Updated on August 7, 2022
After Effects workflow improvement is the goal of this essay. To help you choose the finest graphics card for After Effects in 2021, we conducted extensive research on graphics cards and included our own knowledge as motion designers.
The recommended graphics cards can be found at the bottom of this page. The table of contents that follows contains links to additional resources on what to look for when buying a graphics card.
At a Glance:
BEST PICK
GeForce RTX 3090 24 GB-Best GPU acceleration
- Exceptional and higher performance
- Excellent cooling performance
- Ideal for 3D workflows
- A dedicated ray-tracing core
- It is capable of handling 8K gaming
STAFF PICK
GeForce RTX 3080 10GB-Best for motion graphics
- A big and better performance boost over RTX 2080
- The best 3D workflow solution
- Excellent cooling
- Outstanding Ray-tracing cores
BUDGET PICK
GeForce RTX 3070 8GB – Best CPU PERFORMANCE
- Exceptional system performance
- A good value for the money
- Outstanding operating system
- Dedicated ray-tracing cores
- Enough ram
What is the After Effect?
Motion picture, video game and television post-production industries use Adobe Systems’ After Effects computer-based visual effect, motion graphics and compositing technologies. Tracking, scripting, and animating may all be done with After Effects. It also offers basic non-linear editing and audio editing capabilities. If you want to get the most out of your software, Adobe strongly suggests updating.
Several tests and benchmarks are performed in this article to assist you in selecting the best GPU for Adobe After Effects.
Let’s get started now, please.
Best Graphics for Cards After Affects
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1. GeForce RTX 3090 24 GB
| GPU Tensor Cores | 328 |
| Cuda Cores | 10,496 |
| RT Cores | 82 |
| Core Clocks | 1725 MHz |
| VRAM | 24 GB GDDR6X |
| Interface | PCI Express 16 |
| Connections | 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI |
| Item dimensions | 32.5 x 12 x 5.7 cm
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The RTX 3090 is a good competitor for individuals in the creative industry that need hardware-accelerated rendering. The RTX 3090 is a rendering powerhouse with twice as many Cuda Cores as its predecessors. It’s only worth spending twice as much money if you use a lot of 3D applications and just want the finest.
If you’re looking for the most value for your money, the Nvidia RTX 3090 is your best bet. If you’re looking to transfer nearly a terabyte of data every second, this is the best option for your needs. If you need to perform difficult 3D rendering jobs in software like Blender and Davinci Resolve, you can utilise this computer because it has so much ultra-fast RAM. An 8 GB VRAM card would be better if you don’t do any 3D modelling.
Pros
- Exceptional and higher performance
- Excellent cooling performance
- Ideal for 3D workflows
- A dedicated ray-tracing core
- It is capable of handling 8K gaming
Cons
- A bit expensive
2. Ge Force Rtx 3080 10 Gb
| GPU Tensor CoresBrand | 272 |
| Cuda Cores | 8704 |
| RT Cores | 68 |
| Core Clocks | 1740 MHz |
| FROM | 10 GB GDDR6 |
| Interface | PCI Express 16 |
| Connections | 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI |
| Item Dimensions | 32.7 x 9.3 x 17.5 cm.
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With this GPU, professionals who wish to build a powerful and affordable rendering station will be able to achieve their goal. New Ampere architecture-powered GPUs in the 30 series provide a significant performance bump. There is a 50-75 percent improvement in performance over the RTX 2080, as well as a 20-30 percent increase over the RTX 2080 Ti.
Because of its improved power efficiency and more affordable MSRP, the RTX 3080 is an excellent choice for After Effects.
It’s safe to say that the RTX 3080 offers excellent value for money for individuals who need a powerful graphics card for Adobe After Effects or other 3D applications. When you read this review, the price and availability of the product will change.
If you’re a graphic designer, this machine is probably overkill for you. Even if you’re only looking for a basic iMac with a few extra features, you may do so. If you’re a designer, on the other hand, and you’re willing to spend a lot of money, you won’t be dissatisfied.
Pros
- A big and better performance boost over RTX 2080
- The best 3D workflow solution
- Excellent cooling
- Outstanding Ray-tracing cores
Cons
- No USB Type-C
| GPU Tensor Cores | 184 |
| Cuda Cores | 5888 |
| RT Cores | 46 |
| Core Clocks | Boost 1755 MHz |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Interface | PCI Express 16 |
| Connections | 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI |
| Item Dimensions | 4.32 x 11.13 x 27 cm
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High-performance bargain GPUs in the $500 to $800 price range can be found with the RTX 3070. Essentially, it’s a 2080 Ti for less money, but with Ampere architecture instead of the more expensive Turing. It contains 8 GB less VRAM than the 2080 Ti, compared to the previous generation.
Using the NVidia 2080 Ti, which has 5888 Cuda cores, 184 Tensor Cores, and 46 RT cores, is a powerful tool for video editing. After Effects video editing tasks are no match for this GPU’s processing power. Even with the additional VRAM, the RTX 3070 still renders at a 20% quicker rate. The RTX 3070, on the other hand, offers outstanding value for money at approximately double the price.
An excellent choice for budget-conscious professionals that demand high-performance graphics cards on a regular basis. Because of its reduced pricing, the new Ampere architecture RTX 3070 competes with the more expensive 2080 Ti. In this case, we assume that you can get it at or close to the MSRP.
Pros
- Exceptional system performance
- A good value for the money
- Outstanding operating system
- Dedicated ray-tracing cores
- Enough ram
Cons
- It doesn’t have USB Type-C
| GPU Tensor Cores | 288 |
| Cuda Cores | 2304 |
| RT Cores | 36 |
| Core Clocks | Boost 1545 MHz |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Interface | PCI Express x 16 |
| Connections | 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI, 1x USB Type-C |
| Dimensions | 5.8 x 10.2 x 20.3 cm
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One of the most powerful GPUs in its class, the Quadro RTX 8000, has 48GB of DDR6, while the Quadro RTX 4000 is targeted at content creators and gamers.
When compared to some of NVIDIA’s other professional graphics cards, the Quadro RTX 4000 is considered a mild solution.
It is powered by the same Turing TU106 GPU as the GeForce RTX 2060 and RTX 2070, which is used in the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000. 13Gbps of data transfer per second is possible thanks to its 1,545MHz GPU and 8GB of DDR6 memory. As a result, the card’s memory bandwidth can reach as high as 415 GB/s.
Because to the caching arrangement and underlying technologies used by Turing-based GPUs, the Quadro RTX 4000 performs better than NVIDIA’s Quadro P4000, which is based on the Pascal architecture. It also has more RAM than the Quadro P4000.
Quadro RTX 4000 has a larger TDP than the Quadro P4000, therefore it only needs one additional power supply, but the Quadro P4000 requires two (105 watts).
A single 8-pin PCI Express power connector is located on the back of the fan. Additionally, Quadro RTX 4000 comes with three DisplayPorts (DP1.4), a USB-C type VirtualLink, a four-lane HBR3 DisplayPort, and a single connection for the latest version of the USB 3.0 standard.
For hashing bandwidth, the Quadro P4000 and Radeon Pro WX7100 fall far short of the Quadro RTX 4000. The RX 4000 falls short in the AES256 encryption/decryption test compared to the Radeon Pro WX 7100. The Quadro RTX 4000’s image processing power was remarkable. A Radeon Pro WX 8200 can be nearly caught, and the Quadro P4000 and P5000 can be outrun.
The Quadro RTX 4000 is remarkably silent because of its low power usage. An enclosed case topped with a regular CPU cooler or PSU won’t make the Quadro RTX 4000’s noise audible.
This graphics card, the NVIDIA Quadro RTX 4000, has proven itself to be a capable one. RTX 4000 and Pascal-based Quadro P4000 were both noticeably faster in every test we ran; there is no difference between the two. Although it costs more, the Quadro RTX 4000 beat the Quadro P5000 in some tests.
Pros
- An excellent performance
- Quadro graphics cards
- Reliable
- Tensor Core & RT features
- One-slot form factor
- Offering competitive prices
- Nvidia Optimus technology
- USB Type-C
Cons
- A little expensive
| GPU Tensor Cores | 152 |
| Cuda Cores | 4864 |
| RT Cores | 38 |
| Core Cslock | Boost 1695 MHz |
| VRAM | 8 GB GDDR6 |
| Interface | PCI Express 16 |
| Connections | 3x DisplayPort, 1x HDMI |
| Dimensions | 5.35 x 12.45 x 23.11 cm |
The RTX 3060 Ti is the new standard for graphics cards that cost $500 or less in terms of performance. The proposed MSRP is likely cheaper than the real price you can obtain now, but it will go down with time, as you should keep in mind Other than that, the RTX 3060 Ti has a lot to recommend it. In benchmark tests, it outperforms the RTX 2080 Super by almost 300 points. The 3060 Ti has nearly twice as many Cuda cores as the 2080 Super, which is a significant difference. For most After Effects users, the 8 GB of GDDR6 memory is more than enough. Performance-wise, it’s excellent.
It is a no-brainer for budget-conscious professional designers who need a card that performs consistently well. In comparison to 20-series graphics cards, the RTX 3060 Ti’s Ampere architecture outperforms and costs less. However, you must first determine whether or not the recommended retail price (MSRP) is within your reach.
Pros
- For the money, it has outstanding performance.
- Competitive pricing
- RT & Tensor Core features
Cons
- High power consumption
What Should You Look for When Buying a Graphics Card for After Effects?
In the end, the most crucial item to invest in is a good CPU and RAM. In contrast to Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects is mostly controlled by the CPU. The graphics processing unit (GPU) must deal with the presentation of this data. However, it’s not as straightforward as it appears. It’s not just about the money.
Graphics processing power (GPU) may make or break your gaming experience. However, this is dependent on your particular computer’s setup and how you want to use it. If you’re looking to buy a new graphics card, keep reading to learn the most important considerations.
What Software Do You Use on a Daily Basis?
It’s quite unlikely that you’re looking for a graphics card specifically for After Effects. For example, a typical motion graphics production would involve Cinema 4D, After Effects, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro. In this scenario, GPU performance is critical. However, there are a number of important considerations to keep in mind.
What Is Your Working Process Look Like?
It’s a good idea to reflect on your work habits and the software you employ. However, how can you put these tools to use? Plugins that exploit the GPU for better performance are becoming increasingly popular. Do you use any of these? No, I don’t deal with massive 3D files that need textures and maps and lighting and other processing aspects.
You should also think about what you do on your computer outside of work. For casual gamers, a high-performance graphics card is a must, regardless of what games you play or how your monitor is set up.
Rendering & Optimization:
Does your workload necessitate a significant reduction in rendering times? Your graphics card may be able to help minimise rendering time by allowing you to use GPU acceleration.
Displays & Monitor:
Your display/monitor set-up is an important factor to keep in mind. While panning and inspecting your ideas in a viewport with a high-quality GPU, you will be able to see all of the heavy and sophisticated visual information in the viewport.
Ports/Connections:
Most GPUs have one or more of the following port types. DVI, DVI-D, Mini DisplayPort, HDMI, and DisplayPort The model will decide how many of each type there will be. Depending on your existing and future display configuration, you need to know what connections your graphics card requires.
Future-Proofing:
Programs are constantly being improved and improved upon. In addition, the monitoring itself is getting better and better. Investing in a strong GPU now and in the future is a smart move to future-proof your PC.
Final Thought:
To summarise, the optimum graphics card for you should be decided by your specific workflow or usage scenario. It doesn’t matter if you only work in 3D on occasion or if you employ all of the effects. Regardless of your budget, having a good video card is a fantastic perk. Regardless of one’s financial situation, there are a number of wonderful solutions accessible.
To sum up, graphics cards are the most important component in editing, and upgrading your graphics card is the first thing you should consider about doing if you want to boost performance. After Effects will operate just fine with any of these cards.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do you Need a Good Graphics Card for After Effects?
Because the most recent generation of GPUs, those with 2GB VRAM, are the ones that Adobe recommends, the answer is yes. Many operations in After Effects are accelerated by the GPU.
Does Graphics Card Affect After Effects?
Yes. It’s also not recommended to utilise a professional graphics card bearing the NVIDIA brand name when working in After Effects. Compared to Quadro equivalents, GeForce GPUs are far less expensive and may often outperform them in After Effects.
Can After Effects Run without Graphic Card?
You can use it, but you’ll have to deal with a lot of problems in the long run. It’s time to step up your post-production capabilities with a new graphics card from our list!
When it comes to using After Effects, which computer is best?
An Improved After Effects PC Setup
Core i9 10900K CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 SUPER 8GB GPU, 128GB DDR4 memory.
Samsung 970 EVO NVMe (main), 1TB 860 EVO SSD (projects), and 512GB 970 Pro NVMe (disk cache)
NVIDIA or AMD Which Is Better For After Effects?
In general, NVIDIA graphics cards perform better in After Effects than AMD cards do. Other sources, including Adobe, advocate NVIDIA cards and point out that NVIDIA cards are more reliable than AMD counterparts.
AMD is still a major player in the graphics card industry. When it comes to suggesting NVIDIA GPUs for Adobe After Effects, we’re more comfortable with the company’s product line.
Adobe After Effects CC System Requirements?
As mentioned in Adobe’s basic system requirements, “minimum” is the crucial term, and this is the bare minimum required to run the programme. Unless you’re on a shoestring budget, this shouldn’t affect your decision to buy a computer.
The minimum amount of GPU VRAM required by Adobe is 2 GB. Adobe, on the other hand, highly advises anyone using After Effects to utilise an NVIDIA driver version 451.77 or later. A problem that has been discovered may have caused a crash in drivers before this point. Visit Adobe for a complete list of system requirements.
