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College of Computing, Engineering and Construction
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Student Personal Computers

CCEC maintains computer laboratories to give students access to certain, discipline-specific software applications on Windows computers.  While we attempt to have these labs open, security and lab control impose limits to the lab hours.  Most students use personal computers to supplement their use of lab computers.  UNF is also proud to offer a Virtual Lab that gives you access to all your major-specific software whereever you have internet access.

Here we offer technical recommendations based on our experience that you may find useful.

Please note, MAC's or other Apple computers are not recommended for our programs as much of the software and required projects in class and in the field are not compatible. We will not attempt to install software on MACs or project compatibility where it is not recommended.
Recommended Requirements for Personal Computers
*UNF does not guarantee performance*
Feature Computing Major Engineering or Construction Management Major
Operating System Windows 11 (64-bit)
*Apple computers are not recommended*
Windows 11 (64-bit) or any 64-bit Linux with virtualized Windows
*Apple computers are not recommended*
Processor (CPU) 64-bit Intel i5 (14th generation or later) or AMD equivalent 12–16 cores or more, modern high-IPC processors, for example:
  • AMD Ryzen 9 9900X / 9950X
  • AMD Ryzen 7 5800X or Ryzen 5 4500
  • Intel Core i9-14900K, i7-13700K, or i5-10400
Memory (RAM) 16 GB or more 64 GB (advanced simulation or large assemblies)
or
32 GB (CAD, 3D modeling, multitasking)
Storage 500 GB or larger SSD NVMe SSD, 500 GB or larger
(cloud storage is provided for files)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Integrated graphics (Intel Iris Xe or AMD 780M)

Recommended for specific use cases:
  • Machine Learning: NVIDIA RTX 3060, 4060, or 4060 Ti
  • Game Development / Graphics: RTX 3060, RTX 4060 Ti, or AMD RX 7600
  • Cybersecurity / Virtualization: Integrated graphics or GT 1030 / Intel Arc A580
Professional / workstation-class GPU, for example:
  • NVIDIA RTX 3060 (12 GB)
  • NVIDIA RTX 4060 or 4060 Ti
  • AMD Radeon RX 7600
  • Intel Arc B580 Titan OC (12 GB)
Wireless Networking 802.11ax minimum (Wi-Fi 6 / 6E / 7)
WPA2-Enterprise or WPA3
802.11 g/n/ac/6/6E
WPA2 or WPA3
Webcam and Microphone Built-in webcam (720p or higher) and microphone Built-in webcam (720p or higher) and microphone
Ports USB Type-A (or dongle equivalent)
USB-C (USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt)
Ethernet (RJ-45) or dongle
USB Type-A (or dongle equivalent)
USB-C (USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt)
Ethernet (RJ-45) or dongle
Backup Hardware UNF students are provided Microsoft OneDrive cloud backup UNF students are provided Microsoft OneDrive cloud backup
Display / Resolution 15-inch or larger display
Minimum resolution: 1920 × 1080
2560 × 1440 (QHD) recommended; 4K supported
15-inch or larger display
Minimum resolution: 1920 × 1080
2560 × 1440 (QHD) recommended; 4K supported
Important Notice *Software required for your program may not run on a Mac. The college does not support attempts to install required software on macOS.*

Computer Issues

For those having issues with your personal computer, Including connecting to the UNF Wi-Fi or the UNF VPN using Forticlent, the ITS Help Desk may be able to help.  ITS Help Desk

If you are unable to install the Engineering or Construction Management specific software assigned by your professor, Please send an email to Bob Roggio @ cec-help@unf.edu with your details.

UNF's Virtual Lab provides access to software applications from any computing device – laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones – from any location, at any time.

Computers for Students

Find discounts for students:

Loaners

The Thomas G. Carpenter Library has a limited supply of laptops available for short-term checkout. Please visit the Library, laptop computer checkout policy for more information.