System hardware and operating system requirements for SolidWorks and SolidWorks Simulation

products.
For the PDM (Product Data Management) requirements, click here.
Supported Microsoft Windows Operating Systems(9)

SolidWorks 2008 SolidWorks 2009 SolidWorks 2010

(10)
Windows 7 32-bit (2) No No Yes
(10)
Windows 7 64-bit(2) No No Yes
Vista 32-bit(3) Yes Yes Yes
(4)
Vista 64-bit (3) Yes Yes Yes
(1)
XP Professional 32-bit(5) Yes Yes Yes
(1)
XP Professional 64-bit (4) Yes Yes Yes

Computer and Software Requirements:

RAM Minimum: 1GB RAM
Recommended: 6GB RAM or more on Windows 7 x64 operating system.

Video A certified graphics card and driver (Recommended).

See Graphics Cards Drivers for details.

(11)
CPU Intel or AMD processors(7)
eDrawings is supported on Apple Macintosh-based machines(6)

Other Mouse or other pointing device

DVD drive
Internet Explorer version 6.x or higher
Adobe Acrobat version 7.0.7 or higher
Microsoft Excel 2002(12), 2003, or 2007

Network SolidWorks is tested only with Microsoft's Windows Networking and Active
Directory network environments(8)

SNL (SolidWorks Network License) Server Requirements:

USB or parallel port required (prior to SolidWorks 2010)
Virtual servers are not supported for SNL
Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003
(recommended)
DVD drive or Internet enabled network connection(1) Support for Windows XP Professional is ending.
For details see the Release Notes or Technical Alerts.
(2) Supports SolidWorks 2010 SP1 or higher (based on Windows 7 availability).
(3) Windows Vista Ultimate, Business and Enterprise editions only (SP0 or higher).
(4) Windows Vista 64-bit is supported for SolidWorks 2008 SP3.1 or higher. The Education Edition, Student
 Edition, and Student Design Kit are supported after the 2008-2009 academic school year.
(5) Supported for Windows XP Professional SP2 or higher.
(6) eDrawings and eDrawings Professional is supported on all operating systems listed above and Mac
OS X 10.4.x or higher. eDrawings 2010 will be the last version to support Mac OS X 10.4.x.
(7) SolidWorks is not supported on Apple Macintosh-based machines.
(8) Novell networks and non-Windows based network storage devices are not tested or recommended.
(9) The Windows operating system requirements follow the Microsoft Windows life-cycle policy which can be
viewed at http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselect.
(10) Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions only.
(11) Intel Pentium 3, AMD Athlon and Athon XP CPUs are not supported. CPU must support SSE2
(Streaming SIMD Extensions 2), see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSE2 for more details.
(12) SolidWorks 2010 is the last release to support Excel 2002 and it is not recommended.

What hardware does SolidWorks operate on?

SolidWorks 2010 runs on Intel Core Duo/i5/i7 and AMD Athlon based systems. Please note that
SolidWorks is not supported on Apple Mac based machines or Linux.

On what operating systems is SolidWorks supported?

SolidWorks 2010 supports the following operating systems:
1. Windows Vista Business (32-bit and 64-bit)
2. Windows XP Professional (32-bit and 64-bit)
3. Windows 7 (Beginning with SolidWorks 2010 SP1)
Microsoft Windows 2000 and earlier versions of windows are no longer supported. Also,
SolidWorks 2010 will be the last release to support the Windows XP Operating system

Does SolidWorks support Windows XP/Vista Home Edition?

SolidWorks only supports Windows XP Professional / Windows Vista Business, and as of Service
pack 1 of SolidWorks 2010, SolidWorks will have support for the new Windows 7 Operating
System. SolidWorks does not officially support the Home Edition of these versions of windows.
However, due to the similarities between the two operating systems there should be no problems
encountered if SolidWorks is used with Windows Home Edition versions. When choosing to run on
Windows Home Edition platforms, you should realize that without official support, problems
identified that are unique to Windows Home Edition will not be handled with any priority.

How much RAM is needed to run SolidWorks?

Based on Javelins benchmark testing and our experience with typical customer usage, we
recommend starting with at least 4GB of RAM. Depending on the size and complexity of your
assemblies increased RAM may be the best investment for performance improvement. For
assemblies with more than 1000 components and parts with more than 300 features 8GB of RAM or
more is recommended.

What type of video card do you recommend?

Although SolidWorks is designed to work with any generic graphics card that supports Windows
(MINIMUM resolution would be 1024x768 or higher with 32K colors or more), a graphics card
with hardware OpenGL acceleration will provide improved performance, especially in 3D model
viewing (repaints, spins, zooms and pans). Detailed info on video card support and testing is
available at:
http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html
Video cards designed for gaming or multi-media applications do NOT offer maximum
performance for SolidWorks and other 3D CAD applications. Game/multi-media cards are
optimized for a low number of polygons displayed on the screen, and a high frame rate. CAD
applications have essentially the opposite requirement, polygon count is high (all the details in your
design model) and the image does not change rapidly, so high frame rates are not as critical.

Does SolidWorks make use of multiple and/or dual core processors?

SolidWorks is multi-threaded. Many of the user interface activities such as redraw and dialog box
interaction, etc., take advantage of this technology. However, the solving process used for
parametric modeling is by nature very linear and cannot take full advantage of multiple or dual core
processors. Opening documents in SolidWorks 2010 is now multi-threaded. When you retrieve a
large part, drawing, or assembly document, the document immediately displays in a view-only state
while the actual document and all its components are retrieved in the background. During the view-
only state, you can use all functions supported in the SolidWorks Viewer (Zoom, Rotate, and so on),
but you cannot switch to another document or start to open another document. After the retrieval is
complete, SolidWorks changes to the normal edit state.

Should I store my files locally on my computer or on a network drive? Are there any
performance issues that I should be aware of?
Javelin recommends that for maximum performance files should be stored locally. Files opened and
retrieved over a network will always be slower than accessing a local drive. Data management
products such as SolidWorks Enterprise PDM automatically manage the movement of files from
network servers to local disk drives for the CAD user to ensure maximum performance. This is one
of the key benefits of data management systems. More information on SolidWorks Enterprise PDM
can be found here:
www.javelin-tech.com/main/products/solidworks_enterprise_pdm.htm

I would like to implement SolidWorks Professional (or Premium). Can you recommend a good
strategy for the implementation of a server for a vault?
Javelin recommends that where possible a dedicated server be used for either a SolidWorks
Workgroup PDM or SolidWorks Enterprise PDM vault. Besides allowing for maximum
performance for the CAD users, using a dedicated server provides version/revision control,
workflow process management and custom property management. For hardware specifications for
a PDM system, please visit:
www.solidworks.com/sw/support/PDMSystemRequirements.html

What is your current hardware recommendation for SolidWorks 2010?

We recommend the following hardware configuration for SolidWorks:
1. Intel Core 2 Duo (min) for 32 bit and 64 bit configurations (Core i7 recommended)
2. 4GB RAM (or more)
3. 100GB hard drive (or larger)
4. nVidia FX1700 Graphics Card (minimum for non-intensive graphical applications)
5. nVidia FX3500 Graphics Card (for best performance)
6. Windows XP Professional with SP3 or Vista Professional with SP2
7. High speed internet connection for managing updates
If you are regularly performing FEA analysis with the SolidWorks Simulation family of products,
we suggest upgrading your RAM to at least 8GB and considering multi core processors (preferably
quad core). Shop online at the Javelin Web Store for SolidWorks Certified Graphics Cards & Dell
Hardware:
http://store.javelin-tech.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.51/.f

Need more information or want to tell a colleague?

Contact Technical Services at 1-877-219-6757 Ext. 2
Send this page to a colleague

Related Links
Training Courses
Product List
SolidWorks Customer Center Login

Page Options
Print this page
E-mail this page

What hardware does SolidWorks operate on?

SolidWorks 2010 runs on Intel Core Duo/i5/i7 and AMD Athlon based systems. Please note that
SolidWorks is not supported on Apple Mac based machines or Linux.

On what operating systems is SolidWorks supported?

SolidWorks 2010 supports the following operating systems:
1. Windows Vista Business (32-bit and 64-bit)
2. Windows XP Professional (32-bit and 64-bit)
3. Windows 7 (Beginning with SolidWorks 2010 SP1)
Microsoft Windows 2000 and earlier versions of windows are no longer supported. Also,
SolidWorks 2010 will be the last release to support the Windows XP Operating system

Does SolidWorks support Windows XP/Vista Home Edition?

SolidWorks only supports Windows XP Professional / Windows Vista Business, and as of Service
pack 1 of SolidWorks 2010, SolidWorks will have support for the new Windows 7 Operating
System. SolidWorks does not officially support the Home Edition of these versions of windows.
However, due to the similarities between the two operating systems there should be no problems
encountered if SolidWorks is used with Windows Home Edition versions. When choosing to run on
Windows Home Edition platforms, you should realize that without official support, problems
identified that are unique to Windows Home Edition will not be handled with any priority.

How much RAM is needed to run SolidWorks?

Based on Javelins benchmark testing and our experience with typical customer usage, we
recommend starting with at least 4GB of RAM. Depending on the size and complexity of your
assemblies increased RAM may be the best investment for performance improvement. For
assemblies with more than 1000 components and parts with more than 300 features 8GB of RAM or
more is recommended.

What type of video card do you recommend?

Although SolidWorks is designed to work with any generic graphics card that supports Windows
(MINIMUM resolution would be 1024x768 or higher with 32K colors or more), a graphics card
with hardware OpenGL acceleration will provide improved performance, especially in 3D model
viewing (repaints, spins, zooms and pans). Detailed info on video card support and testing is
available at:
http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html
Video cards designed for gaming or multi-media applications do NOT offer maximum
performance for SolidWorks and other 3D CAD applications. Game/multi-media cards are
optimized for a low number of polygons displayed on the screen, and a high frame rate. CAD
applications have essentially the opposite requirement, polygon count is high (all the details in your
design model) and the image does not change rapidly, so high frame rates are not as critical.

Does SolidWorks make use of multiple and/or dual core processors?

SolidWorks is multi-threaded. Many of the user interface activities such as redraw and dialog box
interaction, etc., take advantage of this technology. However, the solving process used for
parametric modeling is by nature very linear and cannot take full advantage of multiple or dual core
processors. Opening documents in SolidWorks 2010 is now multi-threaded. When you retrieve a
large part, drawing, or assembly document, the document immediately displays in a view-only state
while the actual document and all its components are retrieved in the background. During the view-
only state, you can use all functions supported in the SolidWorks Viewer (Zoom, Rotate, and so on),
but you cannot switch to another document or start to open another document. After the retrieval is
complete, SolidWorks changes to the normal edit state.

Should I store my files locally on my computer or on a network drive? Are there any
performance issues that I should be aware of?
Javelin recommends that for maximum performance files should be stored locally. Files opened and
retrieved over a network will always be slower than accessing a local drive. Data management
products such as SolidWorks Enterprise PDM automatically manage the movement of files from
network servers to local disk drives for the CAD user to ensure maximum performance. This is one
of the key benefits of data management systems. More information on SolidWorks Enterprise PDM
can be found here:
www.javelin-tech.com/main/products/solidworks_enterprise_pdm.htm
I would like to implement SolidWorks Professional (or Premium). Can you recommend a good
strategy for the implementation of a server for a vault?
Javelin recommends that where possible a dedicated server be used for either a SolidWorks
Workgroup PDM or SolidWorks Enterprise PDM vault. Besides allowing for maximum
performance for the CAD users, using a dedicated server provides version/revision control,
workflow process management and custom property management. For hardware specifications for
a PDM system, please visit:
www.solidworks.com/sw/support/PDMSystemRequirements.html

What is your current hardware recommendation for SolidWorks 2010?

We recommend the following hardware configuration for SolidWorks:
1. Intel Core 2 Duo (min) for 32 bit and 64 bit configurations (Core i7 recommended)
2. 4GB RAM (or more)
3. 100GB hard drive (or larger)
4. nVidia FX1700 Graphics Card (minimum for non-intensive graphical applications)
5. nVidia FX3500 Graphics Card (for best performance)
6. Windows XP Professional with SP3 or Vista Professional with SP2
7. High speed internet connection for managing updates

If you are regularly performing FEA analysis with the SolidWorks Simulation family of products,
we suggest upgrading your RAM to at least 8GB and considering multi core processors (preferably
quad core). Shop online at the Javelin Web Store for SolidWorks Certified Graphics Cards & Dell
Hardware:
http://store.javelin-tech.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.51/.f

Need more information or want to tell a colleague?

Contact Technical Services at 1-877-219-6757 Ext. 2
Send this page to a colleague

Related Links
Training Courses
Product List
SolidWorks Customer Center Login

Page Options
Print this page
E-mail this page
What hardware does SolidWorks operate on?
SolidWorks 2010 runs on Intel Core Duo/i5/i7 and AMD Athlon based systems. Please note that
SolidWorks is not supported on Apple Mac based machines or Linux.

On what operating systems is SolidWorks supported?

SolidWorks 2010 supports the following operating systems:
1. Windows Vista Business (32-bit and 64-bit)
2. Windows XP Professional (32-bit and 64-bit)
3. Windows 7 (Beginning with SolidWorks 2010 SP1)
Microsoft Windows 2000 and earlier versions of windows are no longer supported. Also,
SolidWorks 2010 will be the last release to support the Windows XP Operating system

Does SolidWorks support Windows XP/Vista Home Edition?

SolidWorks only supports Windows XP Professional / Windows Vista Business, and as of Service
pack 1 of SolidWorks 2010, SolidWorks will have support for the new Windows 7 Operating
System. SolidWorks does not officially support the Home Edition of these versions of windows.
However, due to the similarities between the two operating systems there should be no problems
encountered if SolidWorks is used with Windows Home Edition versions. When choosing to run on
Windows Home Edition platforms, you should realize that without official support, problems
identified that are unique to Windows Home Edition will not be handled with any priority.

How much RAM is needed to run SolidWorks?

Based on Javelins benchmark testing and our experience with typical customer usage, we
recommend starting with at least 4GB of RAM. Depending on the size and complexity of your
assemblies increased RAM may be the best investment for performance improvement. For
assemblies with more than 1000 components and parts with more than 300 features 8GB of RAM or
more is recommended.

What type of video card do you recommend?

Although SolidWorks is designed to work with any generic graphics card that supports Windows
(MINIMUM resolution would be 1024x768 or higher with 32K colors or more), a graphics card
with hardware OpenGL acceleration will provide improved performance, especially in 3D model
viewing (repaints, spins, zooms and pans). Detailed info on video card support and testing is
available at:
http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/videocardtesting.html
Video cards designed for gaming or multi-media applications do NOT offer maximum
performance for SolidWorks and other 3D CAD applications. Game/multi-media cards are
optimized for a low number of polygons displayed on the screen, and a high frame rate. CAD
applications have essentially the opposite requirement, polygon count is high (all the details in your
design model) and the image does not change rapidly, so high frame rates are not as critical.

Does SolidWorks make use of multiple and/or dual core processors?

SolidWorks is multi-threaded. Many of the user interface activities such as redraw and dialog box
interaction, etc., take advantage of this technology. However, the solving process used for
parametric modeling is by nature very linear and cannot take full advantage of multiple or dual core
processors. Opening documents in SolidWorks 2010 is now multi-threaded. When you retrieve a
large part, drawing, or assembly document, the document immediately displays in a view-only state
while the actual document and all its components are retrieved in the background. During the view-
only state, you can use all functions supported in the SolidWorks Viewer (Zoom, Rotate, and so on),
but you cannot switch to another document or start to open another document. After the retrieval is
complete, SolidWorks changes to the normal edit state.

Should I store my files locally on my computer or on a network drive? Are there any
performance issues that I should be aware of?
Javelin recommends that for maximum performance files should be stored locally. Files opened and
retrieved over a network will always be slower than accessing a local drive. Data management
products such as SolidWorks Enterprise PDM automatically manage the movement of files from
network servers to local disk drives for the CAD user to ensure maximum performance. This is one
of the key benefits of data management systems. More information on SolidWorks Enterprise PDM
can be found here:
www.javelin-tech.com/main/products/solidworks_enterprise_pdm.htm

I would like to implement SolidWorks Professional (or Premium). Can you recommend a good
strategy for the implementation of a server for a vault?
Javelin recommends that where possible a dedicated server be used for either a SolidWorks
Workgroup PDM or SolidWorks Enterprise PDM vault. Besides allowing for maximum
performance for the CAD users, using a dedicated server provides version/revision control,
workflow process management and custom property management. For hardware specifications for
a PDM system, please visit:
www.solidworks.com/sw/support/PDMSystemRequirements.html

What is your current hardware recommendation for SolidWorks 2010?

We recommend the following hardware configuration for SolidWorks:
1. Intel Core 2 Duo (min) for 32 bit and 64 bit configurations (Core i7 recommended)
2. 4GB RAM (or more)
3. 100GB hard drive (or larger)
4. nVidia FX1700 Graphics Card (minimum for non-intensive graphical applications)
5. nVidia FX3500 Graphics Card (for best performance)
6. Windows XP Professional with SP3 or Vista Professional with SP2
7. High speed internet connection for managing updates

If you are regularly performing FEA analysis with the SolidWorks Simulation family of products,
we suggest upgrading your RAM to at least 8GB and considering multi core processors (preferably
quad core). Shop online at the Javelin Web Store for SolidWorks Certified Graphics Cards & Dell
Hardware:
http://store.javelin-tech.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.51/.f