By using a compatible graphics processor (also called a graphics card, video card, or GPU) with Photoshop, you can experience better performance and more features. Photoshop requires a compatible graphics processor in your computer for the following features to function and/or be accelerated:
- Artboards
- Camera Raw (see note)
- 3D
- Scrubby Zoom
- Birds Eye View
- Flick Panning
- Smooth Brush Resizing
- Image Size – Preserve Details
- Select Focus
- Blur Gallery - Field Blur, Iris Blur, Tilt-Shift, Path Blur, Spin Blur (OpenCL accelerated)
- Smart Sharpen (Noise Reduction – OpenCL accelerated)
- Oil Paint (OpenCL accelerated)
- Render – Flame, Picture Frame, and Tree
- Perspective Warp
If the graphics processor is unsupported or its driver is defective, these features won't work. Also, display problems, performance issues, errors, or crashes can occur if your computer’s graphics processor or its driver is incompatible with Photoshop.
Note:
For help with common Photoshop graphics processor issues or error messages, see Graphics processor (GPU) troubleshooting.
Note:
For more information and help with common Camera Raw graphics processor issues or error messages, see Adobe Camera Raw graphics processor (GPU) FAQ and troubleshooting.
Adobe tested the following graphics processing cards (GPUs) before the release of Photoshop CC 2015. This document lists the cards by series. The minimum amount of graphics processor VRAM supported for Photoshop is 512 MB (2 GB or greater of VRAM is recommended).
Important: This document is updated as newly released cards are tested. However, Adobe cannot test all cards in a timely manner. If a card is not listed here and meets the minimum requirements, but was released after May 2013, you can assume it will work with Photoshop CC 2015.
Adobe tested laptop and desktop versions of the following cards. Be sure to download the latest driver for your specific model (laptop and desktop versions have slightly different names.)
- nVidia GeForce: 400, 500, 600, 700 series
- nVidia Quadro: 2000, 4000 (Windows and Mac OS), CX, 5000, 6000, K600, K2000, K4000, K5000 (Windows and Mac OS), M4000, M5000
- nVidia GRID K1, K2
- AMD/ATI Radeon: 5000, 6000, 7000, R7, R9 series, 7950 Mac OS
- AMD/ATI FirePro: 3800, 4800, 5800, 7800, 8800, 9800, 3900, 4900, 5900, 7900, W8100, W9100, D300, D500, D700
- AMD/ATI FireGL: W5000, W7000, W8000
- Intel HD Graphics: P530, 5000
- Intel Iris Pro Graphics: P5200, P6300, P580
Note:
AMD/ATI 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 series; nVidia GeForce 7000, 8000, 9000, 100, 200, 300 series; older Intel HD Graphics (for example 2000, 3000, 4000 series) cards are no longer being tested and are not officially supported in Photoshop. Some GL functionality is available for these cards, but newer features may not work.
Note:
For help with common Photoshop and graphics processor issues or error messages, see Graphics processor (GPU) troubleshooting.
- 1024 x 768 display (1280 x 800 recommended) with 16-bit color and 512 MB of VRAM (2 GB or greater of VRAM is recommended)
- To use OpenGL acceleration, your system must support OpenGL v2.0 and Shader Model 3.0 or later
- To use OpenCL acceleration, your system must support OpenCL v1.1 or later
Note:
For help with common Photoshop and graphics processor issues or error messages, see Graphics processor (GPU) troubleshooting.
Click Advanced Settings and specify the following options:
Drawing Mode:
- Basic: Uses the least amount of graphics card memory (VRAM) and enables basic graphics processor features
- Normal: Uses more graphics card memory (VRAM) and enables graphics processor-based color matching, tone mapping, and checkerboard blending
- Advanced: Provides the benefits of Normal mode and newer graphics processor advances that can result in improved performance
Use Graphics Processor to Accelerate Computation: Enable to improve the interactivity of Warp and Puppet Warp previews
Use OpenCL: Enable to accelerate the new Blur Gallery filters, Smart Sharpen, Select Focus Area, or Image Size with Preserve Details selected (Note: OpenCL is available only on newer graphics cards that support OpenCL v1.1 or later.)
Anti-alias Guides and Paths: Allows the graphics processor to smooth the edges of drawn guides and paths
30-bit Display (Windows only): Allows Photoshop to display 30-bit data directly to screen on video cards that support it
Note:
30-bit display is not functioning correctly with current drivers. We are working to address this issue as soon as possible.
Note:
For help with common Photoshop and graphics processor issues or error messages, see Graphics processor (GPU) troubleshooting.
Photoshop currently doesn't take advantage of more than one graphics processor. Using two graphics cards does not enhance Photoshop's performance.
Multiple graphics cards with conflicting drivers can cause problems with graphics processor accelerated features in Photoshop.
For best results, connect two (or more) monitors into one graphics card.
If you have to use more than one graphics card, make sure that they are the same make and model. Otherwise, crashes and other problems can occur in Photoshop.
Note:
For help with common Photoshop and graphics processor issues or error messages, see Graphics processor (GPU) troubleshooting.
Running Photoshop under virtual machines (VMs) is not tested extensively nor officially supported because of known issues with features that rely on the graphics processor in VM environments.
Note:
For help with common Photoshop and graphics processor issues or error messages, see Graphics processor (GPU) troubleshooting.
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