Hardware Requirements for VRGS
VRGS is designed for 3D geological visualisation and interpretation. The application will run on a range of modern Windows systems, but performance depends mainly on GPU capability, available RAM, and CPU core count. A dedicated graphics card is strongly recommended for medium to large datasets, although smaller models may be visualised using integrated graphics.
We recommend you try VRGS on your hardware and test its performance. You can get a free trial of VRGS from our website.
System Requirements
| Component | Minimum / Supported | Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit | VRGS is a Windows only application |
| CPU | Modern multi-core processor | Multi-core less than 5 years old | More cores increase processing speed |
| RAM | 16 GB minimum | More RAM improves stability with large datasets | Larger or more complex models may require additional memory |
| GPU | Integrated graphics supported for small models | Dedicated GPU recommended | GPU is typically the performance bottleneck |
| Storage | SSD recommended | More space advised for large models | Faster drives reduce load times |
Hardware Capability Examples
These real systems are provided as reference points
Low Power Example (Suitable for smaller models)
Hardware
- Device: Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (Intel model)
- Operating System: Windows 11 (64-bit)
- CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1255U or i7-1265U
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5
- GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics (shared memory)
Expected VRGS Performance
- Suitable for small-to-moderate 3D models up to ~5 million triangles.
- Good for portability, field workflows, training, and small model sizes.
- Large datasets may feel slow; GPU and shared memory are the limiting factors.
High Power Example (Suitable for very large models)
Hardware
- Device Class: Alienware Aurora-series desktop (e.g. ACT1250)
- Operating System: Windows 11 (64-bit)
- CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 (or similar high-end multi-core CPU)
- RAM: 32 GB or 64 GB DDR5 recommended
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 5080 dedicated graphics
- Storage: High-speed NVMe SSD
Expected VRGS Performance
- Suitable for large-scale 3D models with high triangle counts (models of ~150 million triangles can be comfortably visualised and interpreted).
- Smooth rendering, rapid interaction, and excellent stability with large model sizes.
- Ideal for professional, research, and enterprise interpretation workflows
Graphics Settings
| Setting / Factor | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GPU Selection | Ensure VRGS is set to use the dedicated GPU (if one is available) | Laptops and some desktops may default to integrated graphics |
| Windows Graphics Preference | Set VRGS to High Performance GPU mode in Windows graphics settings | Prevents VRGS from running on the integrated GPU by mistake |
| Driver Updates | Keep graphics drivers up to date | Out-of-date drivers can reduce rendering performance or cause visual issues |
| Display Options | Configure graphics and resolution settings according to your workflow | See VRGS display configuration guidance for tuning options |
Correct GPU assignment has a major impact on VRGS performance, particularly with medium and large models.
If VRGS runs on integrated graphics instead of a dedicated GPU, performance will be significantly reduced.
Further setup instructions are available here:
Display Options and GPU Configuration
Additional Guidance
- Large datasets scale computational demand — plan hardware accordingly.
- Ensure Windows is configured to use the dedicated GPU where available.
- Test the setup with representative projects.
- Future-proofing is recommended for long-term or high-resolution model work.
- More RAM + more GPU VRAM will yield better performance headroom.