Very good performance can be achieved at ANY computer running Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10 (both 32- and 64-bit versions).

Windows 10 with latest updates is recommended.

To achieve best results we recommend to use (Winter 2019):

• Processors: Intel i7 Quad-, Six-, or Eight-core types, models with higher clock frequency are better. For extremely high requirements we recommend processors from 10 core Intel i9-9900X up to 18 core Intel i9-9980XE Extreme Edition or more recent 10-core i9-10990X, or 18-core i9-10980XE. In all cases 14 nm or even emerging 10 nm lithography is preferable.

• AVX2 instructions support is desirable, since the new OptiLayer release can efficiently take advantage of vectorization.

• AMD processors can also be used.

• High FSB (Front side bus) speed. Modern Intel processors support 2666 MHz FSB and higher (DDR4 memory).

• DDR3 or DDR4 fast RAM. Modern computers typically have at least 4 GB. More RAM is better (mainly because Windows OS is more responsible).

• High-resolution large monitors are recommended. Resolution 1280x1024 is OK, but higher resolutions increase productivity of work very significantly. 1600x1200, 1920x1080 and similar may be optimal for the moment.

• Multi-Monitor configurations are supported, starting with v. 13.77d monitors with different scaling are also supported (Windows 10).

• 4K resolution monitors are supported starting with v. 11.65.

Starting from Version 10.48:

OptiLayer software follows the highest modern software standards.

• 64-bit versions of all three modules OptiLayer, OptiChar, and OptiRE;
• Multi-instance modes of all three programs. It is possible to start several copies (instances) of any of these programs simultaneously. Similar to MS Office inactive instances are automatically minimized but can perform background tasks. Different instances should use different Problem directories and respective checks are implemented in order to avoid sharing conflicts.

If you have problems with installation, please read our Frequently Asked Questions (Hardware).

Problem with USB3:

USB3 controllers at some modern computers may suspend communications with the hardware key in some quite rare cases.  This problem can be easily fixed:  just try other USB ports! It is better to use not USB3, but classical USB2 ports. In cases if your computer has only USB3 connections, you can use any cheap USB hub that will automatically downgrade USB3 to USB2.