Operating system requirements
SolidWorks requires Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit). macOS and Linux are not supported.
| OS | Supported versions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | 64-bit (all editions) | Recommended for new builds in 2025 |
| Windows 10 | 64-bit (all editions) | Still fully supported; end of Microsoft support Oct 2025 |
| macOS | Not supported | Possible via Boot Camp or Parallels but not officially supported |
| Linux | Not supported | No official SolidWorks for Linux |
CPU requirements for SolidWorks
SolidWorks 3D modelling, assembly rebuilds, and file save/load are largely single-threaded — prioritise high clock speed over core count for these tasks. Multi-core performance matters for SolidWorks Simulation FEA.
| Use case | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Part/Assembly modelling | Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5, 3.0 GHz+ | Intel Core i9 / AMD Ryzen 9, 4.0 GHz+ (high single-core boost) |
| SolidWorks Simulation | 4 cores | 12–16 cores (uses parallel processing for FEA solve) |
| SolidWorks Visualize (rendering) | 8 cores | 16+ cores or use GPU rendering |
2025 recommended CPUs: Intel Core i9-14900K (high single-core clock, 24 cores for mixed use) or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (16 cores, strong single and multi-core). For pure modelling workstations, the Intel Core i7-14700K is an excellent cost-performance choice.
GPU requirements for SolidWorks
A certified workstation GPU is required for RealView graphics — SolidWorks's hardware-accelerated visual display mode. Consumer gaming GPUs (GeForce, Radeon RX) may work but are not certified and can cause instability.
| GPU tier | Models | Best for | VRAM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry workstation | NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada, AMD Radeon Pro W6400 | Simple parts, small assemblies | 8 GB |
| Mid workstation | NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada, AMD Radeon Pro W7600 | Complex assemblies, SolidWorks Visualize | 16 GB |
| High-end workstation | NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada, AMD Radeon Pro W7900 | Large assemblies, full photorealistic rendering | 32–48 GB |
Check the SolidWorks certified hardware list for the specific driver version required for your GPU model to ensure RealView support.
Memory (RAM) requirements
16 GB is the practical minimum. 32 GB is recommended for medium assemblies. 64 GB for large assemblies or concurrent simulation runs.
| Assembly size | Recommended RAM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple parts, <50 components | 16 GB DDR5 | Comfortable margin; fast boot and rebuild |
| Medium assemblies, 50–500 components | 32 GB DDR5 | Prevents paging to disk during complex operations |
| Large assemblies, 500–2,000+ components | 64 GB DDR5 | Especially if running Simulation or PDM server simultaneously |
Storage requirements
NVMe SSD is essential for SolidWorks. Slow storage is the most common cause of long assembly load times and unresponsive saves — far more impactful than most users expect.
- System drive: NVMe SSD (PCIe Gen 4 recommended), minimum 500 GB — 1 TB preferred for OS + SolidWorks install + working projects.
- Scratch/working drive: Separate NVMe SSD for simulation temporary files (SolidWorks Simulation can use tens of GB per solve).
- Network storage: PDM or Vault server for team file sharing — must have sufficient network bandwidth (10 GbE recommended for large assembly teams).
Tiered hardware configurations — 2025
Simple configuration — ~$1,800
For designers working primarily on individual parts, simple sheet metal, or small assemblies under 50 components.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-14700K (20 cores, 5.6 GHz boost) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 2000 Ada (8 GB VRAM, certified) |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR5-5200 |
| Storage | 500 GB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro 64-bit |
Intermediate configuration — ~$2,500
For engineers working on medium-complexity assemblies (50–200 components) with SolidWorks Simulation for design validation.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i9-14900K (24 cores, 6.0 GHz boost) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada (16 GB VRAM, certified) |
| RAM | 32 GB DDR5-5600 |
| Storage | 1 TB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD (OS/projects) + 1 TB NVMe (simulation scratch) |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro 64-bit |
Advanced configuration — ~$3,200
For senior engineers handling large assemblies (200–2,000+ components), SolidWorks Simulation Premium, and concurrent SolidWorks Visualize rendering.
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 7950X (16 cores, 5.7 GHz boost, excellent single + multi-core) |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 5000 Ada (32 GB VRAM, certified) |
| RAM | 64 GB DDR5-5600 ECC |
| Storage | 2 TB NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD (OS/projects) + 2 TB NVMe (simulation) |
| OS | Windows 11 Pro 64-bit |
Frequently asked questions
What are the minimum system requirements for SolidWorks?
Windows 10/11 64-bit, Intel Core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 (3.0 GHz+), 16 GB RAM, certified workstation GPU with 2 GB+ VRAM, 20 GB free SSD storage. These support simple part and small assembly work.
Does SolidWorks support macOS?
No — SolidWorks is Windows-only. Mac users can run it via Boot Camp or a VM (not officially supported).
Does SolidWorks use GPU or CPU?
Both. CPU dominates for 3D modelling, assembly rebuilds, and FEA simulation. The GPU drives the viewport (RealView graphics). A certified workstation GPU is recommended for stability.
How much RAM do I need for SolidWorks?
16 GB minimum; 32 GB for assemblies up to 500 components; 64 GB for large assemblies or when running Simulation concurrently.
