Structural analysis and design · Computers and Structures, Inc.
Workstations for ETABS
Building analysis and design, where modelling rewards a fast core and analysis rewards cores, memory and a quick drive.
Task by task
What ETABS actually needs
Modelling and design checks
Needs: One fast core
Drawing the model, assigning loads and running design checks is interactive work on a single thread.
Analysis
Needs: Cores, memory and a fast drive
The solver is multi-threaded, so a large model with many load cases uses every core it is given.
The same advice applies to SAP2000, SAFE and CSiBridge.
Hardware at a glance
What to buy for ETABS
Our picks
Machines we recommend for ETABS
| Specification | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Our take | The right machine for most structural offices. Fast enough for everyday buildings, and far more graphics than ETABS will ever use. | For high-rise and complex models. Four more cores and double the memory shorten analysis, at the same single-core speed. | For firms running very large models all day. 128GB of error-correcting memory and 24 cores, at a slightly lower clock for modelling. |
| Processor | AMD 12 Core Processor | AMD 16 Core Processor | AMD 24 Core Processor |
| Graphics | Palit 16 GB Vram graphics card | Palit 32 GB Vram graphics card | Nvidia 24 GB Vram graphics card |
| Memory | 32GB High speed memory | 64GB High speed memory | 128GB High speed memory |
| Storage | 2TB total | 4TB total | 3TB total |
| Form | Tower, desk-side | Tower, desk-side | Tower, desk-side |
| Actions |
Questions
ETABS hardware questions
Does ETABS use the graphics card?
Only to draw the model on screen. Analysis runs on the processor, so a mid-range card is plenty and a flagship card is money that does nothing for your run times.
How much RAM do I need for ETABS?
32GB covers most buildings. Tall towers, many load combinations or detailed floor meshes push toward 64GB. If the machine starts using the disk heavily during analysis, you have outgrown the memory.
Are more cores or a faster processor better for ETABS?
Both matter, for different parts of the day. Modelling is single-threaded and wants clock speed; analysis is multi-threaded and wants cores. A high-clock 12 to 16 core processor is the best balance for most firms.
Will the same machine run SAP2000 and SAFE?
Yes. They come from the same developer and share the same analysis engine, so the same advice applies to all three.
Why does analysis slow down on large models?
Usually memory or storage, not the processor. The solver writes large working files, so when memory runs short it waits on the drive. More RAM and NVMe storage fix this more cheaply than more cores.
Why buy from us
91checks
Checked before it is quoted
Fit, power, cooling and memory, on every build.
72hours
Burned in before it ships
Full load for three days, so faults show up here.
1working day
An engineer replies
With a specification and a quote for your work.
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Supported in Pakistan
From Islamabad, delivered nationwide, with warranty handled here.
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