Graphics processing units (GPUs) have become indispensable for serious Photoshop users. With ever-increasing image resolutions and complex effects, having a powerful dedicated GPU accelerates Photoshop‘s performance – allowing faster previewing, exporting, and overall editing workflow.
But with so many options to choose from, picking the right GPU can get confusing. In this detailed guide, we compare the top NVIDIA and AMD GPUs best suited for Photoshop across budgets.
How Does a GPU Impact Photoshop Performance?
Photoshop leverages the GPU to offload graphics rendering and processing from the CPU. Operations like applying filters, transformations, blur effects are faster with a more powerful GPU.
Benefits of using a dedicated GPU for Photoshop:
- Faster rendering and previewing of effects
- Snappier pan and zoom at high zoom levels
- Quicker exports and batch processing
- Ability to work with more layers and higher resolution images
Integrated GPUs share system memory and have much lower performance. They can severely limit workflow if you work with large multi-layer Photoshop documents.
Our Picks for Best Photoshop GPUs
Based on extensive research and Photoshop GPU benchmarks from reliable sources, we summarize our top recommendations:
| Best Overall | Best Value | Best Performance |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA RTX 3090 | AMD RX 6600 XT | NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti |
Best Overall: NVIDIA RTX 3090
The NVIDIA RTX 3090 delivers category-leading performance in Photoshop thanks to its powerful GA102 GPU. With 10496 CUDA cores and 24GB of super-fast GDDR6X memory, it breezes through most workflows.
RTX 3090 Photoshop Benchmark:
The 3090 is overkill for most casual users. But the excellent performance to price ratio makes it our best overall choice. It has sufficient VRAM and GPU horsepower for advanced workflows now and years to come.
Key Specs:
- NVIDIA Ampere GA102 GPU
- 10496 CUDA Cores
- 24GB GDDR6X VRAM
- 1.7GHz Boost Clock
Pros
- Category leading Photoshop performance
- future-proof with 24GB VRAM
- Excellent for 4K, VR/3D workflows
Cons
- Very expensive
- Overkill for light workflows
Best Value: AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
The AMD RX 6600 XT delivers excellent 1080p Photoshop performance at an affordable price point.
It has 2048 stream processors based on AMD‘s efficient RDNA 2 architecture. The 8GB GDDR6 memory is sufficient for moderate workflows.
Photoshop Benchmarks:
- Faster than Nvidia RTX 3060 at $100 cheaper (Source)
- Great performance per dollar across resolutions (Source)
If you don‘t work with very complex documents and huge images, the 6600 XT gives you great bang for buck. It‘s the perfect entry-level GPU upgrade for lag-free Photoshopping.
Key Specs
- AMD Navi 23 GPU
- 2048 Stream Processors
- 8GB GDDR6 Memory
- 2491MHz Game Clock
Pros
- Excellent 1080p performance
- Great value for money
- Very power efficient
Cons
- Limited VRAM
- Average 1440p performance
Best Performance: NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti
If you demand the absolute best Photoshop performance money can buy, the NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti is the GPU to get.
It crushes through Photoshop workloads thanks to NVDIA‘s top-end GA102 chip with 10,752 CUDA cores and 24 GB GDDR6X VRAM. The sheer horsepower on tap leaves very little room even for future requirements.
Benchmarks:
- Up to 20% faster performance over 3090 (Source)
- Exports 200MP image in just 27 seconds!
Unless you regularly work with 300+ MP images with many adjustment layers, theIncremental gains probably aren‘t worth the >$500 price premium over the 3090 for Photoshop alone.
But it remains an excellent prosumer choice if Photoshop is part of a larger creative workflow spanning video editing and 3D modelling.
Key Specs:
- NVIDIA Ampere GA102 GPU
- 10,752 CUDA Cores
- 24GB GDDR6X Memory
- 1365MHz Boost Clock
Pros
- Ultimate Photoshop performance
- Handles anything you can throw at it
- Great for 4K, 3D/VR creative workflows
Cons
- Extremely expensive
- Overkill for most users
What to Look for When Buying a Photoshop GPU
Beyond the GPU model, there are a few key specifications to evaluate:
VRAM – Minimum 6GB recommended. 8-12GB offers best performance for large layered files and smart objects.
Clock Speed – Higher is better. Boost clocks ~1700MHz+ ensures snappiness in Photoshop.
Bandwidth – Look for >= 256-bit bus and fast GDDR6/GDDR6X memory for smooth workflows.
Power and Thermals – Ensure your GPU has adequate cooling capacity and your PSU has spare headroom.
Using GPU Acceleration in Photoshop
To leverage your graphics card fully in Photoshop, you need to enable GPU acceleration in Preferences:
- Go to Edit > Preferences > Performance
- Check the box for ‘Use Graphics Processor‘
- Set the GPU Settings to use your dedicated GPU
You can now benefit from significantly faster workflows for operations that support GPU acceleration.
Final Thoughts
There‘s no denying that a powerful GPU supercharges Photoshop productivity and creativity. Our top recommendations excel at common workflows while offering great value.
I hope this detailed GPU guide helps pick the perfect graphics upgrade to meet your needs and budget! Do share your thoughts and questions in the comments.
