I use Solver on a workbook which has about 300,000 cells. Within a minute or so of starting it, Solver causes my laptop screen to flicker, and the laptop itself thus becomes useless. I can't even stop solver with the esc key. (typically I'd set Solver to run for 20 minutes or so as there are about 8^15 possible iterations).

I assume part of this has to do with memory (I have 8 gigs RAM) or processor (I5).

When I run Solver I do not check the "show iteration results" box.

From what I've read in other posts and forums it seems that one solution might have something to do with a VBA code telling Excel not to refresh the screen. Another post mentioned conditional formatting.

Any ideas/suggestions? I'm wondering if I cut down the # of cores that Excel uses (under advanced options). Or perhaps tweaking my graphics settings.

Thanks