Specs for new Laptop

[KevinMyers]

Hello, 

 

I am experiencing a lot of lag/program freezing up when working on plans that include several rooms (with detailed cabinetry, windows, doors, mouldings, appliances, etc.)  The roof, framing, and foundations are all default settings though, as we mostly do designs showing only the area being remodeled, and don't typcially do a whole house plan.  I'm thinking maybe I need to upgrade my laptop.  The one I am using is well above the minimum requirements listed on the Chief website.  Does anyone have a laptop they are using that works with no lag?  If so, would you care to share the specs? 

 

Thank you 

[DBCooper]

Before you run out and buy new hardware, you might want to look here:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00521/troubleshooting-slowness-in-chief-architect-projects.html

 

If you do decide on a new machine, I would ignore the min system specs and I would shoot for something that is as good (if not better) than the "recommended" specs:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/products/sysreq.html

 

You might also want to check out the Chief blog article here:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/blog/computer-for-design-and-gaming/

 

[para-CAD]

Does it have to be a laptop?

 

Good gaming rigs seem to work well.

 

FalconNW

https://www.falcon-nw.com/laptops/drx

[Rpadge]

What do you have now? When are you seeing lag currently? Do you use PBR (3d renderings etc)? What’s your budget?

[KevinMyers]

Thanks for the replies!

 

No, it doesn't have to be a laptop, but a laptop is much more convenient. 

 

This is what I have now: 

ROG Strix G713PV

AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX with Radeon Graphics (2.50 GHz)

32 GB RAM

 

 

I typically see lag when I have a 3D view open (or more than one open) and then am making edits on objects.  Sometimes the program will freeze up and I'll have to close it.  

I don't have a budget decided yet.... just need something that works without the lag.  So I guess whatever it takes to be able to keep working efficiently. 

[Rpadge]

You didnt mention which graphics card, but if I do a search it appears you may have a RTX4060 gpu. Thats not a bad card, so I wonder if you have something else going on. I am assuming these problems happen with all your files, (not just one) so you may try updating the graphics driver.

 

GPU will be one of the most important features to look for.

Personally, if I were buying a new laptop, I would look for a 4080, or a 5080 gpu, and maybe drop down to a 5070. I would stay away form any xx60 card (4060, 5060). I have a 4070 and it still performs pretty well. Theres a lot of good laptops with those specs for less than 2K.

 

[KevinMyers]

Yes, that is the GPU I have -RTX4060.  It happens on all the plans that are "bigger".  More rooms, more objects, etc.  

 

Thank you, appreciate your thoughts! 

[SHCanada2]

if you did what DBcooper suggested and it is still slow, I could check on my laptop to see if I get the same issue

[KevinMyers]

I did do some of the troubleshooting on the article that DBCooper linked.  It seems like maybe something I did helped a bit, but there is still definitely lag.  Maybe I need to be more aware of how many cameras I have open at once and make sure I close out of the ones I'm not using.  It seems like before I would have a hundred things open at once and had no issue. 

 

Do any of you run into issues when you import 3D models from manufacturer's websites, such as Subzero?  It seems like that could be the issue.  Some of them have a lot more "faces" than the basic Chief appliances from the library. 

[Joe_Carrick]

This sounds to me like a problem with updating 3D which is probably set to "Update Allways"

[SHCanada2]

I find if a 3D camera is open in a tab, that CA will slow down, even if you are not on that 3D camera tab,

 

 

Edited Friday at 06:07 PM by SHCanada2

[DBCooper]

See this section in the help article:

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/support/article/KB-00521/troubleshooting-slowness-in-chief-architect-projects.html#3D

 

Quote

 

Avoid working with multiple 3D camera views open. Every time you make a change to the plan, the program will redraw the entire model. Depending on the complexity of the design, this may take a long time.

 

So yes, having a bunch of 3D camera views open can cause lag.

 

 

Quote

Avoid importing 3D objects from outside sources that have a large number of complex surfaces, as these can significantly slow down camera views.

 

So yes, importing symbols from outside sources that have high surface counts can cause lag.

 

So my guess is that most of the lag you're seeing has to do with what you have in your plan.  If you want to see if upgrading your hardware will make a big enough difference to justify the cost, you could post a plan that is slow on your computer and other people can try it and let you know how long it takes on their machines.  

 

[Doug_N]

Also along with other suggestions, I find that the nVidea studio version of the graphics driver works better for CA than the gaming version. 

[para-CAD]

My new M4 Max ($$) works great.  

Apple is finally getting into hardware driven PBR.  

I don't need renders but many seem to.  

Windows machines are still ahead on that for now, 

 

Good luck with your choice.