Production sizing guide

Match the system to the show.

Ascension can serve anything from a compact single-screen event to a four-output 4K production. The correct system is determined by the complete workload—not resolution alone.

Use the chart below as a realistic planning guide for purchasing or specifying a production machine. It assumes optimized media, a dedicated NVIDIA GPU, NVMe storage and meaningful operating headroom. Complex codecs, high layer counts, live network sources, alpha media, intensive warping or sustained 60 fps operation may require moving up one tier.

Output targetTier envelopes describe the practical output canvas, not the absolute connector count.
Media preparationUse production-friendly codecs and test final media at the intended output frame rate.
Operational headroomDo not size mission-critical systems to run continuously at their theoretical maximum.
Production machineBrowser operator stations do not require the same hardware tier as the Ascension engine.
Production tier Recommended output envelope Processor Graphics Memory Storage Network Best suited for
Tier 1Compact HD 1 × 1080pLight multi-layer production Modern 6-core CPU
Strong current-generation single-core performance		 NVIDIA GPU
8 GB VRAM		 16 GB minimum
32 GB preferred		 NVMe SSD
500 GB system + 1 TB media		 1 GbE Small events, single displays, basic CueBoard operation, modest timelines and light compositing
Tier 2Standard Production 2 × 1080por 1 × 4K Modern 8-core CPU
Core i7 / Ryzen 7 class or better		 NVIDIA GPU
8–12 GB VRAM		 32 GB Separate NVMe media drive
1–2 TB recommended		 1 GbE
2.5 GbE useful		 Typical commercial events, moderate layer counts, one UHD canvas or two independent HD destinations
Tier 3Advanced Multi-Output 3–4 × 1080por 2 × 4K Modern 8–12 core CPU
High-performance Core i7/i9 or Ryzen 7/9 class		 NVIDIA GPU
12–16 GB VRAM		 32–64 GB High-speed NVMe
1 TB system + 2 TB media		 2.5 GbE preferred Multi-screen rooms, complex timelines, more simultaneous layers, auxiliary outputs and moderate warping
Tier 4Large Venue Up to 3 × 4Kor 4–6 × 1080p Modern 12–16 core CPU
High-end desktop class		 NVIDIA GPU
16 GB VRAM or more		 64 GB Dedicated media NVMe
2–4 TB recommended		 2.5 GbE minimum
10 GbE for heavy IP media		 Large rooms, high-density playback, extensive keying, treatments, projection correction and heavier compositing
Tier 5Flagship 4K 4 × 4KMaximum planning tier Modern 16-core+ CPU
High-end desktop or workstation class		 High-end NVIDIA GPU
20–24 GB VRAM preferred		 64–128 GB Multiple high-speed NVMe drives
4 TB media capacity recommended		 10 GbE recommended
Especially for network media		 Four-output UHD systems requiring maximum headroom for large canvases, many layers and demanding show operation

Move up one tier when…

  • Several 4K or alpha-channel clips play simultaneously
  • The show relies heavily on H.265 or other long-GOP media
  • Multiple live NDI sources must remain active
  • Outputs require extensive warp, keying or treatments
  • The production must operate continuously at 60 fps

Storage architecture matters

Use NVMe storage for show media. On larger systems, keep the operating system and media library on separate drives so system activity does not compete with sustained playback.

Test the actual event

Resolution alone cannot predict performance. Validate the final codecs, frame rates, layer counts, transitions, live inputs and output corrections before the production system is approved.

Planning guidance—not a performance guarantee.

Ascension workload varies substantially with media encoding, composition complexity, output hardware, drivers and event design. Mission-critical deployments should retain operating headroom and complete a full-show rehearsal on the intended production computer.

Operating systems: native 64-bit production builds are available for Windows and Linux. Linux is currently tested and officially supported on Debian 13 amd64.

Graphics: use a dedicated NVIDIA GPU. Integrated graphics are not recommended for production playback.

Outputs: verify the required connector count, EDID behavior, synchronization and professional video-output hardware separately from GPU performance.

Ready to test your production workflow?

Download Ascension, prepare representative media and validate the event on the intended production hardware before purchasing the final license term.

Download Ascension View licensing