Those who work closely with modeling and three-dimensional drawing, are well aware of such a software product as AutoCad. He needs no introduction. However, since this is a professional program designed to solve complex problems in the shortest possible time, the question of computer configuration is urgently needed for the tool to work properly. Particularly often questions arise about the technical characteristics of laptops used to launch AutoCAD. We will consider the system requirements of this program just below.
What kind of program is this?
AutoCad is a computer-aided design system that is used by engineers and designers around the world. The product can create drawings of any degree of complexity. But in order to create the right and adequate project with the help of this program, you need to study hard for a long time. This is a professional product for those who work on projects in full force. Nevertheless, many want to learn how to use the AutoCad program. Minimum system requirements - this is the first question that aspiring engineers and designers want to get an answer to.
The AutoCad program makes life easier for designers and engineers. It is enough to set the main points, and she herself will build the necessary drawing. A person will only have to slightly adjust it in the most controversial places. This brought the productivity of engineers to a whole new level. Therefore, it is not surprising that many are interested in the system requirements of this wonderful tool. It is worth noting immediately that they are not very scary. "Gluttony" is only the 2017 version. But using it is not necessary at all, since it is not much different from the 2015 version.
This software product was created as a digital alternative to the Kuhlmann (drawing board). The first versions of the program worked only with simple shapes: circle, square, line. But modern versions can draw almost everything. And you can finish the desired using a graphics tablet. Now the necessary tool for the draftsman is AutoCad, the system requirements of which we will discuss a little later.
2014 Program (32 bit)
This version is the lightest of the entire family. The system requirements of AutoCAD 2014 are quite modest. By modern standards. Judge for yourself. We will only announce the minimum requirements. For a full-fledged work, AutoCad-2014 requires a computer with an operating system of at least Windows XP with Service Pack 3. All subsequent versions of the OS are also supported. In addition to the "tens." The processor needs a dual-core processor with a clock frequency of 1600 MHz (and higher) and support for SSE2 instructions. The minimum amount of RAM is 2 gigabytes. And it is very important that the memory can work in multi-channel mode. A DVD drive and a monitor with a minimum resolution of 1024x768 pixels are also required. But this is only for the 32-bit version of AutoCad. The system requirements of the 64-bit version are completely different.
2014 Program (64 bit)
Naturally, a 64-bit operating system is required. As well as a processor with a clock frequency of at least 2 GHz and two cores. The desired amount of RAM is at least 4 gigabytes. The resolution of the monitor can be left exactly the same. But for comfortable work, a display with a resolution of 1600x1050 pixels is recommended. In all other respects, the program does not require anything supernatural. As you can see, AutoCad 2014 will quietly start and will work without problems on any modern mid-range laptop. It is not necessary to buy a powerful car for this. Let's move on to newer versions of the software product.
2015 Program (32 bit)
Everything is not so simple here. This is the first version of AutoCAD, which has ceased to support Windows XP. In addition, the program includes modules that require much more performance from the computer. So, what are the "AutoCADA-2015" system requirements? For 32-bit systems, an operating system of any version is required, except for XP and "tens." Naturally, you need to install all available updates. All models starting with Intel Pentium 4 are suitable as a working processor . The main thing is that SSE2 instructions are supported. The minimum clock speed is 3000 MHz. The minimum amount of RAM is 4 gigabytes (but 8 is recommended). This is the first version of the program where full-time operation requires a broadband Internet connection. As a working monitor, you can use a display with a resolution of 1600x1050 pixels. Such system requirements are quite normal for the 2015 product. On a modern mid-range laptop, the software package will work fine.
2015 Program (64 bit)
The 64-bit version of the AutoCad program, the system requirements of which will now be considered, has several features. So, for example, the processor level required to perform all operations has grown to Intel Xeon or something equivalent. The minimum amount of RAM should be 8 gigabytes. Dual-channel memory mode is required. In addition, the program requires twice as much hard disk space - 12 gigabytes. The minimum amount of video adapter memory should be 512 megabytes. This is a requirement. And of course, you need a 64-bit Windows OS (from 7 to 8.1). "Ten" is not supported. Finding a suitable laptop, even among modern designs, is already somewhat more difficult. But some models from Lenovo and ASUS in the middle price segment fully meet these requirements. Just keep in mind that these were the requirements for PCs from AutoCad. System requirements for a laptop may vary slightly, as laptops use mobile hardware, which is slightly weaker.
2016 Program (32 bit)
This is a more serious version of AutoCad. The 2016 system requirements no longer look as ridiculous as requests from previous versions. Judge for yourself. For the full operation of the program requires processors from the Intel Core family. It is highly recommended that the processor has a third-level cache of 3 megabytes (this is at least Core i3). Analogs from AMD are also suitable. The minimum amount of RAM is 4 gigabytes. Two-channel operation mode is required. A video adapter with a memory of 512 megabytes is also needed, since a full 3D-modeling has appeared in the program. Broadband internet access and a monitor with a minimum resolution of 1600 x 1050 pixels are required. You also need 16 gigabytes of free space on your hard drive (10 gigabytes per installation file and another 6 per installed program). A DVD drive is required. Finding a comparable laptop is not so problematic. But it will cost decently.
2016 Program (64 bit)
Now let's move on to the 64-bit version. By tradition, for a full-fledged and "painless" work of a program in 64-bit version, much more powerful hardware is required. The processor will not change - all the same family of Core and its analogues. But here the amount of RAM should be at least 8 gigabytes. Mandatory dual-channel mode. It is also necessary to have a video card with a memory capacity of 512 megabytes (or better 1 gigabyte). We need full Internet access and a 64-bit operating system of the Windows family (7-8.1). "Ten" is not supported. You also need twice as much hard disk space as compared to the 32-bit version. By the way, a laptop that easily pulls a 32-bit version of the program can easily cope with a 64-bit one. For the money he will have everything necessary for this.
2017 program (64 bit only)
So it happened. The latest release of this program supports only 64-bit architecture. This is an important change in the philosophy of AutoCad-2017. The system requirements for the computer are now completely different. But the most interesting is that the developers have added full support for Windows 10. And this could not but affect the popularity of the program. Now, for the full-fledged operation of the software product (especially on the "top ten"), you need a processor of the penultimate generation Core family. It is he who is able to provide the best performance. The minimum amount of RAM is 8 gigabytes. Two-channel mode is required.
Now about the video adapter. With all the graphical bells and whistles of AutoCAD-2017, you need a video card with a minimum memory capacity of 1 gigabyte. A broadband internet connection, DVD drive and 20 gigabytes of free hard disk space are also highly desirable. For best performance, using SSDs is recommended. You also need a monitor with a minimum resolution of 1600 x 1050 pixels. If you look at laptops with similar characteristics, it becomes clear that only top models can provide full-fledged work of AutoCada-2017. And they cost quite a lot. It’s cheaper to collect a full-fledged PC for this money. It will also remain.
Conclusion
Now you know why the AutoCad program is needed. The system requirements of this software product are also not a secret. Previous versions of the program can easily run on modern laptops of the middle price segment. But the 2017 version will feel better on a full-fledged PC. Especially when you consider the cost of a laptop, which is required for the program to work properly. However, the problem is that sometimes mobility is required to work. But PCs cannot provide this. We have to grind our teeth to go broke on a powerful laptop. Although the 2017 version is not much different from 2015. Therefore, it makes no sense to chase the current version of the program. And for the product of 2015, any non-budget modern laptop is quite suitable.