ZBrush is a CPU-based software, meaning that an overpriced video card is not required to get the best results when running the application. ZBrush will work on most computers running Mac OSX and Windows. Simply make sure that your system meets or exceeds the following minimum requirements.
CPU: Intel i5/7/Xeon technology or AMD equivalent.
RAM: 8 GB required for working with multi-million-polys. 16+ GB recommended. (ZBrush 4 32-bit can use up to 4 GB of system RAM, ZBrush 64-bit can use more than 4 GB of RAM).
HDD: 100GB of hard drive free-space for the scratch disk. SSD drive highly recommended for ZBrush and its scratch disk.
Pen Tablet: Wacom or Wacom compatible.
Monitor: 1920x1200 monitor resolution or higher (32-bit color)
Video card: all types.
Minimum System Requirements:
OS: Windows Vista or newer, including 32-bit versions.
CPU: Pentium or AMD equivalent with SSE2 technology or better.
RAM: 4 GB (6+ GB strongly recommended)
HDD: 8 GB of hard drive free-space for the scratch disk.
RAM: 8 GB required for working with multi-million-polys. 16+ GB recommended. (ZBrush 4 32-bit can use up to 4 GB of system RAM, ZBrush 64-bit can use more than 4 GB of RAM).
HDD: 100GB of hard drive free-space for the scratch disk. SSD drive highly recommended for ZBrush and its scratch disk.
Pen Tablet: Wacom or Wacom compatible.
Monitor: 1920x1200 monitor resolution or higher (32-bit color)
Video card: all types.
Minimum System Requirements:
OS: Mac OSX: 10.7 or above.
CPU: Pentium with SSE2 technology or better.
RAM: 4 GB (6+ GB strongly recommended)
HDD: 8 GB of hard drive free-space for the scratch disk.
If you are looking for a computer optimized for ZBrush, these are the key elements to keep in mind:
ZBrush runs the same on Macintosh and Windows. Choosing one or the other is a personal choice.
A fast processor with multiple cores is a key item because ZBrush is only CPU based. The more powerful, the better.
You must have enough memory to handle the system and other background applications in addition to ZBrush itself. If your intent is to create complex models with many millions of polygons, aim for at least 16 GB of RAM and a 64-bit version of your OS.
ZBrush is highly optimized and writes a large number of temporary files in order to ensure fast performance. Depending on your model, this can quickly reach several GB of data. An SSD drive for ZBrush and its virtual memory files will provide the best results. You can save costs by having an additional mechanical drive to save your work on.
A Wacom (or compatible) pen tablet with a preference for professional models will provide you a better accuracy in your brush strokes and increase the artist feeling. We do not recommend tablets based on N-Trig technology, which is an entirely different protocol and not fully compatible with ZBrush.
