RemoteFX enables rich 3D experience in virtual desktop scenarios. Integrated into the Remote Desktop Virtualization Host role service, IT administrators can now provide 3D capabilities to thin clients, as well as to rich computer clients. This article provides the hardware considerations for both server and client computers when planning your RemoteFX deployment.

RemoteFX for RD Virtualization Host server hardware requirements

There are several hardware requirements that must be met when deploying a RemoteFX server:

• SLAT-enabled processor – The processor in the RemoteFX server must support Second-Level Address Translation (SLAT). In virtualization scenarios, hardware-based SLAT support improves performance. On Intel processors, this is called Extended Page Tables (EPT), and on AMD processors, it is called Nested Page Tables (NPT).
• GPU – At least one graphics processing unit (GPU) is required on the RemoteFX server. The GPU driver must support DirectX 9.0c and DirectX 10.0. If more than one GPU is installed in the RemoteFX server, the GPUs must be identical. The GPU must have sufficient dedicated video memory that is separate from system memory.

  Important
  For a list of GPUs that will work with RemoteFX in Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1, see this blog post (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=197416). The list of GPUs will grow and evolve for the final release of Windows Server 2008 R2 with SP1. For a list of recommended GPU drivers, see this blog post (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=197417).

• RemoteFX encoder – The RemoteFX encoder is optional and can be installed for additional scalability on the RemoteFX server. The hardware encoder card must be installed in an x4 speed PCI-express slot or greater.
• Hyper-V – The Hyper-V hardware requirements must be supported on the server. The Hyper-V hardware requirements for Windows Server 2008 R2 are available on the Windows Server 2008 Technical Library (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=180919).

NOTE

Any GPUs with an XDDM driver must be disabled. This includes onboard management adapters used for KVM over IP. For Windows Server 2008 R2 during SP1 Beta, the onboard adapter must be disabled in the BIOS.

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