In general, it is difficult to make blanket statements about optimal hardware. It always depends on the models of calculations you wish to perform. The following notes will help you configure a computer suitable for your purposes.
Processor
Calculations in RFEM benefit from multiple processing cores. However, keep in mind that more cores are not always better.
If the calculation is distributed across a very large number of cores, data traffic increases. The connections between the cores and memory then increasingly become a bottleneck.
The optimal number is around 20 cores. How far this shifts depends heavily on the type of model being analyzed.
Specifically, we recommend one of the following processors:
- Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
- Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
- Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF
- Intel Core Ultra 5 250K Plus
- Intel Core Ultra 5 250KF Plus
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X
- AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- AMD Ryzen 9 9900X
The suffix “KF” or “F” indicates Intel processors without an integrated GPU. They cost slightly less than the corresponding models with a GPU. Since we advise against using the integrated Intel GPU in RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 anyway, these models are therefore highly recommended.
All modern processors dynamically adjust their clock speed to the computational load (Intel calls this “Turbo Boost,” AMD calls it “Precision Boost”). The governing factors here are the processor’s utilization, power consumption, and, above all, temperature. Effective cooling can therefore noticeably improve computational performance. We therefore recommend a generously sized case and a high-performance CPU cooler.
Workstation Processors
In addition to desktop and laptop processors, AMD and Intel provide what are known as workstation processors. AMD calls this class “Threadripper,” while Intel calls it “Xeon W.”
They differ from desktop processors primarily in their significantly higher number of cores and their ability to address substantially more RAM. An AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9995WX, for example, has 96 cores and can address up to 2 TB of RAM via eight memory channels.
RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 run smoothly on such processors. However, the performance gain over a desktop processor is limited and justifies the significantly higher price only in exceptional cases.
If you are editing very demanding models where many load combinations can be calculated in parallel, we recommend one of the following processors:
- Ryzen Threadripper 9960X
- Ryzen Threadripper 9970X
These two processors have 24 and 32 cores, respectively, all of which are performance cores. They also feature four memory channels. This doubles the possible memory bandwidth compared to a desktop system.
Processors with ARM Architecture
Recently, processors based on ARM architecture have been appearing, particularly in the notebook sector—for example, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X.
They differ fundamentally from Intel and AMD’s x86 processors because their instruction set is not compatible with the x86 instruction set. It is necessary to recompile software so that it can run natively on ARM processors. RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 are currently only available in x86 versions and would run on ARM computers via an emulator. This emulator translates x86 machine instructions into ARM machine instructions in real time. This takes time and slows down processing performance.
We therefore do not recommend using ARM processors for RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.
RAM
RFEM 6 starts a separate solver process for each processor thread whenever possible. Before doing so, it checks whether sufficient RAM is available. If there is not enough RAM, fewer processes are started, and the processor cannot be utilized to its full capacity.
The optimal amount of memory therefore depends on the processor being used.
It also depends on the model itself—in RFEM, on the FE mesh, and in RSTAB, on the number of members. However, the memory requirements cannot be directly derived from the number of FE nodes or members.
We can therefore only provide rough guidelines.
You should allocate 1 to 3 GB of RAM per processor thread. The upper value applies to complex models with solid bodies and surfaces, while the lower value applies to smaller frame & truss structures.
For the processors recommended above, this results in the following values: An Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus with 24 threads requires 24 to 72 GB, while an AMD Ryzen 9 9950X with 32 threads requires 32 to 96 GB.
Desktop processors have two memory channels. Each channel should ideally be equipped with only one module, as this is the only way to achieve the maximum data transfer rate. Therefore, it is best to configure 64 GB using two 32 GB modules.
All memory modules should be of the same type.
If the processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, we recommend DDR5.
ECC memory, as offered for some workstations, provides no performance benefit for RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.
Once the optimal memory size has been reached, adding more RAM will not speed up the calculation.
Graphics Card
Any modern graphics card with an NVIDIA or AMD GPU is suitable for use with RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.
We do not recommend using the graphics units integrated into Intel processors. The reason is not so much their performance as the drivers’ insufficient OpenGL support.
We also advise against using the more expensive professional graphics cards with NVIDIA GPUs (formerly known as “Quadro”). Here, too, the quality of the OpenGL drivers is the reason, as they can cause crashes. Instead, we recommend a “gaming card,” such as a mid-range model with a GeForce RTX 40XX GPU (Ada Lovelace architecture) or a GeForce RTX 50XX GPU (Blackwell architecture).
Graphics cards with an AMD GPU, as well as Ryzen processors with integrated graphics, are also well-suited. We recommend a mid-range model with a GPU from the Radeon RX 9000 series or the Radeon RX 7000 series.
The size of the graphics memory is not relevant for RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.
If your computer has both a dedicated graphics card and a GPU integrated into the processor, you should ensure that RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 are actually using the more powerful graphics card. To determine which GPU is being used, follow these steps:
- Open RFEM 6 or RSTAB 9.
- Select Help > System Information from the menu.
- Check the Graphics Card > Renderer entry. The GPU displayed there is the one being used by the program.
If the desired GPU is not displayed, assign the correct graphics card to the program in the Windows graphics settings.
Monitor
The monitor should have a resolution of at least 1920 x 1080 pixels. Otherwise, individual windows may not be displayed in their entirety.
4K monitors are supported by RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9.
Mass Storage
A fast SSD, preferably connected via PCIe 5.0, is recommended. However, it only offers a performance advantage in exceptional cases. Opening and saving large files is significantly faster with it, though.
If it is necessary to split the SSD into multiple logical drives, make sure that there is sufficient space remaining on the system drive (C:). During the calculation, RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 store large amounts of temporary data in the user profile, which is typically located on drive C:. If possible, you should avoid partitioning the drive altogether.
Software
Software running in the background can also have a significant impact on the calculation speed.
Antivirus software, in particular, can slow down the calculation considerably. During the calculation, RFEM 6 and RSTAB 9 write a large number of files to the working folder and read them back. Excluding this folder from real-time monitoring can therefore have a positive effect on the calculation speed.
BIOS Update
Feedback from real-world use has shown that the motherboard firmware does not always function optimally on computers with a large amount of RAM. This has resulted in a significantly reduced calculation speed. If you are using a very new motherboard, you should therefore check whether a BIOS update is available.