SC3
Unmatched Performance
Built for demanding CFD simulations and computational workloads
Processor
The brain of your simulation power
What This Means for Your Simulations
This server has 2
physical CPUs installed.
Each CPU has 8 cores and
16 threads, giving you a total of
16 cores and
32 threads.
Why this matters: Think of cores as individual workers - with
16 cores, this server can perform
16 calculations at exactly the same time. CFD
simulations divide your fluid domain into millions of cells, and each core can solve
equations for different cells simultaneously, dramatically reducing solution time.
Perfect for: Medium to large simulations (2-10 million cells),
steady-state aerodynamics, heat transfer analyses, mixing studies, and parametric
studies. This dual-CPU setup provides 3-4x faster solve times compared to standard
8-core workstations, letting you iterate faster and test more design variations.
The 2.6 GHz clock speed determines how fast each
core processes individual calculations. Higher clock speeds improve both single-threaded
operations (mesh generation, post-processing) and the per-core efficiency during parallel
solving.
Industry-standard CPU benchmark • Higher scores = Faster simulations
Memory (RAM)
What This Means
64 GB is
your simulation's "working space" - it holds all active data: mesh geometry,
fluid properties, boundary conditions, and results during solving.
DDR3 provides high-bandwidth data access
essential for CFD solvers that read and update millions of cell values thousands of times
during iterations. This capacity handles
standard to medium simulations with headroom for mesh refinement - significantly more
than typical workstations with 16-32GB. Adequate RAM prevents solver crashes and slow
virtual memory usage.
High-bandwidth memory for lightning-fast data access
Storage
What This Means
This server has
2 storage drives installed.
Each drive is 500 GB, giving you a total
storage capacity of 1000 GB.
SATA SSD storage provides extremely fast
read/write speeds for your simulation files and results.
SSDs are much faster than traditional hard drives - ideal for loading large mesh files
and saving iteration data quickly.
Multiple drives provide redundancy and can be configured for increased performance or
data protection.
Ultra-fast storage for rapid I/O operations
Network Speed
Fast file transfers and remote access. Upload meshes and download results quickly from anywhere.
Monthly Traffic
Generous bandwidth allowance for uploading/downloading large simulation files without limits or overage fees.
Operating System
Pre-installed and ready to use. Compatible with ANSYS, OpenFOAM, and other CFD software.
About This Server
SC3 — 16-Core, 64 GB CFD HPC Node for ANSYS Fluent
The SC3 node is the step from moderate into larger CFD cases on a 16-core platform. It pairs 16 cores and 32 threads with 64 GB of RAM — double the memory of the 32 GB nodes — so you can load and run bigger meshes in ANSYS Fluent. For cases that have outgrown a mid-tier node but do not yet need 96–128 GB, SC3 is the natural fit.
It is the bridge tier: enough memory to take on larger meshes and heavier physics, at a sensible step up in spec.
Specifications
Component | Specification |
|---|---|
CPU | 2 × Intel® Xeon® E5-2650 v2 — 8 cores / 16 threads each (16 cores / 32 threads total), 2.6 GHz base, up to 3.4 GHz turbo (Ivy Bridge-EP) |
Memory | 64 GB RAM |
Storage | 2 × 500 GB SATA SSD |
The key here is 64 GB of memory — twice the RAM of the 32 GB tier — on a capable 16-core platform. That lets SC3 load meshes the smaller nodes cannot, and solve them with solid parallel throughput.
What this node is built for
SC3 is the larger-case tier for work that needs more than 32 GB but not the top capacity. It suits:
Larger meshes — into the tens of millions of cells, past what 16–32 GB nodes can load.
Moderate multiphase flows — VOF, Eulerian, and particle models whose extra equations need more memory per cell.
Conjugate heat transfer and thermal models — coupled fluid-solid domains at a useful scale.
Transient simulations — unsteady cases that benefit from the extra memory.
Professional CFD that has outgrown a mid node — the right step up when 32 GB is no longer enough.
With 64 GB of RAM behind 16 cores at 2.6 GHz (turbo to 3.4 GHz), larger cases load comfortably and all cores contribute to the solve.
Where SC3 fits — and when to size up or down
In CFD, memory sets the largest mesh you can run — roughly 1 GB of RAM per million cells for a typical steady, single-phase case, more for complex physics — while cores set how fast it solves. With 64 GB, SC3 is built for larger meshes at a moderate spec:
Need more memory? SC4 (96 GB) and SC5 (128 GB, ~2 TB storage) offer more headroom on the same 16-core platform.
Want more cores for faster solves? The 20-core SC8 (64 GB) matches this memory with extra parallel throughput.
Running very large, memory-bound cases? Our 1 TB high-memory node is the right tool.
Working on smaller cases? A 16–32 GB node will serve you for less.
Tell us your cell count and physics, and we will match you to the tier that fits.
Fast SSD storage
The two 500 GB SATA SSDs deliver responsive read/write for loading case files, writing data, and handling autosaves — keeping a larger solve from being held up by slow disk I/O.
How parallel solving works on this node
When you run Fluent in parallel, the solver partitions your mesh across all 16 cores (using algorithms such as METIS), each core solving its share of cells and exchanging boundary data each iteration via MPI. On a single node, that communication runs through fast on-board channels rather than a network, keeping parallel overhead low. With 64 GB of memory behind those 16 cores, larger cases load comfortably and all cores contribute to a faster solve.
Why rent instead of buy
Buy hardware | Rent SC3 | |
|---|---|---|
Upfront cost | Capital outlay for a dual-CPU server | Pay only for what you use |
Maintenance | Power, cooling, admin on you | Handled for you |
Software setup | You install and license | ANSYS Fluent ready to run |
Utilization | Idle hardware still costs money | You pay only when you compute |
Flexibility | Stuck with one machine | Move between tiers as each job demands |
For teams whose cases have grown past a mid node, SC3 provides the extra memory and the cores on demand — with an easy step up to SC4, SC5, or a 20-core node when a case calls for more.
How it works — you're in full control
SC76 is yours to drive directly. You connect to the node over a secure remote desktop connection and run everything yourself, exactly as you would on a local workstation:
Connect via remote desktop — you get full remote access to the SC76 node.
Set up your simulation — load your geometry and case, configure your solver settings, and run ANSYS Fluent with all 6 cores at your command.
Run and monitor in real time — start, pause, adjust, and watch the solution as it progresses, with complete control throughout.
Keep your results — post-process on the node or download your solution and data files whenever you're ready.
You have full authority over the node for the duration of your rental: we provide the hardware and the support, and you run the simulations your way.
Frequently asked questions
How large a mesh can SC3 handle? With 64 GB of RAM, count on larger meshes — into the tens of millions of cells for simpler steady single-phase cases, with complex physics (multiphase, combustion, many transported scalars) needing more memory per cell and so supporting a somewhat smaller mesh. As a guide, allow about 1 GB of RAM per million cells. Send us your case for a precise estimate.
How is SC3 different from the 32 GB nodes? Same 16-core class of compute, but SC3 has double the RAM — 64 GB. That lets it load larger meshes the 32 GB nodes cannot, making it the right step up when your cases have grown.
How is SC3 different from SC4 and SC5? All three are 16-core platforms; they differ in memory: SC3 has 64 GB, SC4 96 GB, and SC5 128 GB (plus more storage). Step up when your meshes need more memory.
How is SC3 different from SC8? SC8 matches SC3's 64 GB on a 20-core platform for faster solves. SC3 is the 16-core option — typically more economical when the extra cores are not essential.
Is my data kept confidential? Yes
Get started with SC3
If your CFD cases have outgrown a 32 GB node, SC3 gives you double the memory on a capable 16-core platform to run larger meshes — at a sensible step up.
Contact MR CFD to run your ANSYS Fluent case on SC3 — and we'll help you confirm it's the right tier for your simulation.
Customize Your Server
Tailor the configuration to match your simulation needs during checkout.
Extra RAM
Need more memory for larger simulations? Add extra RAM modules to boost your server's capacity.
- Choose your RAM size
- ECC memory available
- Installed before delivery
Extra Storage
Store more simulation data and results. Add additional drives to expand your storage capacity.
- NVMe, SSD or HDD options
- Flexible capacity sizes
- RAID configuration available
Choose Your OS
Select your preferred Windows operating system during checkout. We'll install it for you.
- Windows 10 & 11
- Windows Server editions
- Pre-installed & configured
Ready to Accelerate Your Simulations?
Experience SC3 power for your CFD simulations