CrookedTree Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Hello! Any chance someone might be able to tell from my computer's specs (listed below in signature) why my program lags so very badly? I'm not a computer builder, but my father in law is, and according to what we've been able to find, the specs below are within the minimum requirements. (though possibly 'just' within) Am I incorrect? … and if so, what portion/s of my system do I need to upgrade to make things work better. Realistically, I expect some amount of lag and delay, but it has gotten to the point where I'll open the stop watch on my phone just to see how long it's taking to complete a task after a single mouse click. So far the largest time is about 2 minutes 17 seconds. The lag issue seems very dependent on how large the file is. I cannot have an entire structure in a single working file. I primarily design kitchens and have found that, in order to have all layers turned on in a complete kitchen I have to remove the rest of the house/structure from the file just to function slowly. I am more than happy to upgrade my system but not sure at this point whether to upgrade components or just get a new computer. I've searched the forum several times looking for similar questions and consistently the reference is pointed back to Minimum Requirements. I'm curious about the "minimum requirements" because, though clearly stated to be the minimum, it doesn't clearly state the minimum for what level of program functionality. If a system meets the minimum requirements, it will: a) Turn on and not crash but nothing more. b) Allow the user to open various window. c) Insert some walls & items, but not too many (pack a lunch 'cause this is going to take a while) d) allow a modest design of a small structure not needing too many details. e) etc… From this standpoint, is there a list or concept of "IDEAL requirements" ? … as this sounds far preferable to me. Beyond that, considering that I'm contemplating an upgrade of my program version AND am hoping to not be forced to buy a new computer each time just because there may eventually be updates/upgrades that will render my machine basically useless, I'd even like to know what would be considered the "point of overkill" requirements as they will likely someday become "minimum requirements". I know it's possible to just keep throwing money into a system until it is nearly self aware, but I'd really rather not do that just for the sake of having the biggest and baddest. I want (need) it to work reliably with a good portion of headroom for advancing program/software needs. Presently, It's not even working reliably. (for THIS program. All other programs I have on this system respond pretty much instantly) Outside of this one issue I love the program completely, but at this speed it's becoming more of a hindrance than a benefit. Any thoughts, insight, and/or advise would be greatly appreciated! Thank you, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 I'm not familiar with the AMD processors but the remainder of the system looks OK. Have you run Task Manager while working in the plan? It should give you an idea of the resources being used. You can post the plan file and I'll take a look on my system. What are you doing that takes so long? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidJPotter Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 My advice is to get advice from Chief Architect Tech Support. You can get amateur opinions here but this is important that you get this resolved asap. I have always had AMD CPUs as the basis of my PC's with NO complaints or slows unless I was working on an extremely large-complex plan file. Such performance as you describe would drive me batty indeed!. Does this occur on ALL plans of just one or two plans? If you upgrade I would NOT recommend on upgrading your current PC. A lot of the best new hardware will not even fit on your current motherboard, my advice is just to plan a new PC which frees you from the past of your current hardware. DJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo_Ann Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Have you been downloading 3d objects (Sketchup maybe?). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrookedTree Posted March 12, 2019 Author Share Posted March 12, 2019 First, a sincere Thank You to all who responded. I greatly appreciate your willingness to assist. Solver: I had NOT ran Task Manager while working. I gave it a whirl this evening while running Home Designer, Task Manger, & a second Resource Monitor. While working in Plan View (no other open window in HD-Arch): CPU Activity: Fluctuates pretty evenly between 5% & 45% with a few minor spikes of 51-55%. These spikes did not coincide with any lags. GPU Activity: So low (0 to 0.1%) I was beginning to wonder if it was even working (it was) RAM-Percentage In use: is in constant 20-21% range. Some mild lag: Occasionally 15-20 seconds to open an item's property window but not consistently so. Opening the library window experiences consistent lags ranging 20 to 45+ seconds. While working in 3D window (plan view window open but idle): WE MAY HAVE A WINNER! … and I usually work with both windows (plan & 3D) open, going back and forth between the two. Depending on what I ask the program to do, I can easily put the CPU into a "not responding" scenario while it tries to sort its own brain cells. GPU & RAM remain stable at numbers stated above. At the same time it should be noted that I can get a 1+ minute lag opening the library while all numbers, CPU included, remain stable in low operating ranges. I can post a plan file, but not sure how to do so, … and from running the above test it seems a culprit may have been identified enough so that I'm willing to commit to a route to overcome the situation. Thank you for this suggestion. Concerning the plan files: File size and growing item count definitely contribute to the issue. I had noticed this correlation straight away and have been using it as a bandage to maintain a level of functionality by keeping my design areas stripped down to the bare minimum of what I needed to show up in 3D images: I completely remove entire areas of the house plan (foundations, other floors, other rooms, … gone) and close the doors so they don't show as missing from 3D view. This helps a lot, but doesn't cure. As the file gradually gets too many inserted items, the lags become more pronounced. Doesn't seem to matter what the items are, but rather the sum of individual items. If counting ALL windows, doors, cabinets, etc… (in any proportion) once I get to around 30-40 it becomes very noticeable and it's pretty easy to surpass that number in an open kitchen design with numerous adjacent rooms. As an example, I'm currently working on a home and I have seven (yes, 7) separate plan files to break the work areas down enough that the program can function. Seven stripped down files for one house. DavidJPotter: I have always had great experience with AMD also. Running the system monitors while working, as described above, however, does seem to be pointing toward the processor or perhaps the entire mother board (?) as suspect. I know it's a strong system, but in truth, it is an older system. When I purchased the computer new, the AMD A-10 quad core was touted as slightly better/faster than the i7 of the day and was supposed to be notably better for 3D and video. These were the factors that led to my purchase. With that having been said, it is an older system (maybe 7 yrs?) and I would never argue the odds that my old A-10 can't hold a candle to any of today's top processors, AMD or otherwise… though it does still run the bajeesus out of everything else I throw at it. Yes, the issue is present in all plans. I fully agree with not upgrading this PC. I didn't want it to be so, but I've been pretty much expecting I would eventually need to move to a newer system; likely a laptop this time. I won't be able to have it upgraded as readily as a tower, but I'll be able to take it to the client's table, which I've not been able to do as of yet, and that will be a good thing. Jo_Ann: I have NOT been downloading 3D object, … I think. Definitely no Sketchup files. I DID download a few catalogs from the 3D Library page shortly after I got the program and for a while when the lags seemed to start I had thought that these additional files may have been the culprit. However, I removed the files I had initially added and the issue was unchanged. I then cross referenced when I had first downloaded them against when I was becoming more adept with the program and discovered that it likely wasn't the quantity of files on the hard drive, but rather my comfort and familiarity with the program had grown to the point that I was asking more from the program and the lag became evident. Before that, I had been working slow enough that the lag was not apparent. Soooooo, … I'm thinking there's a new laptop shining on my horizon and I should follow that light. If anyone has that list of "ideal", or better yet, "overkill" system requirements, I would absolutely LOVE to see it. … and again, Thank you ALL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidJPotter Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 A decent performing desktop and a comparable laptop can be achieved but the laptop will cost at least 30% more than the same performing desktop, so be ready for "sticker shock". I recommend Dell Computer Alienware laptops and Sager Laptops. I also recommend that you get at least an 8 core CPU minimum (more cores, if you can afford them). 32 Gb of RAM and the best stand-alone GPU you can afford. Sturdy performance costs money. DJP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solver Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Check out the Chief forum for performance tips and computer info. You will need to do some searching, but it's a frequent topic. I suggest not starting a new thread until you have done so. https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrookedTree Posted May 19, 2019 Author Share Posted May 19, 2019 Hello again, I've had time for research and procurement of funds. The two machines outlined below appear roughly similar to me and am hoping they're up to the task. Do either of the machines outlined below jump out as an obvious preferred selection, and if so, why? ... or will neither of them do the task, and if not, what do they lack? Thank you, (This chart will not display properly on phones. There is no further text after the chart) Brand Asus Alienware Model GL703GS-DS74 AW17R5-7092SLV-PUS Computer Type Gaming Gaming Operating System MS Windows 10 Home (64-bit) MS Windows 10 Home (64-bit) Hard Drive 1 TB 5400RPM SATA Hybrid 1 TB Hybrid Drive Solid State Drive 256 GB PCIe - none - Optical Drive No Optical Drive No Optical Drive Processor Intel Core i7-8750H Processor 2.2GHz Intel Core i7-8750H Processor 2.2GHz RAM 16 GB DDR4 2666MHz 16 GB DDR4 2400MHz Graphic Card GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB) GeForce GTX 1070 (8GB) Screen 17.3" FHD 144Hz NVIDIA G-Sync Display 17.3" FHD IPS (1920 x 1080) Display Resolution 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) Screen Size 17.3 in. 17.3 in. Screen Type Non-touch screen Non-touch screen Wireless 802.11 Wireless-AC 2x2 WLAN + Killer 1550 802.11 Wireless-AC (2x2) Bluetooth 4.1 5.0 Ethernet LAN 10/100/1000 10/100/1000 Ports & Slots: USB 4 (3.1) 1 (3.0) USB w/ PowerShare - - 1 (3.0) USB Type-C 1 1 Thunderbolt 3 - - 1 HDMI 1 1 Mini Display Port 1 - - Media Card Reader 1 - - RJ-45 Data Port 1 1 Audio: H-phone Out/Mic In 1 - - 2.0 Speaker Config. - - 1 7.1 Dig. Audio Out - - 1 Additional Info: Dimensions: 16.34" x 11.02" x 0.94" 16.69" x 13.07" x 1.18" Approx. Weight: 6.5lbs 9.74lbs Keyboard Backlit (4-Zone RGB) Backlit (4-Zone RGB) Integrated Webcam HD FHD Price $1500 $1300 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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