These are the minimum system requirements for running Fire Studio 7 Instructor and Player Editions.
(Fire Studio 6.2 is also available for computers that are not able to meet the Fire Studio 7 specifications.)
Microsoft®
| Operating System | Windows™ 10-11 64 Bit ONLY! |
| System RAM | 8 GB (16 GB+ recommended) |
| CPU | Intel based i7 or greater or equivalent AMD |
| Hard Drive Free Space | 12 GB |
| Video Display Card | NVIDIA GeForce Series or AMD Radeon (or similar) dedicated card with minimum 2 GB+ VRAM or better. All graphics require DirectX 12 compatibility! |
| Integrated Graphics Chips Not Recommended | Note: Integrated graphics chips (Intel® HD and UHD. Radeon M) may have significant performance decrease compared to dedicated graphics cards. These integrated chips are NOT recommended. Exceptions: Intel Iris Xe and Xe Max Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU-Snapdragon® X Elite **See Below |
| Internet Connection | Required only for Initial License Activation |
| Mouse/Trackpad | Yes |
| Keyboard | Yes |
| Local Area Network | Optional for CommLink Only |
Apple®
| Operating System | Mac OS X 10.15 or Newer 64 Bit ONLY! iOS 15.3.1 for iPad Player App |
| System RAM | 8 GB (16 GB+ recommended) |
| CPU | Mac Pro/MacBook Pro/Air Intel 2015 and newer M1/M2/M3/M3Max Silicon Chipser |
| Hard Drive Free Space | 12 GB |
| Video Display Card | Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, MacBook Air M1/M2/M3 or NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon with 2 GB+ VRAM or better. iPad with M1/M2/M3/M3Max graphics recommended (Player Only) |
| Integrated Graphics Chips Not Recommended | Note: Integrated graphics chips may have significant performance decrease compared to dedicated graphics cards. These integrated chips are NOT recommended. See Below* |
| Internet Connection | Required only for initial License Activation |
| Mouse/Trackpad | Yes (Except iPad Player) |
| Keyboard | Yes (Except iPad Player) |
| Local Area Network | Optional for CommLink Only |
Important Information on Graphics Processors
Fire Studio 7 demands robust hardware for optimal performance, especially in graphics processing. Investing in the most powerful setup within your budget is advisable. Key considerations revolve around the graphics card, system RAM, and the processor.
Graphics Card: Aim for a graphics card equipped with 4-8 GB of VRAM for seamless Fire Studio operation. Leading brands like Nvidia and AMD offer suitable options. These cards handle Fire Studio well, ensuring smooth performance without straining the system.
System RAM: We recommend 16+ GB of RAM to complement the graphics card. Ample system memory contributes significantly to Fire Studio’s efficiency.
Processor: A powerful processor is essential for pushing Fire Studio to its limits, enabling smoother rendering of complex smoke and fire elements on the screen without compromising performance.
DirectX Compatibility: Fire Studio 6.5 and 7 utilize DirectX 12, necessitating a graphics card compatible with this version for optimal functioning.
*Notice on Integrated Graphics Chips
Integrated Graphics Chips: While some systems incorporate integrated graphics chips like Intel HD/UHD series, they do not offer the desired performance when challenged with heavier simulations. Instances of slowdowns or crashes may occur, particularly as you augment simulations with more fire and smoke layers. These integrated chips are NOT recommended.
**Newer Integrated Graphics Chips: Recent advancements in integrated GPU chips have exhibited good results with Fire Studio 6.5 and 7. Computers with an i7 CPU and a minimum of 16 GB + System RAM have been successful with the following chips:
Intel® Iris® Xe and Xe Max
Qualcomm® Adreno™ GPU-Snapdragon® X Elite (12 Core) (Tested on the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th gen)
Choosing hardware components that align with Fire Studio’s requirements ensures a smoother experience, allowing you to explore its capabilities without encountering performance bottlenecks or system crashes.