Best Graphics Card for Video Editing & Factors to Consider [Guide]

Choosing the best graphics card for video editing is crucial for seamless performance and efficiency. 

Whether you're editing 4K footage, working on complex motion graphics, or running professional video editing software, having the right GPU can make all the difference. 

In this guide, we’ll explore top graphics card options tailored for video editors, highlighting their key features, performance benchmarks, and value for money to help you make an informed decision.

Which graphics card is good for video editing?

Why You Need the Best Graphics Card for Video Editing

Using the best graphics card for graphic design and video editing is essential for smooth performance and professional-quality results. 

Some of the best video editing software, like Adobe Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve, relies heavily on GPU power for rendering, real-time playback, and applying complex effects. 

A high-performance graphics card accelerates tasks like color grading, video encoding, and working with high-resolution files, saving you significant time and frustration. 

Reasons you need graphics card video editing

Without a reliable GPU, video editing can become slow and inefficient, especially when dealing with 4K or 8K footage. 

For these reasons, investing in the right graphics card ensures seamless workflow, better productivity, and a more enjoyable editing experience.

Best Graphics Card for Video Editing

Below are our compilations for the best graphics card for Photoshop and video editing to help you perform complex tasks.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090

Despite its high price, the predicted performance of an RTX 4090 for intensive video editing tasks is light years ahead of its competitors in the market.

To most freelance video editors, the current generation of RTX GPUs delivers substantial performance at a higher power draw than earlier generations. 

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090

This is not the only substantial increase since this best Nvidia graphics card for video editing costs between $1,600 and $2,000 depending on the variation purchased. Still, it boosts third-party sales even more depending on supplies. 

If you have the money, this card will work well when paired with the appropriate power supply and CPU.

► Read more: Best iMac for video editing

AMD RX 7800 XT

Nvidia has always been the graphics card brand of choice for video editing due to its widespread support, but this is beginning to change. 

For those looking for a balance between value and performance, don’t miss out on the AMD RX 7800 XT. In many ways, this competing AMD choice exceeded the closest Nvidia option.

AMD RX 7800 XT

Equipped with 16GB of GDDR6 memory and advanced RDNA 3 architecture, it delivers exceptional rendering speeds and real-time editing capabilities, even for 4K and 8K projects.

Additionally, its energy-efficient design ensures optimal performance without excessive heat or noise, making it ideal for long editing sessions. 

AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT

The AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT is a top-tier graphics card that's an excellent choice for video editing enthusiasts and professionals alike. 

Powered by AMD's RDNA 2 architecture, it offers exceptional performance and remarkable efficiency in handling high-resolution video editing tasks, including 4K and even 8K workflows. 

AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT

Its 16GB of GDDR6 memory ensures smooth playback and rendering, even for complex timelines with multiple layers and effects. 

The RX 6900 XT also supports hardware-accelerated encoding and decoding, speeding up exports and reducing waiting times.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050

The 8GB version of the RTX 3050 is surprisingly affordable in the graphics card industry.

Assume you're a beginner video editor who won't be going much above 1080p/FHD video resolution. 

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050

The RTX 3050's 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, boosted clock speed of 1,780MHz, and 2,560 CUDA cores will be more than enough for you.

Despite its cheap price, it features ray tracing and DLSS, which are not found on other budget graphics cards, such as the GTX 1650. In fact, it is almost 70% faster than the GTX 1650. 

AMD Radeon PRO W7700

AMD offers not just its gamer-focused RX-series graphics cards, but also the Radeon PRO range, which is designed for professional applications such as 3D rendering, scientific computation, and video editing.

AMD Radeon PRO W7700

The PRO W7700 is in the middle part of the range, but speedier variants have outrageous price tags, so they're geared primarily toward commercial buyers. 

The range provides numerous processing improvements, the majority of which are useful for scientific and 3D rendering tasks. 

The biggest advantage of video editing is that specialized video card drivers are designed for popular video editing tools, ensuring high reliability.

AMD RX 7900XT

Which GPU is best for video editing? The AMD RX 7900 XT is a top-tier GPU that you should consider. 

Featuring 20GB of GDDR6 memory and RDNA 3 architecture, it handles 4K and 8K projects with ease. Its advanced compute units and AV1 encoding ensure smooth rendering, real-time playback, and efficient video compression. 

AMD RX 7900XT

Ideal for demanding tasks like color grading and motion tracking, the RX 7900 XT offers seamless compatibility with software like Adobe Premiere Pro. 

Its energy-efficient design ensures quiet operation, making it perfect for intensive, long editing sessions.

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super

The last option in our list of the best graphics card for video editing is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super. 

Despite being slower than the GTX 1660 Ti, it comes with a reasonable price that is tailor-made for those who are new to video editing and creative tasks.

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super

Furthermore, because it is not a power-hungry graphics card, no sophisticated cooling mechanism will be required. Despite the lack of RT cores, ray tracing is well supported, and you can easily work with and render Full HD footage. 

► Read more: Best external hard drive for video editing

How to Choose the Best Graphics Card for Video Editing?

When it comes to video editing, the right graphics card may significantly boost your productivity and speed. When choosing which video card is best for video editing, you should consider the following factors:

Video RAM

Video RAM is the first thing used after rendering, making it one of the most important considerations. More VRAM is preferable since it enables more data to be easily accessible from the GPU. 

Consider video RAM

This is especially useful for editing, as most, if not all, editing software defers some to the CPU cache, the bulk to the VRAM, and the remaining to the C: drive storage to stagger the demands of an active project. 

In general, a minimum of 6GB of VRAM is recommended for any entry-level editing system.

Power Requirements

Most graphics cards require a PCIe power connector, which can take 150W from 8-pin connectors to 600W from 16-pin connectors. The RTX 40 series of cards has the newest connectors.

A sufficient PSU makes all the difference in professional video editing and the majority of PC productivity cases. Simultaneously, an editing system experiences significant stress while rendering a video over time.

Compatibility

Compatibility is crucial

Compatibility is another factor to consider while making your decision. Graphics cards connect to your motherboard via PCI Express sockets. 

This implies that your motherboard's PCle speed will have a significant influence on the card's performance. 

In case your motherboard is unable to move data quickly enough, the GPU will not make a substantial difference. 

Performance

Clock speeds have long been a major contender for performance in processors, particularly GPUs. They decide how many work units may be completed in a given time period (usually one second). 

In editing, a faster GPU clock speed allows for more work each cycle, but it comes at the cost of being slightly unstable or requiring continual airflow owing to heat generation.

In addition to a high GPU clock speed, you can acquire a similar CPU or overdrive it to minimize bottlenecking.

Display Ports

You should check display ports

Ensure the GPU has adequate HDMI and DisplayPort outputs to support multiple monitors, especially if you use a multi-screen setup. For 4K or higher resolutions, prioritize DisplayPort 1.4 or HDMI 2.1 for better refresh rates and color accuracy.

Price

Balance your budget with your editing needs. Entry-level GPUs like the RTX 3050 are affordable for beginners, while premium cards like the AMD RX 7900 XT provide future-proof power for professionals. 

Prioritize value by considering your resolution requirements and software compatibility.