A video editor only wants three things in life a sleek, responsive, and lightning-fast editing experience. Not an experience that has them drumming their fingers on the desk, waiting for that 4K clip to render.
You might be using an older PC right now and upgrading the whole unit doesn’t make sense at the moment. I know, trust me I’ve been there.
Upgrading the GPU makes a whole lot of sense because if going to upgrade the CPU, that means you building a new PC since you’ve to upgrade the Motherboard as well. Then a RAM here, a power unit there, the list keeps getting bigger and voila you got yourself a new PC!
To avoid all that, a GPU upgrade seems like the minimum you can do, and still to this day, “Should I upgrade my GPU for a bump in performance? ”the thought randomly pops into my head
Now we know that a GPU holds a lot of significance in increasing your PC’s video editing performance but again, can a simple Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) upgrade make all the difference?
The GPU’s Vital Role in Video Editing.
Before we start this GPU upgrade adventure, it’s crucial to understand why the GPU tops the list of video editing component requirements.
The brain of your PC, its Central Processing Unit (CPU), is a jack-of-all-trades, the know-it-all guy whereas the GPU is more of a specialist when it comes to rendering graphics.
The ability to render graphics better than the CPU is what makes the GPU an unsung hero in the world of video editing.
But how can rendering graphics really be beneficial, editing and rendering graphics is not the same thing, right?
Right, so to clear any misunderstanding on how a GPU can provide any aid to the editor. Let’s look at the role of GPU in video editing.
Rendering and Playback: When you’re editing, you want to see the video as it is. How your cuts and edits are going to look in the final video.
Even if you’re working with the most massive 4K files. Only your GPU can ensure smooth playback and real-time rendering.
Effects and Transitions: Those smooth transitions, slick effects, and stylish overlays. This is the area where your GPU shines the most.
You will have trouble using any cool effects or transitions without the help of your GPU, as your playback will lag and you’ll get a slower playback speed. This means that you need a powerful GPU to have a good playback speed.
Exporting: GPU’s effect on the “Export Time” can vary depending upon the software. If you have a good GPU there is one method you use to reduce your “Export Time”.
That is you can render the files beforehand and then you can use those rendered files to decrease that export time even more.
So, the GPU’s role in reducing the export time is there to some extent but your GPU matters a lot indirectly if we use the pre-rendering method.
Should you go for a GPU Upgrade?
Well, this question can’t be answered with a simple yes or no. For example, if you have integrated graphics like your only graphics card is in your processor and you don’t have a dedicated graphic card then yes you should get a graphics card like right now
Or, if you are using a dedicated GPU benefits of BIT older like GTX 1080 or Rx 580, then in this case yes you should get a graphics card upgrade because a newer GPU will give you a performance that will be miles ahead of your current graphics card.
But If you are using a card that is only a couple of years old then you will not experience such a major increase in your PC performance while video editing if you go for a new graphic card.
Let’s look at some factors, that will make our decision easier
The Current GPU: Take a look at your existing GPU. Are you running an integrated GPU or is it rather old or a budget-friendly model?
You’ve to do a self-inspection of what are you currently running, to give you an idea let’s say you’re currently running a card from the RTX 30 series, it’s relatively new, and it may feel like it is old but it’s not.
You’ll get only a minor performance upgrade when you upgrade from a 30 to 40 series. Older, less capable, and integrated GPUs can benefit the most from an upgrade.
Software Compatibility: Different video editing software varies in how it utilizes your GPU. Some are all about it, while others are a bit more laid back and lean more towards CPU for their performance needs.
Research how your chosen software works and what its utilization of your GPU is.
For instance, any Adobe software works great with a GPU but if you’re using DaVinci Resolve and your source footage is H.264 or H.265 plus you’re using the free version on Windows, it’ll use your only CPU.
Project Complexity: If you are an editor that works with high-resolution footage, unleashes intricate effects, or juggles multi-layered compositions, and if you are experiencing your project lag and impaction your playback, and render speeds while working on such projects.
But you want to save money and don’t want to get yourself a new build at the moment. Then a robust GPU can be your best friend in these situations and a GPU upgrade is pending.
Budget: Your budget will be the most influencing on which route you wanna go, a CPU+Motherboard+RAM upgrade or a GPU upgrade.
Define your budget, ensuring it aligns with your video editing needs and your system’s capabilities.
Needs: Once more this is a self-inspection time, figure out what you’re running older your GPU or CPU?
Upgrade the older one and upgrade it. So you can avoid the bottleneck that might be happening in your PC. If your whole setup is on the older side then also you will benefit from upgrading CPU+Motherboard+RAM and later on the GPU.
Benefits of a GPU Upgrade
Smooth Experience: Considering you’ve got a capable CPU. An upgrade will help with little to no lagging, or freezing, and a smooth uninterrupted editing experience.
Real-Time Playback: Your stuttering playback problem may finally come to an end. With a good GPU, you can view your edits in real-time, even at high resolutions if get a high-end GPU.
Speedy Rendering: We have all been there, waiting for your video to render when you have a deadline to meet can be daunting.
A GPU upgrade can slash those rendering times significantly, saving you precious minutes (or hours).
4K and Beyond: High-resolution video projects, including 4K and beyond, become a walk in the park. Your GPU takes the strain, ensuring you can effortlessly edit and export these demanding files.
Multi-Layer Projects: In most cases, an upgrade from your current GPU will ensure you’ll have a better editing experience while editing on a multi-layer timeline.
Future-Proofing: A powerful GPU doesn’t just improve your current editing experience; it future-proofs your rig.
Investing in a good GPU now will ensure that it will be able to handle the most demanding video projects you throw its way in the future.
Drawbacks of a GPU Upgrade
Cost: A GPU upgrade, especially for high-end models, can be a significant investment. If you’re on a tight budget, it might not be the most wallet-friendly option.
Consider whether the performance boost justifies the expense.
Compatibility: Not all GPUs play nice with your system and your editing software. Your chosen upgrade must fit within your computer’s physical constraints, including size and power requirements.
A wrong choice can make your hard-earned money go down the drain. It is crucial to do the due research before finalizing your GPU decision
Diminishing Returns: Newer GPU models usually offer performance improvements, but these improvements are not always proportional to the cost.
As you move up the GPU hierarchy, the price may increase significantly while the performance gains become less noticeable.
Overkill: A high-end GPU can be overkill for some users and projects. A powerful GPU might not provide significant benefits if you’re not editing 4K or don’t use resource-intensive effects.
It’s essential to match the GPU to your specific needs.
CPU Bottlenecks: A faster GPU can sometimes expose limitations in your CPU’s performance. If your CPU can’t keep up with the GPU’s speed, you may not see the expected improvements in video editing tasks.
Software Dependency: The impact of a GPU upgrade varies based on your video editing software.
Some applications like Adobe’s Premiere Pro utilize the GPU more effectively than others. The upgrade may not yield substantial benefits if your software doesn’t leverage GPU acceleration.
Do You Really Need a GPU Upgrade?
Getting a better graphics card will increase your previewing video quality while editing. This means that the upgrade will definitely improve the real-time experience while editing.
You can argue that the editor’s work quality will increase and they can work better if they have a better real-time experience.
However, if you go into technicals, the amount of time to render and export may not be impacted that much. If you’re on a budget a GPU upgrade might not be the best option for you.
In Conclusion
Think of your computer like a team working on a big project. The CPU is like the boss, and the GPU is like the workers. The boss can do many things but can only focus on one at a time, while the workers can do specific tasks all at once.
When it comes to video editing, you need both the boss (CPU) and the worker bees (GPU). If you try to edit videos without a good GPU, it’s like the boss trying to build a wall all by themselves – it would take forever!
So, getting a better GPU is like getting a VIP pass for your video editing journey. It makes everything smoother and faster, especially when rendering videos.
The impact of this upgrade depends on a few things, like your current GPU, the software you use, and how complex your projects are.
Before you go on a mission to upgrade your GPU, take some time to think about what you really need, how much you can spend, will the editing software be able to utilize your upgrade to its fullest, and whether your computer can handle it.
A well-planned GPU upgrade can turn your video editing PC into a super-fast editing machine, making your editing dreams come true!
So, ready for a GPU upgrade? The magic is just a few clicks away!