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MinimumRecommendedHigh-Performance
System TypeLaptop or Desktop WorkstationDesktop WorkstationDesktop Workstation
CPUIntel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 (8+ cores, AVX compatible)Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 (12+ cores, high clock speed)Intel Core i9 or AMD Ryzen 9 (16+ cores, latest gen)
Memory (RAM)64 GB128 GB256 GB or more
Storage500 GB SSD (20% free space)1 TB NVMe M.2 SSD (20% free space)2 TB NVMe M.2 SSD (20% free space)
Graphics CardNVIDIA GPU (Volta architecture or newer, 2018+), 8 GB VRAM minNVIDIA RTX 4070 or equivalent, 12 GB VRAMLatest NVIDIA RTX (e.g. 4090, 5000 Ada), 24 GB VRAM
DriversLatest NVIDIA driversLatest NVIDIA driversLatest NVIDIA drivers

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Performance Guidelines

  • CPU Performance: nTop performance is most significantly impacted by CPU core count and clock speed. High-end Intel or AMD processors with multiple cores will provide the best computational performance for meshing and optimization operations. Dual Xeon configurations are not recommended, as performance consequences have been observed with this setup.
  • Memory Requirements: RAM is critical when working with large models, particularly for meshing and optimization applications. While 64 GB is the minimum, larger models (5M+ elements) can consume 128 GB or more during processing. Note that high-core-count CPUs typically require more RAM to perform optimally.
  • Graphics Performance: The GPU affects rendering speed, real-time visualization, and is required for GPU-accelerated features such as Flow Analysis (LBM solver). Larger models require more VRAM and a more powerful GPU to maintain responsive real-time rendering and smooth user interaction. Flow Analysis GPU Memory Estimation Ten million cells require approximately 1 GB of dedicated GPU memory. Use the following formula to estimate the GPU memory (in GB) needed for a given model: 
    ( span.x / cell size  ×  span.y / cell size  ×  span.z / cell size ) / 10,000,000
    Where span.x, span.y, and span.z are the bounding box dimensions of the fluid domain and cell size is the LBM cell size — all in the same units.
  • Storage Considerations:
    • File Size: Meshing and optimization applications can generate files exceeding several gigabytes. Ensure adequate free space for both your project files and temporary system files.
    • Speed: Fast NVMe M.2 SSDs significantly improve file loading times and overall system responsiveness.

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System Compatibility Notes

Supported Configurations
  • Operating System: Windows only (nTop desktop application). nTop Automate is also available for Linux.
  • Virtual Machines: Supported if GPU passthrough is enabled and minimum GPU requirements are met
  • CPU Architecture: x86-64 processors only
Unsupported Configurations
  • macOS or Linux: The nTop desktop application is not compatible with macOS or Linux, including virtualization via Parallels or Wine
  • ARM CPUs: Not supported (including Apple Silicon Macs)
  • AMD GPUs: nTop only officially supports NVIDIA GPUs
  • Integrated Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics and similar integrated solutions are not supported
  • Older NVIDIA GPUs: Pre-Volta architecture cards (before 2017) are not supported
  • Multiple GPUs: nTop utilizes only one GPU; multiple GPU configurations offer no performance benefit
Hardware Requirements
  • GPU: NVIDIA GPU with Volta architecture or newer (2018+) required with current drivers
  • CPU Age: Processors must be newer than 10 years old to ensure AVX compatibility
  • System Stability: Minimum specifications are required for functionality and stability

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Important Notes

  • nTop cannot provide technical assistance for systems that don’t meet minimum requirements
  • For optimal performance, consider specifications above minimum requirements
  • Regular driver updates are essential for system stability and performance

GPU Acceleration