How much RAM do you need for Photoshop?

Written on 3 July 2026, last updated on 20 August 2026

Photoshop is known as a program that likes to use memory. Even so, you do not have to buy the maximum to work comfortably with it.

How much RAM for Photoshop?

For Photoshop 16 GB of RAM is the comfortable choice for most photographers. With it you work smoothly on photos with several layers.

Adobe names 8 GB as the minimum, but that really is the floor. As soon as your files grow, you notice that 16 GB works more calmly.

What does Photoshop do with RAM?

Photoshop keeps your open files and edits in working memory. The larger your file and the more layers, the more RAM the program uses.

Smart objects and many undo steps ask for memory too. With enough RAM panning, zooming and filtering stay smooth.

Adobe system requirements

Adobe sets 8 GB of RAM as the minimum and recommends 16 GB or more. That recommended figure is a better guideline than the minimum.

Besides memory Photoshop asks for a modern processor and free disk space. A good refurbished laptop meets that combination without trouble.

When do you need 32 GB?

32 GB of RAM pays off with very large files and high resolutions. Think panoramas, composite images and work with many smart objects.

If you also use Lightroom or edit video alongside Photoshop, extra memory helps as well. For average photo work 16 GB remains fine.

In a workflow with Lightroom and Photoshop side by side the memory use adds up quickly. If you work with RAW files from a modern high-resolution camera, 32 GB is comfortable.

The SSD as scratch disk

When the RAM fills up, Photoshop uses your disk as temporary memory. That is called the scratch disk.

A fast SSD with enough free space then keeps Photoshop quick. On an old hard disk that feels noticeably slower.

Does the graphics card count?

A dedicated graphics card speeds up certain filters and functions in Photoshop. For ordinary photo editing it is not a must.

RAM, a fast SSD and a good processor usually count for more. If you also work with 3D or video, the graphics card becomes more important.

Both an NVIDIA GeForce and an AMD Radeon work well with Photoshop. A card with enough VRAM helps with large files and heavy filters.

The best hardware for Photoshop

The best laptop for Photoshop combines enough RAM with a fast processor and SSD. Together that hardware determines performance in your daily workflow.

Alongside a minimum, Adobe also publishes recommended system requirements. For comfortable work those recommended values are the better guideline.

Photoshop runs on both Windows and macOS with comparable requirements. On a refurbished laptop with Windows you work with it perfectly well.

If you want to know whether a laptop is suitable, compare the specifications with Adobe requirements. That way you know Photoshop will run smoothly.

Our advice

For Photoshop choose 16 GB of RAM, a fast SSD and an Intel Core i5 or i7, or a comparable AMD Ryzen. For heavy work with large files step up to 32 GB.

All our refurbished laptops are checked on more than 30 points.

If you want a suitable model, have a look at our refurbished laptops and filter on the memory you need.

Sources

• Adobe: Photoshop system requirements
• Adobe: optimise Photoshop performance