After Effects System Requirements [portable] May 2026

Here’s the truth: They are not for working .

(Resolution width × height × color depth × frames in preview) × (layers + effects) = RAM requirement. after effects system requirements

Adobe publishes three tiers of requirements: Minimum , Recommended , and Optional (for VR/4K+). Most users glance at the Minimum column, breathe a sigh of relief, install the software, and then wonder why their timeline chugs at 3 frames per minute. Here’s the truth: They are not for working

That’s the real system requirement.