Revit 2013 Performance

[muneshyne21]

I finally got my Surface Pro 2 256gb tablet back from Microsoft (I got a refurb since I had problems with my first one) and managed to install Revit 2013. Yup it works. I have a 4300u model. Here are my findings:

-The sample project loads up just fine. Panning in 3D works without shuddering or hesitating.
-I loaded up a 32mb model (with a ton of components and in-place families loaded in). Everything works fine.
-Rendering seems to work fairly quickly but I have to admit my models weren't set up with a lot of materials assigned.
-Even on Medium rendering the fan didn't kick in but the tablet did start heating up. Prolonged usage may result in a loss in performance but why would this be your main REVIT computer really?! I can only assume a Surface Pro 3 will start backing down the processor faster and the fans will kick in sooner thus lowering the performance. Surface Pro 2 FTW!!!

UPDATE:
-I loaded up a larger 110mb file of a 64 unit apartment complex with a ton of model-in-place components. It took about 7-8 minutes to convert the file from 2010 format to a 2013. When the file finished it loaded up fine. It took about 30 seconds to load. Panning is choppy but it does pan. The same goes with zooming and scrolling. On normal 2D views everything works fairly well. I didnt have enough time to render but Im sure it would be slow but tolerable. All in all...in a pinch it could handle a 100mb model if you just need to print sheets or change annotations. Manipulating the model is doable but it may be a little too jerkey and test your patience. I would bet that the fans would be roaring in no time. As a reference, this model even made a Mac Pro with 2 core-2-quads and upgraded dedicated workstation graphics card sweat a little. Ultimately this scrappy little tablet reminds of The Little Engine That Could.

Conclusions:
The Surface Pro 2 can easily handle Revit if you are working on small-medium projects. I think I have a 150+mb model somewhere I can test. I'll update my post later on that. I'm not sure what kind of performance hit you will have if you are also running an extra screen or two while docked or connected to a hub. I can test that later. I have a docking station at my friends house. The Haswell processor and GPU 4400 really impress me. If you need to use Revit in a pinch the Surface Pro 2 256gb can handle it. Lastly a full sized mouse is mandatory but that is somewhat a given. A type cover will suffice for your keyboard.

 

[Laura Knotek]

What is Revit?

 

[muneshyne21]

Revit is a pretty processor and graphic intensive architecture modeling software. If a computer can handle revit, it can handle most other rendering software like 3D Studio Max, Maya or CAD. Im pretty impressed how well the Surface pro 2 handles Revit. I thought it would struggle. I think the 8gb of ram makes a huge difference. The 4gb versions may have more trouble with it especially with larger projects. Honestly, i think larger projects like multistory apartments, schools or entire malls may overload even the 8gb pro 2s

 

[andy roddy]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing the positive experience. I'd like to know if someone has actually found an upper limit in revit for the 8gb version.

 

[muneshyne21]

I think the 110mb file I used was pretty much the tolerable upper limit to the SP2 256gb model. If you only work in 2d views, you might be able to work on larger files but the moment you try to pan in the 3d view you might crash the program.

 

[_Emi_]

I clicked the thread because I found it interesting someone mentioned it.

one thing about what you said when yo usaid "3ds max" I am sure not even Surface pro 10 would run it fine. I use it, like it, and hate when people say it's not good enough because most vfx studios don't use it. but it's currently the best 3d software in my opinion and it's sad how Autodesk hasn't given the love it deserves the fixes. but yeah while it runs decently it could run better if Autodesk worked in making it faster and better, I don't know what they do with directx11 but it's not something impressive but in 2015 it's better than previous Nitrous versions
it was just like something I thought, not like it has to do with your thread.

I used to use revit since 3dsmax has the revit importer thing. but never too much, still it's good for people who wants to use Surface pro for these kind of things. maybe Surface pro 4 will be able to run all these heavy software like a pro computer. it's sad people never pay attention to these things and think it's too heavy and too thick just because it has a MS logo on it.
I wish I had Access to surfaces around here so I could test 3dsmax and all, but it's not so cheap to import and not a real need yet. but it's nice to see someone using it for heavy stuff and show how superior a Surface pro can be to other tablets in many ways.

 

[muneshyne21]

Yeah, it really shows how far intel has come in both CPU power and internal graphics. I'm impressed. True it can't replace a workstation desktop when doing major renderings or modeling but for smaller projects, it actually can. It'll be several more iterations before it can replace a workstation. Maybe they can have a more extreme hybrid cpu that can really turn up the juice when plugged in but can throttle it down for better battery life when on battery.

 

[RTGent]

Aren't you guys now talking about extra-ordinary performance requirements? I had to turn to Computer upgrade king to get a PC that included the components and capacity (overclocked i7, 16gb, etc.) I needed/wanted to run extra large databases on Access, Excel, Minitab, etc.. I can do a lot of Access, etc. work on my i5 portables, very satisfactorily, but I still expect to require after-market and non-portable solutions for "workstation" work. Most importantly, I'm not going to compromise on the portability (weight, size, & battery life, primarily) of my portable tools. Maybe I can't imagine the hybrid chip and other possibilities, but I wouldn't want a Surface that would require a bigger, loud fan, nor an external power supply, for instance.

 

[muneshyne21]

Im looking more at the near future end goal: A fanless cpu/gpu that has workstation performance and efficiency that will make it last 10 hours on a single charge at full load. Hmmm...yeah... you may be right _Emi_ we may have to wait for the Surface Pro 10 for that...

Put that cpu in a phone and you have everything you need in one device. Oh yeah dont forget about the unified OS for the phone *coughWindows10cough*