Adobe Photoshop is one of the most prevalent applications for photo editing, and for a good reason. This software offers a complete package for editing photos and videos as with no other software. However, whenever it comes to photo and video editing you will always depend on the best graphic card for photoshop to get the most out of your projects.
Although you can use photoshop without any high-end GPU, for most sophisticated features, you will need a good one. Simply put, you will need a good GPU to get the best out of your photoshop projects.
But as you know, there are hundreds and thousands of GPUs in the market which makes you confused about choosing the best one. But don’t worry if you are looking for the best graphic card for photoshop we are here to help you.
In this guide, we will show you some of the best picks for GPUs for photoshop that are:
- AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- AMD Radeon RX 6800
- GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- MSI GeForce RTX 3070 LHR 8GB
- Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Quick Comparison Best GPU for Photoshop
| Graphics Cards | Ram | CUDA | Video Output | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT | 2GB GDDR6 | 2560 cores | DisplayPort 1.4a, HDMI 2.1 | Check Price on Amazon |
| AMD Radeon RX 6800 | 16GB GDDR6 | 3840 cores | 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 1.4a | Check Price on Amazon |
| GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Ti | 6GB GDDR6 | 1536 Cores | 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI | Check Price on Amazon |
| MSI GeForce RTX 3070 LHR 8GB | 8GB GDDR6 | 5888 cores | DisplayPort x 3 (v1.4a), HDMI 2.1 x 1 | Check Price on Amazon |
| Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | 8GB GDDR6 | 4864 Cores | 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI | Check Price on Amazon |
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Our Picks for Best Graphics Card for Photoshop
After reviewing several different GPUs, we came up with the following best Graphics Card for Photoshop. So let’s see why these graphic cards suit your needs.
1. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
editors picks
Reasons to Consider
AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT is one of the best GPU for photoshop that does not compromise performance. First, its 12 GB VRAM and 2560 cores will make your editing projects a breeze. Moreover, it allows you to unlock most Photoshop features owing to its 448 GB/s bandwidth. You can work on any graphic intense application such as 3D max and illustrator without a lag.
Specifications
- Ram: 12GB GDDR6
- Video Output: DisplayPort 1.4a, HDMI 2.1
- CUDA: 2560 cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 2615MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 2321 MHz
- Bandwidth: 384 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 192-bit
If you are looking for a high-end graphics card that goes hand in hand with your editing needs look no further than this one. It is one of the premium graphic cards that come with 12 GB VRAM. Its 2560 processors and 384 GB/sec bandwidth let you process video and graphics much faster.
With its two 8-pin PCIe connectors you can attach it to any modern motherboard. In addition, the graphic card comes with a dual-fan design that lets you PC stay cool in graphic intense applications.
Moreover, the RDNA 2 architecture enables ray tracing technology. Besides, photoshop you can also play games in 1440p settings with this GPU. Moreover, the Smart Access Memory feature of the graphic card ensures optimum performance. All in all, it is a nice pick for you if you are into games and photoshop.
2. AMD Radeon RX 6800
high-end gpu
Reasons to Consider
AMD offers bang for the buck when it comes to GPUs. This RX6800 GPU from AMD also offers great productivity for your photoshop projects. With its 16 GB massive VRAM and 3840 CUDA cores, you can do most heavy duty rendering as well. In addition, this GPU also enables multi-display. You can do any project without a lag thanks to its 521 GB/sec bandwidth as well.
Specifications
- Ram: 16GB GDDR6
- Video Output: 1x HDMI 2.1, 2x DisplayPort 1.4a
- CUDA: 3840 cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 2105 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1700 MHz
- Bandwidth: 512 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
If budget is not a problem for you and you are up for buying a high-end graphics card for photoshop then go for AMD Radeon RX 6800. It can do any task you throw at it, be it 3D rendering, photoshop editing, or other photograph tasks.
The AMD Radeon RX 6800 comes with many bells and whistles that make for outstanding performance. For instance, its 16 GB VRAM and 512 Gb data rate ensure you get lightning-fast processing.
In addition, it also entails RDNA architecture which enables ray tracing technology. You can run a huge file or other resource-consuming processes without any lag. Moreover, you can also achieve a multi-display environment since you can connect multiple monitors to it. And if you are up for 4k gaming, you can achieve that in excellent FPS.
All in all, if you have more than 1000 bucks to spend on a potent graphic card for photoshop, look no further than this card.
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3. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC
Mid Levle gpu
Reasons to Consider
The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC is a great GPU to consider purchasing for a few reasons. Firstly, it is part of the GTX 1660 Ti series which is known for its excellent performance and efficiency in gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. A 6GB RAM and an 1860 MHz boost clock will allow you to play the game smoothly. Furthermore, you can also get lag-free gameplay by increasing frame rates.
Specifications
- Ram: 6GB GDDR6
- Video Output: 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI
- CUDA: 1536 Cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 1860 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1770 MHz
- Bandwidth: 228 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 192-bit
The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Ti OC is undoubtedly the best graphics card for photoshopfor a number of reasons. First, it has an amazing WindForce cooling system, which never let your PC run hot.
Additionally, this graphic card offers better frame rates at 1080P, with 60 frames per second or more. Whatever title you choose, your in-game experience will be exceptional. Additionally, in-game settings can also be tweaked to increase frame rates.
A high-end GPU of this caliber will not break the bank, and it comes with a 6 GB graphics card for a reasonable price. All in all, this graphic card goes toe to toe with your photoshop and delivers the best performance for your games.
4. MSI GeForce RTX 3070 LHR 8GB
Good with less spend
Reasons to Consider
If your job demands a good GPU that goes hand in hand with your photo editing and videography endeavors, then go for this GPU. The ampere architecture coupled with 8GB VRAM and massive 5888 cores makes for the best performance. Moreover, this GPU does not cost much and still performs most of your intense graphic work and 3D rendering. And the best thing is its Torx Fan that makes sure it works quietly despite heavy processing.
Specifications
- Ram: 8GB GDDR6
- Video Output: DisplayPort x 3 (v1.4a), HDMI 2.1 x 1
- CUDA: 5888 cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 1845 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 1500 MHz
- Bandwidth: 448 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
Here we have an Nvidia graphics card that is based on Ampere architecture. If you want a good graphic card for photoshop without spending much, then this one is a good choice.
With its 2X FP32 throughput and RT cores you achieve maximum productivity in your photoshop projects. Moreover, it also has a decent 8 GB RAM that makes for fast working.
In addition, the VRA also leverages the DLSS AI acceleration that lets you achieve a high-resolution display and maximum FPS. You will love to edit videos with this GPU.
Moreover, like our previous picks, this graphic card also supports ray tracing so you can do the 3D rendering as well. And to control your GPU setting, you can use the dragon center software.
And lastly, the GPU ensures that your system remains cool despite heavy rendering with Tri Frozr 2 thermal system. Your system will stay quiet while also maintaining a cool temperature.
Considering the features of this graphic card you can do heavy rendering with this GPU without spending much.
5. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Founders Edition
Best Entry-level card
Reasons to Consider
The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Founders Edition is a high-performance graphics card that is designed for Photoshop, video editors, gamers, and professionals who demand the ultimate in performance.
Performance has been improved by a significant amount thanks to NVIDIA’s Ampere architecture.
You should consider this graphics card if you are looking for a powerful one that provides great performance for its price. VR experiences are enhanced by RT and Tensor Cores, as well as DLSS’ faster frame rates.
Specifications
- Ram: 8GB GDDR6
- Video Output: 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI
- CUDA: 4864 Cores
- Boost Clock Speed: 1665 MHz
- Base Clock Speed: 11410 MHz
- Bandwidth: 448 GB/Sec
- Memory Interface: 256-bit
The RTX 3060 Ti Founder Edition is one of the most powerful GPUs for Photoshop for several reasons. First, this card comes with 8GB DDR6 RAM and a 356-bit interface that takes your gameplay to the next level.
Also, the Founder Edition of the 30603060 has a NIVIDIA chip, which makes it better than its predecessor, the RTX 2000 Series. In addition, its boost clock of 1665 MHz allows you to play high-resolution games like Tomb Raider and COD with amazing performance.
Due to the Ampere architecture on NVIDIA’s graphics cards, you’ll enjoy excellent gameplay with no lag. Other unique features include real-time tracing and DLSS. The most affordable Photoshop GPU considering the price.
Factors To Consider When Buying the Best Graphic Card For Photoshop
Whenever you scavenge for a graphics card for photoshop, there are some features to take into account first, that is:
Resolution
Resolution plays an essential part for the GPU since it will tell you how crisp your photos and video will come out. For better resolution, you will need a potent graphic card. And a potent graphic card must have excellent RAM storage. For instance, if you want a 4k or 8k display, you will need a premium graphic card that has 4GB or more VRAM for better results.
CUDA Cores
The CUDA cores of the graphic card are responsible for the faster processing of your graphics. You can render more promptly if you have more than 2000 CUDA cores. However, greater CUDA cores imply that you have to be generous about the budget as well since it costs around 300-500 to get a powerful GPU.
Speed
The clock speed of the Graphic card also plays a part in faster processing. Whenever you buy a GPU, check for clock speed as well. You can do any big project instantly if your system can overclock with more than 2000 MHz.
Power Supply
Whenever you shoes a graphic card, make sure that it meets your power supply requirements. Since all GPUs have different power requirements, you need to check if you can connect it to your PC. However, most graphic cards need more current than 75 watts that come from 6- or 8-pin power connectors. You can directly connect GPU to a pc power supply with such connectors.
Size/Interface,
The size of the GPU also plays a part because a hefty GPU will not fit in your small PC case. So it is better to measure the size of the card before purchasing it. Moreover, the number of PCIe slots also plays a part. So check if your motherboard has space for GPU. The majority of GPUs comes with 16x PCIe slot, and they can be different layouts like single, double or sometimes triple. Therefore, it is necessary to check if your GPU connects to the motherboard. Moreover, also check if there will be enough ventilation after installing the graphic card because a congested space will lead to overheating.
Price
And last but not least, you should choose a card that meets your budget. You have to set aside a price limit and check for a card that provides the best price-to-performance ratio. Furthermore, You can get a good graphic card for photoshop for under 500 dollars, but for a premium card, you will need extra bucks.
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What are the Graphics Requirements Of Photoshop?
If you want to use Adobe photoshop and illustrator to their best, then you need to achieve the graphic to a certain threshold. Check if your GPU has the following:
- OpenCL v1.1 or newer version
- At least 2GB of VRAM; however, the higher, the better
- The graphic card Support Shader Model 3.0 or higher
- The GPU comes with a minimum 1280 x 800 Display Resolution.
So these were the GPU requirement for Photoshop CC however you also need a good CPU for this application. You must have at least 8GB of CPU RAM and core i5+. You can have a better lag-free photoshop editing experience with such a system.
Do I need a Powerful CPU or GPU for Photoshop Editing?
A GPU is more important for photoshop and other editing software. However, you can also not deny the importance of a good CPU. Still, in terms of graphical display, you will need a good graphics card for the best performance. Additionally, GU works primarily to cut off the extra burden of processing from your CPU. So if you get the best video card for photoshop, it will let your PC work fast and efficiently when using graphic intense applications like photoshop. You can get your projects done quickly.
In addition, the GPU lets you do graphical tasks more productively since you can use most photoshop features, such as oil paint and 3D rendering. Without a graphic card, you cannot use the most extensive features of Photoshop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need The Graphic Card For Photoshop?
If you are a beginner, you can boost your photoshop skills with a good GPU. Moreover, you can unlock more advanced features of Photoshop with a GPU.
Do I Need More than one Graphic Card for Photoshop?
No, you don’t need multiple GPUS to unlock photoshop’s best features. You only need one, a powerful graphic card that goes hand in hand n with your photoshop requirements. In addition, multiple GPUS will run your system to problems.
Can I use Photoshop Without A GPU?
Yes, you can use the software without a GPU, but you will have to compromise on the most advanced editing features. You can edit and create videos more efficiently with GPU since it lets you access all extensive features.
Conclusion
That was all from our guide on the best graphics card for photoshop. Before making a purchase, make sure to check your system requirements and your budget. Since most graphic cards nowadays come at a reasonable price yet provide good performance.
It is best to look out for all your options and choose the one that fits your needs. Moreover, you can also check out our picks and choose the one that meets your budget and requirements. We hope this guide helps you!
