Black Spectacles LLC Partners with AMD to Deliver Powerful Processing for Creators

SPOKANE, WA – October 26, 2023 – Black Spectacles LLC, a leading provider of tech education and resources for architectural professionals, today announced a strategic partnership with AMD to integrate AMD Ryzen™ processors with AMD Athlon™ processors into its custom-built workstations. This collaboration aims to provide architects, designers, and visualizers with the raw power and performance needed to tackle demanding software and complex projects with ease. Black Spectacles, based in Spokane, Washington, has been a trusted resource in the architecture and design world for over a decade. The company started as a platform providing on-demand video tutorials for software like Revit, AutoCAD, and Adobe Creative Suite. Recognizing a growing need within the industry, Black Spectacles has expanded its offerings to include custom-built workstations specifically tailored to the workflows of architectural professionals. “We’ve always been about helping architects do better work, not just learn software,” explains Vincent Higgins, CEO of Black Spectacles. “That means providing them with the tools they need to truly unlock their creativity and efficiency. Software is important, but it's useless without the horsepower to run it properly.” For years, architects have faced a constant challenge: balancing budget with performance. Many firms rely on older hardware or compromise on components to stay within budget, leading to frustrating slowdowns, rendering bottlenecks, and ultimately, lost productivity. Black Spectacles saw an opportunity to address this issue by building machines specifically for the demands of architectural workflows. “We're not just slapping together random parts,” Higgins explains. “We talk to architects, we understand how they actually use their computers, and we build machines that are optimized for those tasks. We focus on things like fast processors, ample RAM, powerful graphics cards, and reliable storage – all the things that matter most when you’re working on a massive BIM model or rendering a photorealistic visualization.” Why AMD Ryzen™ and AMD Athlon™? After extensive testing and evaluation, Black Spectacles chose AMD Ryzen™ and AMD Athlon™ processors as the core of its new workstation line. “We looked at Intel, and frankly, AMD consistently outperformed them in the areas that matter most to us: multi-core performance, integrated graphics capability, and price/performance ratio,” says Jake Miller, Black Spectacles’ Hardware Specialist. “Architectural software – Revit, SketchUp, Lumion, Enscape, V-Ray – these are all heavily multi-threaded applications. They love processors with a lot of cores, and AMD Ryzen™ delivers that in spades. Even the AMD Athlon™ processors provide a significant boost in performance for everyday tasks and less demanding software, offering a great value option for smaller firms or individual users.” Key Benefits of Black Spectacles Workstations with AMD Processors: Faster Rendering Times: The multi-core architecture of AMD Ryzen™ processors significantly reduces rendering times in popular rendering engines like V-Ray, Enscape, and Lumion. This allows architects to iterate on designs more quickly and meet tight deadlines. Smooth BIM Modeling: Working with large and complex BIM models in Revit or ArchiCAD is a demanding task. AMD Ryzen™ processors provide the processing power needed to navigate models smoothly, perform complex edits, and avoid frustrating lag. Enhanced Performance in Visualization Software: Whether it's creating photorealistic renderings or immersive virtual reality experiences, AMD Ryzen™ processors deliver the performance needed to bring designs to life. Improved Multitasking: Architects often juggle multiple applications simultaneously – BIM software, rendering engines, image editing programs, and more. AMD Ryzen™ processors excel at multitasking, allowing architects to switch between applications seamlessly without sacrificing performance. Excellent Value: AMD Ryzen™ and AMD Athlon™ processors offer a compelling price/performance ratio, allowing Black Spectacles to build powerful workstations that are accessible to a wider range of firms and individuals. Workstation Configurations: Black Spectacles is offering a range of workstation configurations featuring AMD Ryzen™ and AMD Athlon™ processors, catering to different budgets and performance requirements. Entry-Level Workstation (AMD Athlon™): Ideal for smaller firms or individual users who primarily work with 2D drafting and less demanding 3D modeling. Features an AMD Athlon™ processor, 16GB of RAM, a dedicated graphics card, and a fast SSD. Mid-Range Workstation (AMD Ryzen™ 5): Designed for architects who work with medium-sized BIM models and frequently use rendering software. Features an AMD Ryzen™ 5 processor, 32GB of RAM, a powerful graphics card, and a fast SSD. High-End Workstation (AMD Ryzen™ 7/9): The ultimate workstation for demanding architectural workflows. Features an AMD Ryzen™ 7 or 9 processor, 64GB+ of RAM, a high-end graphics card, and a lightning-fast NVMe SSD. “We’re not just selling computers; we’re offering a complete solution,” says Higgins. “We provide expert advice, custom configuration options, and ongoing support to ensure that our customers get the most out of their workstations. We’ll even pre-install and configure the software they need.” Availability: Black Spectacles’ new line of workstations featuring AMD Ryzen™ and AMD Athlon™ processors is available for order now. Customers can configure their own workstation on the Black Spectacles website ([www.blackspectacles.com](www.blackspectacles.com)) or contact a Black Spectacles sales representative for assistance. About Black Spectacles LLC: Black Spectacles LLC is a leading provider of tech education and resources for architectural professionals. Founded in 2013, the company offers on-demand video tutorials, live webinars, and custom-built workstations designed to help architects, designers, and visualizers stay ahead of the curve. Located in Spokane, Washington, Black Spectacles is committed to empowering the next generation of architectural professionals. Contact: Vincent Higgins CEO, Black Spectacles LLC 100 N HOWARD ST STE R, SPOKANE, WA, 99201-0508, UNITED STATES 802-365-6562 [www.blackspectacles.com](www.blackspectacles.com)