exocad system requirements: PC, GPU and RAM for DentalCAD
exocad system requirements in practice: the graphics card, CPU, RAM and storage that keep DentalCAD smooth, three sample builds and what to check first.
When a lab tells me exocad is slow, the cause is usually the computer. Typical examples are an office PC with integrated graphics, a 4K monitor driven by a mid-range card, or a system drive filled to the last gigabyte. A good exocad workstation does not need exotic parts, but the budget has to go to the right components. This guide explains the exocad hardware requirements in practical terms and where the money makes a difference.
exocad publishes official minimum and recommended specifications on its wiki and they change with each release. Check the current page before buying anything.
Graphics card for exocad
exocad draws every scan, model and restoration on the GPU. Rotating a full-arch case with antagonist, gingiva and a face scan is exactly the load where a weak card starts to stutter, so the graphics card is the first place to spend.
Use a dedicated card, NVIDIA GeForce or RTX or AMD Radeon. Integrated graphics are the most common reason for poor performance. Video memory matters as cases get larger: 8 GB of VRAM is comfortable for full-arch implant work and high-resolution scans and less still works for single units with less headroom. Install the driver from the card manufacturer instead of the generic one that Windows provides, because many display glitches disappear with a proper driver.
A current mid-range card is enough for most labs. A top gaming card costs much more and adds little in exocad.
Processor
Many design steps depend on strong single-core performance, while some mesh operations and exports use more cores. A current mid to upper range desktop CPU from Intel or AMD is the right balance. Very high core counts help exocad less than they help rendering software.
Memory
16 GB is fine for crowns, bridges and small cases. For implant bars, full dentures, face scans, or when the scanner software, exocad and a browser run together, 32 GB is the sensible standard. 64 GB is worth it only when the same machine also does heavy work such as CBCT planning, large print preparation or rendering.
Storage
Put Windows, exocad and the active case folders on an NVMe SSD. Single projects are small, but thousands of cases add up and a nearly full system drive slows everything down. Keep archived cases on a second drive or a NAS, with a backup that has actually been restored at least once as a test.
Monitor and display scaling
A WQHD monitor (2560 x 1440) is the best match for most seats. It gives more room than Full HD without loading the GPU as much as 4K. If you use a 4K monitor, set Windows scaling correctly and make sure the graphics card can drive it smoothly.
A second monitor is useful for the order form, the scanner software or messages while the design stays on the main screen.
Input devices
A standard mouse and keyboard are enough to work. A 3D mouse changes daily comfort the most, especially during long full-arch sessions. The 3D mouse article explains why and my button profiles are free on the download page.
Windows settings that affect performance
Use a 64-bit Windows version supported by your exocad release and keep it updated. On laptops, open the Windows graphics settings and assign the high-performance GPU to exocad. On desktops, set the power plan to high performance. Real-time antivirus scans can slow down saving large projects. Excluding the case folders is an option only if your IT policy allows it.
Three sensible configurations
| Use | GPU | RAM | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single units and small bridges | Current entry to mid-range dedicated card, 6-8 GB | 16 GB | 1 TB NVMe |
| Full production seat | Current mid-range card, 8 GB or more | 32 GB | 1-2 TB NVMe plus backup |
| Implant bars, dentures, face scans and CBCT on one seat | Upper mid-range card, 12 GB or more | 32-64 GB | 2 TB NVMe plus archive drive |
Pair each with a current mid to upper range CPU and a quality power supply sized for the graphics card.
Check the existing PC before buying
If a workstation feels slow, check the driver version, which GPU exocad is really using, the free disk space and the Windows scaling. A remote check often solves the problem without new hardware. When an upgrade is needed, it also shows which component is the bottleneck. See remote exocad support for how a session works. The Mac question is covered in detail in exocad on Mac.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important component for exocad?
The graphics card. exocad renders every scan and design on the GPU, so a weak or integrated GPU is the most common cause of lag when rotating large cases.
How much RAM does exocad need?
16 GB is enough for single units and small bridges. For full-arch implant work, dentures, face scans and several programs open at once, 32 GB is the comfortable choice.
Can exocad run on a laptop?
Yes, if the laptop has a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPU and Windows is set to use it for exocad. Laptops with integrated graphics only are a poor fit.
Does exocad run on a Mac?
exocad DentalCAD is Windows software. exocad supports a Mac only through Boot Camp on an Intel Mac and not on Apple Silicon or in virtual machines such as Parallels. For production I recommend a Windows workstation.