Recommended Studio Hardware

For dashboard creators.

Graphics Platform Compatibility

Row64 Studio is compatible with almost all PCs and laptops. Vulkan support is better and allows running advanced features like GeoAnalysis. When Vulkan is not available, Row64 Studio will display using DirectX 11.

Integrated GPUs: Vulkan Support

If you experience issues with Vulkan, find the latest recommended driver version here:
https://vulkan.gpuinfo.org/

Test Row64 Vulkan Support

You can reveal which Graphics API is being used by selecting the question mark in the top right of Studio.

Hardware Recommendations

Any recent laptop or PC will run Row64 Studio. Integrated GPUs are improving, and a dedicated GPU is only required for unusually heavy workloads.

The following sections provide ideas on hardware that we have tested to be exceptional for running Row64 and pushing the limits on speed, scale, and portability.

Laptop Ideas for Portability

Integrated GPUs now run Row64 very well and are much lighter than a graphics card. We found that we could load GeoAnalysis with an ASUS Vivobook 16" laptop. We tested the AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU using only the on-chip GPU.

This model is inexpensive, costing under $1,000 and weighing 3.31 lbs.

Intel iGPU

Integrated GPUs (iGPUs) have improved dramatically over the past two years. Intel iGPUs work great with Row64, and we tested them extensively. For example, both the Intel Vivobooks and Mini-PCs are good choices for Row64.

In general, when selecting a chip with an iGPU, newer is better. The very best is the latest generation of chips from Intel or AMD.

Row64 works with many Intel graphcis technologies, but Iris Xe is currently the best:
https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/docs/discrete-gpus/iris-xe-integrated-graphics/overview.html

Professional Data Workstation

While there are many brands to consider when looking for a professional data workstation, in general, a top Row64 setup will have a good GPU, CPU, and 32GB RAM or more. Such workstations are typically sold for CAD, video editing, 3D graphics, or machine learning / AI.

DigitalStorm is one place you can get one of these workstations, but there are many others besides this.
https://www.digitalstorm.com/workstations-data-science.asp

Maximum Power: 9950X(3D) or 7950X(3D)

We ran many of our performance tests and demos on the AMD 7950X(3D). This model has 144MB of L3 cache, which accelerates Studio since it often loads data out of L3 instead of RAM. A 3090 or 4090 GPU nicely complements this CPU.

Depending on workloads, the 7950X or 9950X can be a great balance between cost and productivity, versus the XD counterparts, which have more L3 cache.

These are great options for making dashboards with many layers of dense data, such as GEO.

Portable and Low Cost Mini PC

A mini PC is probably the best value option for running Vulkan and Studio. For around $500, you get a good integrated GPU and a CPU that runs Studio well. We often use the Minisforum Venus UM790 Pro Mini PC with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU. This can be coupled with a cheap portable monitor.

Lowering Workstation Cost

For enterprise and larger companies, working with their preferred workstation vendors is essential. For smaller companies or startups that need to lower cost, it is possible to get a good Studio workstation with high power and a lower cost. The idea is to get cheaper gaming hardware, where price is extremely competitive, and convert it into a Studio workstation or Row64 Server.

If you don't have experience building your own hardware, CyberPowerPC is reliable and good at shipping.
https://www.cyberpowerpc.com/