The Computer I Use for SketchUp and V-Ray
My old Dell laptop that I have used since 2022 was showing sings of dying. The Wifi would randomly disconnect (only a full restart would fix it), the fan was obnoxiously loud, all the time, and other random quirks appeared as well. The nail in the coffin was the graphics card was not compatible with Chaos Vantage, so I bit the bullet and purchased a new laptop for SketchUp and V-Ray work.
Key Takeaways:
- When considering a new laptop for SketchUp and V-Ray, access your needs and focus on the three key factors that SketchUp and V-Ray need.
- Desktops vs. Laptops - I prefer a laptop due to the portability it provides.
- Don't skimp on memory, but you can skimp on hard disc space if you use cloud storage
Table of Contents
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My Old Machine
Before I dive into the details of my new machine, I want to give you some stats on my old machine that I used for 2.5 years. It was a Dell XPS 15 9500, with an Intel Core i7-10750H CPU @2.6GHz with 6 cores. It had 32GB of RAM and a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card with 1GB RAM. I purchased this machine off Amazon back in 2022 back when I was just starting to plan my exit strategy from my old job.
This machine started having issues in the last few months, the two most critical ones were that the Wifi would randomly go out, and the only solution was to restart my machine. Very annoying issue, especially when you are modeling in SketchUp (thank you auto-save) or livestreaming.
The other big issue was the graphics card was no longer supported by Chaos Vantage. Chaos Vantage requires a NVIDIA RTX graphics card, and my GTX was not compatible.
My New Machine
I’ve used Dell laptops for the past 19 years, so it’s fair to say I’m a bit partial to them. So when shopping for new laptops, I actually consulted my Hardware Guide first, and went through the other options, but ultimately landed on the Dell XPS 14.
I briefly considered a desktop computer, mainly because you can get a bit more for your money and they have better fans/cooling. But ultimately I stuck with a laptop for the mobility it provides. I do a bit of traveling through the year and having the ability to bring my full workspace with me is key. I also take my laptop to different locations inside my home. For example, I have a recording studio in my basement where I record lesson videos. Having the ability to take my laptop down there is critical. And of course there is some couch time as well. 😎
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Laptop Specifications
When shopping for computers to use with SketchUp and V-Ray (or any 3D modeling or visualization software), there are four main components you need to focus on: Processor, RAM (memory), Hard drive, and Graphics Card.
Processor
My new Dell XPS 14 features an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor with 24MB of cache, 16 cores, and 4.8 GHz. It has 10 more cores than my last laptop had, and is about twice as fast!
RAM (Memory)
I went on the high-end with my RAM, as this is most important for me when I’m running heavy software at the same time, such as SketchUp, video recording software (to create course lessons), and V-Ray. This new machine has 64GB of RAM, which is double what I had in my last laptop.
PRO TIP: I recommend a machine with at least 16GB of RAM. 32 GB is better, 64 GB is 🔥!
Hard Drive
Always go with a Solid State Drive (SSD), as this is the fastest disc option. For my new machine, I have the same amount of storage – 2TB. I could have opted for 4TB for about $400 more, but I decided not to since I use ODrive, which allows to me offload large files or folders to the cloud so they don’t clog my hard drive.
Graphics Card
For V-Ray and especially Chaos Vantage, a high-end graphics card is required. This new machine has a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory. This allows my applications to run smooth and fast, and also supports large format displays (and multiple displays).
Full Specs
- XPS 14 9440
- 14.5″ 3.2K (3200 x 2000) OLED Infinity Edge touch display
- Backlit Keyboard
- 64GB LPDDR5x Dual Channel RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 6GB GDDR6
- 6-Cell Battery
- Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155H with 24MB Cache, 16 cores and 4.8 GHz
- Windows 11 Pro
- Intel Killer Wi-Fi 6E 1675 Wireless Card
- 2TB PCIe NVMe Solid State Drive
- Graphite color option
My Opinion So Far
As of right now, I’ve been using this new Dell XPS 14 for about 2 weeks now, and have been very impressed with it. It’s smaller than my previous XPS 15 – most notably the difference between a 15 inch screen and a 14 inch screen, but besides the keyboard being a little more compact, it feels about the same, just slightly more nimble.
I’ve tested all the major software I use, and it has handled them well. No lag or performance issues so far. I also really like how quiet this laptop is compared to my previous one. Even with my big monitor connected and running multiple large software programs at the same time, I can barely hear it. My old machine would be screaming at me when I did this, which can be a real problem if you are recording a video or livestreaming.
As of right now, I don’t have any complaints about the machine – it’s a solid one!
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Where to Buy
I purchased mine directly from Dell, and the experience was really great. Shipping was free and it was at my house in two days.
Click here to view the XPS 14 9440 on Dell.com
I’ve also purchased laptops from Amazon, which is another great option. The only downside is that these are pre-built (ready to ship) laptops so you don’t have as much freedom to configure them as you do directly from the manufacturer. You also have to worry about stock levels in the configuration you want, as many of the popular configurations sell out.
How Much I Spent
This Dell XPS 14 is a bit on the pricey end, especially with all the upgrades I needed (RAM, Graphics Card, Processor, etc.). All-in-all this machine cost $2,920.68, and that’s with the add-on of 1 Year premium service.
I ordered this on 12/19/2024. Now pricing is scheduled to change, and it may go down or up in price, but showing you this cost for your reference.
My Desk Setup
I have a 34″ Dell monitor from about 6 years ago that still works great, so I’m still using that for now. I added a portable external dual monitor to the left that gives me more screen real estate for less than $200.
You may have noticed that my Dell XPS 14 is not on my desk – it’s actually under the desk! I purchased a set of under desk clips for mounting laptops so that I can slide my Dell under the side of the desk and out of view. This is also good for cooling purposes as the bottom of the laptop is exposed to air and not a solid surface like a desk.
I also purchased the Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4, which gives me a ton of inputs and outputs for my various devices, as well as powers the laptop.
I had a wireless keyboard from a few years back that I dusted off and started using again. And of course I have my Logitech 3-Button mouse! I recently started using a large desk mat that I really like – much smoother than the wood-grain of my desk. Clipped on top of the monitor I have an Insta360 Link 2 4K camera, and an Elgato Stream Deck unit below the screen. So far I’m loving the new setup and can’t wait to put it to the test!
Make sure to download my Hardware Guide for SketchUp & V-Ray. 👇
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Frequently Asked Questions
I've used XPS machines from dell since they were first introduced. They have a perfect blend of performance and aesthetics that are perfect for creators and/or small business owners. The models geared more towards business, such as Inspiron or Precision just don't have the performance I need and the small form factor (many are bulky). The Alienware are great for performance, but they are considerably more expensive and if I'm being honest, look down-right clunky.
I can't give a good answer yet to this, because I mainly use it when it's plugged in. I have used it on trips, but those are in 15-45 spurts and it's hard to gauge battery life in short increments. They do say it is supposed to last 21 hours, but I don't believe that to be true, especially when running taxing applications like SketchUp and V-Ray.
It gets warm, but nowhere near the temp level of my old machine, which was VERY hot, and very loud (fans always at a high level).
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