Agisoft Metashape (formerly known as Agisoft PhotoScan) is a powerful photogrammetry software used by professionals in GIS, surveying, and 3D modelling industries. With its advanced features for photo alignment, dense cloud building, and mesh generation, Metashape is a demanding application that requires a well-configured workstation to deliver optimal performance.
In this guide, we’ll help you configure the best workstation for Metashape in 2025, ensuring that your hardware setup accelerates processing times and enhances productivity, whether you’re working on small-scale models or large, complex 3D reconstructions.
Why Choose a Dedicated Workstation for Metashape?
Metashape’s computational demands can overwhelm standard PCs, especially when working with high-resolution images and large datasets. A dedicated workstation for Metashape provides:
Faster processing times for large datasets and complex models.
Improved multitasking capabilities, handling various photogrammetric tasks seamlessly.
Optimised hardware longevity, ensuring your system continues to perform efficiently over the long term.
While Agisoft provides a basic list of system requirements, a well-optimised, high-performance workstation ensures that you can complete your projects faster and with greater accuracy.
Key Components for the Best Workstation for Metashape in 2025
1. Processor (CPU): Powering Your Metashape Workstation
The CPU is the heart of your Metashape workstation, handling the majority of the workload. However, unlike many modern applications that benefit from extremely high core counts, Metashape tends to favour processors with high clock speeds and a balanced core count.
Recommended CPUs for 2025:
Intel Core Ultra 9 285K (24 cores): The latest flagship offering from Intel provides exceptional performance for Metashape’s multi-threaded tasks, especially during photo alignment and dense cloud building.
AMD Ryzen 9 9950X: Known for its high clock speeds and strong multi-core performance, this processor is a great option for professionals looking for optimal performance.
2. Graphics Card (GPU): Enhancing Performance in Key Stages
While the GPU is not as crucial throughout the entire Metashape workflow, stages like Align Photos and Build Dense Cloud significantly benefit from GPU acceleration. These stages can account for a significant portion of the total processing time, making a powerful GPU essential.
Recommended GPUs for 2025:
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070/5080: These mid- to high-end GPUs offer excellent performance for Metashape’s GPU-accelerated processes.
NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada: A workstation-grade GPU that provides stability and enhanced performance for professional environments.
AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series: A strong alternative for those preferring AMD GPUs, delivering solid performance in Metashape.
Tip: While some professionals use multiple GPUs, a single high-end GPU often provides better value for money. The added cost of a second GPU usually offers diminishing returns in terms of performance.
3. Memory (RAM): Ensuring Smooth Multitasking
Metashape’s RAM usage can vary depending on the project size. For optimal performance, ensure your workstation has enough RAM to handle large datasets, especially when processing multiple images simultaneously.
Recommended RAM for 2025:
32GB of DDR5 RAM: This is the minimum requirement for handling most professional workloads in Metashape.
64GB+: Ideal for larger projects or if you are working with high-resolution images or large-scale 3D models.
Tip: DDR5 RAM offers higher speeds and better power efficiency compared to DDR4, making it the ideal choice for your workstation in 2025.
4. Storage: Speed and Capacity in Perfect Harmony
A fast and reliable storage system is essential for loading, saving, and processing large Metashape datasets efficiently. NVMe SSDs should be your primary storage solution for both performance and reliability.
Recommended Storage Setup for 2025:
Primary Drive: An NVMe SSD with at least 1TB for the operating system and Metashape installation.
Secondary Drive: A second NVMe SSD (2TB or more) for active project files to separate your data from the OS and improve performance.
Optional Scratch Disk: A dedicated SSD for scratch disk space (500GB or more) will greatly enhance performance during processing.
Archival Storage: Traditional HDDs (4TB or more) can be used for long-term storage and backups.
5. Display: Precision and Accuracy for Metashape
A high-quality monitor is essential for visualising and fine-tuning your 3D models. Look for a display with excellent colour accuracy and resolution.
Recommended Monitors for 2025:
27-32 inches with 4K UHD resolution for a sharp and spacious workspace.
99% AdobeRGB or DCI-P3 colour accuracy for precise colour representation.
We have a wide range of suitable options available to suit you workstation solution. Our sales team will be happy to quote our latest monitor options upon request for professionals working with Metashape.
6. Cooling and Power Supply: Maintaining Stability
To ensure your workstation operates smoothly under heavy workloads, invest in a quality cooling system and a reliable power supply.
Cooling:
Consider liquid cooling or premium air cooling solutions to prevent overheating during intensive processes.
Power Supply:
A 750W-1000W PSU with an 80 PLUS Gold or Platinum rating ensures stability and energy efficiency, particularly if you’re running high-end CPUs and GPUs.
Benchmark Insights for Your Workstation for Metashape
CPU Performance: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and AMD Ryzen 9 9950X lead in Metashape’s benchmark tests, outperforming previous generation processors.
GPU Performance: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 provides excellent performance for GPU-accelerated tasks, while the AMD Radeon RX 9000 Series is a solid alternative.
RAM Performance: Systems with 32GB of DDR5 RAM are sufficient for most users, but 64GB+ is ideal for those working on larger projects.
Storage Speed: NVMe SSDs outperform traditional SATA SSDs by up to 40% in terms of file loading and saving times.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a workstation-grade GPU for Metashape?
A: For most users, a high-end consumer GPU like the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 will be sufficient. However, if you require workstation-level stability or have other professional applications that benefit from a professional GPU, the NVIDIA RTX 4000 Ada is a great choice.
Q: How much RAM do I need for Metashape?
A: At least 32GB of DDR5 RAM is recommended for most workflows, but 64GB+ or more is ideal for handling larger datasets or more complex models.
Q: Can I use multiple GPUs for Metashape?
A: While Metashape supports multi-GPU setups, the performance gains from adding a second GPU are limited. For most users, a single high-end GPU provides the best value for money.
Q: Is 16GB of RAM enough for Metashape?
A: While 16GB may suffice for smaller projects, professionals working with large datasets should opt for 32GB or more to ensure smooth performance.
Conclusion
Investing in the best workstation for Agisoft Metashape is crucial to unlock its full potential and speed up your workflow. By selecting the right CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and peripherals, you can create a powerful system that ensures smooth, efficient processing and enhances productivity.
If you’re ready to upgrade your setup, Workstation Specialists specialises in designing and building custom systems tailored to your professional needs. Contact us today to discuss your ideal configuration and take your Metashape projects to the next level!
Call us at +44 (0) 1332 280 380 or email us at [email protected] for expert advice and support.
