Like most software developers, Foundry maintains a list of system requirements for Nuke that can be used to help ensure the hardware in your system will work with their software. However, this “system specs” list only covers the very basics of what is needed to run the software, not what will actually give the best performance. We’ve done research to find out what sort of hardware will offer artists the smoothest experience in Nuke, which we sum up below. Some of the sources we used include Foundry articles and forums, which may provide even more insight for those who want to dig deeper.
What hardware do I need for the best performance in Nuke?
The core workflow in Nuke is single-threaded, so a processor with high clock speed and instructions-per-clock is ideal. However, memory (RAM) capacity is also critical – especially for larger projects – and these two factors are often at odds. Consumer CPUs tend to have the higher clock speeds, but are also the most limited on memory capacity, while workstation-grade CPUs tend to have more cores, lower clock speeds, and support higher amounts of RAM. Because of this split, we offer configurations favoring both aspects of performance: a Standard workstation for those with small to medium workloads who want the best processing speeds, and a High RAM workstation for users with big jobs who will get better results by having access to more memory.
Do ProX PC workstations support Thunderbolt?
Yes! Our Standard Workstation for Nuke, shown above, natively supports Thunderbolt 4 – which is currently the latest and fastest version of Thunderbolt. Our High RAM workstation has USB 4.0, which is backward-compatible with some Thunderbolt devices. If this is important to you, make sure that you discuss your needs with your consultant.
What is the best type of CPU for Foundry Nuke?
Most tasks in Nuke are single-threaded, so you want to prioritize high clock speeds. Intel’s top-end Core processors are frequently the best option in that regard, with AMD’s Ryzen chips close behind. Specifically, we recommend Intel’s Core i7 14700K and i9 14900K.
There are, however, a wide variety of uses and plugins for Nuke that can change that. For example, if you work with particles effects a lot that can benefit from a higher core count CPU. Some workflows also need particularly high amounts of RAM, potentially beyond the 192GB maximum that consumer processors often have. AMD’s Threadripper chips both support higher memory totals and offer more cores, making them a great solution for working with larger projects and multithreaded plugins / effects.
Nuke is a 2D and 3D VFX program with 3D modeling features. Our recommended custom built PC are designed to allow you to focus on your art without any hardware bottlenecks.
