PRO utilises PCIe 4.0, which offers a significant increase in performance compared to PCIe 3.0. This is particularly useful for projects that require more memory and computing power.

Recommended configuration: 1 TB for most medium-sized projects, 2 TB for larger or memory-intensive applications.


3. complex projects

For complex projects involving extensive data processing, simulations and large assemblies, the highest available performance and storage capacity is required.

Recommended SSD: Samsung 990 PRO

Storage capacity: 1 TB, 2 TB or 4 TB

Read speed: Up to 7,450 MB/s

Write speed: Up to 6,900 MB/s

Advantages: The 990 PRO currently offers the highest performance in the Samsung range and is ideal for extreme workloads and complex 3D experience projects. It utilises PCIe 4.0 and is designed for maximum speed and reliability.

Recommended configuration: 2 TB or 4 TB depending on project size and storage requirements.

Workstation Recommendations for CATIA 3DEXPERIENCE