7 Best Graphic Card For Video Editing

GPUs are highly necessary these days, even for a basic computer system because almost all applications and websites use intensive graphics and animations to enhance the user experience. So without a decent GPU, you will start to experience lags or crashing when trying to render these graphics. GPUs are also necessary for a high-end system, especially for content creators such as video editors and streamers. Video editing involves working with multiple video clips simultaneously as well as audio tracks, effects, and transitions. This requires a lot of computation and memory which GPUs can handle efficiently. If you are also looking for a graphics card to pair with your video editing workstation, you should choose an option based on the following GPU specifications.

• GPU VRAM: VRAM is a type of memory similar to RAM for GPUs that stores and processes the data needed for graphics rendering. VRAM is important for gaming or any other graphics-intensive tasks, as it affects the performance, quality, and speed of your system. VRAM also affects the quality of textures and assets in games and other applications, as they determine how detailed and realistic the graphics look. Higher quality textures and assets generally require more VRAM to store and process, as they contain more information and larger file sizes.
•  GPU Clock Speed: Just like a CPU, the clock speed of the GPU represents the performance speed of the graphics processing units embedded in the graphics card. The GPU clock speed is usually expressed in gigahertz or GHz. The higher the GPU clock speed, the faster the GPU can render graphics and handle other tasks that require a lot of computation. So, a higher GPU clock speed can improve the performance, quality, and speed of the system, especially for graphics-intensive applications such as video editing.
•  Bandwidth: The bandwidth of a GPU is the measure of how much data the GPU can transfer to its VRAM in a certain time frame. The bandwidth of a GPU depends on the speed, capacity, and interface width of the VRAM, as well as the type of memory bus and protocol used to connect the GPU and the VRAM. As you can expect, a higher bandwidth of a GPU means that the GPU can access and process more data from the VRAM which will result in higher resolution output, smoother gameplay, and more realistic graphics rendering. A higher bandwidth of a GPU can also help the GPU handle more complex graphics, such as high-resolution textures, effects, and ray tracing.

 Right now, there are a lot of different GPU options available from many different brands that use GPU chipsets developed by Nvidia as well as AMD. While the chipset you are choosing gives you enough information about the specifications of the card and the performance you can expect from it, you also need to pay attention to the brand you are going with. Different brands offer certain tweaks and customization to the core specifications of the GPU while some brands also design cards that can be overclocked without needing any external cooler for better performance. Therefore, we have created this list of the best graphics cards available on the market right now that can be perfect for video editing. You can also check out our buying guide for the best graphics cards in case you want to know more about GPU specifications and their importance.

Also Check:- 

• How much VRAM do I need?
• VRAM or RAM
• Best Computers for Video Editing
• Best MotherBoards for Video Editing

Best Graphic Card For Video Editing Table

Graphic Card For Video Editing	GPU VRAM	GPU Clock Speed	Bandwidth	BUY NOW
GIGABYTE RTX 4090 Graphic Card	24 GB	2.54 GHz	1008 GB/s	Check On Amazon
MSI RTX 4080 Graphic Card	16 GB	2.61 GHz	716.8 GB/s	Check On Amazon
ASUS RTX 4070 Graphic Card	12 GB	2.76 GHz	504.2 GB/s	Check On Amazon
ZOTAC RTX 3090 Graphic Card	24 GB	1.71 GHz	935.8 GB/s	Check On Amazon
XFX RX 7900 Graphic Card	24 GB	2.61 GHz	960 GB/s	Check On Amazon
PowerColor RX 7900 Graphic Card	20 GB	2.13 GHz	800 GB/s	Check On Amazon
Gigabyte RX 6900 Graphic Card	16 GB	2.1 GHz	512 GB/s	Check On Amazon

Best Graphic Card For Video Editing Reviews

1) GIGABYTE Graphic Card

If you are looking for a reliable brand name with a premium range GPU chipset, the best option would be to go with Gigabyte. Gigabyte manufactures GPUs for all chipsets and its top-tier option is amongst the most powerful GPUs right now.

In the 1st position, we are putting the GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming GPU. This graphics card is based on the NVIDIA Ada Lovelace architecture, which delivers up to twice the performance and power efficiency of previous generations. It also features 4th generation Tensor Cores and 3rd generation RT Cores, which enable up to twice the AI and ray tracing overall performance. With 24GB of GDDR6X memory and a 384-bit memory interface, this graphics card can handle high-resolution textures and complex scenes with ease.

The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4090 also comes with an exclusive WINDFORCE cooling system, which consists of three fans that provide optimal airflow and heat dissipation. The RGB Fusion feature allows you to customize the lighting effects to suit the theme of your setup, while the Dual BIOS feature allows you to switch between different performance modes based on your tasks.  

Best Features:

• It offers 24 GB of VRAM
• The GPU clock speed is about 2.54 GHz
• GPU bandwidth is up to 1008 GB/s
• Exclusive cooling technology for faster GPU cooling

Pros:

• The most powerful and high-performance option
• Excellent AI and ray tracing capabilities
• Large VRAM capacity and memory bandwidth

Cons:

• It also requires a high-end CPU to avoid bottlenecking

2) MSI Graphic Card

MSI is yet another brand that gamers mostly prefer for the majority of computer parts for a high-end gaming system. Therefore, MSI’s graphics cards are usually high-powered options that also work best for other intensive tasks.

Our 2nd choice for this list of the best graphics cards for video editing is yet another powerful option which is the MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4080. Since the RTX 4080 chipset is only one level below their most powerful commercial option, you will find this GPU’s performance on par with the majority of other premium options. With that, this high-end graphics card can deliver stunning performance and visuals for gamers and creators alike. The graphics card has 16GB of GDDR6X video memory and a 256-bit memory interface, which provide ample bandwidth and speed for high-resolution textures and complex video formats.

Further ensuring peak performance at all times, the graphics card features a Tri-Frozr 3 cooling system. It consists of three fans that keep the temperature and noise levels low. The graphics card has RGB lighting effects that can be customized with the MSI Mystic Light software. The graphics card supports DisplayPort and HDMI output and can support up to 4 displays with a maximum resolution of 7680 x 4320 so that you can use the card with multiple display outputs without worrying about loss of quality.

 Best Features:

• It offers 16 GB of VRAM
• The GPU clock speed is about 2.61 GHz
• GPU bandwidth is up to 716.8 GB/s
• It has 7680 x 4320 pixels digital maximum resolution

Pros:

• Excellent performance and visuals for gaming and creating
• Large video memory and memory bandwidth
• Ray tracing and AI support

Cons:

• VRAM capacity is lower than premium options

3) ASUS TUF Graphic Card

Asus is yet another brand that comes to mind when discussing budget options for powerful graphics cards. Thus, we are bringing one such option from Asus which can be an ideal choice for entry-level video editors.

Our 3rd choice for the best graphics card for video editing is one of the most affordable options we could find paired with a high-end Nvidia chipset. The ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti is an excellent choice for beginner-level video editing or simply learning the basics of a professional video editing tool. It is equipped with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti chipset, which is based on the Ada Lovelace architecture and has 4th generation Tensor Cores and 3rd generation RT Cores. Thus, you can expect the latest features and software additions to be compatible with this card.

 The GPU also has 12GB of GDDR6X memory and a 384-bit memory interface, which provides fast and smooth performance for high-resolution and complex graphics. If the performance seems to be lacking for some tasks, you can also utilize the OC mode that boosts the GPU clock speed up to 2760 MHz for extra performance. The graphics card also has a TUF Gaming design including the Axial-tech fans to ensure nearly 21% more airflow and a metal backplate that provides extra durability and stability.

 Best Features:

• It offers 12 GB of VRAM
• The GPU clock speed is about 2.76 GHz
• GPU bandwidth is up to 504.2 GB/s
• It offers a nearly cooling mechanism with up to 21% airflow improvement

Pros:

• DLSS 3 and ray tracing support
• Effective cooling and durable design
• HDMI 2.1a and DisplayPort 1.4a support

Cons:

• VRAM won’t be enough for 4K or 8K video editing

4) ZOTAC Graphic Card

Zotac is also a gaming-focused brand that has delivered thousands of GPUs that are powering professional gaming rigs right now. If you are also looking to get the best performance for gaming as well as video editing, consider checking out this option.

The ZOTAC Gaming RTX 3090 Trinity is yet another graphics card that has previously secured the top position for the most powerful graphics card. This is the most powerful option from the RTX 30 series cards developed by Nvidia based on the Ampere architecture, offering 2nd generation Ray Tracing Cores and 3rd generation Tensor Cores. However, the best feature of this GPU is its massive 24 GB VRAM capacity which is certainly a treat at this price point. The graphics card also has a Boost Clock of 1710 MHz, which can be overclocked to improve the performance further.

And since this is the Ti version of the GPU, you should not worry about its overclocking as well as cooling capabilities since these are high-end options with an efficient cooling system to support overclocking. For that, this GPU includes IceStorm 2.0 Advanced Cooling, a Metal Front Plate, and a Lighted Backplate for faster heat dissipation. For the output, you can use either or all of the HDMI 2.1 or 3x DisplayPort 1.4a output that supports a maximum resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels.

Best Features:

• It offers 24 GB of VRAM
• The GPU clock speed is about 1.71 GHz
• GPU bandwidth is up to 935.8 GB/s
• 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a and an HDMI 2.1 port is provided for output

Pros:

• Large video memory and memory bandwidth
• Overclockable and fast performance
• Customizable and effective cooling and lighting system

Cons:

• Significantly expensive option compared to many other choices

5) XFX Graphic Card

There are also tons of GPU chipsets developed by AMD that can be an ideal choice for a productive and powerful PC build. On top of that, the majority of AMD GPUs are relatively cheaper such as the following option from XFX.

The XFX Speedster MERC310 has the AMD RX 7900XTX, which is comparable to the RTX 4080 chipset from Nvidia, and the performance gap is quite close when it comes to workstation requirements. For starters, it also features a massive 24 GB VRAM capacity, making it an exclusive choice at this price point with high VRAM. Based on the RDNA 3 architecture and its 12800 stream processors, this GPU can handle the most demanding video editing tasks and high-resolution projects with ease. On top of that, you will not face any issues while using the advanced features of a premium video editing platform.

Speedster MERC310 also has a clock of up to 2.6 GHz that can be overclocked similar to other OC edition cards to further stretch its capabilities. The GPU also has an XFX Speedster MERC310 design that comes with a triple fan cooling solution that maintains optimal airflow even under high load and ensures quick heat dissipation. Another major benefit of using this GPU is its relatively lower power requirement of only 850 Watts which eliminates the need for an expensive and high-power PSU.

 Best Features:

• It offers 24 GB of VRAM
• The GPU clock speed is about 2.61 GHz
• GPU bandwidth is up to 960 GB/s
• Its power requirement is only 840 Watts

Pros:

• It offers the largest VRAM in this price bracket
• Supports majority of new technologies and software improvements
• Overclocking the card does not necessarily require a 3rd party cooling system

Cons:

• Some users may be looking for Nvidia chipsets specifically to avoid compatibility issues

6) PowerColor Graphic Card

PowerColor is also bringing AMD chipset-powered graphics to our list today. This is the cheapest graphics available right now that can be a good entry point for a beginner.

The PowerColor Hellhound RX 7900 is the cheapest option that we have included on our list of the best graphics card for video editing as it is an ideal companion for budget-focused builds. This is also a gaming graphics card that can offer amazing performance and realism for your games and applications. With the RDNA 3 architecture and 5376 stream processors, this affordable GPU exceeds the benchmarks with many other similar options in this price range. So, it can handle demanding applications with ease, and also utilize advanced features of video editing platforms.

Coming to its core specifications, the card has 20GB of GDDR6 memory and a 320-bit memory interface that provides fast and smooth performance for high-resolution jobs. You will also notice the base clock speed of 2130 MHz as well as its boost clock of 2500 MHz, which can be adjusted for different performance modes, based on your project’s complexity and requirements. However, this GPU lacks slightly when it comes to its cooling performance, unlike many other options. However, it also has the added benefit of only 750 Watts power requirement, which is ideal for budget PC builds.

Best Features:

• It offers 20 GB of VRAM
• The GPU clock speed is about 2.13 GHz
• GPU bandwidth is up to 800 GB/s
• Performance can be adjusted based on requirements

Pros:

• Best choice for budget-focused video editing PCs
• High-capacity display output ports are available
• Many different variants are available

Cons:

• It may not be a future-proof option for a professional video editing system

7) Gigabyte Graphic Card

In the last position, we are bringing yet another great GPU choice from Gigabyte as it also develops GPUs with AMD chipsets. Similar to our first choice from Gigabyte, this is one of the premium choices with an AMD chipset.

Finishing up our picks for the best graphics card for video editing, we have the Gigabyte PowerColor Red Devil. This is based on one of the older generation chipsets from AMD, featuring RDNA 2 architecture. However, the RX 6900 XT is one of the top-performing variants from the previous-generation AMD chipset and is powered by 5121 stream processors. This means that this GPU can easily handle heavy loads and cut the rendering time short for complex projects. To maintain proper cooling, the GPU has a triple fan cooling solution so that it can keep the GPU below its design temperature limit in all working conditions.

Coming to its output capacity, the graphics card offers DisplayPort and HDMI output that collectively support up to 4 displays simultaneously with a maximum resolution of 7680 x 4320. Hence, you can use dual 4K monitors or a combination of 4K monitors paired with 1 or 2 QHD monitors without any hurdles. Even with such a powerful set of specifications, the GPU only requires 850 Watts of power input which is easily available with a budget PSU these days. However, you may notice some issues because of the 16 GB VRAM of the GPU which is quite less than what you get with top-tier choices.

Best Features:

• It offers 16 GB of VRAM
• The GPU clock speed is about 2.1 GHz
• GPU bandwidth is up to 512 GB/s
• Works with multiple monitors without any hurdles

Pros:

• It is backed by AMD Infinity Cache technology
• Power requirements are as high as premium choices
• Maximum output resolution is similar to high-end choices

Cons:

• Low VRAM capacity makes it a mediocre option for professional work

Buying Guide For Best Graphic Card For Video Editing

Unlike before, when each GPU option had at best 2 different models based on the chipset, there is now a lot more variety available on the GPU market. GPU brands, as well as chipset manufacturers (Nvidia and AMD) are offering multiple different choices so that everyone can find the right graphics card as per their needs and strike the perfect balance between cost and performance. However, it has made choosing the best option slightly more difficult as you need to go through multiple different options and compare them to get to the one that is the best fit for you. If you are also getting confused between multiple options, worry not. To help you with that, we have prepared this helpful buying guide for the best graphics card, where we will discuss the factors that you can refer to while looking for a GPU. Since we are looking for a GPU that can offer the best performance with video editing tasks and tools, we will be considering the factors that matter the most when it comes to video processing.

1. Graphics Coprocessor

Video editing involves processing and rendering a lot of visual data, whereas graphics cards can handle a lot of processing and reduce the main CPU. For that, there is a dedicated processor chip installed on the graphics card called the graphics coprocessor. The graphics coprocessor is designed to handle complex calculations related to graphics and images. So, it accelerates rendering tasks and makes your video edits process at a much faster pace. Also, when you’re editing videos, you want to see how your changes affect the final clip in real-time. A robust graphics coprocessor can ensure you can play back your edited videos smoothly, even if they contain multiple video tracks, special effects, or high-resolution content. Lastly, as the video quality improves with resolutions like 4K and 8K becoming more common, the amount of data to be processed increases significantly. To make video editing seamless at such high resolution, having a powerful graphics coprocessor is very important.

2. VRAM Capacity and Speed

To put it in simpler words, the VRAM capacity of your GPU is the available space for your graphics coprocessor to transmit the finished rendered frames as well as to store the incoming data that is to be processed by the GPU. When you’re editing videos, you’ll be working with multiple different clips and visual elements like images, FX effects, and animations. These elements require ample storage in VRAM for quick access. So, a larger VRAM capacity allows the GPU to load and work with these elements simultaneously. This is especially crucial when dealing with high-resolution videos or complex projects. As for the speed, it tells you how fast the VRAM can store content and the graphics coprocessor can fetch the data from the VRAM. As you can imagine, this is a similarly important factor as higher capacity VRAM won’t be of any use if its speed bottlenecks it.

3. GPU Clock Speed

The GPU clock speed is a critical factor in video editing as it significantly influences the performance and efficiency of video editing tasks. The clock speed is a generalized term that represents the performance speed of a processing unit. It is similar to that of the main CPU of your system and it is also represented in GHz units.

Video editing often requires real-time playback and rendering to display a preview of the finished product before the final rendering begins. So, a GPU with a higher clock speed ensures that these operations are smooth and do not incur any lags. Higher GPU clock speed also helps with the sheer size of the data that is to be processed.

Therefore, if you are working with a video file of a higher format or resolution, such as 4K or 8K, you can find a higher clock speed GPU to be more useful. You can also overclock the GPU to increase its maximum clock speed for a certain period to attain higher performance. However, make sure that your cabinet has adequate cooling capacity to maintain its temperature.

4. Cooling System

The cooling type of a GPU is a crucial consideration for video editing, as it directly affects the performance, reliability, and longevity of the graphics card during resource-intensive tasks. Just like your CPU, the GPU also heats up when it is under extended stress, probably a lot more than the CPU, considering it processes a lot more data and has significantly more processing cores. Video editing tasks, especially when dealing with high-resolution content or complex effects, can push the GPU to its limits.

Thus, it results in generating significantly more heat and demands for a similarly powerful cooling system. Effective cooling systems such as advanced fans or liquid cooling help to dissipate this heat much quicker. Without proper cooling, the GPU can overheat and it leads to performance throttling or occasional system crashes. So, adequate cooling systems can prevent the GPU from reaching its thermal limits, ensuring that it operates at its full potential throughout your editing sessions. While the stock coolers available with the GPU are designed to maintain the temperature of the card below the threshold, you may want to use an external high-capacity 3rd party cooler if you are going to overclock the GPU.

5. Digital Max resolution

Last but not least, you need to check the digital max resolution supported by the GPU, which is yet another crucial factor in video editing. This is the largest digital output possible for the GPU, which includes the maximum number of displays. For example, suppose the GPU supports up to 8K digital max resolution and offers 4 display outputs.

In that case, it means that you will get 2 outputs with 4K resolution, 3 outputs with 2K resolution, and 4 outputs with FHD 1080p resolution if used simultaneously. So based on your setup, you must consider the digital max resolution. As observed with a lot of productive setups, there are at least 2 monitors included in the setup to increase the working space and productivity. So, if you are using 2 or more monitors you need to make sure that the GPU you are getting offers the resolution output that you want on each of the monitors. Otherwise, you may notice blurry output on the secondary or tertiary monitor, which can be problematic for video editing.

Graphic Card For Video Editing-FAQs

Conclusion

Whether you are just entering the field of video editing, or are already proficient in the work and looking for a PC upgrade, you need to carefully choose the components that you are going to use in your system. While resource-intensive applications usually demand a powerful rig, your focus should be on the GPU as it performs the heaviest tasks regarding video editing. To make it possible, we have prepared this list of the best GPUs you can use for video editing. For this list, we have shortlisted the best options in terms of performance and power efficiency so that you can find at least one ideal candidate for your needs. You can also refer to our buying guide for the best GPU for video editing to ensure your choice offers the desired specifications. Lastly, we have a couple of handpicked recommendations that have proven to be a valuable addition for professional video editing jobs.

• If you do not wish to compromise on the power capacity and performance at all, the best option would be the most powerful GPU chipset available right now. And for that, we will recommend the GIGABYTE RTX 4090. As it is designed for hardcore gaming, it comes with 24 GB of VRAM capacity and 2,54 GHz clock speed which is pretty good for intensive video editing tasks. It also operates on 1008 GB/s bandwidth so that you will be able to work with high-resolution and complex tasks at a faster pace.
• On the other hand, if you are building an entry-level workstation to be used for basic video editing jobs, you can cut some corners and go with the most affordable option on our list, the PowerColor RX 7900 XT. Despite being a cheaper alternative, this is an ideal candidate for powerful workstations as it comes with 20 GB of VRAM capacity and 2.13 GHz of GPU clock speed. You also won’t have any troubles regarding the speed and fluidity of your video editing software since it has a bandwidth of 800 GB/s.
• Lastly, we will recommend yet another powerhouse for a high-end GPU which is slightly cheaper than other similar options, making it a great value-for-the-money option. We are talking about the ZOTAC RTX 3090. Although it belongs to the older 30 series chipsets from Nvidia, you probably won’t even notice the difference when working with video editing tasks. And since Zotac is also a gaming-focused brand, this GPU offers 24 GB of VRAM capacity and 935 GB/s bandwidth, which is pretty close to the premium alternative. However, it also has a relatively slower clock speed of 1.71 GHz, which might cause problems when working with intense effects and transitions.