Hardware Requirements for RFEM 6, RSTAB 9, and RWIND 3

Generally, it is difficult to make a general statement regarding the optimal hardware. This all depends on the types of models that will be calculated. The following information will help you to configure the computer hardware best suited to your needs.

Processor

RFEM calculation will always benefit from a multi-core processor. However, additional cores are not always necessarily better.

When the calculation is distributed over a high number of cores, the connection between the cores becomes increasingly busier, creating a bottleneck situation.

The optimum is around 20 cores, although this depends very much on the type of model to be calculated.

Specifically, we recommend using one of the following processors:

• Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
• Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
• Intel Core i9 14900KS
• Intel Core i9 14900KF
• Intel Core i9 14900K
• Intel Core i7 14700KF
• Intel Core i7 14700K
• AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
• AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
• AMD Ryzen 7 9700X

The ending "K" for Intel processors and the ending "X" for AMD processors means that the processors are overclockable. The clock frequency can therefore be better adapted to the computing load depending on the temperature.

The "KF" or "F" ending denotes the Intel processors without an integrated GPU. They cost slightly less than the same processors with a built-in GPU. Since we recommend using a graphics card for RFEM and RSTAB anyway, a GPU integrated in the processor is not necessary. Therefore, these processors are particularly recommended.

Modern processors have sophisticated temperature management. The cycle frequency is adjusted dynamically, depending on the processor temperature. Processor cooling can improve the performance. Therefore, we recommend a generously dimensioned computer case and a good cooling fan for the processor.

Intel processors named Celeron and Pentium are not well suited for RFEM. The same applies to AMD processors whose name starts with A.

Workstation Processors

In addition to desktop and notebook processors, AMD and Intel also offer so-called workstation processors. AMD uses the name “Threadripper” for this. Intel calls this processor class XEON W.

Workstation processors differ from desktop processors in that they have significantly more cores and can address much more RAM. For example, an AMD Threadripper Pro 7995WX has 96 cores and can address 4 TB RAM over 8 memory channels.

RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 run on such processors, but the benefit is limited. The benefit justifies the price only in exceptional cases.

Processors with ARM Architecture

Recently, processors with ARM architecture have been appearing particularly in the notebook sector. These include, among others, the Snapdragon X from Qualcomm.

These processors are fundamentally different from the x86 processors from Intel and AMD. They have a command set that is not compatible with the x86 command set. In order for software to run natively on ARM processors, it would have to be recompiled. RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 are currently only available in the x86 variant and would be executed on ARM machines by an x86 emulator. This emulator translates the x86 machine commands into ARM machine commands in real time. This is time-consuming and slows down performance considerably.

That is why we do not recommend ARM processors.

RAM

In RFEM 6, an attempt is made to start one solver process per processor thread. It is checked beforehand whether sufficient RAM is available. If not, then fewer processes are started and the processor cannot be used optimally.

This means that the optimal amount of RAM depends on the processor type.

Furthermore, the optimal amount of RAM in RFEM depends on the FE mesh of the model, and in RSTAB, on the number of members. Unfortunately, it is not possible to directly determine the amount of memory required from the number of FE nodes or members.

Therefore, only rough guidelines can be given here.

You should provide 1 to 3 GB of RAM per processor thread. Whether the upper limit applies to complex models with solids and surfaces, and the lower limit to smaller spatial frame structures.

For most cases, a computer with 32 GB RAM will be well equipped.

The desktop processors have two memory channels. Each channel should be equipped with only one memory module if possible. Only then will the maximum possible data transfer rate be achieved.

All RAM components should be of the same type.

If the processor can use DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, then we recommend equipping it with DDR5 RAM.

ECC memory, offered in some computers, has no speed-related advantage for RFEM or RSTAB.

If the computer already has the optimal amount of RAM, then adding more RAM will not speed up the calculation of RFEM.

Graphics Card

Any modern graphics card with a GPU from NVIDIA or AMD is suitable for working with RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9. General integrated graphics processors from Intel are not sufficient for RFEM or RSTAB.

RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9 does not require the more expensive NVIDIA Profi cards (formerly called "Quadro"). Instead, we recommend using a "gaming card", for example, a mid-range graphics card with a Geforce RTX 40XX GPU (Ada Lovelace Architecture) or Geforce RTX 50xx-GPU (Blackwell architecture).

If the computer is to be equipped with an AMD graphics card, we recommend a mid-range card with a GPU from the Radeon RX 9000 series or the Radeon RX 7000 series.

The size of the memory on the card is not relevant for RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9.

It is important to maintain or update to the current graphics card driver.

If the computer has a GPU integrated in the processor in addition to the graphics card, it is necessary to ensure that RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9 is actually using the powerful graphics card. In RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9, you can determine the GPU used as follows:

1. Open RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9.
2. Click the Help → System Information menu.
3. Check the entry Graphics Card → Renderer. This GPU is used by the program.

If the correct GPU is not displayed here, it is necessary to assign the correct graphics card in the graphics settings of the Windows control panel RFEM 6 / RSTAB 9.

Screen

The screen should have a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080 pixels. Otherwise, windows may not be displayed completely.

4K monitors are supported.

Mass Storage

A fast connected SSD (preferably via PCIe 5.0) is reasonable. However, this only provides an advantage for the computing speed in exceptional cases. Opening and saving large files will be quicker.

If the SSD has to be partitioned into several logical drives, make sure that there is enough space on the system drive (c:). In the user profile, which is usually available on the c: driver, RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 save large amounts of temporary data during the calculation.

Software

Software running in the background can be detrimental to computing speed.

Antivirus software can slow down the calculation considerably. During the calculation, RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 read and write multiple files into the working folder. It may have a positive effect on the computing speed if you exclude this folder from the real-time monitoring of your antivirus software.

BIOS Update

Experience has shown that firmware on the motherboard did not optimally run on a computer with high RAM. This resulted in a significant reduction in computing speed. If you are utilizing a new board, determine if a BIOS update is available.

Hardware