AutoCAD requires a modern computer system with specific hardware and software specifications to perform efficiently. The minimum and recommended system requirements differ slightly depending on the version (e.g., 2022, 2025, or later). Below is a summary of the typical requirements, with an emphasis on recent versions (2022–2025):
- Operating System: 64-bit Windows 11 or Windows 10 version 1809 or higher; macOS Monterey v12 (2022.2 update), Big Sur v11, Catalina v10.15, or Mojave v10.14 for Mac[1][2][3].
- Processor: Minimum 2.5–2.9 GHz processor; 3+ GHz or higher recommended, with 8 logical cores preferred for best performance. ARM processors are not supported[1][2][3].
- Memory (RAM): 8 GB minimum for basic tasks; 16–32 GB recommended for complex projects or specialized toolsets. Mac requires 4 GB for simple projects, 8 GB minimum for moderate, and 16 GB recommended[1][2][3].
- Graphics Card: Minimum 1–2 GB GPU with 29 GB/s bandwidth, DirectX 11 compliant; 4–8 GB GPU with 106 GB/s bandwidth and DirectX 12 compliance recommended. True Color and high-resolution (up to 4K) display support is recommended for best results[1][2][3].
- Display Resolution: Minimum 1920 x 1080 resolution with True Color; higher resolutions (up to 3840 x 2160 for 4K) supported with appropriate hardware[2][3].
- Storage: 10 GB free disk space for installation; specialized toolsets may require up to 21 GB. SSD storage is strongly recommended for improved performance[1][2][3].
- Other Requirements: .NET Framework 4.8 or later (.NET 8 in newer versions), MS-Mouse compliant pointing device, internet connection for software activation[3][6].
- Specialized Toolsets: Some specialized AutoCAD toolsets (e.g., Map 3D, Electrical, Architecture, MEP, Plant 3D) have higher memory and disk space requirements (16–32 GB RAM and 12–21 GB disk space recommended)[2][5].
- Additional Requirements for Mac: 4 GB minimum RAM, but 8–16 GB recommended; 4 GB free disk space for installation; 64-bit Intel CPU or Apple Silicon[1].
Meeting or exceeding these recommended specifications ensures smooth operation and the ability to handle large, complex drawings, 3D modeling, and multitasking. Insufficient hardware can lead to performance bottlenecks, especially when working with high-resolution displays, large datasets, or multiple specialized toolsets.
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