What is the best GPU for 4K video editing in 2024?

Question

I’m finally looking to upgrade my editing rig this year, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the 2024 GPU market. My current setup is really starting to struggle with 4K playback stuttering in DaVinci Resolve and Premiere Pro, especially when I add a few layers of color grading. I’ve been eyeing the RTX 4080 Super because of its CUDA cores, but I’m also considering if the 24GB of VRAM on the RTX 4090 is truly necessary for a smooth 4K workflow or if it's overkill. Budget is around $1,000, so I want to make sure I’m getting the best bang for my buck. Between NVIDIA’s encoders and AMD’s current offerings, which GPU would you recommend for the most stable 4K editing experience right now?

MinMaxingLife · Accepted Answer

yo, I feel u on the stuttering! It literally drives me crazy when I’m trying to color grade and the playback just dies. Honestly, since your budget is around $1k, the 4090 is basically out of reach anyway cuz it's way pricier, right?

Here's what I recommend based on my own setup:

* **NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB**: This is 100% the sweet spot for 4K. I use it in Resolve and it’s AMAZING. The 16GB of VRAM is honestly plenty for 4K timelines; you really only need that 24GB on the 4090 if you're doing insane 8K or heavy 3D renders.
* **ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 Super**: I'd grab this specific model if you can, the cooling is fantastic which helps with long export sessions.
* **Stick with NVIDIA**: I mean, AMD’s AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24GB has more VRAM for the price, but CUDA is just way more stable for the Adobe/Blackmagic workflow imo.

You’re gonna love how smooth it feels!! gl!

RogueRhapsody · Answer

Had a moment to think about this more and honestly, you gotta check out the Puget Systems hardware benchmarks. They're like the absolute gold standard for testing Resolve and Premiere performance! Ngl, I've spent hours scrolling their data to find the best specs.

Since your budget is right around $1k, here is how I see the market research:

1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super 16GB GDDR6X: This is basically the "bang for your buck" winner right now. The 16GB VRAM is usually plenty for 4K, and NVIDIA's NVENC encoders are just sooo smooth for exports.
2. AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX 24GB GDDR6: You get that massive 24GB buffer which is fantastic for heavy color nodes, but sometimes the performance in Premiere can be a bit wonky compared to CUDA.

Pro tip: If you use Resolve, highkey prioritize NVIDIA for those Tensor cores! It makes the AI magic mask stuff fly lol. Peace!

NPCWithOpinions · Answer

I went through this last year when my rig kept stuttering during heavy grades. I compared:

- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Super: Killer CUDA performance, but 16GB VRAM felt sorta tight for complex nodes.
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX: 24GB VRAM is great for the price, but it lacks CUDA support.

Tbh, I learned VRAM is everything for Resolve, even if 16GB usually works for 4K. Does that make sense? peace!