Hardware question: is this computer ready to run AfterEffects?

[Alex Gerulaitis]

I think the short answer is “yes” for light to medium duty AE use: you have a decent CPU, decent amount of RAM, possible use of the SSD for GPC (Global Performance Cache). One thing that’s missing is a media volume: what do you plan to use as source files storage – the SSD?

The longer answer depends on how you plan to use After Effects, and your expectations of performance., i.e. the complexity of your compositions, file formats and resolutions, effects and plugins, how long you’re willing to wait for things to render, and how important are smooth previews (which depend on all of the above).

[John A spillane]

Alex,

Thanks for the quick response!

I’m considering an HP Z220 for at-home use because I need a workstation to learn AfterEffects. So this would not be mission-critical projects. I’d need to add at least one more drive, as you say and more RAM would probably help, right? The bottom line: as long as this box can run most AfterEffects functions and I can get some experience with the software, I willing to forego 3D or 4K.

Does that make sense? Thanks! John

[Alex Gerulaitis]

Yes, totally makes sense.

Personally, I’d hold off adding more RAM until you get a better hang of where the potential bottlenecks are in the system, after using it for a bit. With light AE use, you may be OK with 16GB for a while.

[Todd Kopriva]

I agree with Alex.

See this page for information about hardware for After Effects: https://adobe.ly/pRYOuk

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Todd Kopriva, Adobe Systems Incorporated
After Effects quality engineering
After Effects team blog
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