Premiere Pro system requirements for Windows and Mac in 2019

For Premiere Pro to run smoothly, your computer must meet the minimum specifications listed below, and if you're editing VR videos, your computer must meet the minimum specifications listed on their website.

Intel 6th or newer CPU

Windows 10 (64-bit) 1703 or later/ MacOS V10.12 later

16GB RAM; 4GB GPU VRAM

Fast internal SSD

1920*1080 Display resolution

32-bit video card

Internet connection

The minimum specification will not necessarily provide a satisfactory user experience, but this is the minimum. It is much more likely that the recommended specifications will provide the performance expected of the software, which should be used for deciding the minimum specification requirements for a new computer or any upgrades that may be planned.

Find out how to check computer specifications.

We will show you how to check if your PC meets the requirements for Premiere Pro on Windows 10 after the release of Premiere Pro CC 18.0.

• Press Windows Key + E to open Windows Explorer.
• From the context menu, right click the This PC option in the sidebar.
• You can see the Processor, RAM, OS type, and other system information in the system specification window.

If you would like to check the specifications of your Mac, simply click the Apple icon in the top-left corner and select About This Mac. You will see information including the processor speed, memory and graphics card in the pop-up window.

How to Set Up Computer for Premiere

1.Processor

Regardless of whether the software runs on a Core2Duo Intel or Phenom II AMD processor, rendering can be extremely intensive on the processor. Thus, opting for the fastest processor within your budget will pay dividends in speed of editing. In general, even the cheapest Core I3 chip in Intel's current range is significantly faster than older models, but because Premiere uses multicore processors to their full ability, if the budget allows for a quadcore or beyond chip, go for it; the software benefits most from increasing processing power.

2.Memory

Next, we need to consider memory. To ensure a smooth and reliable running experience, you should consider 8GB minimum, and as much as you can. Even 24GB of RAM can be fully utilized if you are working on HD content on a computer that is used for other tasks as well. Memory can also be utilized for content. For HD content in particular, and for hassle-free and fastest operation, it is best to reserve a separate drive, preferably a faster 7200 RPM drive, exclusively for your media. Premiere will be much faster with its media on a dedicated drive, thanks to faster bandwidth and access times.

3.Graphic

performance should also be considered. It has two modes, software only and GPU acceleration (using CUDA or OpenCL). Adobe Premiere makes use of the Mercury Playback Engine to playback video much faster and smoother without rendering. With GPU acceleration, Adobe Premiere offers significant performance gains. However, not all GPUs are compatible with the Mercury Playback Engine; a list of those that are can be found on the previously linked specification page. Therefore, if a new computer is being built or purchased, or upgrades are being considered, it is highly desirable to select a GPU that is compatible.

5.Settings

Following our discussion of the basic specifications of a computer that will improve the performance of Premiere, let's turn our attention to the computer settings and how they will affect Premiere's performance and usability.

In order to understand video editing, especially HD video editing, you must realize that it consumes a lot of bandwidth, in effect, filling up the lanes between the CPU, RAM, GPU and Hard Drive. A great way to optimize the computer for Premier is to adjust how the hard drives are used. By spreading that bandwidth across many devices, you can see huge performance gains. Here, we'll cover a few different options depending on the computer you're using.

6.Drive

If your computer only has one drive, install Premiere and start using it. There are no options available here. Keeping one drive for the operating system, programs, and cache files is a good idea if there are two drives. Keep video projects, exported projects, and previews on the second drive only.

When your computer has three drives, keep one for the operating system and programs, one for the video project files, and one for previews, cache files, and exported projects.

If you have access to even more drives, separate the previews from the cache and have one drive for previews, exports, and cache. By ensuring that the different read/write operations are executed without interfering with one another, spreading the files as widely as possible enhances performance.

This is the theory, but how do you put it into practice? There are two steps involved in this process, the first being accessing the location of the media cache files through Premiere's edit menu. Follow the edit menu path edit > preferences > media to do this.

Project files, previews, and exports can also be changed via the project menu by selecting project > project settings > scratchdisks.

7.Sequence Setting

Working with Premiere, it is important to use the appropriate settings for the type of media and the nature of the output. A Sequence in Premiere allows you to do this.

The sequence dialogue box appears after you create a new project. You can have as many sequences in a single project as you like, but Premiere assumes you need at least one and so requires the first one to be created before work on the project can begin. When you place media into a sequence, it is automatically adjusted to the settings of that sequence, so you will want to choose settings that are as close to the original media as possible. A sequence in a project can have different settings if necessary, as this lowers the CPU workload and speeds up the process.

Sequence Presets, Settings, and Tracks are the tabs on the sequence dialogue

Using the Preset Tab simplifies the process of setting up a new sequence. When you choose a preset, Premiere will choose the settings that are most appropriate for the video and audio format you select. The presets are organized based on camera formats to suit the most commonly used media types. A variety of options are available for each group based on frame sizes and interlacing. The uninitiated may find choosing the correct preset a challenge, but all they need to do is make sure the frame size, frame rate, and codec are correct.

After choosing a preset, you can move to the settings tab to adjust the preset manually. Due to the specific optimization required for the input media, some settings cannot be adjusted on this tab.

Since the presets are so good, you don't really need to adjust anything in the settings tab, unless you're trying to do something very specific.

The standard presets are usually sufficient, but a custom setting may be required occasionally. Make custom selections in the Settings tab after choosing a preset that is close to your media. On the Settings tab, you can then create a custom setting with those parameters by selecting Save Preset. In the Save Settings dialog box, name the preset and add any notes you wish. You can find the preset in the Custom folder under Available Presets.

You can use the Apple Prores Codec as the preview codec if you have it installed on your computer. By selecting Quicktime as the preview format in a custom editing mode, and Apple Prores as the required codec.

Conclusion

You may need to purchase a powerful computer if your computer is not suitable to run Premiere Pro, or choose another video editing software with a lower computer requirement, such as FilmoraPro. When you don't have a powerful computer, you will have an awful experience editing footage because of the long loading times and stuck playback.z