These are the recommended hardware and software components for the listed Impact version and its companion products. In general, meeting or exceeding these specifications will provide improved performance, a better user experience and a longer compatibility with future Impact releases.
Existing hardware of lower specifications could be utilised, and in these cases the specifications should be verified by your support representative prior to installation.
Tip: The system requirements for Impact v13 are the same as Impact v12 (2022), though have been updated to reflect more recent operating system and database engine releases.
Impact CAD 2023/v13
Hardware Requirements
- Intel® Core™ i5/i7/i9 CPU1 or equivalent - (recent generation)
- 8GB Memory or greater
- 2GB nVidia graphics card2 or greater
- Monitor capable of resolution 1920 x 1080 or greater [See also Multiple Monitor Support]
Software Requirements
- Windows 10/11 [See also Supported Operating Systems]
- Windows Installer
- A suitable database engine to host the design database, e.g. SQL Server or Oracle3
- Appropriate database client drivers
1. An important consideration with processor selection for an Impact CAD client is that those CPUs with higher clock speed tend to perform more strongly than those with more cores. As a predominantly single-threaded application, pay particular attention to the 'single thread speed' (aka 'single core speed') offered by each available CPU. >2,000 is OK, >3,000 MOps/Sec is good, >4,000 MOps/Sec is best.
2. Consideration should be made for the type of work to be carried out. Those frequently working with 3D, graphics, and animation should pay close attention to the graphics card requirements.
3. Refer to [Supported Database Platforms] for more information on design database hosting options.
NOTE: Installing and using Impact CAD software on a Terminal Services or Remote Desktop Services (RDS) server (e.g. Citrix) is not typically recommended due to the highly graphical nature of CAD software. However, both Citrix and Microsoft do have solutions designed specifically for this available. Windows Server 2016 for example is the first version that adds support for OpenGL 4.4. It should be further noted that you cannot use standalone, Nalpeiron licensing service with this configuration, instead Arden Licence Server is required
Impact 2023/v13 Viewer
As per Impact CAD requirements.
Arden Licence Server 2023/v13
Arden Licence Server 2023/v13 supports both a traditional hardware dongle or dongleless version. The latter was introduced for virtual server and cloud hosted environments, but also has the advantage of have no physical component that can break, get lost or stolen.
Hardware Requirements
- USB port1
Software Requirements
- Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022 [See also Supported Operating Systems]
- Windows Installer
- DESkey ‘DK2’ Dongle Drivers2
1. Required only for the hardware dongle based version of Arden Licence Server 2023/v13
2. Required for BOTH hardware dongle and dongleless versions of Arden Licence Server 2023/v13
Arden Licence Server Administrator 2023/v13
Hardware Requirements
- None
Software Requirements
- As per Licence Server
Further Information
Supported Operating Systems
Whilst the operating systems listed in each product’s software requirements reflect the recommended options, other supported operating systems include:
- Both 32 and 64 bit versions of those operating systems mentioned
Impact and affiliated products will no longer install on Windows XP/Vista/7. We also do not recommend installation upon Windows 8/8.1, since Microsoft has ended mainstream support. Similarly, Windows Server 2000/2003/2008/2008R2 are all end-of-life, and should be avoided for new installations.
Whilst Impact 2023/v13 is fully supported under Windows 11, there are some known inconsistencies in the Graphical User Interface (such as the painting of icons & tools on Standard Toolboxes). Contact the support team with any queries.
For macOS support, please refer to the following article: Is Impact supported on an Apple macOS?
Windows on ARM is currently not supported.
Supported Database Platforms
Impact relies upon a database engine to hold its data that's then accessible by one or more clients.
Impact 2023/v13 requires that your database server is running up-to-date software, as follows:
Microsoft SQL
- SQL Server 2008 SP1*, version 10.00.2531 or later
- SQL Server 2008 R2*, version 10.50.1600 or later
- SQL Server 2012* (11.x)
- SQL Server 2014 (12.x)
- SQL Server 2016 (13.x)
- SQL Server 2017 (14.x)
- SQL Server 2019 (15.x)
- SQL Server 2022 (16.x)
TIP: For SQL Server databases, the compatibility level needs to be “SQL Server 2008 (100)” or higher for any primary database connection. SQL Server 2000 (80) and 2005 (90) compatibility limited databases can only be used for remote connections/DBWs
Oracle
- Oracle 11g* Release 1, version 11.1.0.6 or later
- Oracle 12c*
- Oracle 18c*
- Oracle 19c
- For information about Oracle 21c, please contact our support team.
MySQL
- MySQL, versions 5.1.0 to 8.0.1
NOTE: *Though still compatible with our products, those database engine versions listed above that are marked with an asterisk are now beyond their end of supported life, and should be considered for upgrade.
Multiple Monitor Support
Working with multiple monitors can offer great flexibility for arranging your Impact toolbars and toolboxes for maximum productivity, and allow you to access greater screen real estate for the drawing canvas.
Impact supports multiple monitor arrangements, and will remember the position of any undocked or floating toolbars. It is recommended that each monitor has the same resolution or relative DPI configured, and also respect the same scaling options.