Whether you are building a PC from scratch or merely upgrading the GPU of an existing computer for the purpose of video editing, choosing a graphics card is an important decision. A GPU differs from a CPU in that it has many more processors, making it vital to have one if you are going to edit a lot of videos.
With descriptions of several products as well as a discussion of factors that go into choosing a graphics card, this article will help you discover the best graphics cards for video editing. So why you wait, lets go for checking the list and reading the reviews of the top rated products.
Which graphics card is better for video editing?
How do I choose a graphics card for video editing?
Compatibility- Are you building a PC from scratch or upgrading the GPU in an existing PC? If you are upgrading the graphics card in a computer, you will want to know whether it uses integrated graphics or already has a dedicated graphics card. Usually, it is simple to tell what kind of graphics your computer uses by looking at where the port that connects the CPU to the monitor is placed. If it is near the USB and Ethernet ports, it is likely integrated graphics. If it is separate, and if there is more than one port (HDMI, DVI outlets, DisplayPort), it probably has its own graphics card.
Next, you will need to look at the motherboard and see what expansion slots are on it. Most PCs have a few of them, but you will need PCI Express x16 slot. They come in three types, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0, but they are backward compatible. The graphics card must be the right length and height to fit into your computer.
Thickness also matters – the more powerful graphics cards will have a large fan, which makes them twice as thick. If you want one of these, you will need an unused slot with a back plate directly underneath the slot you are using, to accommodate the fan. A graphics card will also need a connection to the power supply. You will need PCI-E power connectors. Your computer might already have some tied up inside if there is not already a graphics card installed. But you might need to buy some separately in order for your graphics card to work.
RAM- You will want a lot of random access memory (RAM) in your graphics card because video editing really eats up RAM. Your computer needs to have at least 4GB of RAM, but preferably more. Having more RAM will allow you to get the job done faster. Look at the amount of RAM already in your computer as well as what comes with the GPU you are thinking about getting.
Image Quality- If you will be doing a lot of video editing, you will want a graphics card that can render clear images, as well as having a good processing speed. The better the image resolution and quality is, the easier it will be to do your job. The same goes for processing speed. It won’t be fun to try to edit videos if your computer runs super slow, and it will take way more time to get the job done. If you are purchasing a graphics card for the purposes of video editing, it makes sense to go for a quality one.
Power Supply Requirements- There is usually a minimum power requirement for a graphics card. Make sure you have the right power supply or are willing to make an additional purchase to meet the compatibility requirements. Otherwise, you risk disaster. If you need to buy additional parts, that factors into the total amount you are spending, which can skew your estimates if you are not thinking straight.
Outputs and Multiple Monitor Support- It is important to look at what outputs a GPU has, and compare that with your needs. HDMI is very popular because it supports both video and audio, and you will definitely want an HDMI connection if you plan on hooking up a PC to a TV. DisplayPort excels at high resolutions and outputting to multiple displays. VGA is a very old type of wired connection, and DVI comes in several types.
DVI-I and DVI-D are more popular, as DVI-A is no better than VGA. Ask yourself whether your video editing needs or would be aided by the ability to display on multiple monitors. Some graphics cards can display on two or even three monitors at once. If this would be a useful feature, don’t settle for a GPU that doesn’t have it.
7 Best graphics cards for video editing reviewed
1.
AMD Radeon HD 8490
This is a graphics card with a lot of nifty features that make it ideal for video editing. Customers have reported its performance to be flawless. Best of all, it costs less than $100. Look at the listed features to see if this is the GPU for you.
High Resolution: This graphics card offers high-resolution monitor support with its dual-link DVI. With its multimode DisplayPort connector, you can connect it to DVI-D, VGA, and HDMI monitors. The DisplayPort also supports audio with video as well as HDCP support to enhance the security you receive.
Hardware and Memory: With a full 16-lane PCIe 3.0 bus, you can get maximum bandwidth support. This graphics card has 1GB of DDR3 dedicated on-board graphics frame buffer memory, so you won’t have to share memory space with the PC anymore. You can have support for OpenGL 4.2 and Directx 11.1 applications because the hardware comes with built-in compatibility.
Features: This graphics card offers AMD PowerPlay and AMD PowerTune technology settings. This allows you to dynamically manage power consumption. It uses an AMD Radeon coprocessor and has a memory speed of 900 MHz.
Advantage
- It has a lot of useful features
- It has 1GB of RAM
- You can control power usage
- All feedback on this product has been extremely positive thus far
- It can support dual monitors
Disadvantage
- It might not be the best graphics card for the price
- It can only be shipped within the US
Summary: This graphics card appears to be quite sufficient for video editing. Though there are not many reviews, all have been excellent so far, so this might be the right graphics card for you.
2.
VisionTek HD 6350
This is one of the cheapest graphics cards available, so if you are on a tight budget, it might be a good option. It is not fancy, but check out the features. Maybe it will work for you.
Supported Features: This graphics card fully supports DirectX 11, 10.1, and DX9. Its dual-link DVI port gives you a resolution of 2560 x 1600. Its VGA analog supports 2048 x 1536. It can support HDMI video if you have a DVI to HDMI adapter.
Compatibility: This GPU is capable of supporting a short bracket (SFF) or a tall bracket (ATX). It has 1GB of high-speed DDR3 memory. It will support up to two monitors at once and is designed for gaming. However, the same qualities that make it good for gaming should make it excellent for video editing.
Technology: ATI Catalyst software brings excellent stability and reliability to this graphics card. It has ATI PowerPlay technology and supports OpenGL 3.2. It also comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Advantage
- It supports up to two monitors
- It is reportedly easy to install
- It is a decent low-profile graphics card at an affordable price
- It can fit in a short bracket or a tall bracket
- It will allow you to play games and edit videos in high resolution
Disadvantage
- It doesn’t have a fan, so it overheats easily
- It’s not the best video card for the price
Summary: This video card might be sufficient for your needs if you are on a budget and don’t require the most high-end graphics card.
3.
EVGA GT 730
This graphics card is a good budget choice for light gaming or video editing. It is sure to give you better video editing speeds than a baseline PC. If you don’t require the fanciest technology and are on a budget, it might be a good card for you.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 Chipset: This GPU utilizes an NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 chipset, making it a quality choice for video editing. This chipset grants you faster web browsing and video processing, which might make the EVGA GeForce graphics card the perfect choice for your needs. It offers HD quality graphics and much faster speeds compared with GPUs that utilize integrated graphics.
Enhanced Performance: This graphics card supports 3D Blu-ray performance if a compatible software player is also purchased. It is just about guaranteed to make your PC performance faster and better in every way. The enhanced performance will certainly enhance all your video editing endeavors.
Compatibility: The EVGA GeForce GT 730 requires a 300W or greater power supply. It has one graphics slot and is compatible with PCI Express, PCI Express 2.0, and PCI Express 3.0 compliant motherboards that have one graphics slot. It supports both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
Advantage
- It has a low profile bracket
- It is a good low-budget graphics card
- The quality is very good for the price
- It is easy to install
- It is also compatible with Ubuntu, provided that the correct drivers are installed
Disadvantage
- It is not a high-end graphics card
- There have been several complaints of the card crashing so frequently that it is effectively unusable
Summary: This graphics card is much better for video editing than what would come with a standard PC and is reasonably priced. Although it is not the very best graphics card that exists, it very well might meet your needs perfectly.
4.
ZOTAC GT 1030 Video Card
This card reportedly offers great performance for the price. The video quality is excellent, so if you are building or upgrading a video editing PC on a budget and need quality, the ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 is a good option.
Performance: This graphics card will give you stunning video editing performance. GeForce Experience will allow you to easily receive driver updates as well as optimize games with one click. Utilizing NVIDIA Pascal architecture, it performs with incredible efficiency.
Features: This GPU is small and compact, enabling it to fit into 99% of systems. It comes with a low profile bracket and is powered by PCIE BUS, meaning it does not require connection to an additional power supply. This greatly cuts down on the amount of visual clutter caused by wires you will have to deal with. You can view up to two displays at once on this graphics card, thanks to multiple-display out ports.
Compatibility: Every graphics card you purchase from ZOTAC comes with an extended warranty, provided that you register on their website. This graphics card is incredibly energy efficient, allowing you to engage in graphics intensive activities while only hearing a whisper. A 300W power supply is recommended, and this card is compatible with Windows 10, 8, and 7.
Advantage
- It delivers excellent performance when used for gaming
- It is extremely energy efficient
- It allows dual display viewing
- It doesn’t make too much noise
- It comes with an extended warranty
Disadvantage
- The fan makes a high-pitched sound
- It doesn’t offer the best bang for your buck
Summary: This is a fairly decent entry-level graphics card that is likely to be sufficient for your video editing needs.
5.
MSI GeForce GT 730
This is an inexpensive graphics card that nevertheless delivers a lot of bang for the buck. It has a lot of features that make it a good option for video editing. Maybe the MSI NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 is just what you need.
NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 Chipset: This graphics card uses an NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 chipset, making it a good choice for video editing. It comes with 2GB of DDR3 video memory and will support two monitors at once. It can give you a screen resolution of up to 4096 x 2160.
Compatibility: This is a low-profile video card. It has DVI-D Dual Link, HDMI, and VGA connectors. It requires a power supply of at least 300W. It has a 64-bit memory bus width and a memory clock speed of 1,600 MHz.
Description of Features: This video card will get the job done if you are looking to improve speed and graphics for your gaming or video editing. It is a good quality for the price and makes a great upgrade for your PC if you want to take your video experience to the next level. It is also a great option for a starter GPU if you are looking to improve the graphics quality over what comes with your PC by default for the first time.
Advantage
- This is a great graphics card for the price
- Some people have been able to run it with only 255W of power
- Some people have been able to use it with three monitors at once
- It will improve the graphics over what comes with a regular PC
- The chipset it uses makes it ideal for video editing
Disadvantage
- It is prone to overheating
- There have been complaints about the software CD not working
Summary: If you are looking to improve the graphics of your PC from the onboard graphics for the purposes of video editing and are on a budget, this might be the video card for you.
6.
BTO GT 730 Graphics Card
The features offered by this graphics card are tailored to photo and video performance, making it a good choice if video editing is your game. It is a decent quality graphics card that comes at a low price, and it is even possible to play some games with it, provided that they are played in lower graphics quality.
Better Video Quality: This graphics card will enable you to view pictures and videos at HD resolutions. When compared with integrated graphics, it will give you 5x faster web browsing, 9x faster photo editing, and 8x faster video editing, as well as 3x faster gaming performance. With GeForce Experience, you can optimize game settings and install new drivers with a quick click. It is sure to be a good graphics card for video editing.
Compatibility: To use this video card, you will need a PCI Express x 16 slot, and a 300W power supply is strongly recommended. It is compatible with all modern versions of Windows, including Windows 10. It comes with a low profile bracket that can shorten the video card’s height to about 2.5”.
Features: This graphics card also supports playing Blu-rays in 3D. It has high definition video decode acceleration and post-processing, which combine to offer you excellent video quality. This might be just what you need for video editing, and it comes at an affordable price for a GPU.
Advantage
- It has excellent video quality
- It does come with a low profile bracket
- It lets you do everything much faster compared to integrated graphics
- It is great for photo and video editing
- It is very reasonably priced
Disadvantage
- It has a noisy fan
- It does not work well with a 32-bit version of Windows 10. The 64-bit version is much preferred
Summary: The qualities of this graphics card make it ideal for video editing. Maybe it is just what you need for your GPU upgrade so you can take your video editing to the next level.
7.
MSI GTX 1060 OCV1
This is a more high-end graphics card designed for gaming, but its features will also make it a good choice for video editing. If you have the budget for it and don’t want to compromise on quality, it will be a good option.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Chipset: This graphics card utilizes an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 chipset, giving it 3x faster performance and better gaming quality. The chipset is also very efficient because it uses Pascal. The graphics card can support up to 3 monitors at once.
Hardware Features: This card has a 8Pin PCI-E power connector as well as Dual-Link DVI-D, HDMI, and DisplayPort outputs. It requires a 400W power supply but only consumes 120W of power. It has a memory speed of 1759 MHz and 6GB of RAM.
Quality and Price: This graphics card is more expensive than some others, but it is a high-end, quality GPU and comes at a good price for the quality. The high resolution will make it a great option for video editing, should you choose it. If you want a more high-end GPU that can also be used for intensive gaming and don’t mind spending a fair amount more, this might be the one for you.
Advantage
- It is a high-quality graphics card
- It has a very fast speed
- It can display on up to 3 monitors
- It has high resolution for video
- It is very efficient
Disadvantage
- The seller promises a rebate but according to consumers, this is never delivered
- It runs the risk of overheating
Summary: If you are looking for a higher-quality graphics card to really take your video editing to the next level, this looks to be a great option that delivers a fair amount of bang for the buck.
The Final Words (Summary)
If you are looking to buy a graphics card to improve your video editing, it can be very tricky to find the perfect one. There are a lot of factors to consider, and the level of complexity involved can render the decision-making process very confusing. Hopefully, these product reviews and buying tips have taken some of the choice-related stress away from you, and you will be able to make a decision and discover the best graphics card for video editing.
Other Articles You Might Also Like-