DaVinci Resolve is one of the most powerful video editing and special effects software packages on the market today. While that’s great for editors who need to produce Hollywood-style videos, it can be challenging to use such a powerful program on a low-end device. If you're wondering, can DaVinci Resolve run on a low-end PC? The answer is yes, with the right settings and optimizations. Whether you're concerned about DaVinci Resolve system requirements or looking for tips on how to make DaVinci Resolve run smoother, this guide will help you get the most out of your editing software, even on a less powerful machine.

Here’s What We’ll Cover:

• Minimum system requirements for DaVinci Resolve

• The best DaVinci Resolve version for low-end PCs

• How to download older versions of DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design’s official site

• Why Resolve 19 and 20 demand more power, and what to do if your system can’t keep up

• 8 expert tips to optimize DaVinci Resolve performance

Photo by Andrey Novik on Unsplash

Minimum System Requirements for DaVinci Resolve

If you’re planning to run DaVinci Resolve on your current machine, it’s important to understand what the software actually demands from your hardware. While DaVinci Resolve offers a free version and a streamlined UI; under the hood, it’s a high-performance editing suite that pushes your system hard, especially when working with effects, transitions, or high-resolution footage.

Below are the official minimum and recommended system requirements for DaVinci Resolve in 2025:

Even if your machine meets the minimum specs, you’ll likely need to adjust a few settings (like playback resolution, proxy mode, and render cache) to ensure smooth performance, especially on longer or more complex projects.

If you want to get the best hardware for your editing setup, check out our best laptops to smoothly run DaVinci Resolve guide to find devices that balance performance and budget.

Which Version of DaVinci Resolve Works Best for Older PCs?

If you’re using an older computer or a device with limited hardware, running the latest version of DaVinci Resolve might not be the best idea. New versions offer powerful features, but they also demand more from your system, especially your GPU and RAM. The good news? You don’t need the newest version to create great videos.

Let’s break down which versions work best on low-end or older PCs and why.

How to Download Older Versions of DaVinci Resolve

Older versions are available for download directly from Blackmagic Design’s official website:

1. Visit the Support Page.

2. Scroll down to “Latest Downloads.”

3. Click on the version number (e.g., Resolve 17.4.6) you’d like to install.

4. Choose your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).

5. Complete the short form and download.

If your machine is below minimum specs for even Resolve 16, consider cloud-based solutions like Vagon, you can run any version of DaVinci Resolve at full speed directly from your browser, no installation needed.

What About DaVinci Resolve 19 and 20?

DaVinci Resolve 19 and the newly released Resolve 20 introduced powerful new features that push the boundaries of what’s possible in post-production, but they also push your hardware to its limits.

Resolve 19 brought upgrades like advanced AI tools (smart reframe, audio classification, facial recognition), cloud collaboration enhancements, and expanded support for real-time effects using the DaVinci Neural Engine. While these features are impressive, they also increased the baseline system requirements.

With DaVinci Resolve 20, released in 2025, the bar is set even higher. It adds over 100 new features, including AI IntelliTrack, automatic animated subtitles, multicam SmartSwitch, and a new AI Audio Assistant. These tools are designed for professional-grade machines and workflows.

To run Resolve 19 or 20 smoothly, you’ll need:

• A dedicated GPU with at least 4 GB of VRAM

• At least 16 GB of RAM (32 GB recommended for Fusion and 4K editing)

• A fast SSD for both system and media storage

• On macOS, Apple Silicon is now the preferred standard

Without this level of hardware, you may run into lag, stuttering playback, long render times, or even crashes, especially when working with high-resolution footage or effects-heavy timelines.

The Best Settings to Make DaVinci Resolve Run Faster

Running DaVinci Resolve on a low-end PC can be frustrating, slow previews, lag, and crashes are common. But with a few smart settings and workflow tweaks, you can dramatically improve performance.

Below are the top tips to help you optimize DaVinci Resolve, reduce system load, and edit faster even on older hardware.

Tip #1: Shut Down Other Programs

While it may seem obvious, it’s important to shut down other software programs when you work in DaVinci Resolve. Rendering takes a lot of computing power no matter what type of device you are using. Fewer programs running in the background can make a huge difference in render times and computer performance. Closing web browsers, email programs, and other common software can help you get more done on a low-end device. Even small programs should be closed when working in DaVinci Resolve. When you close numerous programs that are running in the background, the RAM and CPU savings can really add up and make a difference for your workflow. To further optimize your DaVinci Resolve setup, consider exploring plugins that can streamline your workflow.

Tip #2: Take Advantage of Optimized Media

DaVinci Resolve has a powerful feature called “optimized media” that improves your media files for fast rendering. This can be a great solution to render issues on a low-end device. The optimize media feature converts your media files into smaller, less system-heavy files for use while editing, which is essential if you're struggling with DaVinci Resolve crashing or high CPU usage.

Tip #3: Lower the Render Quality While Editing

While you work on a video project, you don’t need to render out a high-quality final product. A lot of times, a low-res version of your project will suffice until you reach the final render. Fast rendering is possible when you lower the resolution and video quality standards in DaVinci Resolve. Switching from UHD to HD can greatly speed up your rendering process. It also provides a good-looking render that is good enough when you’re partway through a project. Render quickly and easily by adjusting a few settings in the output menu to speed up your editing and keep your computer running smoothly. If you're concerned about the overall look of your video, there are tips to improve your video quality without sacrificing performance. This is especially helpful when dealing with DaVinci Resolve system requirements on low-end PCs.

If you’re curious about boosting your rendering speed even more, explore our detailed post on how to speed up rendering in DaVinci Resolve: common and advanced tips.

Tip #4: Change Your Project Over to Performance Mode

As the name would suggest, the performance mode in DaVinci Resolve aims to raise the performance of your computer. If you’re struggling to deal with slow loading and editing, performance mode is a great option while working on visual effects or motion graphics. Learn DaVinci Resolve more deeply to take full advantage of this and other advanced features. For those using DaVinci Resolve on a low-end PC, performance mode is an invaluable tool that can make a noticeable difference.

Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

Tip #5: Use Vagon for faster DaVinci Resolve experience

Optimization tips can be useful, but Vagon takes video editing performance to the next level. Migrate your projects to our cloud PCs in just a few clicks and experience a smooth DaVinci Resolve workflow, free from lag and long rendering times, on any device. No more worries about why DaVinci Resolve is so laggy; with Vagon, you can overcome the limitations of low-end hardware and meet DaVinci Resolve's requirements with ease.

To truly maximize your DaVinci Resolve workflow, pairing Vagon with the right graphics card makes a big difference. Discover the top graphics cards to maximize DaVinci Resolve efficiency for a smoother experience.

Tip #6: Switch DaVinci Resolve to Proxy Mode

Fast rendering in DaVinci Resolve can be tough to obtain on a low-end device, but proxy mode can be a huge help, especially when rendering visual effects or motion graphics. Proxy mode lowers the timeline resolution while you edit but does not cause lower quality for the underlying assets. This way, you can improve your DaVinci Resolve workflow without sacrificing final render quality. If you're looking for which version of DaVinci Resolve is best for low-end PCs, proxy mode is definitely a feature to consider.

Boost your editing speed even further by leveraging our complete optimization guide on how to render faster in DaVinci Resolve, packed with pro tips.

Tip #7: Use the Right Scratch Disk

Using a scratch disk can greatly improve the performance of your computer when creating visual effects or motion graphics in DaVinci Resolve. A scratch disk serves as a place for cache files to be saved and utilized throughout the editing process. DaVinci Resolve allows you to choose which disk you use as the scratch disk. Using any drive other than the operating system drive is best, as this frees up computing power for the editing process. External drives can be a good option for a scratch disk, too. Most importantly, a solid-state drive (SSD) is your best bet due to its ability to handle fast data transfer. When choosing the right hardware, it's crucial to consider the best computer for video production to enhance your workflow. Knowing how to select and configure your DaVinci Resolve scratch disk can significantly improve performance.

Tip #8: Use Render-Cached Images to Speed Up Production

While you edit, DaVinci Resolve caches quite a bit of rendered files. Using those small, fast-rendering clips can greatly speed up the final render of your project. In the settings, you can select “Use render-cached images” to utilize these renders. As you work and scrub back and forth on the timeline, small pieces of rendered footage will be cached in the background. When it comes time to fully render the project, the software will use these pieces to render fast and smoothly. This can be an invaluable tool when editing on a low-end device. Incorporating this feature is part of a broader strategy for optimizing your video editing workflow. If you're wondering how to make DaVinci Resolve run faster, leveraging these cached images is a key step.

Conclusion

These are some of the best options for fast rendering in DaVinci Resolve. Utilize as many of these tricks as possible to get the best performance out of your computer when working on motion graphics, visual effects, or basic editing. For those looking to dive even deeper, check out this complete guide for video production to take your skills to the next level. No matter your DaVinci Resolve system requirements, these tips can help you run the software more efficiently, even on a low-end PC.

Ready to take your DaVinci Resolve projects to the next level? With Vagon’s high-performance cloud PCs, you can run DaVinci Resolve smoothly, even on a low-end device. Our powerful cloud-based workstations provide the speed and efficiency you need for seamless video editing, without worrying about your PC’s limitations. Try Vagon today and experience a faster, more efficient DaVinci Resolve workflow.

Looking for alternatives? Our roundup of the top 7 DaVinci Resolve alternatives for video editing can help you find other powerful tools if Resolve isn’t a perfect fit.

You can also check out our GPU Guide for tips to use GPU, along with speed up and acceleration tips for Davinci Resolve.

FAQs:

1. What are the system requirements for DaVinci Resolve?

   • DaVinci Resolve's system requirements can vary based on the version and intended use. For basic editing, a system with a quad-core CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a GPU with at least 4GB VRAM is recommended. For more intensive tasks, like 4K editing or complex effects, higher specs are necessary. Always check the official documentation for the most accurate details.

2. Can DaVinci Resolve run on a low-end PC?

   • Yes, DaVinci Resolve can run on a low-end PC, but you'll need to optimize your settings to achieve smoother performance. Tips like using optimized media, proxy mode, and lowering render quality can significantly improve your experience on less powerful machines.

3. How can I make DaVinci Resolve run faster?

   • To make DaVinci Resolve run faster, close unnecessary programs, use optimized media, lower your project’s resolution, and enable performance mode. Additionally, using an SSD as your scratch disk and managing your system’s resources effectively can also enhance performance.

4. Which version of DaVinci Resolve is best for low-end PCs?

   • For low-end PCs, using an older version of DaVinci Resolve or the free version might be more suitable as these versions are generally less resource-intensive. However, DaVinci Resolve 18 includes performance optimizations that might benefit even low-end systems if configured properly.

5. Why is DaVinci Resolve so laggy on my computer?

   • DaVinci Resolve can be laggy due to several factors, such as insufficient system resources, outdated drivers, or incorrect settings. Ensuring that your PC meets the minimum requirements, optimizing the software settings, and using features like proxy mode and optimized media can help reduce lag.

6. How do I optimize DaVinci Resolve for better performance?

   • To optimize DaVinci Resolve for better performance, use optimized media, proxy mode, and render-cached images. Also, configure the scratch disk properly, lower the timeline resolution, and enable performance mode to help the software run more smoothly on low-end devices.