What are the system requirements for BuildSoft software?

[Diamonds, PowerConnect, BIM Expert 2017 or newer]

• Software
  • Operating system: MS Windows 11 (64 bit)
    Notes:
    • Windows 10 will reach its End of Life phase on October 14, 2025. Microsoft will stop releasing updates and patches form that moment on.
      Until October 2025, and probably a certain amount of time after that, our software will still run fine on Windows 10. But we don’t know for how long, therefor we recommend getting a Windows 11 system.
    • We use the software Codemeter for our license management.
      Codemeter v7.60b is still compatible with Windows 8/8.1. Therefor, version 2023 of Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ BIM Expert is compatible with Windows 8/8.1, but newer versions aren’t.
    • Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ BIM Expert 2023r01 is the last version available in 32 and 64 bit. As from version 2024, only 64-bit is available.
  • Codemeter Control Center for managing the licenses
    • Codemeter 7.21a is the last version compatible with Window 7/ Windows Server 2008.
    • Codemeter 7.60b is the last version compatible with Windows 8/8.1.

    If you’re planning on using a network license, we recommend installing the same Codemeter version on both the server and client computer(s). If there’s a lot of difference in the version number, the communication might not work.
    If you install Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ BIM Expert and Codemeter is not present, it will be installed together with Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ BIM Expert.

  • Gateway for managing the databases
    If you install Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ BIM Expert and Gateway is not present, it will be installed together with Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ BIM Expert.
  • .NET Framework version 2.0 (2.0 is included in .NET Framework 3.5) and 4.7.2)
    If you install Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ BIM Expert and .NET Framework is not present, it will be installed together with Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ BIM Expert.
  • For exchanging models between Diamonds/ PowerConnect/ Tekla structures/ IDEA Statica/… using BIM Expert, make sure the versions of the softwares are compatible.
• Hardware (recommended specifics)
  • 16-32GB RAM (Diamonds – BIM Expert), 8GB RAM (PowerConnect)
    Depending on how many other heavy programs (like AutoCAD, Revit, Tekla Structures, …) you want to use simultaneously and the size of the models you want to calculate in Diamonds/ send to BIM Expert. If you can choose, take 32 GB RAM.
  • SSD (Solid State Drive)
  • Intel i7/ i9 processor
  • NVIDIA graphical card
  • At Buildsoft we make programs, not applications.
    The use of a mouse is usually desirable. But then you must have the necessary tools to connect it (USB port or Bluetooth).
  • If you want to work with a physical license dongle that’s plugged directly into your PC, don’t forget that this also requires a USB port.
    This physical dongle most remain plugged in while using our software.
    The alternative to a physical license dongle is a cloud license.

  When you start a calculation in Diamonds, your computer will not only perform the calculation itself, but it will also allocate RAM memory, store the results and a bunch of other side processes in order to complete a calculation. The speed of the calculation itself is determined by the clock speed of the processor. The speed of the other side processes is determined by the RAM-memory and hard drive. The general advise is that you invest in a good processor (weather it is i7 or i9), good RAM-memory and an SSD-drive.

[ConCrete, 12 Build, PowerFrame, PowerPlate]

• Operating system: MS Windows Vista/ 7/ 8/ 8.1/ 10/ 11 (32 or 64 bit)
  Note: Windows 7 has reached its End of Life phase on January 14, 2020. Microsoft has stopped releasing updates and patches for Windows 7. It’s possible (older versions of) ConCrete/ 12-Build/ PowerFrame/ PowerPlate still run fine on Windows 7, but we can no longer guarantee it. If it doesn’t work on Windows 7, you’ll have to upgrade your operating system.
• Processor: Intel Pentium 4 with minimum 128 MB RAM
• At Buildsoft we make programs, not applications.
  The use of a mouse is usually desirable. But then you must have the necessary tools to connect it (USB port or Bluetooth).
• If you want to work with a physical license dongle that’s plugged directly into your PC, don’t forget that this also requires a USB port.
  This physical dongle most remain plugged in while using our software.
  The alternative to a physical license dongle is a cloud license.

FAQ