sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710 
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 8, 2024 20:04:05 GMT
If one is wanting to run larger programs, what is important to look at? RAM? CPU?
DD has a laptop that we got fall '22. She is in architecture. I got what the specs were recommended. But she is wanting to upgrade the specs, if possible. This is what she currently has -
-512 GB -16 GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM (2 x 8 GB) -Intel® Core™ i7-1255U (up to 4.7 GHz, 12 MB L3 cache, 10 cores, 12 threads) + Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics -she runs Windows 11 Pro on it
I'm not sure what runs large programs. Is it memory, speed, etc?
And is it possible to upgrade it? She has an HP Pavilion.
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 8, 2024 20:10:43 GMT
RAM is importing, up to a point. Then speed is important. I am not familiar with PC Specs. They do have fast RAM. Is there someone in her department that can advise on the specs she needs.
|
|
seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,887
Member is Online
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
|
Post by seaexplore on Jul 8, 2024 20:21:37 GMT
Those specs aren't enough to run her programs? Dang! I'd have her ask at her school about it.
I run MacBooks. My most recent is an M2- no idea on the processor speed/number because I forgot, 16GB Solid state Ram, 1TB Solid state HD. I have no problems running Cricut design space, Sure Cuts A Lot, X-Tool Creative Space, Silhouette Studio plus music and multiple windows open I my browser.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 8, 2024 22:15:33 GMT
RAM is importing, up to a point. Then speed is important. I am not familiar with PC Specs. They do have fast RAM. Is there someone in her department that can advise on the specs she needs. Those were the specs put out by the department.
Those specs aren't enough to run her programs? Dang! I'd have her ask at her school about it. I run MacBooks. My most recent is an M2- no idea on the processor speed/number because I forgot, 16GB Solid state Ram, 1TB Solid state HD. I have no problems running Cricut design space, Sure Cuts A Lot, X-Tool Creative Space, Silhouette Studio plus music and multiple windows open I my browser.
These were the specs put out by the department.
I have found the program she is wanting to run and the specs it recommends. I have sent her what her machine has. Told her to ask someone at the firm she is interning at this summer to look and compare. Let her know what she needs to possibly look at getting. We are thinking it has something to do with the graphics card. Which I can't see what her's has based on the specs I am seeing from HP.
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 8, 2024 22:20:59 GMT
So the program is for her work? Shouldn’t they be providing her with what is needed, even if she is an intern.
BTW, 16GB of ram is a lot, even in an Apple world.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 8, 2024 22:30:23 GMT
So the program is for her work? Shouldn’t they be providing her with what is needed, even if she is an intern. BTW, 16GB of ram is a lot, even in an Apple world. She is an architect student. She wants to be able to run this program on her laptop when she is working on projects for her Studio class. It happens to be the same program she is working with this summer. She really likes it. They did provide her the desktop and 2 computer screens  (She is really going to miss that part).
I thought 16GB of ram was a lot too. That's why I am thinking it has to be her graphics card.
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 8, 2024 22:54:58 GMT
sweetpeasmom So it sounds like something like AutoCAD?! Yeah, those are memory hogs. I think you can go all the up to 32GB for those programs. Is there someone she knows in the IT department where she is interning? Maybe she could ask them.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 8, 2024 23:05:28 GMT
sweetpeasmom So it sounds like something like AutoCAD?! Yeah, those are memory hogs. I think you can go all the up to 32GB for those programs. Is there someone she knows in the IT department where she is interning? Maybe she could ask them. It's a rendering program - Enscape.
Not sure about an IT department perse. It's a very small firm (8 employees in the office).
I did just find the recommended and supported specs on Enscape's website. It says unsupported hardware - Intel Integrated Graphics onboard GPU’s. She has an Intel Iris Xe Graphics. She hasn't tried running this program yet on her laptop. She has tried running Lumion and it won't.
One of the partners is pretty tech savvy. I told her to ask him to help her figure it out. My gut is telling me we'll be purchasing a new machine this year  |
|
|
|
Post by its me mg on Jul 9, 2024 4:18:27 GMT
Honestly 16GB is not a lot of RAM for her purposes. For word processing and surfing the web, sure but just boosting up that ram will be a game changer. RAM is cheap to buy and really easy to DIY as far as upgrade go.
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 9, 2024 6:37:47 GMT
I meant to post this earlier, but have her look for a message board for that software. I am pretty sure there must be one, maybe on Reddit. Have her post the specs of her computer and ask for advice and I am sure she’ll get lots of advice from other users on what kind of machine she needs.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 9, 2024 11:44:04 GMT
I meant to post this earlier, but have her look for a message board for that software. I am pretty sure there must be one, maybe on Reddit. Have her post the specs of her computer and ask for advice and I am sure she’ll get lots of advice from other users on what kind of machine she needs. That’s a great idea. Thank you! |
|
|
|
Post by mom on Jul 9, 2024 12:25:14 GMT
Honestly 16GB is not a lot of RAM for her purposes. For word processing and surfing the web, sure but just boosting up that ram will be a game changer. RAM is cheap to buy and really easy to DIY as far as upgrade go. For Ensuite, 8GB is the bare minimum and 16 GB is recommended. For more detailed projects she will need at least 10GB of VRAM. |
|
|
|
Post by yivit on Jul 9, 2024 12:26:06 GMT
My son is a lighting designer and he gets a gaming laptop since their specs are the same or close to what's needed. RAM and graphics are the biggies for him.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bridget in MD on Jul 10, 2024 12:34:25 GMT
I was thinking maybe bump up her RAM to 32GB, and maybe her graphics card? I would def ask over on reddit too!
|
|
|
|
Post by babylou on Jul 10, 2024 14:27:29 GMT
16 GB is not a lot of RAM anymore when Windows minimum requirement is 8 GB just to run their operating system. I would recommend upgrading the RAM (memory) to 32 GB.
Also, as others have said, if you are trying to run any type of CAD or rendering software, built in graphics will not keep up. Iris Intel Graphics (Which is what you listed above) will probably not be good enough. You need a laptop with an independent graphics card.
The Processor (CPU) that you listed should be quite good for what she is doing. The onboard graphics are the main issue.
RAM is cheap and easy to upgrade. But, a laptop with an actual graphics card is going to be quite a bit more expensive. Just an fyi I guess.
If you have any other questions, or if I didn't explain things well enough, let me know!
|
|
|
|
Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 10, 2024 15:35:24 GMT
I'd bump up the RAM. I'm sure the CPU is fine. Some of those programs may be helped by a better graphics card. Not familiar with the Intel ones. I know my son just upgraded his Nvidia one - he also runs 64 GB of RAM for reference - it's cheap, so might as well max it out according to him. The GPU was much pricier.
|
|
caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,735
Location: So Cal
|
Post by caangel on Jul 10, 2024 16:33:12 GMT
Fyi not sure if it is still an issue but when DH was building a desktop for my son a year or two ago sourcing an upgraded graphics card was an issue (he has several graphic programs and CAD for school and fun). They were very expensive and out of stock at a lot of places. Hopefully they are easier to come by now.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 11, 2024 23:25:29 GMT
16 GB is not a lot of RAM anymore when Windows minimum requirement is 8 GB just to run their operating system. I would recommend upgrading the RAM (memory) to 32 GB. Also, as others have said, if you are trying to run any type of CAD or rendering software, built in graphics will not keep up. Iris Intel Graphics (Which is what you listed above) will probably not be good enough. You need a laptop with an independent graphics card. The Processor (CPU) that you listed should be quite good for what she is doing. The onboard graphics are the main issue. RAM is cheap and easy to upgrade. But, a laptop with an actual graphics card is going to be quite a bit more expensive. Just an fyi I guess. If you have any other questions, or if I didn't explain things well enough, let me know! So I'm guessing we won't be able to do anything about the graphics card on the current machine? |
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 12, 2024 0:25:46 GMT
So I'm guessing we won't be able to do anything about the graphics card on the current machine? Most GPUs on a laptop are not upgradable. They are soldered into the motherboard. There are external GPUs but I don't know how much they cost. |
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 12, 2024 0:33:18 GMT
I know she is a student and needs a laptop for school, but maybe instead of a new laptop get a desktop system for her room. Desktop systems are much more expandable in both RAM and Graphics.
|
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 12, 2024 0:37:44 GMT
I know she is a student and needs a laptop for school, but maybe instead of a new laptop get a desktop system for her room. Desktop systems are much more expandable in both RAM and Graphics. That is something we can look at. She is wanting a monitor for her desk in her room so she can use it when she's working on sketches.
The only draw back would be she couldn't necessarily work on the renderings using one of those programs if she is working in studio.
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 12, 2024 0:44:30 GMT
The only draw back would be she couldn't necessarily work on the renderings using one of those programs if she is working in studio. Do you mean in a lab on campus? She could put the files on a portable EHD and take it with her to the lab. ETA - And I am assuming the lab has computers setup with the available software on them. |
|
sweetpeasmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,710
|
Post by sweetpeasmom on Jul 12, 2024 1:07:21 GMT
The only draw back would be she couldn't necessarily work on the renderings using one of those programs if she is working in studio. Do you mean in a lab on campus? She could put the files on a portable EHD and take it with her to the lab. ETA - And I am assuming the lab has computers setup with the available software on them. No, it's not a computer lab. It's their class that they work on 1-3 projects per semester. They use their own personal laptops.
They are given perimeters for the project then they design it. From sketching it out, to creating the "blue prints", creating and building a model and creating printouts to pin up. They will present their finished project to a jury.
She has been doing this on her laptop but wants to be able to use one of the 2 programs for the renderings that I mentioned. Not sure what she has been using up to now. She has been using a new one this summer at her internship and she really likes it. Honestly, I would like to see her be able to use this particular program bc that means the firm may ask her to do some one offs remotely.
|
|
|
|
Post by katlady on Jul 12, 2024 1:13:59 GMT
Oh, ok! I know that some classes are held in computer rooms and kids can either use their own laptops or they can use the computers in the room.
Good luck on whatever you decide to do! It does sound like an investment in her future!
|
|
|
|
Post by AussieMeg on Jul 12, 2024 1:26:17 GMT
Honestly 16GB is not a lot of RAM for her purposes. For word processing and surfing the web, sure but just boosting up that ram will be a game changer. RAM is cheap to buy and really easy to DIY as far as upgrade go. For Ensuite, 8GB is the bare minimum and 16 GB is recommended. For more detailed projects she will need at least 10GB of VRAM. Same for Photoshop. A couple of years ago, the minimum requirement for Photoshop went up from 4GB to 8GB. I only had 4GB on my PC, so I had to run an old version of Photoshop. I have 8GB on my MacBook. If I could have afforded it, I would have gone with the 16GB model, but it was way out of my price range. |
|
|
|
Post by snugglebutter on Jul 12, 2024 2:47:03 GMT
Honestly 16GB is not a lot of RAM for her purposes. For word processing and surfing the web, sure but just boosting up that ram will be a game changer. RAM is cheap to buy and really easy to DIY as far as upgrade go.
Yes. DD's university requires a minimum of 16GB for engineering students and she is getting 32.
|
|
(She is really going to miss that part). 
