It’s the era of 4K videos. Full-HD 1920X1018p display resolutions are the things of the past. All the big name TV and monitor manufacturers are assembling large size 4K TVs and monitors for a much better viewing experience.
Now without a proper system, you won't be able to achieve the optimal results and a buttery work-flow. Just a three year old system will be considered pretty rusty with all the super quick technological advances. Keeping up and be pretty overwhelming, especially when you consider the super high price points of a latest and greatest graphics cards.
For quite a while the industry has been ruled by two heavy hitters – NVIDIA and AMD. Products from these companies have captured more than 95% of the market share when it comes to dedicated graphics cards. NVIDIA in particular, with its huge range of offerings of all low, mid and high classes of products are are ruling the graphics card market, whether it be it for PCs or a high-end gaming laptops. AMD also has its share of fans but still has a long way to catch up to NVIDIA in terms of sales volume.
In regard to your specific needs, you need to choose or upgrade the graphics card carefully. There are certain things you need to consider before making the purchase such as, the prerequisites, unique features, configuration comparability, price and other important factors.
Graphics Cards for Video Rendering and Animation - Pricing Table
Graphics Cards | Name | Price | RAM | Hardware Connectivity | Memory Clock Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | $$ | 12GB | HDMI | N/A | |
| $ | 2 GB | PCIE x 16 | 5,400 MHz | |
  |
| $ | 4 GB | PCIE x 16 | 1050 MHz |
  | $$$ | 12GB | PCIE x 16 | 1653 MHz | |
  | $$$ | 12GB | PCIE x 16 | 1500 Mhz |
How to Choose the Best Graphics Cards for Video Rendering and Animation
RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. The more RAM you got, the faster you go!
Cost
Cost is almost always a factor in the shopping process. We'll let you know which cards are a bit pricier and which are a bargain pick.
Hardware Connectivity
You'll need to know how your graphics card connects to see if it is compatible with your set up.
Memory Clock Speed
The memory clock speed shows how much memory bandwidth your card has this will affect the resolution that it can handle.
The Hardware Configuration
The synchronization of the system memory, the motherboard, and the processor with the graphics card is very important in configuring a PC specializing in video rendering or 3D animation. Since we are already approaching the Intel’s 7th Generation Successor from ‘Kaby Lake’ from the 6th Generation Skylake, anything beyond a 5th generation or a 5000 series might be a hindrance to any high-intensity creative productions. Also, you'll want at least 8 GB of system memory (16 GB recommended for 4K video editing) from the DDR3 or DDR4 family for a smooth operation.
Budget
When it comes to upgrading a graphics card for your existing system or purchasing one for a brand new system, price is one of the most important factors to consider.Everyone wants their new system to last for a long time without any stuttering issues while running animation, video rendering or gaming. However, most of these issues depend on the capability of the dedicated graphics card along with its synchronization to the entire computing system.
You'll find entry-level low-priced starter kits to advanced 4K graphics cards for demanding applications. Likewise, you would need to carefully consider what you need in terms of clock speed, memory and power supply in accordance with the price.It’s better to prepare ahead of the game and purchase a graphics card that will last you a couple of generations.
Special Needs
First, you have to decide on why you need a new GPU set. Why do you need a new graphics card? Is it for Full-HD or 2K Gaming? Or do you need a special system for Video Editing, Rendering, and 3D Animation?
If you need the latest and greatest GPU for gaming, then you should pick a mid-tier to high-end graphics card that can last you several generations. Whether it is NVIDIA or AMD, you have many great choices for gaming intensive GPUs.
However, if you need a new graphics card for video editing or animation, you don’t need a very high-end graphics card until and unless you do extensive work on 4K videos. For light video editing like YouTube videos, you might pick a mid-tier product based on your budget for a better performance as a whole. On the other hand, for 4K movie making or seriously graphic intensive work, you should consider on shelling out the bucks for a reliable high-end GPU set. It all depends on the prerequisites of your working constraints and ecosystem.
Cooling System
The cooling system is another factor to consider as graphics cards get heated due to its usage of large amounts of power. Therefore, it is important for you to find a graphics card with an optimal cooling system. Overheating has always been an aggravating concern for the intensive users and manufacturers have been trying to come up with a multitude of solutions.
Different manufacturers have diverse custom cooling systems for better heat dispersion than the traditional graphics cards. What’s more, these custom cooling-system-equipped graphics cards are far quieter than conventional reference cooling systems.
AMD vs. NVIDIA
Now that you have decided on your budget, specified prerequisites, and other settings, you have to pick the product that you fancy. As I said before, there are two big players, AMD and NVIDIA. In terms of price, both NVIDIA and AMD are more or less at the same level. However, when it comes to performance, NVIDIA comes out on top in almost every scenario. In reference to software and settings, NVIDIA again holds the high card due to their innovation and ease of use. Other than NVIDIA and AMD, you can find graphics card brands like MSI, GIGABYTE etc.
THE BEST GRAPHICS CARD FOR ANIMATION AND VIDEO RENDERING
12GB RAM
$$
HDMI
N/A
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX Titan X is one of the ultimate graphics cards that money can buy right now. This is a graphics card that can handle anything you throw at it effortlessly. You'll enjoy a smooth experience with this GPS set whether you want to enjoy intensive gaming, 4K video editing or 3D animation.
This beast of a graphics card comes with 12 GB of GDDR5 VRAM with memory speed of 7 GBPS. It comes with top of the line and cutting-edge technologies for an enhanced graphic experience. This particular graphics card is designed with NVIDIA’s most advanced architecture – NVIDIA Maxwell for amazing performance and improved power competence. Moreover, it is also equipped with Dynamic Super Resolution, Multi-Frame sampled Anti-Aliasing, Voxel Global Illumination with all the usual NVIDIA offerings.
You can easily add multiple Full-HD or 2K monitors with this GPU. It felt buttery smooth when I tried to play Assassin’s Creed Unity. Also, I was satisfied with its performance with 4K video editing, with a super fast rendering. I have a system with 16 GB of system memory and with this Titan, everything was blazing fast. Even though.
You'll even get great results with 1080p displays. If you are looking for a high-end graphics card check out this card, one of the fastest single GPU cards from NVIDIA. With a proper system setup, it is my #1 choice for the best graphics card for graphic-intensive work or gaming.
2GB RAM
$
PCIE x 16
5,400 MHz
Are you looking for a graphics card that can up your game for video rendering or gaming performance especially compared to shared and integrated budget GPUs? Then this is the ultimate choice for you since this graphics card can help you get better performance in animation, video editing and rendering, and less graphic-intensive gaming.
This entry-level graphics card is equipped with 2 GB GDDR5 system memory with PCI express 3. The memory of this GPU set is clocked at 5400 MHz. Although this graphics card is a budget-oriented offering from NVIDIA, it's still manufactured with the coveted Maxwell architecture. You can’t equip this GPU with a 2k or 4K monitor, yet this graphics card performed pretty well on my Full-HD monitor.
The installation procedure is fairly simple and with the games like GTV, you can easily get 40-50 FPS. The 1080p is the optimal setting for this graphics card and you can enjoy work like editing and rendering Full-HD YouTube videos, graphic-intensive explainer videos, animations and so forth.
I have tested quite a few games (Batman Arkham City, Far Cry Blood Dragon, Sniper Elite 3, Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor, to name a few) with this graphics card and I was very satisfied with the result. I was continuously getting 40-60 FPS in different circumstances. If you are constructing a new PC with a low budget frame, then this is a must buy for you.
4 GB RAM
$
PCIE x 16
1050 MHz
If you want impressive and efficient graphic performance, then this mid-tier, amazingly resourceful graphics card from NVIDIA is a great pick coming in at a fantastic price range. Be it detailed graphical arrangement or non-stuttering gaming experience, this specific graphics card showcases a super impressive performance.
This formidable graphics card is designed for serious graphic use in gaming or high-speed video rendering. It is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 system memory with PCI express 3.0. The competent Maxwell architecture allows the system to be not only a performance beast but also a power efficient mechanism. You'll find the standard NVIDIA technologies like G-Sync, GPU Boost 2.0, and SLI technology for incredible graphical reading.
I have tried editing several 2K videos on Premier Pro and this card ran smoothly and without a hitch. However, I have also tried several demanding games like Batman: Arkham Origins, Battlefield 4 and Crisis 3. The GPU worked pretty great at 1080p high settings at around 60 to 90 FPS whereas in the case of 2K displays, it came down to half eventually in the existing settings.
Out of 4 GB ram, half a GB system memory will be shared for the low graphic intensive games and 3.5 GB will be available for high-end games. Whether it is demanding gaming or graphic intensive work, this GeForce GTX 970 will continue to impress you with its smooth performance .
12 GB RAM
$$$
PCIE
1653 MHz
The Quadro M6000 from NVIDIA is one of these high-performance GPU systems, equipped with NVIDIA’s greatest architecture, Maxwell, for high-level performance and power efficiency. This fastidious graphics card is outfitted with 12 GB of GDDR5 of system memory with 7 TFLOPS of Pick Single Precision Performance. In accordance to the Graphics Bus and Processing Cores, it is equipped with PCI Express 3.0 and 3072 cores respectively.
These high-end and expensive graphics cards are really not for everyone. These gigh-intensity graphics cards are designed for super hardcore gamers and professional video encoding. The Quadro M6000 might not seem like a major upgrade from the previous generation of Quadro K6000 on paper but it does show its prowess in the real life practice. Moreover, you add up to four 4K displays with this pro-level GPU set.Y
You'll find the true worth of this super-high-end video card when you use it for professional graphics-accelerated applications, rendering or encoding. In the case of applications like 3D Studio Max, Solid Works, Autodesk Maya, AutoCAD, Quadro M6000 performed like a beast. Furthermore, Premier Pro works reasonably faster with the Quadro M6000 as compared to its AMD counterparts. For professional workstation usage, the Quadro M6000 is almost a no brainer since you can’t find much of a better alternative. If you want a cutting edge, top of the line workstation performance, this is the only choice you've got.
12 GB RAM
$$$
PCIE 3.0 x 16
1500 MHz
If you still haven’t found your perfect graphics card yet, check out the Quardro K6000 from NVIDIA. Even though the updated Quadro M6000 is already for sale on the market, the K6000 still performs damn well. You can save yourself a pretty penny by purchasing this older edition. Similar to the M6000 this card is also outfitted with 12 GB of GDDR5 system memory with PCI Express 3.0.
Even though it lacks in precision performance and core, it is still a top of the line graphics card. Furthermore, you'll find all the necessary NVIDIA utilities attached to this high end package. You can connect to 2 Ultra High Definition (UHD) monitors with this GPU set. If you are looking for high end functionality within a budget, you'll love the Quadro K6000.
Whether using it for3D video rendering, 3D Drawing, or 3D or 2D animation, this card can handle it all. Also with demanding applications and software like AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max, Solid Works, Autodesk Maya, you'll get a smooth performance from this graphics card. When you compare this graphics card to the latest and more expensive picks, you won't find a huge difference between them. If you are looking for a budget, top of the line workstation graphics card. check out this card!
12 GB RAM
$$
PCIE
7000 MHz
When it comes to video card category, we all wish to have some impressive cutting-edge technology with a superfast and buttery smooth performance. It is especially true in the case of professionals for their workstations who need the machine to perform smoothly under pressure. On the other hand, a high end graphics card that can perform without any stutter has always been a dream for those super hardcore gamers who love to play all those graphic intensive games at high video settings. And for all those tech-deprived people out there GTX TITAN Z is one of the ultimate solutions.This particular graphics card is especially constructed to perform in line with those seriously heavy graphics demanding applications and games. First of all, it is equipped with super high-end industry standard 12 GB of GDDR5 system memory. Moreover, you would also find PCI Express 3.0, 3D Vision Ready, GPU Boost, Adaptive Vertical Sync and other latest and greatest attachments from NVIDIA. You can easily employ multi monitors displays with this graphics card and have higher performance without any problem.Be it special super-high resolution image processing, 3D video rendering or specific scientific computing, it can outperform most of its competitors without any trouble. For all those graphic intensive software like 3 Studio Max, AutoCAD, Premier Pro CC video editing and rendering, 3D animation applications, this graphics card can save a lot of your time and energy. Moreover, it can easily handle any 4K games with ultra-high setting with 4K ecosystems effortlessly.It’s a no brainer for any workstation setup of for those hardcore gamers who want to experience a very detailed and smooth graphical presentation.
8 GB RAM
$
PCIE 3.0 x 16
6100 MHz
If you want to consider a brand other than NVIDIA and AMD in the lower mid-tier segment of the graphics cards industry, then this GPU set from MSI is a solid pick. MSI has always been known for their focus on gaming industry whether it be on the desktop or laptop. This card is also no exception as its designed with gamers and multimedia professionals in mind.
This gaming graphics card is outfitted with a hefty 8 GB of DDR5 SD RAM and clocks in at 6100 MHz. it has a 6 pin and 8 pin slot and the cooling system of this graphics card is pretty solid with two large sized fans included for this mid ranged graphics card. You can download all the software from their official website. If you run into any problems installing the device applications, try to uninstall any related installed software, then reinsert the graphics card after removing it from the port and then try to installation procedure again.
The gaming experience was surprisingly smooth with this graphics card. I tried several mid range games like Shadow of Mordor and Witcher 3 and I must say that I was pretty impressed with the high frame rate with my Full-HD monitor. Moreover, I also tried editing videos with Premier Pro CC at the1080p resolution and was quite satisfied with the result. If you're working with a budget then this graphics card is a solid choice for you since you can enjoy most of the mid-tier games with this graphics card without a problem.
4 GB RAM
$
PCIE 3.0 x 16
1500 MHz
Looking for a mid-tier graphics card solution? Not satisfied with the current NVIDIA offerings but still want a taste of the NVIDIA ecosystem? Well, check out the AMD FirePro W7000 graphics card. You'll love this pick from AMD specially made for budget-conscious consumers. The Firepro W7000 is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 system memory that can help you play almost all of the low-end and mid-end games without any fail.
The PCI Express 3.0 support and the Catalyst Pro Drivers from AMD make the total package quite attractive at this price point. Moreover, applications like Photoview 360 and Realview can reduce the processing time and enhance the viewing experience. Whether you want to build a budget workstation or mid-tier gaming system, this graphics card can perform up to your expectations. For applications like AutoCAD, Revit, or Premier Pro it gives a snappy performance. When you experience the overall performance of this graphics card, you'll be hooked. Image processing in Photoshop and Illustrator is quite smooth with this GPU set. The gaming frame rate is quite good at 40 to 60 FPS for mid-tier games with the 1080p monitor. The 4K video content editing or rendering takes a lot of time with this graphics card. The FirePro W7000 is definitely a strong contender in the mid-tier graphics card market with tons of fire power. If you are thinking of building a mid range workstation or gaming resource, this is the perfect card for you!
8 GB RAM
$$$
PCIE 3.0 x 16
N/A
The Quadro K5200 was designed for professional use. This graphics card is designed with NVIDIA’s Kepler Architecture which is focused on solving complex design models. It is equipped with 8 GB of GDDR5 system memory with PCI Express 3.0. With this card you'll get rich details, faster data processing and a smooth content creation experience.
NVIDIA added a lot of several useful features to this graphics unit, like SMX for graphics operation and Bindless Textures. Also, you can add up to 4 displays. The technology of this graphics card is very handy for image processing, video editing, video rendering, and 2D or 3D animation effortlessly. You can run the graphic intensive applications like AutoCAD model rendering and panning, 3D Studio Max, Maya, and other complex programs.
If you are a professional video editor or image processor, then you are going to love the performance of this graphics card. Do you spend a lot of time with Adobe packages like Premier Pro, Photoshop or Aftereffects? Well, this is the graphics card that you would love to work with.
3GB RAM
$
PCIE 3.0 x 16
7000 MHz
Want a super-clocked video card that can handle most mid-tier gaming , video editing and rendering applications without breaking the bank!? Then order this beast of a graphics card from the trustworthy brand NVIDIA – The GeForce GTX 780 Ti. This particular card is packed with tons of features for its price point. It is outfitted with 3GB GDDR5 of system memory and PCI Express 3.0 platform. It has built-in Microsoft DirectX 12 API support with the feature level of 11_0. The cooling system is packed with 2 large fans that keep the system reasonably quiet and heat-free.
You'll find all the basic NVIDIA innovations like GPU Boost 2.0, TXAA Technology, PhysX, 3D Vision Ready, CUDA Technology and so on within this graphics unit. You can easily add this card to a 4K monitor and you can also add multiple 2K or Full-HD monitors. Gaming is a dream with this graphics card. You'll get higher frame rates with starter and mid-tier games at Full-HD resolution. Applications like the video editing, rendering, 3D animation, AutoCAD, Photoshop, Illustrator, Aftereffects, Premier Pro ran quite smoothly and without much of a throttle. It’s a must buy if you are looking for a mid-tier gaming and video/image processing video card.
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