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CitrusBookBindery
Known Participant
February 10, 2019
Answered

How important is GPU to overall performance?

  • February 10, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 1066 views

I've just started running Illustrator on a brand new PC build with excellent hardware lacking only a supplemental GPU (because I want a Titan and they are $$$$ - it's coming!) - i9 9900K cpu, 64GB ram, 1TB M.2 SSD.  Illustrator is running horribly! It's slow, laggy, and crashing with large files. I'm running Photoshop and InDesign also and they are performing better, but Ai is really just awful.

Is this only because I don't have a GPU yet? The system isnt totally lacking - there is the basic 1GB Intel graphics driver with the chip - but I still expected better performance starting out. I was under the impression the GPU was a help (not a requirement) with the CPU, RAM, and SSD being much more important. I'm getting better file handling moving from my older i7-4510, but the overall speed just doesnt feel right for the build.

I'm hoping that the GPU lack IS the problem, honestly, as I expect that to be added in the next month... but is there something else I am missing here? This system is being built specifically for Adobe and some 3D work, so if I missed something Id really like to know so I can fix it sooner rather than later.

Possibly important, possibly not: I only have one SSD running as of yet.  I plan to add a second after the GPU but wasn't prioritizing it as space is not an issue.

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Srishti_Bali

    Hi there,

    Illustrator is a vector tool and requires a Graphics card for better performance. It works with 1GB graphics card, however, 4 GB is recommended for Illustrator to run properly. You may refer to this help article for Adobe Illustrator system requirements. 

    Regards,

    Srishti

    1 reply

    Srishti_Bali
    Srishti_BaliCorrect answer
    Legend
    February 23, 2019

    Hi there,

    Illustrator is a vector tool and requires a Graphics card for better performance. It works with 1GB graphics card, however, 4 GB is recommended for Illustrator to run properly. You may refer to this help article for Adobe Illustrator system requirements. 

    Regards,

    Srishti

    rcraighead
    rcraighead
    Legend
    February 23, 2019

    Funny, I've been using a 2011 iMac with 512MB Standard Graphics Card and it has worked great with Illustrator (CS 5 to CC 2015). "4 GB GPU" recommended?? When does the cost of hardware upgrades cancel out the supposed advantage of the latest version of Illustrator?

    Oh, and I typically work with GPU Performance turned "OFF".

    You might try installing an earlier version of AI CC. You don't have to run the "latest-and-greatest".

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