The College of Design expects students to bring powerful, reliable computers because design software (Revit, Rhino, CAD/CAM, rendering tools, etc.) is resource‑intensive. A solid machine not only handles today's workloads but gives you room to experiment with cutting‑edge AI and simulation tools. This article outlines recommended hardware specifications, common problems students encounter, UK‑specific connectivity/printing issues and practical troubleshooting steps.
The table below summarizes the minimum and preferred specifications for Windows and Mac laptops. These recommendations come from our required computer specifications at the College. Chromebooks and tablets do not meet these requirements because they cannot run the professional software you'll need.
Here's a markdown table based on the laptop specifications for the UK College of Design Fall 2025:
| Component |
Specification |
| Processor |
64-bit Intel® Core i7, i9, or AMD Ryzen 7/9, 3.0 GHz or greater |
| Operating System |
64-bit Microsoft® Windows 11 (Any version) |
| Memory (RAM) |
32GB or more (64GB highly recommended for large projects) |
| Storage |
1TB SSD or larger |
| Graphics Card |
Dedicated NVIDIA Graphics Card with 6GB VRAM minimum (8GB or higher recommended; RTX series preferred) |
| Networking |
Wireless Network Card (Wi-Fi 6 or higher recommended) |
| Input Devices |
2-Button Mouse with scroll wheel (3-Button Programmable Mouse preferred) |
| Model |
| Alienware x16 |
| Dell G16 |
| Dell XPS 15 |
| Item |
Specification |
| Flash Drive/External Drive |
Minimum 64GB flash drive or external SSD |
| Backup Hard Drive |
Highly recommended for weekly backups (1TB minimum) |
| External Monitor |
A large monitor for home/studio use to enhance productivity |
| Software |
Type |
| Microsoft Office |
Productivity |
| Autodesk AutoCAD |
Design/CAD |
| Autodesk Revit |
BIM |
| Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino) |
3D Modeling |
| Adobe Creative Cloud |
Design (Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat, InDesign) |
Important Notes:
- Acquire your computer before the start of classes
- Never keep your backup drive and computer in the same location
- Do not purchase software before checking with IT staff or professors for best pricing options
- Many programs are free or available at reduced cost through the University
PC Pros:
- Better value for performance
- More manufacturer options at lower prices
- Full compatibility with required programs
- Cost savings can be used for additional equipment
PC Cons:
- Variable build quality and software integration
- Some models have higher fault rates
- Significant variation in depreciation (up to 90% in first year)
- Data storage and backup – Every student receives 5 TB of OneDrive storage and access to Google Drive. These cloud services reduce the need for large internal drives but do not replace backups. For media‑rich projects, invest in a 1 TB (or larger) external hard drive with USB 3.1 or better.
- Ports – Many modern laptops only include USB‑C or Thunderbolt III ports. Keep a USB‑C to USB‑A hub on hand for peripherals like external hard drives, mice or 3D printers.
- Warranty and accidental damage – Consider purchasing a two‑ or three‑year warranty with accidental damage coverage. It may be cheaper than paying for screen or motherboard repairs later.
- Avoid tablets/Chromebooks – Devices running Chrome OS, iOS or Android cannot run professional design applications and should not serve as your primary machine.
The following issues are the ones most frequently reported by students. Hardware problems often have multiple causes, so methodically check each component before replacing parts.
¶ Power and Startup Issues
- Computer won't turn on – Confirm the power adapter is plugged into both the wall and laptop. Test a different outlet or charger. On laptops with removable batteries, reseat the battery. On MacBooks, perform an SMC reset by pressing Shift‑Control‑Option on the left side and the power button for 10 seconds.
- Frequent sudden shutdowns – Overheating or failing batteries can cause sudden power loss. Ensure that vents are not blocked, clean dust from fans, and use the machine on a hard surface. Check your battery's health using system diagnostics (e.g., Battery Report on Windows or System Information → Power on macOS).
- Sluggish performance or freezing – Check CPU/RAM usage via Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS). Quit high‑usage applications. Ensure at least 20% of your storage is free; full drives significantly slow performance. Upgrade to 16 GB or 32 GB of RAM if your design software regularly uses swap memory.
- Fan always running or hot chassis – Design applications tax the GPU/CPU. Keep your OS and drivers up to date, and avoid blocking vents. Consider using a laptop cooling stand. On Windows, update GPU drivers (e.g., NVIDIA/AMD) through the manufacturer's app; outdated drivers often cause overheating and crashes.
¶ Display and Graphics Problems
- Flickering or black screen – Test with an external monitor to determine if the issue is the display panel or graphics card. Check that your GPU drivers are current. For Mac users with M‑series chips, ensure macOS is updated to the latest version.
- Color inaccuracies or low resolution – Calibrate your display using built‑in tools (Display Calibrator Assistant on macOS or Windows Color Calibration). For design work, external monitors (24″–27″) provide better color fidelity than laptop screens. Make sure to use the proper cable (HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort or USB‑C) and enable "High DPI/Retina" settings.
Graphics driver problems are common when running demanding design software like Rhino3D, Revit, V-Ray, and Twinmotion. This guide will help you identify and resolve the most frequent graphics driver issues.
Before diving into solutions, here are typical signs that indicate graphics driver problems:
- Software crashes when opening or during rendering operations
- Black or flickering screen when launching 3D applications
- Poor performance despite having capable hardware
- Error messages mentioning OpenGL, DirectX, or GPU
- Viewport display issues (missing geometry, incorrect shading, artifacts)
- Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors during graphics-intensive tasks
- Applications defaulting to software rendering mode
First, identify your graphics hardware and driver version:
- Press
Windows + X and select Device Manager
- Expand Display adapters to see your GPU model
- Right-click your GPU and select Properties
- Navigate to the Driver tab to view the driver version and date
Alternatively, use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool:
- Press
Windows + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter
- Click the Display tab to view GPU and driver information
Check that your GPU meets the minimum requirements for your design software. Most professional applications require:
- Dedicated GPU (NVIDIA or AMD) with at least 4GB VRAM
- Support for OpenGL 4.5 or higher
- DirectX 11 or 12 compatibility
- CUDA support for GPU rendering (NVIDIA cards)
Outdated drivers are the most common cause of graphics issues. Always download drivers directly from the manufacturer rather than using Windows Update.
- Visit NVIDIA Driver Downloads
- Select your GPU model or use automatic detection
- Download the Studio Driver (recommended for design applications) rather than Game Ready Driver
- During installation, choose Custom Installation
- Check Perform a clean installation to remove old driver files
- Restart your computer after installation
- Visit AMD Driver Support
- Select your GPU model or use auto-detect
- Download the Pro drivers if available for your card (optimized for professional applications)
- Run the installer and select Factory Reset for a clean installation
- Restart your computer after installation
While not ideal for professional 3D work, if you're using Intel graphics:
- Visit Intel Driver Support Assistant
- Download and run the detection tool
- Install recommended driver updates
- Restart your computer
If updating doesn't resolve issues, perform a completely clean driver installation:
- Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU)
- Boot Windows into Safe Mode:
- Press
Windows + I → Update & Security → Recovery
- Under Advanced startup, click Restart now
- Select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart
- Press
4 for Safe Mode
- Run DDU and select your GPU manufacturer
- Click Clean and restart
- After restart, install fresh drivers following Solution 1
For systems with multiple GPUs (integrated + dedicated):
- Right-click desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings
- Navigate to Manage 3D Settings (NVIDIA) or Graphics (AMD)
- Select Program Settings tab
- Add your design software executables (Rhino.exe, Revit.exe, etc.)
- Set Preferred graphics processor to your dedicated GPU
- Apply settings and restart the application
- Press
Windows + I → System → Display → Graphics settings
- Click Browse and add your design software
- Click Options and select High performance
- Save and restart the application
- Open Rhino and type
Options in the command line
- Navigate to View → OpenGL
- Try toggling Use accelerated hardware modes off/on
- Adjust Antialiasing settings if experiencing viewport issues
- Go to Options → Graphics
- Try switching between DirectX and OpenGL modes
- Disable Hardware acceleration temporarily to test stability
- Clear the shader cache:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Autodesk\Revit\[Version]\DirectXCache
- In Preferences → Quality
- Lower the Quality preset to test if issues persist
- Disable Ray tracing if experiencing crashes
- Try switching between DX11 and DX12 rendering
- Check V-Ray GPU compatibility list for your card
- Update V-Ray GPU drivers separately from display drivers
- In V-Ray settings, try switching between CUDA and RTX modes (NVIDIA only)
- Press
Windows + I → System → Display → Graphics settings
- Turn off Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling
- Restart your computer
- Open Control Panel → Power Options
- Select High performance plan
- Click Change plan settings → Change advanced power settings
- Expand PCI Express → Link State Power Management
- Set to Off
- Restart and enter BIOS (usually by pressing Del or F2 during boot)
- Look for PCIe settings
- Ensure PCIe slot is set to Gen 3.0 or Gen 4.0 (not Auto)
- Disable PCIe power saving features
If problems persist after trying all software solutions, consider:
- Thermal issues: Monitor GPU temperature using GPU-Z or HWiNFO64. Clean dust from GPU heatsink and fans
- Power supply inadequacy: Ensure PSU provides sufficient wattage for your GPU
- GPU failure: Test GPU in another system or test another GPU in your system
- RAM issues: Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to check for memory errors
To minimize future graphics driver issues:
- Create a system restore point before driver updates
- Keep a known-good driver version installer saved locally
- Disable automatic Windows driver updates for display adapters
- Regularly clean your PC's interior to prevent overheating
- Monitor GPU temperatures during intensive work
- Consider using professional/studio drivers over gaming drivers
- Document which driver versions work well with your specific software combination
If issues persist, gather this information for support:
- Output from
dxdiag (save as text file)
- Windows Event Viewer logs (System and Application)
- GPU-Z screenshot showing GPU details
- Specific error messages or codes
- List of all design software versions installed
- Recent system changes or updates
Contact your IT department with this information, or reach out to the software vendor's support team for application-specific issues.
- No sound – Check system volume, application volume and mute buttons. Ensure headphones aren't plugged in. On Windows, run the audio troubleshooter and reinstall sound drivers. On macOS, reset the NVRAM by pressing Option‑Command‑P‑R at startup.
- Keyboard or trackpad unresponsive – Reboot your system first. For wireless peripherals, replace batteries and re‑pair via Bluetooth. For Mac trackpads, resetting the SMC can resolve unresponsiveness. If keys stick, carefully clean with compressed air.
¶ Network Connectivity (eduroam, UK‑Devices and Residence Halls)
eduroam
Eduroam is the secure Wi‑Fi network for students, faculty and staff. To connect manually, open Wi‑Fi settings, choose eduroam, then enter your linkblue ID appended with @uky.edu (e.g., wlcat123@uky.edu) and your password. After changing your password you must forget and re‑join the network. If you have trouble connecting:
- Forget any previously saved network named UK‑Guest, then reconnect to eduroam using the steps above.
- Use the eduroam certificate onboarding option for Android or Chromebook; this provides a secure connection for up to five years.
- Persistent connectivity problems can be reported via the eduroam Connectivity Issue form.
UK‑Devices network
For smart TVs, game consoles and devices that cannot connect to eduroam, UK offers the UK‑Devices network. It uses a pre‑shared key and approval process. To connect a personal device:
- Register your device on the myDevices portal using the device's MAC address (find instructions via the UK Tech Help Center).
- Only certain residence halls (Roselle, Ingels, Baldwin and Smith) offer UK‑Devices. Devices owned by the university or shared by a team require approval through ITS Customer Services.
Residence Hall Wi‑Fi
Wi‑Fi access varies by residence hall:
- Roselle, Ingels, Baldwin and Smith – Connect to eduroam; for non‑eduroam devices use UK‑Devices.
- Other residence halls – Connect to UK‑Housing (instructions provided during move‑in). Support is provided by WhiteSky (1‑800‑611‑9837, support@myaccount.wscmdu.com).
- Graduate/Family housing – Follow move‑in instructions and contact Spectrum support (1‑833‑697‑7328).
- External monitors – Use an HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort cable for high resolution and refresh rates. If your laptop only has USB‑C, use an appropriate adapter.
- Stylus / drawing tablets – Install the manufacturer's drivers and calibrate. If the pen stops responding, unplug and reconnect the tablet, or reinstall the driver.
¶ Storage and Data Issues
- Running out of space – Offload large project files to OneDrive or an external drive. Use Storage Sense (Windows) or Optimized Storage (macOS) to remove temporary files.
- File corruption or drive failure – Always maintain at least two copies of important projects (e.g., on external drives and cloud storage). If you suspect a failing SSD, run disk utilities (e.g., chkdsk on Windows or Disk Utility → First Aid on macOS) and contact ITS before attempting self‑repair.
¶ Preventive Maintenance & Best Practices
- Keep software up to date – Regularly update your operating system, drivers and design software. Updates often include performance improvements and security patches.
- Use antivirus/anti‑malware – Windows Defender or reputable third‑party suites can prevent malicious software that causes crashes and data loss.
- Maintain adequate ventilation – Dust buildup over time reduces airflow. Clean vents with compressed air every few months and avoid placing laptops on soft surfaces that block cooling.
- Use surge protection – A surge‑protected power strip can prevent damage from power fluctuations. When traveling, use a grounded adapter.
- Prepare for warranties – Keep receipts and warranty information accessible. UK's technology services recommend purchasing extended warranties with accidental damage coverage.
- ITS Customer Services – Call 859‑218‑HELP (4357) for urgent issues or visit the Tech Help Center for assistance.
- Student Tech Help @ The Hub – Located in the W.T. Young Library; offers one‑on‑one assistance for hardware, software and media projects.
- College of Design Technology Help - GDB 114A or joe.brewer@uky.edu
- WhiteSky and Spectrum – For residence hall network issues not covered by eduroam, contact the appropriate vendor (WhiteSky for most dorms, Spectrum for Graduate/Family housing).
Robust hardware is essential for design students who push the limits of computational modeling, rendering and analysis. By following the recommended specifications and practicing proactive maintenance, you minimize downtime and maximize your productivity. Familiarize yourself with UK's networks, printing systems and support resources so you can quickly resolve issues when they arise. A little preparation—backing up your files, knowing how to reconnect to eduroam or UK‑Devices, and keeping drivers current—goes a long way toward a smooth semester.