Can I Run DaVinci Resolve 17 on My PC?

When considering whether your current PC configuration meets the requirements to run DaVinci Resolve 17 smoothly, it’s important to evaluate your hardware against the minimum system requirements. This guide will help you understand if your current setup, featuring an Intel Core i5 6th Gen, 8GB RAM, and a built-in graphics card, is sufficient, and provide insights to optimize your video editing experience.

Understanding DaVinci Resolve 17 System Requirements

DaVinci Resolve 17 demands specific hardware to function optimally, primarily focusing on the CPU and GPU. Here is a breakdown of the system requirements:

Minimum System Requirements for Windows

Operating System: Windows 10 Creators Update. System Memory: 16 GB of RAM. Increases to 32 GB when using Fusion. Graphics Card: Integrated GPU or a dedicated GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM. Support for: OpenCL 1.2 or CUDA 11. GPU Driver Version: As required by your GPU.

These system requirements indicate that while your current setup technically meets the minimum requirements, it may not offer the best performance. Below, we'll discuss the implications of your current hardware choices.

Your Current Setup: Defined and Optimized for Video Editing

Your PC is equipped with an Intel Core i5-6th gen CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a built-in graphics card with less than 2GB of VRAM. This setup falls short of several key requirements, specifically the CPU and GPU performance:

CPU Consideration: Intel Core i5 6th Gen

The minimum recommended CPU for DaVinci Resolve 17 is an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7. While you have an Intel Core i5, this processor is a 6th generation model. It does not support hyperthreading, meaning it has only four cores, which may struggle with the demanding tasks of video editing. A 6th generation i5 is not optimized for heavy lifting in professional software like DaVinci Resolve, especially when it comes to CPU-bound tasks.

GPU Consideration: Built-In Graphics Card

A dedicated GPU with at least 2GB of VRAM is required for DaVinci Resolve. However, your built-in graphics card is likely to have less than 2GB of VRAM, which will significantly impact the performance of advanced features such as Fusion. If you were to use fusion capabilities, the performance would drop considerably, potentially making your editing experience less than optimal.

RAM: 8GB Only

While your 8GB of RAM meets the minimum requirement, having 32GB of RAM will significantly improve performance, especially when using features like Fusion. The 8GB of RAM can lead to performance issues, particularly when running resource-intensive applications like DaVinci Resolve, especially with integrated graphics.

Optimization Tips for Better Performance

Even if upgrading your hardware isn’t an immediate solution, there are some strategies you can implement to optimize your current setup:

Use the Free Version Wisely

The free version of DaVinci Resolve will only leverage the CPU for rendering. While the paid version offers the option to use GPU hardware acceleration (CUDA or QuickSync), the free version may not fully exploit your hardware capabilities.

Storage: More Is Better

120GB of storage is insufficient for extensive video editing. While 120GB might seem like enough after installing Windows and other programs, the space required for projects can quickly eat into this capacity. Investing in a larger SSD, such as a 512GB or better, will ensure you have enough space for your projects.

Upgrade Your Graphics Card

If possible, consider upgrading to a lower-end GPU, like an NVIDIA GTX 1650 or AMD equivalent. This will help offload some of the rendering tasks from the CPU to the GPU, improving speed and efficiency.

Ideal Setup for DaVinci Resolve 17

For a truly satisfying video editing experience, you would need a more robust setup. Here’s what an ideal configuration would look like:

Processor: A hexa-core CPU with hyperthreading (e.g., Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7). RAM: 32GB of RAM to handle resource-intensive tasks effectively. GPU: A mid-range GPU with at least 2GB VRAM (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 3060 or AMD RX6600). Storage: At least a 512GB NVMe SSD for a scratch drive to store temporary files and large projects.

Investing in this level of hardware will ensure that DaVinci Resolve 17 runs smoothly, making your video editing process more efficient and enjoyable. If upgrading your hardware isn’t feasible, the strategies outlined above can still help you get the best out of your current setup.