A system and method for calculating the performance of a compressor includes a controller in communication with a cooling system. A database includes compressor specification data. A computer communicates with the controller and accesses the database. A user interface associated with the computer is operable to select a compressor from the database, input application conditions, compare data for the selected compressor to the inputted application conditions, and verify operating limits of the selected compressor based on the compressor specification data and the input application conditions.