How to Benchmark Your PC for SolidWorks
Whether you’re just getting started with SolidWorks or have been using it for years, benchmarking your PC for SolidWorks is a tool used for preventative maintenance and repeatable equipment evaluations. Benchmarking is an important system diagnostic as your computer’s SolidWorks performance can now be quantified and compared to other SolidWorks users. The SolidWorks benchmark test can be done as needed; here at Perception Engineering, we benchmark all of our laptops and workstations every six months to constantly improve our equipment and justify new purchases if performance starts to decrease.
Before setting up the benchmark test it is recommended to restart your computer and closeout every application as the results may be altered if background applications are running. To benchmark your computer, SolidWorks includes an application called SolidWorks Performance Test in the computer search icon at the bottom of your screen. Another way to get to the benchmarking test is to search for SolidWorks RX in the Windows start bar.
Figure 1: SolidWorks RX
If the Benchmark tab is not visible then click the left/right arrows on the right-hand side to find the icon, and if by chance the benchmark tab is still not visible then select the “+” to create a new tab.
Figure 2: Start Benchmark
In the Benchmark tab, again be sure there are no other applications running except for the SolidWorks RX application, start the benchmark. The Rendering checkbox will take a photo-realistic render of the test model and the Benchmark score will be the time required for the render to finish. Additionally, the Simulation checkbox evaluates the time required to run a study with varying factors that will act upon a model.
Figure 3: Running the Benchmark
The optional tests will make the test longer, so I recommend running the test during your lunch hour or after hours as the computer will be busy running for 50min if all the checkboxes are marked. Once the test is complete, the computer performance time will appear and give you the option to publish your results online to compare it to others.
Figure 4: Performance Results
· Graphics: Computers ability to pan, zoom, and rotate the model without lag.
· Processor: Computers’ ability to execute SolidWorks-related functions. A fast time means SolidWorks features will not take long to execute.
· I/O: Computer’s ability to save, open, and rebuild SolidWorks files on the local hard drive. The benchmark does not test for files on a network or PDM vault.
· Rendering: Time it takes for a photo-realistic render of the test model to finish.
· RealView Performance: Similar to Graphics but with RealView Graphics turned on. SolidWorks requires an approved video graphics card before running the benchmark.
· Simulation: Time required to run a study with varying factors that will act upon a model.
The results from the test will categorize each of the tests run into Graphics, Processor, and I/O to give an Overall Score. Additional tests can be run that will not be included in the overall score. To compare your score to other SolidWorks users go to: https://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/shareyourscore.htm, the Share Your Score page will specify what graphics card and computer hardware was used. This will aid in what CPU types are best for SolidWorks.
Table 1: Performance Benchmark Test Scores
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