ETABS PC requirements

[MASTERARIES]

Dear all

Since CSI is useless and searching under the umbrella "Finite Element Analysis" is equally unhelpful, what would be a suitable pc for etabs and would a 64 bit system be more effective regarding v10 which should be released fall this year.

Sincerely

MASTER-ARIES
(MA)

 

[structuresguy]

I have no idea about V10, or 64 bit. But I can tell you that the current version does not support multi-core processors using Windows XP Pro 32 bit.

If I were you, I would call them directly and ask them. They should be able to give you that information.

I sure hope they add multi-core support, but I won't be holding my breath. I also hope they modernize the interface a bit, so that editing the model, and particularly the loading, is made easier.

 

[WillisV]

Multi-processor support is slated for ETABS V10. SAP 12 which was just released already supports multi-processors, though they still have a few bugs to work out.

 

[MASTERARIES]

Yes CSI most helpful not, I know v10 is 64bit capable but when running analysis the cpu is always 100% while the paging file hardly is affected. I don't think v10 is able to use multicore, but at least one can isolate one core for etabs so that one use the pc more efficiently.

But it is unclear if ram is required or cpu what does a FEA program require.

Sincerely

(MA)

 

[WillisV]

Masteraries - ETABS v10 is not released yet - what are you basing your information on? I have run tests on SAP v12 with the new multi-core analysis engine and it is making use of multi-cores.

 

[Diquan]

We just bought SAPv12 in our office, how can i see if the program is using multi-cores?

Diquan

Diquan

 

[drile007]

What are your experiences in running SAPv12 with the new multi-core analysis engine?
I'm planing to buy a new PC...what do you suggest to be the best configuration to run Etabs v10...quad core procesor with 4GB of Ram?

 

[MASTERARIES]

Hi drile007

Ok look my dilemma was that on the x64 amd with 2gb ddr400 that the analysis was taking 7 to 11 hours to process that’s just sad, now regrettably etabs is a helpful as a pig farting, so after mush useless research on the internet with regards frame analysis programs and their requirements, I took a chance and bought the following system that has reduced a 7 hour analysis to 2 and half hours respectively.

Ok Intel by a hairs breath is better at data analysis than AMD ok. Therefore, the Specs are:

Mobo Asus P5Q Deluxe p45 chipset, there is the P5Q3 that supports ddr3: the p45 is the key here hence, it takes full advantage of the 45nm micro processing of the processor.

CPU Intel E8500 45nm
Ram 4 GB 1024x4 dd2 1066
FX 8600GT512 reason being etabs does not really need serious graphics.

Well that is it boys and girls nothing much to it I then loaded windows xp 64 and it runs like a dream.

We will wait and see if etabs 10 delivers, I have a funny feeling they are sticking with 32-bit software but that is my opinion I hope to be proven wrong.

Sincerely

Master-Aries
(MA)

 

[Diquan]

That is true ("I have a funny feeling they are sticking with 32-bit software") they said that SAPv12 works with 64bit and all that stuff but the truth is works exactly the same!

By the way SAPv12 sucks!, for me runs a lot slower than v11, to much stuff to do the same thing!

I've seen other software in a BIM environment working faster!

Diquan

 

[stressed]

SAP V12.0 does have some bugs - mass model error, notional lateral loads not working, and some graphics bugs, but I haven't noticed that it runs slower than V11. Analysis runs the same on my PC between V11 and V12, but generation of the output tables is much faster in V12 than in V11.. although still too slow for large output. CSI says they will release a patch for V12 in the next week or so.

Comparing speed times using BIM software to the speed of SAP or ETABS is like comparing apples with bicycles. They're completely different. One is a design/drafting tool, the others analysis tools.