What sort of computer do I need?
One of the most common questions we receive is: “What computer do I need for my course?”
The software used in game development, 3D animation, visual effects, programming and filmmaking can be demanding, but most computers purchased within the last 3-5 years are capable of running the software used at AIE. In many cases, upgrading your existing computer’s RAM or storage may be sufficient rather than purchasing a completely new system.
AIE uses Windows-based PCs for game development, animation and visual effects courses, as this is the industry standard. For filmmaking courses, AIE primarily uses Apple Mac computers in its learning environments. The software used throughout our film programs is also available on Windows, so students may work on either platform at home.
If you’re familiar with computer specifications and what you should be looking for, head straight to the computer specifications table further down this page. Otherwise, read on to find out more.
Key computer components
CPU
The CPU is the main processor in your computer and is responsible for carrying out the calculations and instructions required by every application you use. Tasks such as compiling code, running simulations, processing physics, managing scenes, exporting projects and running multiple applications at once all rely heavily on the CPU. A faster CPU can improve overall system responsiveness and reduce the time spent waiting for projects to build, load or render.
Because the CPU plays a role in almost everything your computer does, it is one of the most important components to consider when purchasing a new system. It is also one of the more difficult components to upgrade later, which is why it is worth investing in a capable processor from the outset.
GPU
The GPU is responsible for creating and displaying the 3D graphics, visual effects, lighting and animations you see on screen. If the CPU is the brain of your computer, the GPU is the specialist designed to handle complex visual tasks.
Modern game engines and creative applications rely heavily on the GPU to render detailed 3D scenes, display real-time lighting and effects, accelerate video processing, and reduce rendering times. A more powerful GPU can make working in software such as Unreal Engine, Maya, Houdini and Nuke much smoother, particularly when working on larger or more complex projects.
Many laptops include integrated graphics, which share resources with the CPU and are designed for general computing tasks. For game development, animation and visual effects work, a dedicated graphics card is strongly recommended, as it provides significantly higher performance and its own dedicated graphics memory (VRAM).
RAM
RAM is your computer’s temporary working memory. Whenever you open an application, the files, data, and instructions it needs are loaded into RAM so they can be accessed quickly.
The more RAM your computer has, the more applications, files, and complex projects it can work with at the same time. When working with large scenes, high-resolution textures, video files, or multiple creative applications simultaneously, having sufficient RAM can significantly improve performance and responsiveness.
Unlike your SSD or hard drive, RAM only stores data while your computer is running. Any work you create must still be saved to permanent storage before shutting down.
For most AIE courses, 16GB of RAM is sufficient, while 32GB is recommended for students studying Game Art, Visual Effects, or working with larger projects.
Hard Drive
The Hard Drive stores your operating system, applications, and project files. It affects how quickly your computer starts up, how fast applications load, and how efficiently large files can be opened, saved, and transferred.
We strongly recommend a Solid State Drive (SSD), as SSDs are significantly faster than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Faster storage can improve overall system responsiveness and reduce loading times when working with large game projects, 3D assets, video files, and other creative content.
Most modern computers now use SSDs as their primary storage device. Windows operating system and common creative software can easily take up more than 100GB of storage. As projects grow in size throughout your studies, more storage will be very useful.
When comparing computers, you may also see newer NVMe SSDs. These offer even faster performance than traditional SATA SSDs and are recommended where available.
Monitors
A larger monitor won’t make your computer faster, but it can make you more productive. Many creative and technical applications are designed to display multiple panels, timelines, toolbars and viewports at the same time, so having additional screen space can make it much easier to navigate your projects. More screen space allows you to watch a tutorial while following along in an application, keeping reference material visible, or working across multiple programs at once.
We would recommend students have at least one screen of 22 inches or larger. In AIE classrooms we use 2 x 23″ LED monitors so that students can have two large workspaces available. This means they can have a tutorial on one window while working in the other or can work across two applications simultaneously.
Students using a laptop are strongly encouraged to connect an external monitor, keyboard and mouse when studying at home. This can improve comfort, productivity and ergonomics during extended periods of work.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to buy a computer if I study at AIE?
If you are studying on-campus, we provide everything you need to complete the course during course hours: computers, all the software and have equipment like wacom tablets and game controllers that you can borrow. If you want to continue working on your projects outside school hours (and we highly recommend that you do), you will need your own computer.
If you are studying online, you will need your own computer and good internet connection. We provide most software but there is some that we can’t provide due to licensing restrictions. This differs course to course and there are free and paid options.
Mac or PC?
The most popular platform across the game development and VFX industries is PC systems running Microsoft Windows. AIE uses Windows 10 in all computer studios and staff computers. Our games and animation curriculum has been developed and is designed for the Windows versions of the software taught, which means it is challenging to provide technical help with issues students may experience on Macs.
AIE’s Filmmaking courses use Apple Macs on campus. The software used in the filmmaking courses is available on both Mac and Windows/PC.
Laptop or Desktop?
Whilst the size and portability of a laptop can be very appealing it is important to note that generally a desktop computer setup is best suited for most students for the following reasons:
- Ergonomics: Laptops are not built for working in front of for long periods of time. Hunching over a small screen with built in keyboard and mouse is not efficient or good for posture. It is highly recommended that students using a laptop for a significant amount of time connect and use an additional large monitor and external keyboard and mouse so they can setup their workspace following best work health and safety practices.
- Power: Laptops often use lower-power or speed-limited CPUs and GPUs to reduce heat and extend battery life. This means a slower computer than the equivalent components in a desktop computer. Most laptops suitable for games and visual effects work will have serious power requirements which means that battery life is often limited to 2 hours or less, limiting the ability to work on the go.
- Cost: a laptop with the same specifications as a desktop will cost anywhere from 20-75% more because of the additional engineering and design requirements to fit all those components in a small laptop design.
- Upgradability: A desktop uses interchangeable parts, which can be sourced independently and more competitively. Laptops have very limited parts that can be updated, unlike desktops which can have every component replaced and updated.
If you are buying a laptop don’t forget to budget for an extra monitor – 22″ or larger. Laptops are great if you spend lots of time on public transport and can be productive in transit.
Computer specifications
The following table shows the minimum and recommended computer specifications that will run all the software required in all AIE courses.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 (10th Generation or newer) or AMD Ryzen 5 (5000 Series or newer) | Intel 14th Gen i7-14700F or Ryzen 9 7900 |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 2060 | Nvidia GTX RTX 5060 |
| RAM | 16Gb (8Gb may struggle with some applications) | 32Gb |
| Hard Drive | 256Gb SSD | 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Monitor | 22" monitor | 27" monitor or two 24" monitors |
| Approximate cost (Oct 2026) | $1,200 - $1,500 | $1,800 - $2,300 |
Minimum Specifications
Minimum specifications outline the lowest level of hardware that will run the software. Software developers will list this to help customers understand whether their PC will run the software or not. It is important to mention that the closer your PC is to the minimum specification, the slower it will run and the more likely it will be to not be able to perform complex tasks.
Games and animation software by course
| Software | Courses | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Autodesk Maya | Game Art and Animation, 3D Animation and Visual Effects, Game Design | |
| Unreal Engine | Game Art and Animation, Game Design, Game Programming | |
| DaVinci Resolve | Filmmaking, 3D Animation and Visual Effects | |
| Houdini | 3D Animation and Visual Effects | |
| Visual Studio | Game Programming |