Hardware requirements for FPGA design.

Hello there,

I am going to buy a new laptop. I design HDL using Simulink. The toolboxes I mostly use are as follows:

• Fixed-Point Designer
• HDL Coder
• HDL Verifier
• Stateflow
• DSP HDL Toolbox

I want to determine the system requirements for the laptop I'm going to buy. I need help on what these toolboxes I use all the time need when determining detailed specifications such as the number of CPU cores, cache, RAM, SSD, etc.

By the way, can you tell me if there is a document with the system requirements of the toolboxes themselves? I couldn't find it after a quick search.

I would be very happy if you can help me.

Answer 1

[Shubham]

Hi Sezer,

When considering the system requirements for a laptop to run MATLAB and the specific toolboxes you mentioned, there are several factors to consider. While there isn't a specific document with detailed system requirements for each toolbox, I can provide some general guidelines based on the requirements of MATLAB itself and the nature of the toolboxes you mentioned.

Here are some key considerations for each component:

CPU: Simulink and the toolboxes you mentioned can benefit from a multi-core CPU. Aim for a laptop with at least a quad-core processor to ensure smooth performance during simulation and code generation.

Cache: A larger CPU cache can help improve performance, especially when working with large models or datasets. Look for a laptop with a decent-sized cache, such as 8MB or more.

RAM: Simulink and the toolboxes require a significant amount of memory, especially when working with complex models or large datasets. Aim for at least 16GB of RAM, but if your models are particularly large or complex, consider 32GB or more.

Storage (SSD): An SSD (Solid-State Drive) is highly recommended for faster loading and saving of files. It helps improve overall system performance. Consider a laptop with an SSD as the primary storage device, preferably with a capacity of 512GB or more.

Graphics Card: Simulink and the toolboxes primarily rely on CPU power rather than the GPU. However, a dedicated graphics card with a reasonable amount of memory (e.g., 4GB) can help accelerate certain visualizations and simulations.

You can refer to this link for any updated system requirements and recommendations for the specific versions of MATLAB and the toolboxes you plan to use.

Choosing Hardware - MATLAB - MATLAB (mathworks.com)