[Qgis-user] Recommended hardware requierements in 2025

[Zoltan Szecsei]

Hi Johannes,
How long is a piece of string and what strength is required, for what 
you want to tie up with it?  🙂

I buy equipment for my work and keep it 'going' for >5 years before 
replacing it, so I have no issue with throwing lots of money at it.
To that end I currently use a mid 2023 DELL 17" Precision 7780 maxed out 
on everything, plus a 5 years on-site warranty.

But, you don't need to be as ridiculous as I was, unless you are running 
batch processing jobs and tons of other stuff.

Regardless of your budget, this is what I think you should look out for:
CPU

    If Intel, go for i9 - also compare AMD/Intel mobile CPUs on
    something like Tom's HW
    Once you have the capability to run >12 threads, rather look at CPU
    speed.
    Far to many routines are still single threaded so CPU speed matters
    for that.

Memory

    Minimum 32GB - preferably more (I have 128GB) - especially if you
    have a few docs loaded next to your QGIS application.
    If DELL, try for CAMM2 memory and not the normal SODIMM (or whatever)
    Don't harp on ECC - it is slightly slower and 'normal' memory is so
    reliable anyway........

Disk drives

    DEFINITELY _only_ NVMe - and NOT SATA SSD (or older HDs)
    If the motherboard architecture can handle it, then PCIe 5 - but do
    not settle for less than PCIe 4
    a 1TB NVMe as your system drive is OK - have your work/data on
    separate NVMe drives (I have 1TB plus 3 * 8TB NVMe drives)

Graphics card

    If you are doing lots of raster or Lidar processing then definitely
    keep away from the gaming cards and go for something like RTX nnnn
    ADA cards
    Many routines use GPU processing so my 2c says: Yes, get a decent
    GPU card - It is not just about throwing pixels on the screen.

Ports.

    This is actually important.
    Make sure you have at least USB 3.2 Gen 2 (20Gb/s) - better still a
    higher speed rated variation of USB4 (USB-C connector)
    This will allow you to connect an external drive (Go for NVMe in an
    external case capable of the same specs as the port you connect it
    to) and use this drive (almost) like an internal drive.
    This will also allow you to connect extra monitors (via USB-C)

Monitor.

    I like & use 4K monitors - but my message here is that if you
    connect an external (2nd or more) monitor, make absolutely sure that
    it has the same pixel count as your laptop.
    Dragging windows from 1 monitor to another is a major bummer if the
    pixel counts differ.


Lastly, whatever you get, pay the extra for a "next business day on 
site" warranty - remote diagnostics, anywhere (reasonable) in the world, 
etc etc.
Great peace of mind will ensue....

Hope I haven't forgotten anything but maybe my response will solicit 
other comments/corrections/moans/groans for you.

I wish you luck on your choice/journey.

Zoltan





On 2025/04/09 09:44, Johannes Czernik | Vensol via QGIS-User wrote:
>
> Dear community,
>
> I am currently planning the acquisition of a new work laptop and would 
> like to ensure that the device is optimally suited for working with 
> QGIS in 2025.
>
> Could you please advise on the recommended system requirements for a 
> smooth and reliable experience with QGIS, particularly regarding the 
> necessity of a dedicated graphics card? With the performance 
> improvements in the latest high-end CPUs from Intel and AMD, is a 
> dedicated GPU still essential for most use cases, or are integrated 
> solutions now sufficient?
>
> Additionally, I would appreciate your insight into which specific 
> application scenarios still benefit significantly from a dedicated 
> graphics card when working with QGIS or related geospatial tools.
>
> Thank you very much in advance for your support.
>
> Best regards
>
> *Johannes*
>
>
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-- 

=============================================
Zoltan Szecsei GPrGISc 0031
Director, Geograph (Pty) Ltd.
GIS and Photogrammetric Services

Cape Town, South Africa.

Mobile: +27-83-6004028 (Signal, not WhatsApp)
         +36-20-3594428

www.geograph.co.za
=============================================
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