System Requirements

Overview

FlexSim is designed to run on most modern Windows systems. Unique or complex modeling situations may carry additional hardware requirements.

Review the FlexSim Answers article Recommended System Requirements for an in-depth discussion regarding the hardware components that make the most difference when building and running your simulation models.

Minimum System Requirements

Most desktop and laptop computers produced in the last few years meet FlexSim’s minimum requirements. A system that meets these minimum requirements will allow you to:

  • evaluate FlexSim
  • work through the tutorials
  • build and run small to medium sized models
CPU Any modern1 x86 or x64 Intel or AMD processor.

For minimum performance, compatibility, and vendor support (such as driver updates) we recommend a CPU produced within the last 5 years, such as:

RAM 4 GB RAM
Graphics A GPU supporting OpenGL 3.1 or higher.

For minimum performance, compatibility, and vendor support (such as driver updates) we recommend a GPU produced within the last 5 years, such as:

You may need to update your graphics driver for FlexSim to work properly.

See the FlexSim Answers article Graphics Compatibility - Common Problems and Solutions for more suggestions on improving graphics compatibility and performance in FlexSim.

OS Any Windows operating system currently supported by Microsoft2, 32- or 64-bit.

Supported editions of Windows include:

Disk Space 3 GB free
  • FlexSim’s installer may be up to 1.2 GB in size, depending on version. After successful installation, the installer file may be deleted.
  • After installation, FlexSim’s program files use up to 1.2 GB of disk space.
  • Your model files, CAD layouts, images, custom 3D shapes, data for import, exported reports, and other simulation related assets that you provide will take disk space in addition to the software’s installation footprint.
Additional Software

Notes

  1. Some modern low power processors, such as Intel’s Atom, have lower performance in highly demanding apps like FlexSim than mainstream desktop and notebook processors. Consequently, software responsiveness will suffer and simulations will take longer to complete on these low power CPUs. ARM processors are not supported.

  2. Once an operating system reaches its end of extended support with Microsoft, FlexSim no longer actively supports that OS. Windows on ARM is not supported.

  3. FlexSim uses functionality provided by Microsoft’s latest .NET framework. A compatible .NET framework is already installed on most computers, though if necessary, it can be downloaded directly from Microsoft.

    In addition, for FlexSim versions prior to 20.0.1, the OptQuest Add-on requires the .NET Framework version 3.5, which can be installed through the "Turn Windows features on or off" feature in Windows or can be downloaded directly from Microsoft. See The Experimenter and Optimizer for more information.

    OptQuest with FlexSim versions 20.0.1 and later uses Microsoft's latest .NET framework.