RealFlow System Requirements

Engineered for RealFlow. Built to Simulate Fluids, Fast.

RealFlow is a powerful fluid simulation tool used in VFX, animation, and motion graphics. It runs on most professional systems, but once you begin working with high-res meshes, large-scale sims, or long sequences, you'll need serious hardware to keep iteration time low and stability high.

At Signa, we’ve tested RealFlow with popular 3D suites like Maya, Cinema 4D, and 3ds Max. Whether you're simulating splashes, waves, or soft body interactions, our systems are optimized to calculate, preview, and cache faster—so you spend less time waiting and more time creating.

⚙️ Processor (CPU) – Simulation First, Everything Else Second

RealFlow simulations are primarily CPU-based. The more cores and higher clock speeds you have, the faster you'll process scenes—especially with high particle counts or Hybrido-based simulations.

Recommended CPUs for RealFlow:

• AMD Ryzen 9 7950X / 9950X

• Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

These CPUs deliver the multithreaded performance needed for fast sims while remaining responsive during scene setup and preview work.

💡 Running massive fluid scenes or using RealFlow with V-Ray CPU rendering? Ask us about Threadripper Pro or Intel Xeon options.

Graphics Card (GPU) – Viewport & Hybrid Workflow Support

While RealFlow doesn’t use the GPU for its main simulation engine, a modern GPU is essential for smooth viewport performance, quick scene navigation, and integration with renderers like V-Ray GPU or Octane.

Recommended GPUs:

• NVIDIA RTX 5090 (for heavy 3D workflows and GPU rendering)

• NVIDIA RTX 5080 / 5070 (great balance of speed and futureproofing)

• RTX 5000 Ada Professional Series (for studios needing certified drivers)

Why NVIDIA?
If you're rendering inside your 3D suite or using RealFlow alongside GPU-based tools, NVIDIA cards ensure full CUDA compatibility and maximum software support.

Memory (RAM) – Critical for Sim Caching

RealFlow’s simulations can eat through RAM quickly—especially when using high voxel resolutions, long frame ranges, or multiphysics setups.

Recommended RAM:

• Minimum: 64GB

• Ideal for most users: 128GB

• Heavy simulations or large teams: 256GB+

More RAM allows RealFlow to cache frames faster and reduces disk swapping during complex scenes—keeping your simulations running smoothly.

Storage (Drives) – Fast I/O for Cache-Heavy Workflows

RealFlow generates large simulation cache files that can be several GBs per frame. Fast storage is essential to avoid bottlenecks during baking and previewing.

Recommended setup:

• Primary Drive: 1TB–2TB NVMe SSD for OS, host software, and RealFlow

• Secondary NVMe SSD: Dedicated for sim caches, render assets, and project files

• Archive: Large HDD or NAS for storing completed simulations and backup files

Why NVMe?
NVMe SSDs write and stream sim cache data far faster than traditional drives—helping with frame scrubbing, baking, and rendering stability.

Why Choose a Signa Workstation for RealFlow?

✅ Built and tested for RealFlow and simulation-heavy workflows
✅ High-performance CPU and RAM combinations for fast, stable baking
✅ GPU-ready for hybrid rendering pipelines
✅ Local, expert support in Toronto
✅ Custom-tailored to your pipeline and project scale

📞 Ready to Sim Faster with RealFlow?
From water effects to cinematic splashes, we build systems that help you simulate faster, preview smoother, and deliver on time.

🔗 Book your free consultation today
📍 Visit us: 3457 Yonge Street, Toronto
📞 Call us: (416) 488-9208