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Hardware Specification

Ctrl Engine has been designed to run efficiently with little computing power as possible. It runs as a service.

It requires 64-Bit Windows or macOS devices, either standalone or alongside other 3rd party applications.

The following hardware recommendations are for Ctrl Engine and are based on running a moderate workspace hosting multiple interfaces and processes. This should be used as a guide only; wherever possible, it's strongly recommended that Ctrl Engine is installed on the device you intend to use for your project and trialled with your real-world workspace.

Enterprise/Industrial vs Gaming Hardware​

Choosing enterprise/industrial hardware over gaming hardware is recommended when specifying hardware. Enterprise and industrial hardware is typically built with reliability and longevity at the core of the design. – Gaming hardware is often built with wider tolerances and is not designed for 24/7 usage.

CPU​

Ctrl Engine is heavily CPU based. Ctrl Engine’s architecture allows it to load balance across all available processor cores/threads.

  • A minimum of a quad-core processor with a 1.5GHz base clock capable of consistent usage is recommended for simplistic workspaces.
  • A quad-core Intel i3 or equivalent is recommended for more complex workspaces.

RAM​

  • A minimum of 8GB DDR4 RAM running at 2000 MHz or higher is recommended. For complex workspaces, look to use 16GB.

Storage​

ON LX recommends using dual enterprise-grade NVME SSDs in a RAID 1 backup configuration to protect your installation from drive failure.

Factor in 8GB of space to ensure plenty of space for software installation, workspaces, workspace backups, and other supporting content for your project. (The software installation size is less than 1GB).

Do not use mechanical or fusion drives.

Graphics​

Ctrl is not a graphics-heavy application and can run the UI from a CPU’s integrated graphics.

Some users install low-specification graphics cards to free up as much CPU capacity as possible, however this is not means essential.

Case​

Internal cabling should not inhibit airflow. Solid-state devices with passive cooling are recommended.

Cooling​

As a rule of thumb, the fewer moving parts within the system, the better. Passive cooling mitigates the risk of blocked fans or failures that could cause the hardware to overheat.

Operating System​

Ctrl Engine is developed using the current 64-Bit versions of macOS and Windows 10.

  • For PCs, ON LX recommends Windows 10 IoT Enterprise or Server. This version of Windows contains all elements you would expect whilst removing unwanted features such as Cortana and other pre-installed Apps. - Edge gestures, system notifications and other UI features that can’t be disabled within Windows 10 Pro are removed.

If you feel uncomfortable specifying hardware for a Ctrl Engine machine, consult a professional and refer them to this guide. Alternatively, reach out to us through our support page.