Many 3D modeling software out there doesn’t come for free. But Blender provides you with the best-in-class 3D modeling and rendering tools for free. This open-source modeling and rendering software can be used for several purposes which include, animation, rigging, simulation, motion tracking, game creation, etc.
But to perform all these tasks, will 16GB be sufficient? In this article, we will be discussing whether you can use a blender with just 16GB of RAM.
Is 16GB RAM enough for Blender?
Yes, technically, the Blender application can run comfortably with 16GB RAM. But the RAM capacity may become insufficient when the tasks performed with the application are heavier. The minimum system requirement of the Blender software is just 8GB of RAM. Also, the recommended system specifications include 16GB of RAM.
The capacity of RAM is dependent on many factors and you must choose it considering all those factors. Let us now discuss the different parameters that govern the choice of RAM for using Blender.
Factors affecting the choice of RAM for Blender
Number of Functions Performed
The major factor affecting the choice of RAM for Blender is the functions and processes you are going to do with the application. As we mentioned earlier, you can use Blender for 3D modeling, rendering, animation, rigging, simulation, etc.
If you are using all the functions in the application in a given time, then, it may take a toll on your RAM and will occupy a lot of memory. During such instances, even 16GB might not be sufficient.
But if you are just using one or two functions and not much multitasking, then the RAM might not be needed much. It is very important to know what you are going to do with the software before choosing to upgrade the RAM for your PC.
Multitasking
Most of the creators don’t use only one application during their design process. For example, they may be primarily using Blender to create a 3D model, while they can also be using Adobe illustrator for creating a 2D design.
So, when you are opening many apps simultaneously, you will need a lot of RAM to satisfy all the processes. If you have lower RAM, the applications cannot work simultaneously and you might have close some for the Blender to work seamlessly.
Even if you are not using other design software, the PC will be doing some fundamental tasks in the background which will require some amount of RAM.
So, considering all the applications that will be running along with the Blender, you have to choose the RAM. Some may suffice with 16GB and others may require more.
The complexity of the Design
Since Blender is used for 3D modeling and rendering, the complexity of the design plays an important role. If you are just creating one or two polygons with lower vertices, then it will not take much RAM.
But if you are going to create millions of polygons with complex vertices, you will need a lot of RAM and CPU power. Also, the amount of RAM will vary during the process which cannot be predicted accurately.
So, you have to choose an upper limit for the RAM and use it for the PC so that you can combine different processes and do proper modeling.
Renderings
The complexity of the model will also lead to a lot of rendering cycles. When rendering cycles increase, you will need more RAM capacity along with a powerful CPU and some help from GPU too.
If you are creating a complete scene or designing a game sequence, then you will have many processes happening at the same time that requires large RAM.
Also, if your scene contains simulations and physics, then it will occupy RAM space and you might not be able to do other functions with a lower RAM capacity.
Therefore, only after considering all these factors you can choose the proper RAM for your PC to use Blender. Since Blender offers a lot of various functionalities, you should try to get a higher RAM capacity to run the software without any difficulty. At least 16GB is required for some medium tasks with Blender.
Read: Is 16GB RAM enough for 3D Rendering?
Recommended Clock Speed for 16GB RAM
Blender requires at least 2GHz CPU clock speed when using 8GB of RAM. But the recommended clock speed is more than 3.1GHz with 16GB of RAM. When you have a higher clock speed, the processes take less time to complete.
Especially renderings can easily complete within a few minutes and you can also do other tasks simultaneously. But when you don’t have a potential CPU, there is no use in having a higher RAM capacity.
CPU is the brain that requires RAM for its assistance. So, if you have a CPU with lower clock speeds, then it cannot make use of the higher RAM capacity. The number of tasks performed will become very less and lead to longer rendering times.
So, it is best to have more than 8 cores of CPU with more than 3.1 GHz base clock speed for better functioning with 16GB RAM when using Blender.
Read: Can you use two different DDR4 RAM sticks?
Can I ever use more RAM for Blender?
By default, blender uses higher RAM space than any other application, especially during heavy renderings. Even if you are using other applications, it will occupy the highest processing power.
So, if you have higher RAM space, you can easily use Blender functions as well as use other applications with freedom.
With a powerful CPU and GPU, Blender can be more powerful in delivering creativity to you. Therefore, try to install RAM with a large capacity so that you can comfortably use the application for your design.
Read: How much RAM is needed for video editing?
Conclusion
Blender is more popular due to its open source and powerful rendering ability. If you are beginning in 3D modeling or animation, Blender can be a great choice. But you must have the right setup with the right specifications to match the requirements of the software. Since RAM is a core factor in modeling software, it is best to have a higher RAM capacity to run Blender comfortably.
