# About the Hardware category **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware\ **Created:** [September 16, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/about-the-hardware-category/91 "2021-09-16T19:55:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jhazzard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4af34b/32.png) [@jhazzard](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/jhazzard)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/about-the-hardware-category/91/1 "2021-09-16T19:55:27Z")
This category is for discussion of different hardware options for running Itasca software. Pros and cons of different processors, architectures and cloud offerings should be discussed here. ---
**Author:** ![BNVSIVAPRASAD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f04885/32.png) [@BNVSIVAPRASAD](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/BNVSIVAPRASAD)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2025, 8:26am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/about-the-hardware-category/91/2 "2025-12-11T08:26:04Z")
Hi I wanted to know the best CPU configuration to run FLAC, 3DEC and PFC software to work on engineeering projects. ---
**Author:** ![JuliusL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4da419/32.png) [@JuliusL](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/JuliusL)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 5:10am UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/about-the-hardware-category/91/3 "2026-08-25T05:10:32Z")
Hello Itascans and fellow users. I’m trying to establish the specification for a new numerical modelling “cruncher” and was hoping to get some advice from those with experience benchmarking or running larger models on similar hardware. The [What computer hardware does Itasca recommend for its software?](https://www.itascainternational.com/software/faqs/what-computer-hardware-does-Itasca-recommend-for-its-software) webpage provides some useful guidance on what to prioritise, particularly the recommendations around high CPU clock speed/core count and maximising RAM bandwidth by populating all available memory channels. However, I’m still left with a few questions and unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to test many “crunchers” in the past, nor do I have the luxury of trying different configurations now before buying. Due to company procurement/commercial arrangements, the choice is likely to come down to a compromise between CPU performance and memory bandwidth. The two main options I’m currently considering are: Option 1 – AMD Threadripper PRO - Dell Precision 7875 Tower - AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX - 32 cores / 64 threads, 4.0 GHz base / up to 5.4 GHz boost, 32 MB L2 / 128 MB L3 cache - 512 GB ECC RDIMM - 8 x 64 GB, all eight memory channels populated. Unfortunately, memory limited to DDR5-5200, with a possibility of DDR5-5600. Option 2 – Intel Xeon - Dell Pro Precision 9 T4 (PW9T4260) or T6 (PW9T6260) - Intel Xeon 676X - 32 cores / 64 threads, 2.8 GHz base / up to 4.9 GHz boost, 128 MB L2 / 144 MB L3 cache - 512 GB ECC RDIMM - 8 x 64 GB or 16 x 32 GB, all eight or sixteen memory channels populated. DDR5-6400 supported. The remaining components would be selected to complement the CPU and RAM, with GPU performance being a secondary consideration. The main trade-off is the higher CPU frequencies of the Threadripper versus the greater memory bandwidth and cache of the Xeon. I would be particularly interested in any experience or guidance on the following: - How important is CPU/per-core performance relative to RAM bandwidth? If having to compromise on one, is there generally greater benefit in prioritising higher CPU performance or greater memory bandwidth? - Is there a useful rule of thumb for balancing CPU core count with RAM capacity? Does the CPU clock speed and/or RAM bandwidth play into the equation? If anyone has benchmarked either of these processors, or similar current-generation Threadripper PRO or Xeon processors, with 3DEC, FLAC3D or other Itasca software, those results would also be very useful. Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! @jhazzard @ddegagne tagging you both as you’ve previously shared some useful insights on hardware and performance. ---
**Author:** ![jhazzard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4af34b/32.png) [@jhazzard](https://forum.itascainternational.com/u/jhazzard)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2026, 1:07pm UTC](https://forum.itascainternational.com/t/about-the-hardware-category/91/4 "2026-08-25T13:07:20Z")
You can look at the benchmark page [here](https://benchmark.itascacloud.com/) to see if anyone has tried similar configurations. I know that our own consultants generally use the threadrippers.