Updated on August 14, 2022
Graphics processing units (GPUs) are used heavily by Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator. Graphics performance will suffer if the GPU is underpowered. Because of this, you’ll need a high-end computer to run these programmes.
A better graphics card does not necessitate the purchase of a new computer. If your computer supports it, simply get a new graphics card. When shopping for a graphics card, there are a few things to keep in mind.
I promise we’ll get to it. This list of the top 10 graphics cards for Photoshop, Lightroom and Illustrator should help you get started with your shopping.
Best Graphics Cards For Photoshop
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1. ZOTAC GeForce RTX 3060 Twin Edge
Based on NVIDIA’s Ampere, ZOTAC’s GeForce RTX 30 Series is designed for gamers. It’s essentially a graphics card for gaming, although Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator will all run smoothly on it. Boost clock 1807 MHz, PCI-e 4.0, and 12 gigabytes of DDR6 are all part of this system.
The GDDR6 memory, upgraded RT cores and Tensor cores, and new multiprocessors make this a powerful graphics card. 2x more throughput is provided by the RT cores of the 2nd generation.
A 2x increase in performance is provided by third-generation (or “third-gen”) tensor cores. Because Ray tracing is supported by your graphics card, you get real-time cinematic rendering. You’ll be able to get the greatest results while editing your images and movies with this.
NVIDIA’s DLSS AI rendering technology is used by the graphics card. To increase frame speeds without sacrificing quality, it employs artificial intelligence. Higher resolutions and various display options are available.
The IceStorm 2.0 powerful cooling technology means you don’t have to be concerned about overheating. Active fan control and a freeze stop are included in the 11-blade cooling system. A wider aluminium heatsink array and an enhanced heat pipe architecture are also included.
2. ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1650 OC 4GB
Zotac has created a graphics card that is incredibly small. It’s a new generation of graphics based on NVIDIA’s Turing architecture and has ultra-fast memory.
The characteristics of the Zotac GeForce GTX 1650 OC graphics card are quite amazing. A 3.0 PCI Express, 896 CUDA cores, and a GDDR6 VRAM of 4GB are all included in this model.
Aside from that, the graphics card is compatible with 4.6 OpenGL, HDCP, and Triple Display. Power usage is 75W, which requires a 350W supply. Customers are drawn to this graphics card because of its low power usage.
With its dual-slot design and 4K support, the Zotac GeForce GTX 1650 OC is a powerful graphics card. It’s only 5.9 inches long, but it’s compatible with 99.9% of computers. As a result, there is a good probability that it will work with your computer.
A single fan is used to cool this graphics card. Trimmed-down and stripped-down, the fan measures 90 millimetres in diameter. In addition, it has a sunflower heat disc, which distributes heat more evenly, resulting in more efficient cooling.
In addition, the graphics utilise the brand-new Zotac Firestorm user interface for enhanced usability. This is a simple and straightforward user interface for configuring your system and keeping tabs on the health of your hardware.
3. XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX Edition
There is a third product from XFX on this list of best graphics cards for Adobe software. Powered by the latest Polaris architecture, this Radeon RX 580 graphics card has 8GB of VRAM.
With its Next FinFET 14 process technology and 4th Gen GCN graphics cores, it is one of the most technologically advanced processors available today. You’ll benefit from increased speed and efficiency.
The graphics card has a real clock speed of 1366 MHz, a memory clock speed of 8000 MHz, a memory size of 256 bits, and a stream processor count of 2304. Hardware-controlled XFX True Clock Technology is one of its most notable features.
This technology ensures that the graphics card is always running at its maximum speed. XFX Zero dB Auto Load Sensing Fans are also included.
Fan noise is minimised thanks to the autoload detecting capabilities of the fans, which lower the RPM when necessary to avoid overheating. Zero RPM is possible, and it can be sped up if necessary.
You can edit 4K pictures and videos with this graphics card. A three-year warranty is also included with the XFX Radeon HD 7870 XXX Edition graphics card. A refund or replacement will be issued if the card has any manufacturing issues.
4. MSI GeForce RTX 3070 LHR 8GB
Another Nvidia Ampere-based graphics card has been released. The new SM has 2X FP32 throughput, making it twice as fast. Second generation RT cores and third generation tensor cores are also included. ”
DLSS AI acceleration is used on this 8GB VRAM graphics card. Because of this, you’ll be able to work with high-quality videos in Lightroom at their optimal quality and frame rate.
Ray tracing is also supported for high-quality rendering at the cinematic level. MSI’s dragon centre software makes it easy to adjust and monitor your system’s settings. MSI’s graphics card software is easy to use, with a user-friendly interface.
The Tri Frozr 2 thermal design is employed by this video card. Fan speeds are kept to a minimum so as not to interfere with your work, thanks to the system’s careful balance of cooling and noise.
The deflectors direct air to the areas of the body that need cooling. There is an Airflow Control to improve airflow dynamics. For maximum cooling, the precision-machined core pipes disperse heat uniformly across the heatsink.
The Zero Frozr feature automatically restarts the fan when the heat is turned on. Several heat dissipation pads are included on the graphics card as well. When using the MSI GeForce RTX 3070 LHR, overheating is virtually impossible.
5. VisionTek Radeon 5450 2GB DDR3
The VisionTek Radeon 5450 2GB DDR3 graphics card provides both value and functionality. At 5.9 inches in length and 0.6 inches in height, the VisionTek Radeon 5450 2GB DDR3 graphics card is quite small.
In Photoshop and Lightroom, the Radeon 5450 graphics engine and 2GB of memory are adequate for GPU-accelerated rendering. HDMI, VGA, and DVI-I are all supported. Just 1GB of system memory is required to install the graphics card.
The AMD Avivo HD Video & Display Technology is an interesting feature of the graphics card. The 5000 series graphics processors provide enhanced image processing, which will be more appreciated by gamers.
This ensures smooth output while editing photographs and movies with a lot of effects and filters. Furthermore, AMD PowerPlay Technology is a standout option for gamers.
Because it balances performance and power, AMD PowerPlay Technology is a great benefit while working with graphics-intensive applications.
After purchasing the VisionTek Radeon 5450 2GB DDR3 graphics card, you will receive a three-year limited warranty if you register it within the first 30 days of ownership. The guarantee is only good for one year if you don’t register.
6. ASUS GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB
Despite its popularity, this is one of the most durable graphics cards you can buy. Its twin ball-bearing design allows it to be twice as long as most other graphics cards on the market today.
In addition, the graphics card has a sturdy backplate that shields the card’s most delicate components from damage. The circuit board is likewise protected by this.
An NVIDIA chipset and PCI Express 3.0 interface are included with the graphics card. It is compatible with NVIDIA GPU Boost, which automatically adjusts clock speeds based on your usage.
The airflow performance is increased by twofold when using two tuned fans. Because of the improved cooling, you won’t have to worry about overheating while using powerful effects and visuals.
In addition, the fans have a longer service life. In accordance with the International Protection Marking (IPM), they have been deemed dust-resistant (IP code). It’s a guarantee that the fans will work even under the most extreme circumstances.
The graphics card uses less power and makes less noise when fully loaded thanks to the 3+1 Phase Super Alloy Power II.
Lastly, the ASUS GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB graphics card is one of the most economical graphics cards for Adobe applications including Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator.
7. EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti FTW3
EVGA’s 8GB graphics card has tensor and RT cores that have been further optimised for use in real-time rendering applications. G6X RAM and new multiprocessors make it lightning-fast. Also, the I/0 data rate is rather high.
Its PCIe 4.0 bus, 6144 CUDA cores, and 256-bit memory width are all noteworthy, as is the card’s 19000-MHZ memory clock and 1860-MHZ boost clock.
Like the majority of the other items on this list, the graphics card is built on the NVIDIA Ampere Architecture. Frame rates are increased with the usage of DLSS AI Acceleration. As a result, high-resolution images can be edited without sacrificing any of their quality.
Complex 3D rendering and 8K video editing are both no problem for the graphics card. To reduce overheating, it contains a number of novel features. The heatsink has ventilation chambers and a 180-degree heatpipe to ensure adequate airflow.
While the graphics card contains three fans, the noise level is kept at a minimum. The fans automatically shut off when the temperature drops below 55 degrees, making no noise.
8. MSI GeForce GTX 1660
The GeForce GTX 1660 is the second MSI device to make this list. The recommended power supply for this graphics card is 450 watts, and it consumes 120 watts of power. In comparison to other MSI GeForce GTX 1660 cards, this one is 1.4 times more energy efficient.
It has a 192-bit memory interface and a Boost Clock of 1830 MHz. For optimal speed, it makes advantage of NVIDIA Architecture and the NVIDIA Turing shaders.
The Dragon Center’s RGB lighting support is a special feature of the graphics card. When editing your photographs and movies, you can choose from a wide variety of lighting effects and colours.
Twin Frozr 7 Thermal Design is present in this MSI graphics card. That’s why there’s an air-speed dispersion fan blade and a standard fan blade on it.
In order to maintain a low operating temperature, the heatsink has been carefully designed to dissipate heat as quickly as possible. In addition, Zero Frozr technology will automatically shut down the fan when the load drops.
9. MAXSUN AMD Radeon RX 550
MAXSUN’s AMD Radeon RX 550 features a 4GB memory capacity. It has Microsoft DirectX 12 (DX12) technology, which ensures excellent frame rates and rapid performance. The size of the card is ideal for practically any situation.
There are three video outputs on this graphics card: DVI, HDMI, and DP. Aside than that, it boasts 512 cores, a 6000MHz memory frequency, PCIe 3.0, and a 50W TDP.
It’s possible to edit 4K video and images with the AMD Radeon RX 550 from MAXSUN. Running Windows 7, 8, or a more modern version of the OS will make the most of this graphics card.
This is because the Vulkan API is included. Close-to-metal control is supported by the Vulkan API, resulting in higher overall performance. Vulkan is the best graphics card API out there.
Radeon software from AMD can be used to tweak graphic settings. With the ALT+R shortcut, you may edit in your Photoshop or Lightroom environment.
You won’t have to worry about overheating with this graphics card because of AMD Radeon Chill. Depending on how much labour you put in, this power-saving feature adjusts the frame rate. In order to conserve battery life, the FPS is automatically lowered while you aren’t doing anything strenuous.
10. PowerColor Hellhound Spectral White AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
The PowerColor Hellhound Spectral White AMD graphics card comes in at number 10 on the list. The graphics card stands out immediately due to its white colour scheme.
It has 12GB of GDDR6 video memory, a 2560 stream processor, a game frequency of 2424 MHz, a boost clock of 2581 MHz, and a memory clock of 16 Gbps. The two 8-pin PCI-E connectors and high-quality polymer capacitors boost performance.
It has a triple fan design, cooler heat pipes, and a nickel-plated copper base to help dissipate heat. As the cooling fan contains two ball bearings for four times the lifetime, this is a long lasting card.
When the fan is running, a white LED light illuminates the card. A switch on the LED light makes it simple to turn it off. Fans are turned off when temperatures fall to 60 degrees or lower. This has the added benefit of lowering both the overall power usage and the amount of noise generated by the fans.
How To Select The Best Graphics Card
Graphics can’t be purchased off the shelf. Prior to purchasing, double-check to make sure it will work with your PC and will provide you with the desired results.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
Check if you can upgrade your graphics card
In many laptops, the graphics card is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be removed from the machine. On Mac computers, this problem is most common.
In order to observe the graphics card’s connection to the motherboard, you should look at your system’s manual or open the case. Then see if an update to your graphics card is an option.
The size of a graphics card might also vary. You should check to see if the graphics cards you intend to buy will fit in your case by measuring the available space.
Finally, the power requirements of graphics cards vary. If you’re looking for this information, look in the system documentation or on the sticker attached to the device. To see if it’s compatible, compare the capacity of the battery to that of your power supply.
Check other specifications
Graphics cards are available in a wide range of configurations. When making a purchase, it’s important to pay attention to every aspect, even if some are more critical than others. Graphics cards and computer performance specifications can be summarised as follows.
Memory
GPU RAM (Random Access Memory) capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB). For 1080p output at high settings, a graphics card with at least 4GB of memory is required, with 6GB or more preferred.
More RAM typically equates to better performance. However, other elements such as the speed of the computer’s RAM also have an impact on its performance.
Memory speed
How fast a graphics card’s RAM may be used is determined by the card’s memory or bandwidth speed. A card with the same memory capacity but a different speed may perform quite differently, therefore this is critical.
Power Supply
Make sure your power supply can connect to the graphics card before you buy it. Graphics cards come in a variety of power capacities, as previously noted.
A PCIe slot’s 75 Watts are insufficient for the majority of dedicated graphics cards. Using a 6- or 8-pin power connector, the PC’s power supply can be directly connected to the GPU, allowing for more power.
Thermal Design Power (TDP)
Thermodynamics In terms of power, we’re looking at how much energy and heat a GPU uses. The higher the TDP, the more power a graphics card will use.
The manufacturer of the GPU usually specifies a maximum power consumption for the GPU. Your system’s cooling requirements can be determined by its TDP.
Size/Interface
In order to determine the length of a graphics card, the number of PCI-e slots it occupies in a computer’s chassis must be known. Your graphics card’s dimensions matter for many reasons, but the most crucial one is that it will fit in your case.
Make sure your GPU has enough room on your PC’s motherboard. A majority of today’s discrete GPUs utilise PCIe slots, and the majority of these are 16x. Even triple-slot graphics cards are available.
Any additional hardware attached to the GPU must be thoroughly inspected, especially if a PCI-e slot is required. The components you’re installing must fit in your case. Improper cooling and performance could result from a lack of space.
Check the program requirements
Most software now supports more graphics cards thanks to advancements in computer hardware. There are still certain graphics cards that don’t work together.
Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator all have varying GPU requirements from Adobe. If you’re looking for the greatest graphics card for a certain programme, you’ll want to consider this as well.
For example, Adobe specifies the following GPU requirements for Photoshop.
A year or two after that.
It has a graphics processor with 512 MB of VRAM. all you need to get started with Photoshop.
Having at least 2 GB of VRAM is required for optimal performance in Photoshop. The more VRAM your graphics card has, the better it will run Photoshop.
Photoshop’s unsupported graphics card series is also listed by Adobe. Here are a few of them:
Radeon HD 4000 and HD 5400 series
HD 2000, 3000, and 4000 series Intel graphics cards
nVidia GeForce 7000-series graphics cards
Consider Price
Choose a credit card that is within your financial means, too. Because of this, you don’t need to invest more than $500 on a graphics card to run your Adobe applications smoothly.
Despite this, high-capacity graphics cards might cost $1,000 or more. If you have the money, you can still get a graphics card that is more powerful than you need. It’s possible that it’ll be useful in the future.
Should You Buy a Graphics Card?
Graphics editing software like Lightroom, Photoshop, and Illustrator are said to have less reliance on graphics processing units (GPUs). If you’re going to get a graphics card, what do you think? Yes, that’s correct!
If you don’t have a strong graphics card, you can still use these design applications, but they won’t be as efficient as when you do. In addition, a graphics card is required to use all of the system’s functionality.
A GPU is required for a number of advanced functions. GPU acceleration is a common example. GPU acceleration is the process of speeding up video playback in real time by making use of both the GPU and the CPU. As a video editor, this tool will be highly useful.
On 4K and 5K television sets, using a proper graphics card can greatly improve performance. You can get by with an older graphics card if you only utilise these programmes for the most basic of activities.
It’s important to keep in mind that the quality of these editing programmes isn’t solely based on their aesthetics. Memory, storage, write, and read speed are just few of the key factors to consider.
Bottom Line
Photoshop, Lightroom, and Illustrator work will be faster and easier with the greatest graphics card.
Make careful to check the specifications and requirements before purchasing a graphics card.
