How to optimise your workstation for CATIA 3DExperience

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CATIA is a CAD program for 3D modelling that was initially developed specifically for aircraft construction. CATIA has established itself in the automotive and supplier industry and is one of the most widely used CAD programmes worldwide. With CATIA, designers are able to work on a project simultaneously at several workstations. Do you want to work on larger and very complex projects with appealing geometry more easily and quickly?


We configure the optimum business workstation for your individual Catia application and offer you the opportunity to put the system to the test with a test licence for Catia 3DExperience via remote access. Contact us and arrange a free remote test. For existing support contracts, we recommend a certified business workstation for CATIA.

The best CATIA 3DExperience Workstation recommendations by Uli Ludwig

The best processors for 3DExperience

3DExperience is a demanding platform that requires powerful hardware to achieve optimum results. Processor requirements vary depending on the size of the project. In this text, we will introduce you to optimal processors for small, medium and complex projects, focussing on the Intel Core with high MHz performance and Intel Xeon series, including the new Intel Xeon W processors (W5, W7 and W9).


Processors for small projects

For smaller projects that involve less computationally intensive tasks, Intel Core processors are suitable due to their high MHz clock speed and excellent price/performance ratio.


Intel Core i7-13700K

Cores/threads: 16/24

Clock frequency: 3.4 GHz (base), up to 5.3 GHz (turbo)

Cache: 30 MB

Advantages: High single-core performance, ideal for CAD applications and less complex simulations.


Intel Core i9-13900K

Cores/threads: 24/32

Clock frequency: 3.0 GHz (base), up to 5.8 GHz (turbo)

Cache: 36 MB

Advantages: Excellent multithreading performance, suitable for slightly more complex modelling tasks.


Processors for medium-sized projects

For medium-sized projects that require a more balanced mix of single and multi-threaded applications, Intel Xeon processors offer a stable and scalable platform.


Intel Xeon W-2245

Cores/threads: 8/16

Clock frequency: 3.9 GHz (base), up to 4.5 GHz (turbo)

Cache: 16.5 MB

Advantages: Reliability and ECC memory support, ideal for medium CAD and simulation tasks.


Intel Xeon W-2265

Cores/threads: 12/24

Clock frequency: 3.5 GHz (base), up to 4.8 GHz (turbo)

Cache: 19.25 MB

Advantages: More cores and threads for improved multitasking capabilities, suitable for more intensive workloads.


Processors for complex projects

For complex projects that require extensive simulations and intensive calculations, the new Intel Xeon W processors are the best choice. These processors offer outstanding performance and scalability.


Intel Xeon W5-2475X

Cores/threads: 16/32

Clock frequency: 3.1 GHz (base), up to 4.7 GHz (turbo)

Cache: 33.75 MB

Advantages: High core count and multithreading capabilities, ideal for extensive and complex simulation tasks.


Intel Xeon W7-2495X

Cores/threads: 24/48

Clock frequency: 2.5 GHz (base), up to 4.8 GHz (turbo)

Cache: 45 MB

Advantages: Very high number of cores, suitable for very complex calculations and workflows with many parallel tasks as well as extensive simulation tasks.


Intel Xeon W9-3475X

Cores/threads: 36/72

Clock frequency: 2.2 GHz (base), up to 4.8 GHz (turbo)

Cache: 82.5 MB

Advantages: Maximum performance for the most demanding tasks, such as large simulations and extensive data processing.

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.

Choosing the right graphics card is crucial for performance and efficiency in 3D modelling and simulation. Especially when working with complex textures, shading and effects, the graphics card plays a decisive role. Based on our many years of experience, we recommend the Nvidia Quadro RTX series. These models offer a powerful range that is specially optimised for professional applications. This guide provides an overview of the optimal Quadro RTX graphics cards for different project sizes in the 3D experience.


Small projects

For smaller projects, such as simple modelling, smaller simulations or basic rendering tasks, it is important to choose a cost-effective yet powerful solution.

Recommended graphics card: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000

CUDA cores: 2304

Tensor cores: 288

Ray tracing cores: 36

Memory: 8 GB GDDR6

Memory bandwidth: 416 GB/s

The Quadro RTX 4000 offers a good balance between performance and cost and is ideal for entry-level projects. It enables smooth work in CAD applications and offers sufficient performance for basic GPU rendering and visualisation.


Medium projects

For medium-sized projects that require more complex modelling, advanced simulations or more intensive rendering, more powerful graphics cards are required.

Recommended graphics card: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000 ADA

CUDA cores: 6144

Tensor cores: 129

Ray tracing cores: 48

Memory: 20 GB GDDR6

Memory bandwidth: 360 GB/s

The Quadro RTX 4000 ADA offers significant performance improvements over the RTX 4000 and with more memory and compute units, it is ideally suited for larger 3D models and more complex GPU rendering, as found in architectural and engineering applications.


Complex projects

Complex projects involving high-end rendering, extensive simulations or the processing of very large data sets require the highest performance standards.

Recommended graphics card: NVIDIA RTX 5000 ADA

CUDA cores: 12800

Tensor cores: 400

Ray tracing cores: 100

Memory: 32 GB GDDR6

Memory bandwidth: 576 GB/s


Alternative for extreme requirements: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 6000 ADA

CUDA cores: 18176

Tensor cores: 568

Ray tracing cores: 142

Memory: 48 GB GDDR6

Memory bandwidth: 960 GB/s

The Quadro RTX 5000 ADA and RTX 6000 ADA are designed for extremely compute-intensive applications. These cards offer maximum performance and large memory capacity, making them ideal for processing and visualising very complex 3D scenes. They are indispensable for industrial applications, VFX, scientific simulations and other data-intensive tasks.

Certified workstations for 3DExperience (a Dassault Systèmes product) offer a range of benefits that are particularly relevant for users in areas such as CAD, CAE, CAM and PLM (product lifecycle management). These benefits include:


1. Optimised performance and stability

Tested hardware configurations: Certified workstations are tested for compatibility and performance with 3DExperience software to ensure they optimally fulfil the software's requirements.

Stable drivers: Use of specially adapted and tested drivers for graphics cards and other components that minimise frequent software crashes and incompatibilities.


2. Compatibility and integration

Guaranteed software compatibility: The workstations are configured to work seamlessly with the 3DExperience platform, reducing the likelihood of software issues.

Pre-installation and optimised settings: Often these workstations come with pre-configured settings that are optimised for 3DExperience software.


3. Support and troubleshooting

Certified support: The manufacturer's technical support is specialised in solving problems with the 3DExperience software, which enables faster and more efficient solutions.

Faster troubleshooting: Because the workstation hardware and software is certified, support can more easily identify and resolve issues.


4. Scalability and future-proofing

Expandability: Certified workstations often offer expandable options for RAM, storage and graphics cards, which supports future requirements and upgrades.

Durability: These workstations are usually built for longevity and reliability, making them a solid long-term investment.


5. Productivity and efficiency

Higher performance: Powerful processors, large amounts of RAM and dedicated graphics cards ensure that computationally intensive tasks such as 3D rendering, simulations and large amounts of data can be processed efficiently.

Reduced downtime: Minimise system crashes and hardware issues with certified and tested components.


6. Security features

Certified security: These workstations are often equipped with security features that are optimised for the requirements of the 3DExperience platform, including data backup and protection against unauthorised access.


7. References and recommendations

Validated success stories: There are often recommendations and testimonials from existing users who have had positive experiences with certified workstations and 3DExperience software.

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