Volunteering into the world of graphic designers or website designers for the very first time? Stop and start considering the hardware specifications required for Graphic Designer.
Video editing, image editing, animation, or any other graphic design require high computing power to handle heavy graphics. If you try to use an ordinary or word processing system for graphic design tasks, bogging down, crashing, or losing information will result.
Here we parsed out the required specs based on common programs that a professional needs to run for designing logos to creating multimedia. We have spruced up the specifications according to the basic tasks and programs to let you easily find the one as per your need.
As Graphics Designing Company, we also provide Graphic Design Services, please check them out as well.
You must be be wondering about this question now best computer configuration for graphic design? Lets take a look for specification required for popular tools, this will help you while deciding your PC specs.
System specs for using adobe photoshop tasks:
Adobe Photoshop is the most common application used for creating linear graphic design. It allows the designer to edit photos, create a 2D design, and transform them into any unique image. You only need to add and adjust effects, color, text, distortions, and more. These actions cannot work smoothly on a low spec system. You will require a system that is capable to manage heavy files and a CPU that can process editing without lagging or bogging. The requirements are mentioned below:
- CPU: AMD processor or latest generation Intel with 64-bit support; 4GHz and more
- PC memory: 6 GB RAM and more.
- Supported OS: Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, Windows 7, Mac OS
- Monitor Resolution: 1024 x 768 resolution with 16-bit colour display
- Hard Disk: 3 GB (4GB recommended)
These are the basic specs that your system must have to run Adobe Photoshop. Our recommendation with a pocket-friendly approach is HP Pavilion Flagship Laptop.
System Specs for using Adobe illustrator:
When it’s about vector design, professionals always recommend using Adobe illustrator. It provides the same functions as Adobe Photoshop does. However, it can work smoothly even on a bit less powerful CPU. Thus, Pro graphic designers prefer it for fast and smooth processing without quality loss. It also helps make crisp and sharp lines to create flawless logos, icons, avatars, cartoons, etc. It requires the following specifications for smooth run and processing.
- CPU: Multicore Intel (32/64-Bit Support)orAMD Athlon 64 processor
- PC memory: 6 GB RAM for 32-bit or16 GB RAM for 64-bit
- Hard Disk: 3GB
- Monitor Resolution: 1024 x 768 display
- Supported OS: Windows 10 and Mac OS
When it comes to buying a system with these specifications, you will find many options by various laptop brands. However, we will recommend buying Dell Inspiron FHD Laptop. The best thing about this pick is its budget-friendly rate, reliable processing power, and powerful CPU.
System Specs for using Adobe After Effects:
Adobe After Effect is the perfect application to create simple animations and illustrations with vector graphics. It is used to make little pop-up animations for YouTube videos, anime characters, Cartoons, etc. If you are interested in using this animation software, consider adding the following specifications to your professional computer system for graphic design.
- CPU: Multicore Intel i5 series Processor (64-bit support) or 64-bit 4-core & 8-Threads.
- PC Memory: 8 GB RAM (minimum)
- GPU: 2 GB GPU DEDICATED + VRAM
- Hard Disk: 12GB
- Monitor Resolution: 1920×1080 display
The 3D imagery requires more power, so you need to boost up the specs of your old computer or buy ASUS VivoBook Pro or iMac for animations software. The expensive but worthy pick is Dell’s Alienware laptop, as it has high-end specifications for smooth and resilient processing.
System Specs for Affinity Photo:
Affinity Photo is the photo editing software that has all the functions of photoshop. Professional graphic designers prefer this application for its one-time purchase feature. In addition to its budget-friendly updates, it also requires a little less powerful hardware for smooth processing. If you are a newbie, consider upgrading your old system to use Affinity Photo for editing, designing, and drawing purposes. The minimum specifications for graphic design include:
- Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 (64 bit)
- PC memory: 4 GB RAM (6 GB RAM recommended)
- Hard Drive Space: 1GB and more
System Specs for PaintShop Pro:
Like Photoshop and Affinity Photo, PaintShop Pro works for photo and image editing. It does almost the same task with the same efficiency with less demanding hardware. Beginners can pick this software to learn about graphic design, photo-editing, and multimedia image design. You can simply upgrade your old computer to make them compatible with PaintShop Pro. The needed specs are:
- CPU: Intel or AMD 32-bit or 64-bit; 1.5 GHz
- Supported OS: Windows
- PC Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Monitor resolution: 1024 x 768 display size
System Specs for CorelDraw:
When you search for graphic design, you will find CorelDraw as a basic softer for illustration and vector design. It is not restricted to just Windows OS, so you can use it on your Mac OS too. Professionals consider it a reliable and budget-friendly application for industry-level graphic images. The best thing about this application is its lightweight processing and efficient run in any system. However, the minimum requirements for using CorelDraw are as follows:
- CPU: Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon
- Supported OS: Windows, macOS, Linux
- PC memory: 4 GB
In addition to these graphic design programs and software, you will also find open source and free applications, such as Inkscape, GIMP, Krita, and more. They can run efficiently on ordinary power computers with supported OS Windows, macOS, and Linux. So, if you do not have enough budget to build a high-end system or upgrade your old one, simply consider using these software and applications for various graphic design projects.
Complementary specifications:
Alongside hardware specifications, you should consider the following features in your laptop.
- 4K monitor
- Additional audio equipment
- Ergonomic designed mouse
- Multiple processor cores
- Touch screen
- Long-lasting battery life
- Extra external storage
- And more.
Before choosing the computer system for graphic designs, decide your requirement. It will help you find the best computer that meets the minimum need for a professional graphic designer without exceeding your budget.
As Graphics Designing Company, we also provide Graphic Design Services, please check them out as well.
FAQS
What are the computer specifications for graphic design?
| Adobe Photoshop | Intel or AMD 64-bit; 2 GHz or Higher | Windows, MacOS | 8 GB | 1.5 GB | 4 GB | 1920 x 1080 |
| Adobe Illustrator | AMD 64-bitMulticore Intel or | Windows, MacOS | 8 GB | Not Essential | 4 GB | 1024 x 768 |
| Adobe After Effects | AMD Quad-Core Processor or Intel | Windows, MacOS | 12 GB | 2 GB | 12 GB | 1280 x 1080 |
| Affinity Photo | 64-bit | Windows, MacOS | 4 GB | Not Essential | 1 GB | 1280 x 786 |
| Affinity Designer | 64-bit | Windows, MacOS | 4 GB | Not Essential | 1 GB | 1280 x 786 |
| PaintShop Pro | Intel or AMD 1.5 GHz or Higher | Windows | 4 GB | Not Essential | 1 GB | 1024 x 768 |
| CorelDraw | Intel Core i3/5/7 or AMD Athlon 64 | Windows, MacOS | 4 GB | Not Essential | 1 GB | 1280 x 720 |
| GIMP | Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon | Windows, MacOS, Linux | 4 GB | Not Essential | 1 GB | undefined |
| Inkscape | undefined | Windows, MacOS, Linux | Not Specified | Not Essential | 1 GB | undefined |
| Krita | undefined | Windows, MacOS, Linux | 4 GB | Optional; OpenGL 3.0 | Not Specified | undefined |
How many GB of RAM do I require for graphic design?
While using Photoshop and Illustrator, your graphic design laptop should have at least 8 GB of RAM, and if you don’t have that much, you should have at least 16 GB. Furthermore, 32GB of RAM will be advantageous if you want to plan for the next two to four years.
What are the minimum requirements for video editing and graphic design on my PC?
Intel i5/i7/i9 multi-core CPU variants with 8-32 GB RAM or as much as you can afford (preferably at least 16GB) are suggested (i9 is best). 4 or more processing cores are preferred. Storage: A minimum of 256 GB 7200 RPM hard drive, preferably SSD (fastest), HDD
Is it true that SSD is better for graphic design?
Solid state drive (SSD) storage is highly recommended for design work. Programs open faster, load times are reduced, especially for large files, and general system responsiveness is improved.
Is the Core i5 processor suitable for graphic design?
It’s critical to have a powerful processor and plenty of RAM. Consider an Intel Core i5 processor from one of the most recent models for novices. When it comes to rendering, having more cores on a processor helps. In terms of RAM, 8GB should suffice, but it’s always a good idea to have the option to upgrade.
Is the Core i3 processor suitable for graphic design?
In terms of graphical design, the i5 should suffice. It’ll only be useful for video editing (one core for video decoding, one core for running the OS and editing program).
What Is The Best RAM For Graphic Design?
- The Kingston HyperX Predator.
- Kingston HyperX Fury.
- Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB.
- HyperX Fury RGB.
- G.Skill Trident Z RGB DC.
- Spectrix D80 from Adata.
- G.Skill TridentZ Royal.
- Corsair Vengeance LPX.
Is it possible to run Illustrator on an i5?
Adobe Illustrator works on a single core, therefore an i5 with 4GB RAM should suffice. With the addition of more anchor points in the. The laptop will begin to lag as a result of the AI file, but this can be resolved simply reopening the application.
What is the necessity for RAM in graphic design?
Memory, often known as RAM (random access memory), is distinct from VRAM (video memory), which is used solely by the graphics card. The processor uses RAM to store information for the files you’re presently working with. You can now switch between several files and apps. It is necessary to have at least 16 GB of RAM.
How much memory does a UX designer require?
When purchasing a laptop for UX design, RAM is one of the most important factors to consider. Even if you’re simply using your preferred software and have no other apps running in the background, you’ll consume a lot of RAM. Most software will demand a minimum of 8 GB of RAM, which is more than sufficient.
Is 4GB of RAM sufficient for Illustrator?
For 32-bit and 64-bit installations, Illustrator requires a minimum of 2GB/4GB RAM. The Multicore Intel Processor with 32bit or 64bit support is recommended for running Illustrator, or you can utilize the AMD Athlon 64 processor.
Laptop requirements for graphic design:
We are not promoting any brand here, so we are going to cover what are the core requirement for laptop you should keep in mind while purchasing a laptop for graphic designing purpose:
- Screen size: 15 inches (17″ will be sweet)
- Screen resolution: 1920 x 1080 (2K Recommended)
- Hard Drive: 256 GB SSD (Preferably NVME)
- Processor: Core i5 8th generation minimum or similar in AMD. (Recommended 10th generation)
- Graphic Memory: 2GB (3/4 GB Recommended)
- RAM: 8GB (16 GB Recommended)
Conclusion:
In this article we cover PC requirements for graphic design, Specifications for each popular tools and what are the best components out there for you to build your own PC.
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