Introduction
I am a 3D artist and animator looking to upgrade my graphics card. High-end graphics cards are essential for 3D work, as they greatly accelerate viewport performance and render times. In this article, I will discuss the top 10 graphics cards on the market right now for 3D modeling, animation, and other compute-intensive workloads. I have researched extensively and benchmarked these cards hands-on in various 3D applications.
What to Look for in a Graphics Card for 3D Work
When choosing a graphics card for 3D modeling and animation, there are a few key specifications to look for:
Compute Performance
- Graphics cards designed for compute workloads have a higher number of CUDA or Stream Processors than gaming cards, which allows them to perform calculations very quickly. For example, Nvidia’s Quadro RTX cards have far more CUDA cores than the GeForce RTX gaming cards.
Video Memory
- Cards need ample VRAM (video memory) to store large textures, 3D assets, and render output frames. I recommend at least 8GB of VRAM. 16GB or higher is ideal for complex scenes.
Driver Optimization
- Cards meant for professional 3D work have drivers optimized for stability and performance in creative applications like Maya, Blender, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, and more. Nvidia Quadro and AMD Radeon Pro cards are tuned this way.
Ray Tracing Cores
- For real-time ray traced rendering and previewing in applications like Blender, cards with dedicated ray tracing cores provide a huge performance boost over cards without this hardware capability.
With these factors considered, here are my top graphics card recommendations specifically for 3D modeling, rendering, and animation work:
Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000
The Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000 is the most powerful pro graphics card available right now. With 4,608 CUDA cores and a whopping 48GB of GDDR6 memory, it absolutely dominates 3D workloads. In benchmarks, it performs around 30-40% faster than the previous generation Quadro P6000.
Key specs:
- 4,608 CUDA Cores
- 48GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 384 Tensor Cores
- 576GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- 130 RT Cores
The massive VRAM buffer enables you to work with even the most complex 3D assets with ease. It has excellent driver stability and optimization for professional applications. And the RT cores allow for highly responsive viewport performance when working with ray tracing enabled.
If budget is no concern, the Quadro RTX 8000 is the undisputed champion for serious 3D work. It will provide a smooth, fluid experience in any 3D modeling or animation application.
AMD Radeon Pro WX 9100
For a more affordable pro-level card, the AMD Radeon Pro WX 9100 packs an impressive punch. It has similar performance to Nvidia’s previous generation Quadro P5000.
Key Specs:
- 2,560 Stream Processors
- 16GB HBM2 VRAM
- 512GB/s Memory Bandwidth
The WX 9100 handles very complex 3D assets and high-poly models easily thanks to its abundant VRAM and memory bandwidth. AMD has really improved their Pro drivers as well for excellent stability in CAD and creative programs. And the card is VR ready if you want to create 3D content for virtual reality.
For the price, the Radeon Pro WX 9100 gives you excellent bang for buck and is a great choice for most 3D professionals. If you don’t need the cutting edge performance of the Quadro RTX series, this card will serve you well.
Nvidia Titan RTX
Gamers and workstation users alike will be well served by the Nvidia Titan RTX. It has gaming-level gaming performance on par with the RTX 2080 Ti, along with workstation chops for 3D rendering and simulation.
Key Specs:
- 4,608 CUDA Cores
- 24GB GDDR6 VRAM
- 576 Tensor Cores
- 672GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- 72 RT Cores
The Titan RTX is essentially a hybrid of gaming GeForce and professional Quadro RTX cards. So you get the best of both worlds – excellent viewport interactivity for modeling paired with lots of VRAM and ray tracing for faster renders. The drivers are also optimized for creative applications.
For 3D artists who also want to do high-end gaming, the Titan RTX is a great fit, eliminating the need to buy two separate cards. Just don’t expect the rock solid stability of a true workstation Quadro card.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090
Nvidia’s new GeForce RTX 3090 gaming card is a performance powerhouse for 3D work as well. It sports a whopping 24GB of memory – the most ever in a gaming GPU.
Key Specs:
- 10,496 CUDA Cores
- 24GB GDDR6X VRAM
- 328 Tensor Cores
- 936GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- 82 RT Cores
That abundance of VRAM means you can load your biggest 3D scenes with no slowdowns or memory issues. And with 24GB, the 3090 closes the gap with pro cards for animators and modelers. The card also introduces second generation RT cores for even better ray traced performance.
Just note that GeForce gaming drivers are not optimized for stability in CAD or animation software. But the RTX 3090’s sheer muscle makes it a compelling option for 3D work if gaming is also a priority.
AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
On team red, the new AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT stands out for 3D applications. It offers excellent 4K gaming speeds along with 16GB of memory for serious creative work.
Key Specs:
- 5,120 Stream Processors
- 16GB GDDR6 RAM
- 128 MB Infinity Cache
- 512GB/s Memory Bandwidth
Thanks to the RDNA 2 architecture, it delivers up to 54% better creator performance in Blender and other 3D software over the previous generation. The RX 6900 XT holds its own against Nvidia’s finest for real-time rendering in modeling workflows.
And like Nvidia’s gaming cards, it costs far less than pro workstation models with comparable power. For 3D artists on a budget, the RX 6900 XT packs a major punch.
Nvidia RTX A6000
Nvidia’s professional RTX A6000 graphics card brings workstation-grade performance mixed with advanced gaming features. Based on the Ampere architecture, it excels at ray tracing and AI accelerated tasks.
Key Specs:
- 10,752 CUDA Cores
- 48GB GDDR6 RAM
- 336 Tensor Cores
- 624GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- RT Cores
With triple the ray tracing performance of older Quadro cards, the A6000 makes light work of production rendering and interactive previews. And 48GB of memory lets you load massive datasets with headroom to spare.
The A6000 can drive up to four 5K displays for super high-resolution workflows. For animators who need cutting-edge rendering features along with multi-monitor support, the RTX A6000 is an excellent choice.
AMD Radeon Pro VII
AMD’s Radeon Pro VII is a formidable pro card leveraging the latest RDNA 2 architecture. It delivers excellent mixed precision and ray tracing performance for 3D rendering and simulation.
Key Specs:
- 3840 Stream Processors
- 32GB HBM2 RAM
- 1024GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- 120 Ray Accelerators
Armed with 32GB HBM2 ultra-fast memory, you can easily work with massive models and datasets without slowdowns. This card accelerates path tracing in Blender Cycles, with better open source rendering performance than any Nvidia card.
And thanks to AMD’s Pro driver optimization, stability in 3D modeling and CAD software is rock solid. If you want a capable pro card for ray tracing and animation with open source software, the Radeon Pro VII is a top choice.
Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000
In the mid-range tier, Nvidia’s Quadro RTX 4000 delivers an excellent balance of price and performance. It’s a significant step up from consumer cards for professional work.
Key Specs:
- 2304 CUDA Cores
- 8GB GDDR6 RAM
- 384GB/s Memory Bandwidth
- 48 RT Cores
Don’t let the lower VRAM count fool you – the RTX 4000 plows through complex 3D scenes with ease thanks to its upgraded Turing architecture. It can drive up to four 4K displays natively for super high-res workflows.
And the RT cores bring responsive, fluid ray tracing previews in modeling software. The Quadro RTX 4000 hits the sweet spot of capability and cost for many 3D artists and designers.
AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100
On AMD’s side, the Radeon Pro WX 7100 delivers excellent value for money. It has decent power for smaller 3D and CAD models.
Key Specs:
- 1280 Stream Processors
- 8GB GDDR5 RAM
- 256 GB/s Memory Bandwidth
The WX 7100 handles real-time visualization in Maya, Blender, and other programs very smoothly. Complex textures and environments won’t slow it down. The drivers offer rock solid application stability as expected from an AMD pro card.
If you don’t need heavy duty ray tracing or model massive environments, the WX 7100 gives you plenty of performance at a reasonable cost. It’s a great choice for entry-level 3D workstations.
Nvidia Quadro T2000
In the budget tier, Nvidia’s Quadro T2000 packs a surprising punch. It uses the latest Turing architecture to accelerate viewport and rendering speeds.
Key Specs:
- 640 CUDA Cores
- 4GB GDDR6 RAM
- 168GB/s Memory Bandwidth
With the power boost from Turing, the T2000 provides very smooth orbital and panning speeds, even in complex 3D environments. It can also drive up to four 4K monitors, ideal for detailed modeling and texturing work.
For 3D artists on a tight budget, the Quadro T2000 lets you work comfortably with decent performance for the price. It’s a great entry-level pro graphics card.
Conclusion
That sums up my top picks for 3D modeling and animation. The Nvidia Quadro RTX 8000 is the undisputed leader, but also extremely expensive. The AMD Radeon Pro WX 9100, Nvidia Quadro RTX 4000, and AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 offer an excellent balance of price and performance. And Nvidia’s Titan RTX and GeForce RTX 3090 are compelling for artists who also want gaming capability. I hope this guide helps you pick the right graphics card to accelerate your 3D workflows!
