Skip to main content
MahaMN
May 25, 2026 2:11 PM UTC
Answered

RAM for After Effects

My computer has 32.0 GB RAM but I often see 92% of RAM is used when I worked with certain Ae. I wish to increase the RAM. Is 64 GB enough for Ae or I have to go for 128 GB. 

    Warren Heaton
    Warren HeatonCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 25, 2026 7:18 PM UTC

    With complex Compositions, After Effects is very likely to use all of the RAM that you make available.

    64GB is better than 32GB, but 128GB is better than 64GB.

    That said, you should be able to get plenty of work done with 64GB.

     

    10 replies

    ceznov
    Inspiring
    Jul 5, 2026 10:36 AM UTC

    I don’t get it. From what I've read as of version 25.2 AE added High-Performance Preview Playback and it should use much less RAM to store previews and use Cache Disc instead. So how in the world my project immediatly occupy 90% of RAM? What changed?

    Translate
    Inspiring
    Jul 2, 2026 7:05 AM UTC

    Doesn’t matter how much ram you will have - After Effects will destroy it all - every single time. It’s just so bad. One of the worst programs out there in terms of RAM usage - and I run CFD simulations for a living.

    Translate
    sskaz
    Inspiring
    Jul 2, 2026 5:43 PM UTC

    AE caches everything possible, including the entire Undo stack, into ram before offloading to disk cache. Unless you’re working with caps lock on, those cached uncompressed rendered frames are going to use a ton of memory. This is by design.

    If your system has unused, free ram, it’s going to use it, because unused ram is wasted ram. If your other apps need more ram, then your OS will do its best to manage it all, but setting memory limits in AE preferences will set a hard cap for AE.

    Translate
    Inspiring
    Jul 2, 2026 5:45 PM UTC

    That is exactly what I meant - it will needlessly destroy any RAM you might have for no reason other than to protect itself from bad design.

    Translate
    MahaMN
    MahaMNAuthor
    May 25, 2026 7:25 PM UTC

    Thanks for the explanation.

    Translate
    Warren Heaton
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    May 25, 2026 3:45 PM UTC

    Hi ​@MahaB82A:

    Adobe After Effects really benefits from extra memory once compositions get more complex.  A jump to 64GB+ would give you a lot more headroom. 64GB or 128GB is a good upgrade.

    Translate
    MahaMN
    MahaMNAuthor
    May 25, 2026 4:32 PM UTC

    Recently RAM price has increase 6 times because of less supply in the market. Because RAM manufactures prefer to manufacture RAM for AI servers. I prefer to choose 64 GB because of my budget. Is this enough for the purpose?   

    Translate
    Warren Heaton
    Community Expert
    Warren HeatonCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    May 25, 2026 7:18 PM UTC

    With complex Compositions, After Effects is very likely to use all of the RAM that you make available.

    64GB is better than 32GB, but 128GB is better than 64GB.

    That said, you should be able to get plenty of work done with 64GB.

     

    Translate