SC45 — Modern 6-Core, 64 GB CFD Node with Fast NVMe Storage

The SC45 node takes a different approach from our multi-core Xeon servers: instead of many older cores, it gives you fewer, much faster modern cores with quick storage. An AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (Zen 2) delivers 6 cores and 12 threads at high clock speeds, paired with 64 GB of RAM and fast NVMe SSD storage. For moderate CFD cases where per-core speed and responsive I/O matter more than raw core count, SC45 is a sharp, modern choice.

It is the high-clock, fast-storage tier: strong per-core performance, generous memory, and NVMe speed for snappy file handling in ANSYS Fluent.

Specifications

Two things set SC45 apart from the Xeon nodes: a modern, high-clock CPU with much stronger per-core performance than older server chips, and NVMe storage — significantly faster than SATA SSDs for loading and writing large case and data files. With 64 GB of RAM behind 6 fast cores, you also get generous memory headroom for the cases this node is built for.

What's included with SC45

Every SC45 rental comes with extras to help you get the most from it:

• A comprehensive CFD course, free — a full training course to sharpen your simulation skills, included at no extra cost.

• One month of Claude AI Premium — AI assistance to support your engineering, scripting, and problem-solving.

• One hour of free CFD consultation — direct time with our CFD engineers to help set up, troubleshoot, or optimize your case.

These come standard with the node — practical support alongside the compute.

What this node is built for

SC45 plays to per-core speed and fast I/O rather than high core count. It suits:

• Moderate meshes with strong per-core performance — where fast cores matter more than many cores.

• Pre- and post-processing — meshing, case setup, and results handling, where single-thread speed and quick file access make the workflow feel responsive.

• I/O-heavy transient runs — fast NVMe storage keeps autosaves and frequent data writes from stalling the solve.

• A modern, snappy CFD machine — for engineers who want a responsive, current-generation node with comfortable memory.

• Smaller-to-moderate cases on a deadline — where 6 fast cores plus quick storage give a brisk turnaround.

The 64 GB of RAM means memory rarely limits this node for the cases it targets; its strengths are clock speed and storage speed.

Where SC45 fits — cores vs. per-core speed

In CFD, raw core count drives parallel speed-up on large meshes, while per-core performance drives how fast each core works — important for moderate cases and for the many single-threaded or lightly-threaded steps in a CFD workflow. SC45 leads on per-core speed and storage speed, not core count.

• If your work is large, highly parallel meshes that need many cores, our multi-core Xeon nodes (up to 44 cores) are the better fit.

• If your work is moderate in size and benefits from fast cores, generous memory, and quick NVMe I/O, SC45 is an excellent, modern choice.

Tell us your cell count, physics, and workflow, and we will match you to the right tier.

Fast NVMe storage

The two 500 GB NVMe SSDs are a step up from the SATA storage in our other nodes: NVMe delivers much higher read/write speeds, so loading large case files, writing data, and handling frequent autosaves all happen faster. For transient simulations that write data at many time steps, that speed keeps the workflow moving.

How parallel solving works on this node

When you run Fluent in parallel, the solver partitions your mesh across the 6 cores (using algorithms such as METIS), each core solving its share of cells and exchanging boundary data each iteration via MPI. On a single modern CPU, that communication is fast and overhead is low — and because each core is high-clocked, the per-core work is done quickly. For moderate cases, that delivers a brisk solve, and the NVMe storage keeps file I/O from becoming a bottleneck.

Why rent instead of buy

For a fast, modern CFD node with quick storage and no hardware to own, SC45 gives you per-core speed on demand — with our multi-core Xeon nodes available when a case needs many cores.

How it works — you're in full control

SC45 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:

1. Connect via remote desktop — you get full remote access to the SC45 node.

2. Set up your simulation — load your geometry and case, configure your solver settings, and run ANSYS Fluent with all 6 cores at your command.

3. Run and monitor in real time — start, pause, adjust, and watch the solution as it progresses, with complete control throughout.

4. 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

Why choose SC45 over a multi-core Xeon node? SC45 trades core count for per-core speed and fast NVMe storage. For moderate cases and the many single-threaded steps in a CFD workflow — meshing, setup, post-processing — a fast modern core and quick I/O make the work feel snappy. For large, highly parallel meshes, a multi-core Xeon node is the better fit.

How large a mesh can it handle? With 64 GB of RAM, memory allows fairly large meshes, but with 6 cores the practical sweet spot is smaller-to-moderate cases where the fast cores give a brisk solve. As a guide, allow about 1 GB of RAM per million cells for memory, but choose this node for speed-per-core rather than maximum mesh size. Send us your case and we will advise.

What does the NVMe storage give me? Much faster read/write than SATA SSDs — quicker case loads, faster data writes, and autosaves that do not stall the solver. It is especially helpful for I/O-heavy transient runs.

Is my data kept confidential? Yes. Your geometry, case files, and results stay private to you, treated as strictly confidential — and because you run everything yourself over remote desktop, your work stays under your control throughout.

Get started with SC45

If you want a fast, modern CFD node with strong per-core speed, generous memory, and quick NVMe storage — with a free CFD course, a month of Claude AI Premium, and a consultation hour included — SC45 is built for exactly that.

Contact MR CFD for remote-desktop access to SC45 — and we'll help you confirm it's the right tier for your simulation.