The Best Recommended Specifications for Keyshot

KeyShot is the leading Product Design-to-Market Suite, enabling companies and creators worldwide to bring product visions to life and accelerate their journey to market success

From the initial 3D rendering in the design phase to the strategic execution of the market launch, this is a comprehensive suite for transforming ideas into reality.

Recommended Hardware for Keyshot

While KeyShot's system requirements are available online, they only provide "minimum requirements," which aren’t particularly helpful for configuring a high-performance workstation. Fortunately, rendering workloads are well-documented, and there are numerous benchmarks specifically tailored to this use case. Based on our research and testing, we've developed tailored recommendations for KeyShot users seeking the fastest rendering times within their budget.

Processor (CPU)

For CPU-based rendering, KeyShot performance scales almost linearly with both core count and clock speed. This means that an ideal processor for KeyShot combines a high number of cores with strong clock speeds. 

With GPU rendering, however, the CPU becomes less critical—though it still matters, particularly if you plan to run 3D design or CAD software alongside KeyShot. In these scenarios, a processor with a lower core count but higher clock speeds is optimal.

Whats the best CPU for Keyshot? 
Both AMD and Intel offer workstation-class CPUs with high core counts, but AMD’s Threadripper series currently leads in performance for CPU rendering in KeyShot. The top model, the AMD Threadripper PRO 7995WX, boasts 96 cores and is the fastest choice for CPU-based rendering—though it comes at a premium. For a more budget-friendly option, the AMD Threadripper 7980X with 64 cores delivers over 80% of the 7995WX’s performance at a significantly lower cost.

For GPU-based rendering, CPU choice is less critical. In this case, we recommend a high clock-speed processor like Intel’s Core Ultra series or AMD’s Ryzen line, both of which also perform well in 3D design and CAD applications commonly used with KeyShot. For setups with more than two GPUs, a lower core-count Threadripper PRO model offers robust support for multiple GPU configurations.

CPU Rendering - AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7980X 
GPU Rendering - Intel Core Ultra 9 285K or AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

Memory (RAM)

The amount of RAM you need depends on the complexity of your projects and the other software you use, but for KeyShot, we generally recommend a minimum of 64GB. This should provide enough capacity for multitasking with most 3D, CAD, or architecture applications and for rendering moderately complex scenes on the CPU.

For intensive CPU-based rendering, 128GB or more is ideal to handle larger workloads smoothly. In contrast, GPU-based rendering is less demanding on system memory, instead benefiting from GPUs with ample onboard VRAM to manage detailed scenes effectively.

Graphics Card (GPU)

As mentioned the importance of your video card in KeyShot depends on whether you’re using CPU or GPU rendering mode. In CPU rendering, the video card has a minimal role, mainly handling scene display and showing the final render. However, with GPU-accelerated rendering, the video card becomes essential to performance; both its processing power and the amount of VRAM are crucial factors for rendering speed and handling complex scenes effectively.

Should I use a professional video card for Keyshot?
NVIDIA’s professional-grade video cards, while more expensive than GeForce models, offer several advantages that may be worth the investment for certain users. Although they often cost three to four times more than mainstream cards with comparable performance, they provide key benefits:

Higher VRAM capacity — up to 48GB on models like the RTX A6000 and 6000 Ada, ideal for handling large, complex scenes.
Enhanced multi-GPU support — achieved through blower-style cooling systems and optimized power consumption, making them more suitable for multi-GPU setups.
ECC memory on high-end models — providing error correction for improved stability, essential for demanding professional workflows

Does Keyshot support multiple GPUs?
It sure does! Unlike most GPU-accelerated applications, KeyShot’s rendering scales exceptionally well with multiple GPUs. This means that adding a second GPU can nearly double render speeds, while a third GPU can triple them, delivering significantly faster rendering times as you scale up.

How many GPUs can install in my workstation for Keyshot?
If you're planning to use multiple GPUs, several factors will determine how many your system can accommodate: the number of available PCI-Express lanes, slot spacing on the motherboard, chassis size, case airflow, and the power supply’s wattage capacity. Recent generations of graphics cards are larger and more power-intensive than ever, so each of these elements impacts the number of GPUs you can effectively use. This is especially important for KeyShot, as its GPU rendering scales exceptionally well with multiple GPUs, directly enhancing performance with each additional card. Currently we can offer up to 6x RTX 4090 GPUs in our Sonox G6 and upto 10x A6000 ADA GPUs in our Sonox Ai-10 rackmount server solution.  

Can I use an AMD card for Keyshot?
KeyShot currently relies on CUDA, a technology exclusive to NVIDIA graphics cards, for GPU-based rendering. This means that if you intend to leverage GPU rendering in KeyShot, an NVIDIA GPU is essential. However, if you plan to stick to CPU-based rendering, an AMD GPU or Intel integrated graphics can be sufficient—though it’s important to also consider the graphics requirements of any other software you’ll be running on the system.

What are the best GPUs for Keyshot?
GeForce RTX 4080 16GB – This is an excellent choice for users who require one or two GPUs and work with less complex scenes.
GeForce RTX 4090 24GB – Our top recommendation for most GPU rendering users, the RTX 4090 delivers outstanding performance in KeyShot, coupled with a generous 24GB of VRAM. Larger tower workstations can even support a dual GPU setup for enhanced rendering capabilities.
NVIDIA RTX 6000 Ada 48GB – For those needing substantial GPU memory or looking to install multiple graphics cards, NVIDIA's professional GPUs are an ideal option. The RTX 6000 Ada is the flagship model, offering twice the VRAM of the top GeForce model. Additionally, you can install up to three of these GPUs in our Sonox G2 and above while remaining within the limits of a 1600W power supply.

Storage Drives 

We highly recommend using solid-state drives (SSDs) as the primary drive for your operating system and software, including KeyShot, due to their speed and relatively affordable price. SSDs enable your system to boot, launch applications, and load files significantly faster than traditional hard drives. Specifically, the newer NVMe SSDs, which use M.2 connections, provide the highest transfer rates available.

We suggest a capacity of 1TB to ensure ample space for the operating system, applications, and active files.Additionally, many users prefer to have a local drive for storing older projects and other assets. For this purpose, you can opt for a traditional hard drive if you prioritize high capacity, or, if your budget permits, consider a second SSD for even faster access to archived data.

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