Best GPU below $300 with Intel Core i7 4770 and 16GB RAM for video editing

[thomas_c]

I'm building a PC for video editing and will be using mainly Adobe Premiere.

Here is the configuration I am considering:

Intel Core i7 processor 4770
Intel db85fl motherboard
Seagate Desktop 1 TB Solid State Hybrid Drive SATA 6 GB with NCQ 64 MB Cache 3.5 Inch (ST1000DX001)
Corsair 16 GB RAM (2 modules of 8GB RAM)

Which graphics card would be the best for this? I do not plan to do any 3D work. I will be using it mainly for video editing. I don't plan to use 4K footage as of now but since prices of camcorders with 4K footage are dropping every few months, I would like to keep that option open, if possible. I'm not into gaming.

Should I just count CUDA cores and go with the one that provides the best bang for the buck?

How important is the memory. I read that GTX960 has 128 MB memory as compared to an older card that has 256 MM memory. I assume this makes a lot of difference.

Please advise. Thanks!

 

[CTurbo]

You didn't list a budget, but I recommend this

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9zRkyc
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9zRkyc/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 Video Card ($323.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.08 @ Newegg)
Total: $1002.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-27 00:29 EST-0500



The e3-1231v3 would perform almost identically to the 4770 but it's way cheaper.

 

[Vici0us]

If you want to go with Nvidia then GTX 970 is best bet. If you go with AMD then you can settle for under $300 with an R9 290.

EVGA GTX 970 - $320

XFX R9 290 - $245

OR

PowerColor R9 290X - $300

 

[thomas_c]

Thank you for your advice. I gave some thought to it after reading about tweaking and felt that maybe the GTX970 was too much power.

Here is the tentative configuration.

Intel Core i7 processor 4790
Seagate Desktop 1 TB Solid State Hybrid Drive SATA 6 GB with NCQ 64 MB Cache 3.5 Inch (ST1000DX001)
(Two of these)
Corsair 16 GB RAM DDR3-1600 memory (4 modules of 4GB RAM)
Cooler Master K350 ATX Mid Tower Case
Cooler Master VSM 650W - Gold Certified Semi Modular Power Supply.
LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
Nvidia GTX 660 graphics card
Gigabyte H97 motherboard (Not sure about variant)

Does it seem like a good config to run Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects? I will be using the desktop mainly for editing HD video footage but also want to edit some 4K footage, if possible. That will be once I get my hands on a 4K camcorder.

 

[CTurbo]

What is your budget? I still recommend the Xeon e3-1231v3 instead of the 4790. I am not a fan of hybrid drive so I would rather have a 120-256GB ssd and a 2TB hard drive. 4x4GB RAM is no better or cheaper than 2x8GB. The GTX660 is kind of old at this point. It'd prob do the job though. There are many better psus in that price range than that Corsair.

 

[geogamer13]

i highly reccommend Asus GTX970 STRIX (328$) if not then r9 290 for 280-300$