5 Best Desktop Computers for Solidworks (2025)

In this guide, we focus on supporting engineers, product designers, and CAD professionals who work with SolidWorks on a daily basis. Our goal is to help you choose a desktop computer that can handle parametric modeling, large assemblies, complex simulations, and real-time rendering without compromise. If your productivity, accuracy, and client deadlines depend on how quickly and reliably your machine runs SolidWorks, this guide is for you.

Crashes, slow rebuilds, or viewport lag stall design validation and interrupt innovation. SolidWorks is powerful, but only when paired with the right hardware.

Design work with SolidWorks brings unique challenges. It’s a single-threaded application for core modeling tasks—which means high CPU clock speed matters more than a high core count. However, rendering and simulations do benefit from multiple threads. Then there’s GPU acceleration, which only kicks in during real-view graphics or when using add-ons like Visualize. You need a system tuned for SolidWorks’ hybrid demands, not one built generically for gaming or even video editing.

We’ve built this guide to show you what to prioritize. Below, we walk you through the most important hardware criteria, explain how each one affects your SolidWorks workflow, and recommend minimum specifications that you should not fall below. These criteria include Processor, Graphics Card, RAM, Storage, Cooling & Power Delivery, and ISV Certification Support.

Let’s begin with what should top your checklist.

Processor (CPU)
SolidWorks is highly reliant on single-threaded performance for core modeling, sketching, and rebuilding tasks. You’ll benefit most from high base clock speeds, ideally above 4.5GHz. CPUs like the Intel Core i9-14900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D excel here. For simulation-heavy workloads, where multithreading helps, these same CPUs still hold their ground due to their hybrid core architecture. Slow CPUs result in delays when modifying features, regenerating models, or rotating assemblies. You want quick response across the board.

Graphics Card (GPU)
SolidWorks uses the GPU primarily for real-time viewport rendering (RealView, Ambient Occlusion, shadows), and for add-ons like SolidWorks Visualize or PhotoView 360. The best choice? NVIDIA RTX-series cards with professional drivers—especially the RTX A2000, A4000, or A5000, which are workstation-grade. These cards are certified by Dassault Systèmes and ensure stability and compatibility.

RAM
When working with large assemblies or simulation data, RAM quickly becomes a bottleneck. We recommend at least 32GB, and 64GB if you routinely work with multi-gigabyte assemblies or run SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium. Low memory causes stuttering, slow loading times, and even software crashes, especially when multitasking with Excel, PDM, or third-party tools open.

Storage
Speed and reliability matter. Your system should have an NVMe SSD for OS, SolidWorks, and active project files—1TB minimum. A secondary SSD or high-speed HDD (2TB or larger) can store archives, reference files, and backups. Working directly from a slow drive impacts part opening times, assembly rebuilds, and simulation read/write operations.

Cooling & Power Delivery
CAD work isn’t as GPU-intensive as gaming, but CPU thermals can spike during long rebuilds or batch simulations. A desktop with a robust cooling system, clean airflow, and quiet fans maintains performance without thermal throttling. Consistent power delivery, via a high-efficiency PSU (Platinum or Gold-rated), also ensures component longevity and stability under full load.

We’ll be highlighting a selection of desktop computers built for SolidWorks, systems engineered for CAD, simulation, and rendering. We cover high-performance setups for simulation engineers, mid-range models for design-focused professionals, and accessible workstations for those getting started with CAD-heavy workflows.

If you’re designing mechanical assemblies, simulating mechanical loads, rendering photorealistic models, or preparing documentation that reflects dimensional accuracy, these desktops will match your technical ambition.

Also look at the best desktop computers for CATIA in addition to the latest top MATLAB desktop pcs.

These are the Best Desktop Computers for SolidWorks;

Corsair Vengeance a8100 Series Gaming PC - Liquid Cooled AMD Ryzen 9 7950X CPU - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
Processor Speed	‎4.5 GHz
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU
Graphics Card Memory	24 GB
RAM	64GB
Storage Space	4TB (2X 2TB) M.2 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	‎25.63 x 24.25 x 13.86 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Sold Separately
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Performance, storage
Disadvantages	n/a

CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC, Intel Core i9-14900KF 3.2GHz, GeForce RTX 4090 24GB, 64GB DDR5, 2TB NVMe SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i9-14900KF
Processor Speed	3.2GHz
GPU	GeForce RTX 4090
Graphics Card Memory	24GB
RAM	64GB DDR5
Storage Space	2TB NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	‎21.6 x 20.7 x 12.1 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Included
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Performance
Disadvantages	n/a

CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC, Intel Core i9-13900KF 3.0GHz, GeForce RTX 4070 12GB, 16GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i9-13900KF
Processor Speed	3.0GHz
GPU	GeForce RTX 4070
Graphics Card Memory	12GB
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	21.85 x 21.26 x 16.14 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Included
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Performance.
Disadvantages	Storage

Thermaltake Reactor 380 Liquid-Cooled PC (AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, RTX 3080, 16GB 3600Mhz
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
Processor Speed	‎3.8 Ghz
GPU	RTX 3080
Graphics Card Memory	10 GB
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	1TB
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	‎14 x 14 x 24 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Sold Separately
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Performance, Price
Disadvantages	Storage

Skytech Gaming Nebula Gaming PC Desktop – Intel Core i5 13400F 2.5 GHz, NVIDIA RTX 4060, 1TB NVME SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i5 13400F
Processor Speed	2.5 GHz
GPU	NVIDIA RTX 4060
Graphics Card Memory	8 GB
RAM	16GB DDR4
Storage Space	1TB NVME SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	‎22.5 x 20.5 x 13.5 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Sold Separately
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	Design and Build
Disadvantages	Storage

Corsair Vengeance i7500 Series Gaming PC - Liquid Cooled Intel Core i7 14700KF CPU - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070Ti GPU - 32GB
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CPU	Intel Core i7 14700KF
Processor Speed	‎3.4 GHz
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070Ti
Graphics Card Memory	‎12 GB
RAM	32GB
Storage Space	1TB M.2 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Dimensions	17.8 x 9.1 x 18.3 inches
Keyboard & Mouse	Sold Separately
Computer Monitor	Sold Separately
Advantages	design and performance
Disadvantages	Storage

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