As a COSMOS technical support engineer, customers often ask for suggestions as to what they should get as an analysis machine. This is a difficult question to answer. Without knowing the type and complexity of problems that the customer is running, it is tough to provide a recommendation that will best fit the customer’s needs. In this entry, I will outline the key factors that make or break an analysis machine.

RAM

RAM is the most important factor in the ability to solve large and complex problems. SolidWorks and COSMOS are RAM resident programs so the more RAM that you have available, the more capable your workstation will be.

Good: 2 GB

Better: 4 GB

Best: 8 GB

Two gigs of RAM are adequate for relatively simple to moderately complex linear analysis. Additional RAM should be available for more complex problems (non-linear analysis, FloWorks, etc). If the user has to make a choice based on a budget restriction, it is recommended to add more RAM than to focus on the number of processors or processor speed. However, it should be kept in mind that the x32 bit version of Windows allows only up to 4GB of RAM (realistically only 3GB after enabling the 3GB switch during the boot sequence) for any given process.

Processor

Second in importance to RAM is the processor. Processor speed as well as the number of processors can improve solution time. Also, x64 bit processors give you access to more RAM which will permit the user to solve more complex problems.

Good: Single processor > 2GHz

Better: Dual Core

Best: Quad or Dual Quad Core

Please see the following link for recommended and preferred processors:

http://66.223.111.93/WebHelp/FAQID__x135.htm

COSMOS FloWorks has the capability to utilize multiple processors for solving batch runs. Multiple processors will not make a single FloWorks analysis run faster compared w/ a single processor machine. The FloWorks solver does not have the multi-threaded capability to utilize multiple processors for a single analysis. However, having multiple processors for a single analysis will permit the solution to be running on one processor and other tasks to be done simultaneously. Please see the following link for more information on this topic:

http://66.223.111.93/WebHelp/FAQID__x031.htm

Please see the following link for an analysis of the effect of multiple processors on COSMOSWorks solution times:

http://66.223.111.93/WebHelp/FAQID__x385.htm

Note: When considering a multiple processor machine, do not fall for the false pretense that two slower processors will perform better than one faster processor. The multi-processor benefit is based on the assumption of equivalent processor speed.

Video Card

A weak video card can ruin an otherwise excellent machine. This is especially true with some of the new graphics-intensive features in SolidWorks such as RealView. Please refer to the following link to see approved video cards:

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/VideoCardTesting.html

Hard drive

From the COSMOS knowledge base article “COSMOS – Operating System Requirements and Recommended Hardware”, a minimum of 160 GB of hard disk space is required but 250 GB or more is recommended. Please see the following link to view this knowledge base article:

http://66.223.111.93/WebHelp/FAQID__x135.htm

Operating System

We recommend Windows XP as an operating system. The XP 64 bit version again will give the user access to more RAM which will help in the solution of more complex problems. Windows Vista is supported for the 32 bit versions of SolidWorks and COSMOS only.

Good: XP

Better: XP 64 bit

Best: XP 64 bit

These are the major factors that influence the performance of an analysis machine. Now it is up to you to determine what level of machine best fits your processes and budget. I encourage you to read the following article to help you determine the best option for you:

http://manufacturing.cadalyst.com/manufacturing/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=99700

This entry was posted on Monday, January 14th, 2008 at 6:02 pm and is filed under COSMOSWorks, Tips & Tricks. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.