Apple Studio RAM for Windows Virtual Machine + Revit

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Apple Studio RAM for Windows Virtual Machine + Revit

I have been using an iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014), 4 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 for over seven years now. When I start my Windows virtual machine via Parallels and run Autodesk Revit (architectural modeling software), my computer can slow to a crawl with mouse clicks and selecting parts of my model. If I look at the Activity Monitor, all of the ram is used and the machine has created a swap file. Clearly I've had a good run with this machine and need to upgrade.

I've been looking at the Apple studio. Unfortunately the price tag of its base model, along with a studio monitor, is very high and I need to be prudent about extras. That being said, will the M1 Max better utilize 32 GB of RAM, or will the virtual machine eat it all up and I will regret not buying 64 GB?

Mac Studio

Posted on Jun 16, 2022 8:37 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 16, 2022 9:07 AM in response to ctc123

Or an actual Windows PC.

The Studio will not be able to run Windows in a virtual machine at all at this time.

With that said, not sure how you are setting up your virtual machine, but you are supposed to set the RAM at whatever amount you which to give, and it should not be ore than 50% of the total you have. It should not be using more than that.

In addition, the Activity monitor will show the RAM used by your Mac not the windows virtual machine except as a general usage by the VM software.

If your virtual machine is slow, then assign it more RAM.

Also, do note, that Macs will use up as much of the RAM as they can its a normal function as unused ram is useless RAM.

Just because your RAM is used up, doesn't mean there is something wrong.

I think the question is, how much RAM you are assigning to the Windows VM for there architectural software, and what VM software are you using for it?

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Answer 2

ctc123 Author

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66 points

Jun 16, 2022 10:41 AM in response to Phil0124

Thank you BobTheFisherman and Phil0124. But I can't verify what you said with the basic research that I've done. I was not able to find anything on point on Apple support or Windows support. What am I missing?

From Parallels KB125038 - "We are pleased to announce that Parallels Desktop 16.5 and newer versions are fully compatible with Mac computers with Apple M1 chips." https://kb.parallels.com/en/125038

From Autodesk Revit Parallels Desktop® 11 for Mac: Recommended-Level Configuration - Virtualization Software Parallels Desktop® 15 for Mac or newer, Virtual Machine Operating System Microsoft Windows 11. https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/System-requirements-for-Autodesk-Revit-2022-products.html

Phil0124 - my windows 10 virtual machine is configured to use 16 GB of memory. I'm already at the 50% max of physical RAM that you suggest. Yes, there is nothing wrong with the computer using all of its RAM and creating a swap file, it's just slow.

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Answer 3

Jun 16, 2022 8:40 AM in response to ctc123

Windows will not run on an M1 Mac. So if you need to run Windows, get an intel Mac.

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Answer 4

Jun 16, 2022 10:45 AM in response to ctc123

Parallels can run the insider preview version of Windows ARM. I would not recommend running an insider preview version of any operating system in other than a strictly test environment.

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Answer 5

ctc123 Author

Level 1

66 points

Jun 16, 2022 12:06 PM in response to BobTheFisherman

I see. I agree with you about running an insider preview version. I'll wait to upgrade my computer until MS releases a non-preview version. Thanks.

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Apple Studio RAM for Windows Virtual Machine + Revit

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