Best GPU for rendering in 2023-2024

Intro

When working on rendering, the question often arises: What is better to use – GPU or CPU? Although there is no definite opinion on this matter, the GPU is considered much faster than the CPU and is ideal for specific tasks (blurring, color correction, etc.). You also need to take into account the programs you are going to work in. While, for example, Adobe Premiere prefers the CPU for most of the rendering work, other programs such as Blender and DaVinci Resolve function better on GPUs. However, now there are so many of them. How to choose the best? The answer, again, is in speed. A faster GPU means that you will spend less time rendering images. Today we will tell you about all the features of GPUs for rendering that you need to know about, compare GPUs and CPUs, and help you choose among the best graphics cards for rendering in 2023.

What is GPU rendering?

GPU rendering makes it possible to use your graphics card for rendering, instead of the CPU. In a broad sense, GPU rendering allows many parallel operations to run simultaneously. This increases the speed of execution because modern GPUs are designed to compute large amounts of data. Fast rendering allows the GPU to process graphics in real-time. But rendering volumetric detailed, complex scenes with many components, in this case, is not very good due to the more limited memory and interaction problems when using the same video card for display and rendering

The processor does not allow linear scaling of the performance level when parallelizing the process, but it can perform many more different types of tasks. This solution allows you to get the most detailed results.

GPU-accelerated rendering is in high demand for a variety of applications, including GPU-accelerated analytics, 3D model graphics, neural graphics processing in games, virtual reality, artificial intelligence innovations, and photorealistic rendering in industries such as architecture, animation, film, and product design. In recent years, GPUs have been designed to render on dedicated software available 

today, such as IRay from NVIDIA, VRay RT from Chaos Group, OctaneRender from Otoy, Redshift from MAXON, etc. Quadro Nvidia and AMD FirePro series cards are specifically optimized for high performance in dedicated software and have maximum and guaranteed compatibility with core programs from leading developers in the world of computer graphics.

So, is GPU necessary for rendering? The answer is that GPUs not only speed up image rendering and improve the final quality but are also vital for 3D rendering. Of course, rendering without GPU is possible in many programs such as Blender Cycles, Maya, Arnold, and Cinema4D, but then you need a processor with as many cores as possible. This can be complicated and quite expensive. GPU solves this problem by making it possible to use real-time rendering at maximum speed.

What do we need from a graphics card for rendering?

Graphic rendering requires much more performance from the video card than video editing. First of all, we need the maximum number of CUDA cores and more video memory. At the same time, the video card can use all its performance on condition that your 3D scene fits into the total video memory (VRAM) of your video card. In practice, this means that if you have a complex scene with millions of polygons, a display element, or large textures you will need a lot more memory than for relatively simple scenes with only a few objects.

CUDA computing cores are included in video cards from Nvidia. CUDA technology is exclusive to Nvidia products. These cores are not dedicated only to graphics computation, rather it is a pure and versatile power that a video card can throw to process different tasks when needed.

The vast majority of 3D graphics rendering software is optimized to make the most productive use of CUDA cores, so the more of them in the video card, the faster your rendering models, videos, etc.

The most popular GPU render engines Octane and Redshift in general are built on CUDA technology, and this means that they generally can be used only if you have just a graphics card from Nvidia. In these rendering programs rendering speed increases linearly with increasing the number of CUDA cores on your video card. Some programs, such as After Effects or Premiere Pro support graphics cards both Nvidia and AMD, but most often Nvidia works faster.

The RTX series of graphics cards from Nvidia comes with a decent amount of VRAM from 8 to 11 GB, but if you need even more, you should look into the RTX Quadro, which has up to 48 GB of VRAM.

CPU vs GPU rendering: The Difference

Speed

The first and most obvious factor to consider the difference between CPU and GPU for rendering is speed. While the CPU has a limited number of processor cores (about 24 on average), which makes it efficient at sequential calculations and running processes in turn order, GPUs consist of fewer cores in greater numbers than the average computer processor, this allows them to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, resulting in increased speed. 

Rendering hours can turn into minutes and simplify the imaging process when using the best GPUs. This factor is also key in the areas that require real-time rendering (such as video games). If speed is a top priority in your workflow, GPU-based rendering is the preferred solution.

Rendering mechanisms 

Another key factor when choosing between CPU and GPU rendering. Many rendering engines run exclusively on the CPU or GPU. Consequently, the rendering engines also determine which software you can run on your machine.

Rendering engines such as Arnold, Corona, and 3Delight run on CPUs and produce slightly better results. Meanwhile, rendering tools such as Blender Cycles, Octane, and Redshift are optimized for GPUs.

Cost

GPUs are significantly less expensive than powerful CPUs. A good GPU, such as the RTX 3090, can cost about $1,500, while a powerful CPU, such as the Threadripper 3990x, costs as much as $5,000.

GPUs also give you an advantage in terms of upscaling and scaling. You can simply plug another GPU into your existing system and you’re all set. If you want to scale and power up with a CPU, in addition to the cost of the CPU itself, you have to invest in upgrading all of the associated hardware (motherboards, power supplies, etc.). That is, GPUs offer a significant reduction in hardware costs and eliminate the need for multiple PCs or servers to do professional quality work. You can do everything in minutes with one small station with video cards.

Graphics quality and fidelity

As was mentioned, CPUs have fewer cores compared to GPUs but are far more versatile and designed to execute complex instruction sets. This allows CPUs to run virtually any algorithm with minimal effort and thus provide higher-quality results. Many people believe that GPUs simply can’t match the quality of CPUs. Besides, you can still sometimes notice that GPU rendering can contain more noise.

In general, although it may take hours (perhaps even days) to complete an image rendering, traditional CPU-based rendering is more likely to provide better image quality and clearer, less noise. But alas, if the CPU does not have enough power, the quality of the result will be very poor.

Real-time visualization

Certain workflows, such as VFX, graphic design, and animation, require a great deal of time to set up scenes and control lighting, which typically occurs in the viewport of the software. The GPU can control the viewport performance in your studio software, allowing real-time viewing and manipulation of your 3D models, light sources, and projections in three dimensions. 

Some GPU-only rendering software can even allow you to work entirely in the viewport with real-time rendering enabled, increasing the result and minimizing possible errors that may occur when rendering in another program.

RAM 

Rendering on the CPU has access to the computer’s RAM. This allows the use of huge amounts of memory, which can be expanded at any time. The CPU, in this case, displays huge amounts of data in a complex scene with many objects and details.

GPUs are limited to onboard video memory (VRAM). The latest Nvidia 3090 has only 24 GB of video memory, which is more than enough for most users, but in complex scenes, with many elements, this will be a bottleneck.

Performing complex scenarios

Processors by design can perform multiple tasks, in other words, they are versatile. This is useful for workloads where the type of scenes is inconsistent or too large for simultaneous processing.

Graphics processors are limited in their hardware capabilities. They are designed for one purpose and are often used to run the same tasks multiple times. In addition, RAM limitations, combined with slower cores, limit their ability to render different scenarios efficiently.

Is rendering on GPU better?

If you prioritize quality, have a big budget for equipment, and have time to wait for quality results, CPU rendering is the best it can be. Not only will you get quality results, but you can handle complex scenarios with ease, giving you a competitive edge in the market.

However, if your workflow requires speed, less complexity, and consistency, choose to do your rendering with a GPU. In addition to lower hardware costs, the quality of your workflow will be just as good as rendering on a CPU. Besides, rendering on graphics cards is also better for beginners. 

Keep in mind that the GPU is not meant to replace, but to accelerate and optimize existing practices and workflows, maximizing performance and compensating for resource-intensive calculations in applications. It may seem that the advantages of CPU-based rendering pale in comparison to the advantages of GPU-based rendering, but it ultimately depends on what you or your studio needs. In addition, using these tools in tandem will do much more for your work and presentations, and dramatically increase your computer’s ability to bring your creations to life quickly. 

Things to consider when choosing a GPU for rendering

Before moving on to the list of GPUs 2023, let’s take a look at the main criteria to consider when choosing the best graphics card for rendering:

1. What line the card belongs to. To work with video and graphics, you need professional chips. They are produced by NVIDIA and AMD. In this case, NVIDIA is preferred because the cards have support for CUDA cores, as well as good integration into modern graphics programs.
2. Memory type. To perform video and graphics processing tasks efficiently, you need a GDDR5 or higher memory type. Older memory standards will not provide the required speed.
3. Whether ECC is supported. If there is support for the Error Correction Code, this will be a great advantage. Under heavy loads, errors occasionally occur that can lead to crashes. Memory with ECC will avoid them, which is especially important when working with large amounts of data.
4. The number of CUDA cores. It is crucial if you plan to work with 3D graphics. The more CUDA cores, the faster the rendering will be.

Best GPU for 3D rendering in 2023

If you searching for the best graphics card for rendering to use in 2023, take a look at this list. Below we have presented a table with the relevant graphic cards and their main features. To learn more about each of them, read on.

Best graphics card for 3D rendering in detail

Let’s take a closer look at each of these GPUs of 2023.

Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000

Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000 is considered the world’s most powerful graphics card for professional workflows. Although NVIDIA has abandoned the Quadro name for its cards, the performance and efficiency associated with the Quadro branding remain in the cards of this series. Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000 is still one of the best professional graphics cards for 3D rendering and modeling this year. The Quadro RTX 8000 delivers the latest hardware acceleration of ray tracing, deep learning, and advanced shading. 

Quadro RTX 8000 can render complex models and scenes with physically accurate shadows, reflections, and refractions, giving users instant insight. 48GB of high-speed GDDR6 memory and NVIDIA NVLink easily boost performance and scalability. Designers and artists from a variety of industries can now push the boundaries of what’s possible when working with the largest and most complex ray tracing, deep learning, and visual computing workloads. The Quadro RTX 8000’s new VirtualLink3 port enables easy connection to the next generation of high-resolution VR displays. With the Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000, you get significant rendering and 3D modeling power, taking CUDA and OpenCL applications to the next level and leaving any other graphics card in a relatively weak state.

Nvidia Quadro RTX A6000

NVIDIA’s A6000 is targeted and designed specifically for 3D rendering and modeling professionals and features a wide range of professional certifications for rendering applications. The NVIDIA GPU features 10,752 CUDA cores, 84 next-generation RT cores, 48GB of GDDR6 memory, and supports PCI Express 4.0 x16 interface. The NVIDIA card doubles the memory of the RTX 6000 GPU to 48GB of GDDR6, allowing it to handle larger and more complex 3D modeling datasets. Professionals on an unlimited budget who need more than 48GB of memory can install two A6000 cards via NVIDIA NVLink to get a total of 96GB of DDR6 video memory. The card also supports PCI Express Gen 4, which increases PCIe Gen 3 throughput and memory transfers. The card has a maximum power consumption of 300W.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090

An incredibly powerful GPU for rendering with TITAN-class performance. At its core is Ampere, the second-generation NVIDIA RTX architecture that doubles the performance of ray tracing and artificial intelligence technologies through enhanced ray tracing (RT) cores, tensor cores, and new streaming multiprocessors. The graphics card also features an impressive 24GB of G6X video memory designed to deliver exceptional graphics performance. Accelerate popular graphics applications and explore new AI-enabled features with the NVIDIA Studio platform, featuring specialized drivers and unique tools. Great performance for 3D, video editing up to 8K, or streaming in high quality.

This video card for rendering with a powerful and bulky cooling system is designed for those who plan to play at 4K resolution using maximum quality settings and with RT. The maximum extension is 7680×4320. 

It is worth noting, that another model - NVIDIA RTX 3090 TI - is considered to be the best GPU for Blender. So, if used to working with this program, RTX 3090 TI will the best solution for you.

Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000

Another card from the NVIDIA Quadro series is worth paying attention to for professional 3D rendering on the GPU. This is our top recommendation for a workstation-class graphics card at an affordable price with excellent performance in design applications. It comes in a sleek, single-slot design that helps fit into smaller cases and requires less power than the bulkier GeForce card.  In particular, OpenCL and Cuda applications take full advantage of the new Turing architecture, which means real-time ray tracing is one of its dominant features.

The Quadro 4000 is optimized for creative work, so if you're using CAD applications like AutoCAD and Solidworks, you'll notice that it speeds up plug-ins and filters in that software very noticeably and improves performance in areas like viewpoint and animation. This GPU for 3D rendering runs at a core frequency of 1005 MHz, but when you load it up with a heavy workload for processing, the clock speed can rise to 1545 MHz. The Quadro RTX 4000 offers enough 8GB of video memory space to quickly store the files you need. In addition, the RTX 4000 has 2304 CUDA cores for high-speed rendering, 288 Tensor cores, and 36 RT cores. RT cores accelerate the computation of how light and sound move in a three-dimensional environment, up to 10 g rays per second. Low power consumption and a single-slot GPU are also among the advantages of this graphics card for 3D modeling and rendering.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 TI

A great option for gaming and 3D modeling on monitors up to 2k. At this affordable price, you'll be surprised by how fast this card is. Where the RTX 3060 Ti is a bit inferior is on 4K monitors. You may have to reduce some settings to get stable frame rates. This GPU just doesn't support 4K. 

Without RT enabled, the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti can provide comfort in 2.5K resolution (2560×1440/2560×1600) at maximum graphics settings in many games (in some games you can swing to 4K resolution, but in some games, on the contrary, you will have to reduce the quality or enable DLSS/FSR support in the game). The 8GB of memory should be enough to last a long time. As for ray tracing, of course, GeForce RTX 3060 Ti realizes in the corresponding games all the benefits of RT support combined with DLSS. For the same 2.5K resolution, the performance when RT+DLSS is activated is sufficient.

To the above advantages of the best video card for rendering in general, you can also add a relatively compact size card Palit (247 × 120 × 40 mm), allowing you to use it in small cases, and not the noisiest CO (no more than 34 dBA), and the temperature of the graphics core with a cooler does not rise above 70 ° C.

Conclusion

GPU rendering is gradually becoming widespread and in demand in many fields and is being used as an alternative to traditional CPU-based rendering systems. Autodesk Arnold introduced its GPU rendering engine, given its high potential. Companies such as AMD and Nvidia are also competing fiercely in this sector, developing and improving new models of GPUs. And since upgrading a GPU is much easier, you can expect rendering performance to improve with each new generation. But if you still prefer working on CPU and looking for the best CPU for rendering we recommend paying attention to AMD Ryzen 7 2700X or Intel Core i9 12900K for video editing accordingly.

When choosing the best graphics card for 3D rendering 2023, you need to consider some essential facts, such as Core numbers, memory, maximum supported resolution, etc. All this we reveal in our top of the best graphics card for 3D modeling and rendering. If you still have any questions, write to us in the comments and we will try to help.