Hardware for best performance

Hi PEBKAC!

Thanks for reaching out to us. Let me assist you with the server computer.

Each version of QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) has different system requirements. As long as the server computer meets or exceeds the QBDT's requirements, everything should be fine. The higher the specs, such as RAM, Disk space, Processor, etc., the better.

I've added some links you can check. These will show what your computer needs for the best experience depending on the version of QuickBooks Desktop:

• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2021

• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2020

• System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop 2019

Let me also share this article: Back up your QuickBooks Desktop company file. This will show how to back up your company file and use it to restore your data.

I'll be here if you need more help. Take care always!

Thank you!

The server will indeed exceed the system requirements so thank you for that response. However, I guess what I'm asking is more in terms of: what component should I focus on (eg: dedicate more of the budget to) to maximize the performance of QB desktop 2021?

Thank you for getting back to us here on the Community page, PEBKAC. 

Allow me to step in for a moment and provide additional insight into the best hardware type that you can use in QuickBooks Desktop.

It's important to know hardware and operating system requirements before installing Quickbooks Desktop. This is to ensure that QuickBooks is compatible with your setup. It also helps to avoid any possible issues in the future.

For the best performance, we recommend storing your QuickBooks data file on a solid-state drive (SSD). Also, for additional requirements for Intuit Data Protect in QuickBooks Connected Services offerings. Requires a minimum of 4.0GB of RAM. Twice the size of the largest file set to back up + 100MB or twice the size to restore. The space required from the work folder LocalApplicationData+" Intuit\Intuit Data Protect".

For more details, check out the system requirements that my colleague shared above. 

Keep me posted if you have any follow-up questions about the hard drive type that you can use in QuickBooks. I'll be around if you need help. Wishing you the best. 

Backups and opening company files seems to be the slowest thing quickbooks does, and I haven't figured out how to make those things faster.  I look at my CPU and drive activity and it's not clear what is being taxed that is making the process so slow (especially validating the file before backup). 

Which components -- CPU, memory, SSD speed (you can get faster or slower SSDs) would likely make the most difference for those activities?

I'm using "Pro Desktop 2020" and will soon be getting Pro Plus 2023 Desktop.

Hey there, Max Rockbin. I'll offer some advice on how to speed up QuickBooks Desktop.

As the company file grows, QuickBooks performance decreases. If your network cannot manage massive data files, problems may arise. 

 Let's automatically find and fix this problem using the QuickBooks Install DiagnosticTool to go past this obstacle. If you're still getting the same result, condensing your data will allow you to take more action. This helps the software function better and reduces the amount of data in your company files. 

Here's how:

1. Go to the File menu and Utilities
2. Select Condense Data.
3. Choose the first option. Note that the system will advise you of the approximate reduction in your file.
4. Click Next.

If the issue persists, you can perform the further troubleshooting steps described in the resources listed below:

• Manage your computers to fix QuickBooks Desktop performance issues.
• Manage your data files.

Need more help with any other task? Kindly leave a remark below. I will be here to assist you.