To run the After Effects releases covered by Adobe’s September 9, 2026 requirements page, your computer needs a supported operating system and processor, at least 16 GB of memory, and a compatible GPU. For Windows work with 4K or higher media, Adobe recommends 32 GB or more of RAM; minimum specs establish compatibility, not smooth playback or a guaranteed render speed.
Adobe’s current requirements page applies to After Effects 26.5 (September 2026), 26.3 (June 2026), 26.2.1 and 26.2 (April 2026), and 26.0 (January 2026). Requirements can change between releases, so check Adobe’s After Effects system requirements for the specific version you intend to install.
After Effects 2026 system requirements at a glance
The table reflects Adobe’s requirements page, updated September 9, 2026. The recommendations are Adobe’s listed configurations, not performance guarantees.
| Component | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 v24H2 minimum; Windows 11 v24H2 or later recommended. Windows on Arm specifies Windows 11 v24H2, OS build 26100.2033. | macOS Sonoma 14 minimum; Sonoma 14 or later recommended. |
| Processor | Minimum: Intel 6th generation or newer, or AMD Ryzen 1000 series or newer, with AVX2. Recommended: Intel 11th generation or newer with Quick Sync, or AMD Ryzen 3000/Threadripper 3000 series or newer. Windows on Arm requires Qualcomm Snapdragon X series. | Minimum: Intel 6th generation or newer with AVX2. Recommended: Apple Silicon M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, or newer. |
| Memory | 16 GB minimum. Adobe recommends 16 GB for HD media and 32 GB or more for 4K and higher media. | 16 GB minimum. Adobe lists 16 GB unified memory for Apple Silicon as recommended. |
| Graphics | Minimum: NVIDIA Maxwell generation or newer with at least 4 GB GPU memory, or a discrete Intel or AMD GPU with at least 4 GB and OpenCL support. Adobe recommends 8 GB GPU memory. After Effects 25.6 and later require OpenCL 2.0. Windows on Arm requires Qualcomm Adreno driver 31.0.121.1 or later. | Adobe lists Apple Silicon with 16 GB RAM; Intel Macs require a discrete AMD GPU with 4 GB GPU memory. See Adobe’s separate requirements for the Advanced 3D renderer. |
| Storage | 8 GB available for installation, plus extra temporary space during installation. Do not install on removable flash storage. Adobe recommends a fast internal SSD for the application and cache, plus additional high-speed drives for media. | 8 GB available for installation, plus extra temporary space during installation. Adobe recommends a fast internal SSD for the application and cache, plus additional high-speed drives for media. |
| Display | 1440 × 900 minimum; 1920 × 1080 or greater recommended. Adobe identifies DisplayHDR 1000 for HDR workflows. | 1440 × 900 minimum; 1920 × 1080 or greater recommended. Adobe identifies DisplayHDR 1000 for HDR workflows. |
| Network storage | 1 Gbit Ethernet for HD-only workflows; 10 Gbit Ethernet for shared 4K workflows. | 1 Gbit Ethernet for HD-only workflows; 10 Gbit Ethernet for shared 4K workflows. |
Adobe also lists a Microsoft Windows Driver Model- or ASIO-compatible sound card for Windows. The requirements table does not specify a corresponding macOS sound-card requirement. Activation and use require internet access, an Adobe ID, and acceptance of the license agreement; Adobe also notes subscription validation and online-service access. See the full requirements page for details.
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Can my PC run After Effects?
Check your Windows version, processor, RAM, and graphics support against the Windows column above. The standard Windows minimum calls for an Intel 6th-generation-or-newer processor or AMD Ryzen 1000-series-or-newer processor with AVX2. A graphics card’s VRAM capacity alone does not establish compatibility: the GPU type, OpenCL support, and driver matter too.
If you use Windows on Arm
Adobe specifies a Qualcomm Snapdragon X-series processor, Windows 11 v24H2 at OS build 26100.2033, and Qualcomm Adreno driver 31.0.121.1 or later. Do not assume that another Arm processor or an older driver meets these listed requirements.
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Will After Effects run on my Mac?
For the releases covered by the current page, Adobe lists macOS Sonoma 14 as the minimum. The Intel Mac minimum is a 6th-generation-or-newer Intel processor with AVX2; Adobe recommends Apple Silicon M1 Pro, M1 Max, M1 Ultra, or newer. The graphics requirements differ by Mac type: the table lists Apple Silicon with 16 GB RAM, while Intel Macs need a discrete AMD GPU with 4 GB GPU memory. Advanced 3D rendering has separate requirements.
How much RAM do you need for After Effects?
Adobe lists 16 GB as the minimum on both Windows and macOS. For Windows, Adobe recommends 16 GB for HD media and 32 GB or more for 4K and higher media. That 32 GB recommendation is specific to Windows 4K-or-higher work; it should not be presented as a universal macOS recommendation, since Adobe’s listed Apple Silicon recommendation is 16 GB unified memory.
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Adobe’s 2020 hardware guide calls for at least 32 GB for a good video-editing workstation and says additional memory is a priority for After Effects. That is older, general workflow guidance, not a replacement for the current release-specific requirements.
What GPU do you need for After Effects?
On Windows, Adobe’s minimum is a supported NVIDIA Maxwell-generation-or-newer GPU with at least 4 GB of memory, or a discrete Intel or AMD GPU with at least 4 GB and OpenCL support. Adobe recommends 8 GB of GPU memory. Starting with After Effects 25.6, OpenCL 2.0 is required; OpenCL 1.2 and earlier are no longer supported. For supported NVIDIA GPUs, Adobe recommends current NVIDIA Studio drivers. CUDA acceleration is optional rather than a requirement to run Adobe video apps; Adobe lists CUDA 11.8-or-newer drivers if you want to use it. See Adobe’s GPU and GPU driver requirements.
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Adobe does not recommend individual GPU chipsets: new models are introduced constantly, and compatibility depends on the API and driver as well as the hardware. A card meeting the VRAM minimum is not a promise of a particular playback or render experience.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose or upgrade a computer for After Effects
- Verify the exact release and platform. Confirm the After Effects version, operating system, and processor architecture against Adobe’s requirements for that release. The 2026 page covers the versions listed above, not necessarily a later version.
- Match memory to the media you work with. For Windows 4K or higher media, use Adobe’s recommendation of 32 GB or more as a buying target. Check whether the computer can accept a memory upgrade and which memory type it supports before purchasing.
- Check graphics support beyond VRAM. Confirm GPU generation, required API support, and driver compatibility for your platform. On Windows, OpenCL 2.0 applies from After Effects 25.6 onward.
- Plan storage by role. Adobe recommends a fast internal SSD for the application and cache, plus additional high-speed storage for media. Check the computer’s ports and the drive’s supported interface before buying; the 8 GB installation figure excludes temporary installation space and your media.
- Account for display and shared files. Adobe recommends at least a 1920 × 1080 display, and identifies DisplayHDR 1000 for HDR workflows. For network-stored media, its listed connection speeds are 1 Gbit Ethernet for HD-only and 10 Gbit Ethernet for shared 4K work.
- Compare complete systems, not a single component. Weigh OS support, CPU architecture, upgradeable RAM, GPU and driver, storage, display, workflow resolution, and other software you use. Adobe does not endorse a universally best GPU or computer, and its requirements do not establish a best-value model.
What minimum requirements do—and do not—tell you
Meeting the minimum means the computer meets Adobe’s stated baseline to run and use the application. It does not guarantee smooth preview playback, a particular render time, or comfortable handling of every project. Workload, media resolution, effects, storage, and the rest of the system all matter. Treat Adobe’s recommended configurations as planning guidance, not as benchmark results.
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- Enhanced Functionality: Packed with handy features, including a 5x9" precision tracking mouse pad and a built-in phone slot for seamless work or video calls. Plus, enjoy laptop support with the integrated device ledge.
- Cool Comfort: Enjoy a stable surface with our lap desk's dual bolster cushion, designed for comfort and airflow, keeping your lap cool during extended use.
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