System Requirements
This page details the minimum and recommended system requirements for running Paint Tool SAI Ver.1 and Ver.2 effectively.
Note
Requirements vary based on canvas size and complexity. Larger canvases require more RAM and processing power.
Quick Reference
Component |
Minimum |
Recommended |
|---|---|---|
Operating System |
Windows XP |
Windows 10/11 |
CPU |
Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz |
Intel Core i5 or better |
RAM |
1GB |
8GB+ |
Storage |
100MB (install) |
SSD with 20GB+ free |
Graphics |
Any DirectX 9 capable |
Dedicated GPU |
Input Device |
Mouse |
Pen Tablet |
Operating System
Supported Windows Versions
Windows XP (Service Pack 3)
Windows Vista
Windows 7
Windows 8 / 8.1
Windows 10
Windows 11
Warning
Paint Tool SAI is Windows only. There is no official macOS or Linux version.
32-bit vs 64-bit Windows
32-bit Windows: Can only run SAI 32-bit version
64-bit Windows: Can run both versions (64-bit recommended)
Processor (CPU)
Minimum Requirements
Intel: Core 2 Duo 1.6GHz or better
AMD: Equivalent Athlon X2 or better
Recommended for Large Canvases
Intel: Core i5 6th generation or newer
AMD: Ryzen 5 or better
Higher clock speeds benefit brush response
Tip
SAI is optimized for single-thread performance. Higher single-core clock speeds provide better brush responsiveness.
Memory (RAM)
For Different Canvas Sizes
Canvas Size |
Minimum RAM |
Recommended |
|---|---|---|
Up to 2000px |
1GB |
4GB |
Up to 5000px |
2GB |
8GB |
Up to 10000px |
4GB |
16GB |
10000px+ (64-bit) |
8GB |
32GB |
Important
The 32-bit version is limited to approximately 3GB RAM regardless of installed memory This is a Windows limitation for 32-bit applications.
Storage
Installation Space
SAI Ver.1: ~50MB
SAI Ver.2: ~100MB
Brushes & Textures: Variable (50MB - 500MB typical)
Scratch Disk Space
SAI uses temporary files during editing:
Minimum: 5GB free space
Recommended: 20GB+ on SSD
Tip
Using an SSD for scratch disk significantly improves performance when working with large files.
Graphics
General Requirements
DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics
Any modern integrated or dedicated GPU
Display resolution: 1024x768 minimum
Note
SAI primarily uses CPU for brush calculations. GPU is mainly for display.
Display Recommendations
Resolution: 1920x1080 or higher
Color Accuracy: IPS panel for color-sensitive work
Calibration: Use color management for professional work
Input Devices
Supported Tablet APIs
Paint Tool SAI supports two tablet APIs:
WinTab - Traditional tablet API
Supported by most professional tablets
Wacom, XP-Pen, Huion, etc.
TabletPC - Windows Ink compatible
Built into Windows
Supports touch and pen
Recommended Tablets
Any graphics tablet with pressure sensitivity:
Wacom: Intuos, Cintiq series
XP-Pen: Deco, Artist series
Huion: Inspiroy, Kamvas series
Others: Any WinTab or TabletPC compatible
Warning
Mouse can be used but lacks pressure sensitivity essential for digital painting.
Performance Optimization
For Best Performance
Use 64-bit version on 64-bit Windows
Close background applications while painting
Use SSD for scratch disk
Keep 30%+ disk space free on scratch drive
Update tablet drivers regularly
For Large Canvases
Increase RAM allocation if possible
Use fewer layers when feasible
Flatten completed sections
Save frequently to prevent data loss
Compatibility Notes
Virtualization
SAI may have issues running in:
Virtual machines (VMware, VirtualBox)
Windows compatibility modes
Wine (Linux/macOS)
Antivirus Software
Some antivirus programs may flag SAI incorrectly:
Add SAI folder to antivirus exclusions
Exclude
sai2.exefrom real-time scanning