Building a Computer for Unreal Engine 5 for VFX and Digital Filmmaking

In recent years, Unreal Engine has emerged as a powerful tool for filmmakers in many ways. It can be used to create photo-real digital films; equally, it can be used as a VFX tool in a traditional VFX pipeline, as well as an engine to drive virtual production environments and real-time VFX.

With its high-end material system and powerful rendering, it’s no wonder why filmmakers all around the world are flocking to Unreal Engine 5 for their projects. However, if you want to get the most out of this amazing software, you need to have a computer that is up to the task. Here, we present our guide on building the perfect computer for Unreal Engine 5.

To be clear, this is a guide for making a computer that will be used for Unreal Engine development, not to play games – although it will be plenty capable of playing games if you wish.

Overview

Here are our top picks broken down by price range. Full component-level breakdowns and details are available below.

Recommended Build

Ultimate Build

Budget Build

Also, if you'd prefer to buy a prebuilt computer, we have a guide covering the best workstation options available. Alternatively, if you're in need of a laptop, check out our guide on the best laptops for Unreal Engine 5.

Getting started

When building the best computer for UE5, it's important to consider five primary components:

• CPU (Processor)
• GPU (Graphics Card)
• Memory (RAM)
• Storage (hard drives)
• Motherboard

While Unreal Engine will run on a Mac, as this is a computer build, we're going to be focusing on Windows as our OS.

Most Unreal Engine build guides will focus on game development, whereas our guide is focused on creating digital cinema and VFX.

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CPU (Processor)

The processor is the heart of your computer and determines how powerful it is. Unreal Engine 5 requires a minimum of an Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor. For optimum performance, we recommend an 8th gen Intel Core i9-9900K or above. However, if you're looking for the best performance, we suggest an Intel Core i9-13900KF or above.

Why a high-end processor is essential for Unreal Engine 5

The processor determines how quickly your computer can process data and commands. Unreal Engine 5 is a very demanding program and requires a powerful processor to keep up with its needs. A high-end processor will ensure you have the peak performance needed for rendering realistic visuals, making sure you get smooth playback and interaction when building your scenes.

Higher Clock Speed vs. Number of Cores?

Which is more important? Both actually. The higher clock speed will allow for smoother playback with higher FPS, which can be important when navigating and building your scenes/levels. However, having more cores is going to pay off when it's time to start rending your sequence.

Should I buy an Intel Xeon Processor for UE5?

Probably not. While Intel Xeon processors have been a staple of high-end 3D workstations, and they can be suitable for certain scenarios, there isn't much benefit when using Unreal Engine.

The primary benefit of Xeon processors is that they are extremely reliable for 24/7 operation. For example, they support Error Correction Code (ECC) memory which helps to prevent data corruption. These are wonderful features, but they come at an extreme cost that usually isn't worth it for the Unreal Engine developer.

Not to mention Xeon processors and ECC memory is usually a little slower than their consumer-grade counterparts. Stick to a high-end consumer processor from the Core i9 or Ryzen 9 range, and you will be more than fine.

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GPU (Graphics Card)

The graphics card is perhaps the most important component when building a gaming PC, and when working in UE5, it's also extremely important. We recommend an Nvidia RTX 3060 or above, as this will provide enough horsepower for UE5's ray-tracing capabilities and give you smooth playback for interactive real-time rendering.

If you're looking for the best performance and have a larger budget, then an Nvidia Quadro RTX 6000 or above is the best graphics card for Unreal Engine 5 and will give you the highest possible performance but at a premium cost.

What is the best GPU for Unreal Engine 5?

When purchasing a graphics card for Unreal Engine (or other 3D applications), there are a few things you need to take into consideration.

The first is the amount of graphics memory (VRAM) the card has. Unreal Engine 5 can take advantage of as much VRAM as you have available. A minimum of 8GB is advised, but 16GB or more is highly recommended.

Secondly, it's important to consider the clock speed of the graphics card; this is often called the base clock speed and boost clock speed and is measured in MHz. The higher the number, the faster the card.

Raytracing is also important to consider when selecting your graphics card. Unreal Engine 5 makes full use of ray-tracing, so you want to ensure your card supports the latest raytracing technology, such as DXR (DirectX Raytracing).

Finally, it's important to keep in mind your computer's overall specs. Make sure that your computer has enough processing power and memory to take advantage of your graphics card fully. There's no reason to buy a top-of-the-line graphics card if your CPU and RAM are not up to the task.

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Memory (RAM)

For Unreal Engine 5 to have smooth performance and run at its optimum levels, we recommend 32GB of RAM as an absolute minimum. However, because you'll likely be using film quality (large) textures and photo-real lighting setups, you will want to look at a 64GB of RAM or more.

We'd recommend 128GB as a good baseline for running UE5. For demanding workflows and heavy scenes, 256GB or more may be necessary.

Things to keep in mind when buying Memory:

• Pay attention to the speed of the memory – DDR# and MHz. At the time of this writing, DDR5 is currently the fastest memory available. Depending on the motherboard and processor you choose, you'll want to purchase memory that is as fast as possible while remaining compatible with your setup.
• Buy once, not in stages.  It’s best to buy all the RAM you need in one go rather than buying bits at a time. Even if you plan to buy the same brand and speed, buying in stages can produce unexpected results.

The importance of memory for Unreal Engine 5

One of the most important features of Unreal Engine 5 is its ability to manage memory automatically. The engine monitors the game's memory usage and makes changes to ensure that the game remains playable. This includes dynamic memory allocation, which allows the engine to allocate more or less memory as needed.

Another important feature of Unreal Engine 5 is its ability to stream assets from disk. This allows the engine to load only the assets that are currently needed, which reduces the amount of memory used by the game. The engine also supports compressed textures, which reduces the amount of data that needs to be stored in memory.

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Motherboard

When choosing a motherboard, you'll want to make sure that it supports the processor and graphics card you've chosen. Many motherboards support multiple GPUs, so if you plan on using two (or more) GPUs in your setup, look for one that will accommodate them. You should also make sure that the motherboard has enough USB ports for your accessories, such as external hard drives.

Finally, make sure the motherboard you choose has an appropriate form factor for your case and the correct socket type for your processor. Different processors require different sockets so you want to make sure that your motherboard supports the one you've chosen.

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Storage (Hard Drives)

For Unreal Engine 5, you'll need some high-speed storage. Buying a top-of-the-line CPU, motherboard, and RAM won't matter if you create a bottleneck with the storage.

Primary Drive for your OS

For maximum performance, we recommend an M.2 SSD for your operating system and applications (including UE5) and additional large-capacity hard drives for your project files. This drive should be a minimum of 500GB; anything under that size will fill up too quickly and isn't a good value. Ideally, you'll want a 1TB or 2TB drive so that you never really have to worry about running out of space.

Secondary Drive for Projects

Depending on the motherboard you choose you could have up to 4 nvme SSD slots allowing you to connect multiple drives and even create a software RAID for unified sotrage. At minimum we recommend 1 4TB drive for your projects.

Backup Drive

Finally, it's always a good idea to have a backup drive in case of data loss. This drive doesn't need to be as fast as the others but should focus on storage space instead. Look for an external hard drive with at least 8TB of storage, but if you can manage 12TB or more, that would be ideal.

Why SSDs are recommended

Solid State Drives, or SSDs, are one of the best upgrades you can make to your computer. They offer much faster speeds than traditional hard drives, and they’re more reliable and durable. Here are some of the reasons why SSDs are recommended:

Speed: One of the biggest advantages of SSDs is their speed. Traditional hard drives are much slower than SSDs, which can cause a significant slowdown in your computer. With an SSD, you can expect faster boot times, faster application launches, and faster file transfers.

Reliability: SSDs are also more reliable than traditional hard drives. They have no moving parts, which means they’re less likely to fail. They also don’t generate as much heat as traditional hard drives, which makes them less likely to overheat.

Durability: SSDs are also more durable than traditional hard drives. They can withstand more shocks and vibrations, and they’re less likely to fail if they’re dropped or hit.

If you’re looking for a way to speed up your computer, increase its reliability, and make it more durable, then an SSD is the solution for you.

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Case

When it comes to a computer case, there are 3 primary concerns:

• Size: Does this case fit my motherboard and various components?
• Performance: The case will dictate airflow, which can greatly affect performance.
• Style: Do you want a low-key professional box or an LED-illuminated showpiece?

Size

The case needs to be able to support the size of your motherboard (ATX, E-ATX, Mini-ITX, etc.) and provide enough cooling for all your component parts. You should also ensure it has plenty of room for cable management and possibly space for multiple GPUs, extra hard drives, and other components.

Performance

The design of the case can greatly impact airflow, which in turn will impact overall performance. Perhaps ironically, cases with a more open design will actually tend to be quieter. The increased airflow will lead to lower fan speeds and less air turbulence. So, having a large sealed computer case might seem like a good idea and a quieter solution, but actually, a mesh paneled case can help keep your system running cooler and quieter.

Style

This one is simple: choose the case that fits your personal style. Almost all cases made today are available in solid black or white with solid side panels or with the option for clear side panels that can show off your components inside.

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Other Considerations

When building a computer for Unreal Engine 5, there are a few other things you should consider.

Power Supply

How to choose a power supply unit

When it comes to power supplies, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. The first is that not all power supplies are created equal. You need to make sure you get a quality power supply that can handle the load of your system. You want to make sure that the wattage is high enough to support your system. If it's not, then you might experience problems such as crashes or system failures.

You also need to make sure that the power supply is compatible with your motherboard and other components.

Peripherals

Finally, you'll need to think about the peripherals you plan on using with your system. This includes keyboards, mice, monitors, etc. Having a good quality mouse and keyboard can make hours at the computer much more enjoyable and comfortable. Not only that, it can actually prevent fatigue and even injuries such as RSI.

Wrapping Up

Building a computer for Unreal Engine 5 is no small task. You need to make sure that your components are compatible with each other and that you have the right power supply and case to accommodate them. It’s important to consider all of these factors when building a system for this powerful 3D software in order to get the most out of it. With careful consideration and planning, you can build an amazing gaming machine capable of delivering incredible performance with Unreal Engine 5.