Whether you’re a professional graphics designer working in Adobe Illustrator or a new talent that’s picking up the industry-standard program, it’s crucial to figure out Adobe Illustrator’s system requirements, first, to know what it’ll take to perform smoothly.
Performance matters, and when your income depends on your efficiency, even more so.
Illustrator is a very complex piece of software, and while Adobe’s official system requirements are quite moderate, there’s more to it than just that — but more on that later.
If you’re either building a new PC for Illustrator, wondering why Illustrator is slow, or want to upgrade your PC to run Graphics Design software better, then here’s everything you need to know.
Displayed below is Illustrator’s official list of system requirements from Adobe’s website.
The list is divided into two sections, one for Windows and the other for macOS. Adobe only provides minimum Illustrator requirements, which means that it’s somewhat safe to say that stronger specs will run Illustrator better.
| Components | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| Processor | Multicore Intel processor (with 64-bit support) or AMD Athlon 64 processor |
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) versions: V1809, V1903, V1909, and V2004. |
Windows Server versions V1607 (2017) and V1809 (2019).
Optional Touch workspace: touch-screen monitor.
The computer must support OpenGL version 4.0 or greater.
| Components | Minimum Requirements |
|---|---|
| Processor | Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support |
| Operating System | macOS version 11.0 (Big Sur), 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14 (Mojave) |
| RAM | 8 GB (16 GB recommended) |
| Hard disk | ~3 GB of available space (SSD recommended) |
| Monitor resolution | 1024 x 768 display (1920 x 1080 recommended) |
| GPU | Optional GPU performance: 1 GB of VRAM (2 GB recommended) |
Mac must support OpenGL version 4.0 or greater.
Adobe’s website also has an official list of supported GPUs that have been tested with Illustrator. If you can’t find your GPU in the list, you can still expect your graphics card to work with Illustrator if it has at least 1GB of VRAM and supports OpenGL version 4.0 or higher. ( Here’s how to check what OpenGL Version your GPU supports )
While the system requirements look good on paper, there are caveats to the bigger picture, as is often the case.
Adobe wants to make sure as many people as possible buy and use their software, so they are set to gain from stating the lowest requirements possible.
They don’t show what an Illustrator PC needs for moderate or great Illustrator Performance, as that could scare people away.
Programs like Illustrator will demand more from your system when you work on more complex projects.
If a PC that fits the minimum Illustrator requirements can barely run a low-complexity project (just a couple of vectors, layers, and outlines), it’s safe to say that you’ll quickly outgrow these recommendations after just a short while.
You’ll also want to work fast and not fight with a sluggish interface every step of the way.
We recommend taking special care of maximizing the performance of the following components:
Building a PC specifically for Adobe Illustrator comes with a lot of nuances. If you’re looking for a complete breakdown of how to build the best PC for Illustrator, check out this guide: Best PC for Adobe Illustrator and Vector Illustration .
For now, here are some quick Illustrator PC-Build recommendations in two price-tiers:
You can also get an even stronger PC for Illustrator, but beyond what I listed above, the performance improvements will be marginal.
You can quickly check your specs on a Windows computer by pressing the Win + R keys and typing out “dxdiag.” Press enter and select Yes when prompted.
For macOS, go through the Apple menu > About This Mac > System Information.
Here’s a complete guide on how you can check your system specs , including your monitor, clock rates, OpenGL Version, and more.
We’ve already talked about the minimum specs and best PC-Builds for Illustrator. If you want to upgrade your PC to run Illustrator faster, you can refer to our in-depth guide on upgrading your PC:
We understand that finding the right components that fit your budget and are compatible with each other can make building a PC a challenging task.
That’s why we created the PC-Builder Tool , which helps you find the best parts for your PC or the ideal Laptop within the budget you define.
Adobe Illustrator’s minimum requirements are feasible with most computers but don’t hold up for more complex work. Design programs like Illustrator will demand more from your system depending on your workload.
The performance demand on your system will depend on many factors, like the number of vectors, outlines, effects, layers, or masks, to name a few.
Are you looking to upgrade your computer or purchase a new one that’s fit for Adobe Illustrator? Feel free to ask for help in the comments or our forum .
CGDirector is Reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission .
At a minimum, you'll need a 64-bit multicore Intel or AMD processor, Windows 10 (version 1809 or later), 8 GB of RAM (16 GB recommended), 2 GB of GPU VRAM, and a display with 1024 x 768 resolution (1920 x 1080 recommended).
What are the PC requirements for Adobe Illustrator? ›RAM: Minimum 8GB; recommended 16GB. Hard Disk Space: Minimum 2GB available for installation; SSD recommended. Monitor Resolution: 1024 x 768 display (1920 x 1080 recommended).
Do you need a good PC for Adobe Illustrator? ›To meet the Adobe Illustrator system requirements, you'll need an Intel Core i7-920 paired with 8GB of RAM. While you don't need a dedicated graphics card, a GeForce GTX 950 will give you just enough horsepower to slightly enhance performance.
What computer is compatible with Adobe Illustrator? ›a) Operating System (OS): Adobe Illustrator is compatible with both Windows and macOS. For Windows, version 10 (64-bit) is supported, while macOS versions 10.15 and later are recommended. b) Internet connection: An internet connection is required for product activation and access to certain online features.
Is CPU or GPU more important for Illustrator? ›Vector editing: Illustrator's core vector editing operations are largely CPU-bound. This includes tasks such as creating, modifying, and transforming shapes, as well as applying effects and filters.
What are the requirements for an Illustrator? ›Visual talent. Needless to say, you need innate affinities and sensibilities for the visual arts. You should have high-level drawing skills, as well as the ability to sketch, communicate visually and think in a highly imaginative way. An eye for detail is also important, along with creative problem-solving skills.
How much RAM do I need for Adobe Illustrator? ›The recommended RAM for Adobe Illustrator is 16 GB or more. – RAM plays a crucial role in the performance of Adobe Illustrator. With more RAM, the software can efficiently handle complex projects, multiple layers, and large file sizes.
What are the system requirements for Adobe Illustrator 2024? ›Minimum of 1 GB of VRAM (4 GB recommended). For optimum GPU Performance, your Mac should have a minimum of 1024 MB of VRAM (2 GB recommended), and your computer must support Metal. How much RAM does Illustrator Require? The minimum RAM requirement for Windows and macOS to run Illustrator is 8 GB.
Why is Illustrator so slow on PC? ›If Illustrator has insufficient RAM, it uses hard disk space (virtual memory, scratch disk, or both) to process information. Illustrator is fastest when it can process information in memory, without using a hard disk.
Which graphic card is best for Adobe Illustrator? › Here are a few specific GPU recommendations for Illustrator:Intel has the i3, i5, i7, i9, and the X series for their processors. For digital artists using programs requiring heavy computing power, I recommend going with at least an i5 processor. For heavy usage for programming, art, and gaming, I recommend at least i7.
Which laptop is good for Illustrator? ›Adobe Illustrator is pretty much identical on both machines with a few very minor details. Below is a more detailed look. You should be familiar with both operating systems and keyboards as you never know what machine you may be put in front of on the job.
Which processor is best for a graphic designer? ›Q: What CPU is best for graphic design laptops? A: Look for the latest generation Intel Core i5, i7, or i9 processors or Apple M1 chips. More cores (quad-core at minimum) is better for handling complex design software.
Do you need a good graphics card for AI? ›While the GPU handles more difficult mathematical and geometric computations. This means GPU can provide superior performance for AI training and inference while also benefiting from a wide range of accelerated computing workloads.
Does Illustrator use GPU or RAM? ›Illustrator mainly works off the CPU and RAM, but it does need a decent GPU for GPU-accelerated functions such as animated zoom. RAM is important for any new system.
Can I run Adobe Illustrator on my PC? ›In order to use Adobe Illustrator, you need a computer with minimum requirement of a processor that supports SSE2. That means an Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 processor. Your computer also needs at least 1 GB of RAM and 3.2 GB of available hard-disk space for installation.
Can I run Adobe Illustrator without a graphics card? ›Yours is embedded into the processor. Yeah, you can definitely run Illustrator on your laptop. A graphics card can help with most Adobe but one is not required. Most CPUs from the past 2 decades or so have had integrated graphics right on the CPU chip whether a desktop or laptop chip.
Is Mac or PC better for Illustrator? ›The platform is irrelevant. They are both highly optimized and efficient for Photoshop and other Adobe software. That's just down to what you prefer.