Best Video Card for 4K Movies: Which One Should You Get?

Choosing the best video card for 4k movies may sometimes be a problem because graphics cards make a huge difference while gaming, ray tracing, streaming, video editing, or watching movies. With so many graphics cards on the market, it is difficult for customers to find the perfect solution, especially if they are not into computers a lot.

Fortunately, this guide will explain the most important criteria for a unique graphics card and review some of the best ones currently on the market. By the time you are done reading this article, you will know all the details and will be able to make an easy choice.

Comparison Table Showing the Basic GPUs

The first step in choosing the best video rendering card for 4k movies is understanding their differences. In addition, before you purchase your GPU, you must learn about the minimum GPUs that support 4k. A graphics card can be divided into two categories; integrated and discrete graphics.

That is why we will show you two comparison tables where we will capture the main differences. First, we will showcase the basic GPUs and then focus on some of the better ones on the market. The following table contains all discrete graphics from the NVIDIA GeForce family, without the AMD Radeon RX series:

Motherboard	Family	Chip	Number of chips	Number of NVENC/chip	4k H.264 (AVCHD) YUV 4:2:0
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 650	Kepler	GK107	1	1	Yes
GeForce GTX 660 – 690 GeForce GTX 760 – 770	Kepler	GK104	1	1	Yes
GeForce GTX Titan Black	Kepler (2nd gen)	GK110	1	1	Yes
GeForce GTX Titan Z	Kepler (2nd gen)	GK110	2	1	Yes
GeForce GTX 750 Ti	Maxwell (1st gen)	GM107	1	1	Yes
GeForce GTX 750	Maxwell (2nd gen)	GM206	1	1	Yes
GeForce GTX 970 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980	Maxwell (2nd gen)	GM204	1	2	Yes

As you can see, this is the bare minimum for a good 4k experience. However, these boards may not be suitable for gaming and complex editing. Nevertheless, they provide a closer insight into the real meaning of adequate graphics cards capable of delivering the necessary time after time.

So now, it is time to focus on the more important things. In the following section, we will list some of the best GPUs on the market so you can immediately see their differences. Later, we will thoroughly discuss those differences and show the most important pros and cons. Keep reading for more.

The Best Video Card for 4K Movies Comparison Table

It is time to pay closer attention to the more expensive GPUs and explain their differences by putting them head-to-head. Experts consider these cards the best on the market for 2022, so you should carefully read each column. In addition, we will lay out the most important specifications and we will provide more details in the following sections of this article.

Let us look at the comparison in the following table:

Graphics card	Memory	Low profile design	Core clock	Boost clock	Compatibility	Stream processors	Interface
EVGA GeForce GT 1030 SC 2GB GDDR5 Passive	2 GB GDDR5 64bit memory	150 mm card length	1252 MHz in OC Mode and 1227 MHz in Gaming Mode	1506 MHz in OC Mode and 1468 MHz in Gaming Mode	1 x Dual-Link DVI-D 1 x HDMI 2.0b	384	PCI Express 3.0 x4
Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 GV-N1030D5-2GL Low Profile 2G Computer Graphics Card	2 GB GDDR5 64bit memory	150 mm card length	1252 MHz in OC Mode and 1227 MHz in Gaming Mode	1506 MHz in OC Mode and 1468 MHz in Gaming Mode	1 x Dual-Link DVI-D 1 x HDMI 2.0b	384	PCI Express 3.0 x4
MSI GT 1030 2GD4 LP OC Computer Graphics Cards	2 GB DDR4 2100 MHz memory	145 mm card length	1189 MHz in OC Mode and 1227 MHz in Gaming Mode	1430 MHz in OC Mode and 1387 MHz in Gaming Mode	DisplayPort (v1.4a) HDMI (Supports 4K@60Hz as specified in HDMI 2.0b)	384	PCI Express 3.0 x16 (uses x4)
Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 Ti OC 4GB GDDR5 128 Bit PCI-E Graphic Card	4 GB GDDR5 128bit memory	145 mm card length	1341 MHz in OC mode and 1316 MH z in Gaming Mode	1455 MHz in OC Mode and 1430 MHz in Gaming Mode	DisplayPort (v1.4a) HDMI (Supports 4K@60Hz as specified in HDMI 2.0b)	768	PCI Express x16 3.0

As this list shows, these GPUs have a number of similarities and differences. On the flip side, all four GPUs offer an exceptional experience and are perfect for 4k movies. In addition, these graphics cards even support 8k movies, which is amazing.

However, it is time to learn something more about each graphics card individually. We will provide the pros and cons and show you a final rating that will make things easier for you. You will know which graphics card is the best for you, so let us dive deep with the first graphics card on the list without further ado.

The 4 Best Video Cards for 4K Movies

Here is a definitive list of our top video card choices.

1. EVGA GeForce GT 1030 SC 2 GB GDDR5 Passive

The first graphics card we will discuss is the EVGA 1 GeForce GT 1030 SC 2 GB GDDR5 Passive. We will always begin with the pros and cons and later explain their meaning and additional specs. Read the following bullet list to learn more.

Pros:

• It is affordable and is perfect for a budget build
• Outputs amazing image quality
• It will not degrade over time, unlike other models
• It has a single slot utility
• It contains a low-profile form factor
• Sales quickly, which is an indicator of its quality

This list only shows a fraction of all the best things about this card. However, before we thoroughly discuss them, it is worth looking at the cons in the following bullet list.

Cons:

• It is an older GPU version
• It cannot be commonly found on the market

The difference in the number of bullet points in these lists is an additional indicator of the various qualities this GPU offers. Experts consider the EVGA 1 GeForce FT as the best low-profile GPU for 4k movies on the market. Although it is an older version, this VC can still keep up with the latest visual changes, enabling customers even to watch darker movies, so performance-wise you will not have any issues, which is why we give a rating of 9.

In addition, the 2 GB GDDR5 64bit memory can handle all tasks, even the ones that require more complex data processing. Though the latest GPUs on the market have improved memory, 2 GB will go a long way, especially for watching 4k movies, for a rating of 9.3. Moreover, another important aspect is compatibility. This VC has 1 x Dual-Link DVI-D 1 x HDMI 2.0b, which is all you need, and we will rate it with a score of 9.3.

Finally, this VC has a memory bandwidth of 48.06 GB/s. This bandwidth will allow customers to enjoy smooth gaming, streaming, editing, and watching movies. You will not find a similar VC on the current market with a similar price and quality, enough for a rating of 9. It is as good as it can get.

So if you are working on a budget build and need the best VC for 4k movies you can find for the same price, the EVGA 1 GeForce GT 1030 SC 2 GB GDDR5 Passive is the one for you. That is why this amazing GPU received a whopping average of 9.1 out of 10 rating in all the categories previously discussed. So if you can get your hands on one, do not hesitate and go for it. Let us continue with the next one.

Overview: The EVGA 1 GeForce GT 1030 SC 2 GB GDDR5 Passive is the perfect budget choice. If you do not plan on spending a lot of money on this component, this is the ideal choice for you. 

2. Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 GV-N1030D5-2GL Low Profile 2g Computer Graphics Card

The following VC we will review in more detail is the Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 GV-N1030D5-2GL Low Profile 2g Computer Graphics Card Founders edition. This amazing GPU can deliver all it takes for a flawless 4k movie experience. Let us cover the pros first.

Pros:

• It is cheap and affordable
• It produces decent image output
• It contains a low-profile form factor
• It is easily accessible
• It is compact and does not take up much space

After showing the most important pros, it is time to pay attention to the cons. Unlike the previous GPU, this one has more items on the list, as shown here.

Cons:

• It is not optimal for gaming
• It can be difficult to find one on the market
• It does not support various tools
• You can never find one on sale

The GeForce GT 1030 from NVIDIA is another perfect option for a VC for movies because it does not consume much power and is extremely affordable. Although you can use this VC for basic gaming, you will encounter serious problems with more extensive and modern games. Nevertheless, thanks to its 14nm technology and 384 cores, this graphics card will provide great performance, especially for streaming 4k movies, for a final performance rating of 8.5.

In addition, its 2 GB GDDR5 64bit memory and the GP 108 chip will lift the streaming experience to a completely different level. The GP 108 chip will lessen the rendering time, and thus, the rating is 9. Moreover, this card has a memory bandwidth of 48 GB/s, which some might consider a flaw, so our rating is a score of 8.9. However, you are not likely to notice any difference.

As previously mentioned, this card has extremely low power consumption because it comes with a TDP of 30W, enough to give a rating of 9. Finally, another important point is compatibility, as this card is suited for multiple computers uses. It has 1 x Dual-Link DVI-D 1 x HDMI 2.0b. However, it is not compatible with SLI, Ansel, G-SYNC, VR Ready, etc. Thus, our rating for this criterion is 8.4.

So, if you are looking for a budget option that will deliver what you expect, this is the perfect card for that. Although you cannot expect to play the latest games casually, you will enjoy the 4k streaming movies experience. All things considered, our final verdict is an 8.7 out of 10 rating. The main reason for this rating is the card’s inability to perform well with modern games. Now, we move on to the next card on the list.

Overview: The Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 GV-N1030D5-2GL Low Profile 2g has an incredible low-profile form factor. It is the best choice for gamers who prefer a more stealthy setup.

3. MSI GT 1030 2GD4 LP OC Computer Graphics

The next card we will review is the MSI GT 1030 2GD4 LP OC Computer Graphics. As usual, we will lay out the pros and cons and then explain all the details.

Pros:

• You can come across one easily
• It contains a low-profile form factor
• It is one of the cheapest cards in this review

This card is an amazing option for those trying to save some cash, despite not having as many pros as the previous cards. However, what about the cons? Learn more about them from the list below.

Cons:

• This card is not designated for gamers
• It does not support various common features
• The price is always consistent and never goes on sale

Though some might say that consistency is critical, the same cannot be said for the price of this card. It never goes on sale, and it still keeps the same price as it first came out. So despite being cheap, it would be great to find one on sale. Performance-wise, you are guaranteed to get the best out of it, though this is an entry-level option from NVIDIA, enough for a rating of 9.

In addition, this card requires less power because it is a budget option. Nevertheless, this card is guaranteed to perform better than a card that is 30 percent more expensive due to its 2 GB of GDDR5 memory at 6 GHz and a memory bandwidth of 48 GB/s, which is the same as the previous card. So we give a rating of 8.9 for both the power consumption and memory bandwidth. However, none of this is enough for the latest in the gaming world.

On the flip side, if you need a GPU for some basic graphic designing, streaming movies, or watching YouTube, this is the one for you. Finally, the MSI GT 1030 has a single DisplayPort (v1.4a) HDMI (Supports 4K@60Hz as specified in HDMI 2.0b). This port is enough to handle all of your basic needs, which is why we rate a 9.1 score.

To conclude, this card is a great option for 4k movies because it offers basic support and is affordable. On the other hand, there are certain drawbacks, such as the lack of gaming ability and fan-overheating, which is why our verdict is an 8.9 out of 10 rating. Nevertheless, this card will deliver great 4k movie streaming performance over and over again. Let us now learn something more about the last card from the table.

Overview: The MSI GT 1030 2GD4 LP OC is a graphics card you can buy anywhere. It is ideal for customers who want to finish their setup without waiting for parts to arrive.

4. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti OC 4 GB GDDR5 128 Bit PCI-e Graphic

The last card we will review in this article is the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti OC 4 GB GDDR5 128 Bit PCI-e Graphic. This card has numerous pros, and you can learn more about them in the following bullet list.

Pros:

• This is the smallest GTX 1050 card on the market
• You do not need any external power connections
• It is always available on the market

Unlike the previous items in this article, the GeForce GTX 1050 is almost always available on the market. This is because it has been mass-produced, and the company can satisfy the customers’ needs. However, as with every other card, there are certain drawbacks.

Cons:

• It is unable to maintain 60fps consistently
• It does not perform well at constantly high settings
• It has a still full height

Based on the specifications shown in the previous table, the GeForce GTX 1050 offers some of the best specifications in this article. It includes a small form factor and is capable of producing extremely high-quality images. So this is the card that will not let you down for customers who enjoy watching movies and streaming. Furthermore, it will perform consistently under the same conditions, so performance-wise, it receives a rating of 9.5. 

In addition, it does not need any additional power connections because it gets everything it needs from the single PCI Express x 16 slots. All the other resources will be kept free, which is crucial for creating low-profile machines, enough for a rating of 9.1. This card will be somewhat more expensive than the other items in this review, but you are getting an amazing price for value.

Also, it has 4 GB GDDR5 128bit memory, which makes it the best out of all four cards, for a rating of 9.5. It is important to note that this card has a memory bandwidth of 112 GB/s, making it a smooth streaming device. Although it might not perform well with high-end games and complex rendering challenges, this card is all it takes for decent 4k movie streaming and basic editing, so it gets a rate of 9.1 scores for this criterion. 

So if you have some extra cash, you should opt for the GeForce GTX 1050 because it is the best card featured on this list. You will be pleased with its fantastic performance, excellent memory, and stunning value for money. All things considered, our final verdict is a 9.4 out of 10 rating. This is the perfect video rendering card for 4k movie streaming.

Overview: The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti OC 4 GB GDDR5 128 Bit PCI-e Graphic is the smallest graphics card we featured in this article. It is ideal for gamers who are low on rig space. 

Brief Overview of the Important Points

The market is filled with VCs that are perfect for streaming 4k movies, starting from the cheapest options and going all the way to the more expensive models. Each VC is an essential part of your computer, either for gaming, streaming, or editing. That is why you should trust our experts, who have tested and reviewed some of the best budget cards on the market for streaming 4k movies.

If you want to go for the best option, you should buy the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti OC 4 GB GDDR5 128 Bit PCI-e Graphic, because although this card may be more expensive than the other models, you are getting great value for money. On the flip side, if you are not willing to spend that extra cash, you can purchase the other three cards on the market, and you will not be making a mistake.