When it comes to popular computer software intended for productivity, Autodesk is one of the biggest developers out there. When it comes to 3D modeling, Maya might be its first offering that comes to mind, but the company has another very capable option, and that’s 3ds Max.

Comparing 3ds Max and Maya isn’t that simple, but generally, 3ds Max is a better option if you’re working on architectural visualizations, product design, and just plain modeling; with very little need for animation. 3ds Max has a bigger focus on your GPU as a result, so choosing the right one is important. If you’re looking for the best GPU for 3ds Max and your budget, you’ll find it here.

How 3ds Max Utilizes GPUs

In graphical applications such as 3ds Max, you’d think that your GPU is responsible for 100% of the processing, but that’s not quite the case. The GPU is majorly at play when you’re previewing your scene in real-time in the viewport, simulating effects, or rendering. In other scenarios, your CPU can do the heavy lifting.

In fact, a lot of render engines use your CPU first, but if you have a render engine with GPU acceleration, you can get renders finished a whole lot quicker. Options like Arnold and V-Ray are powerful and support GPU acceleration.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a GPU for 3ds Max

Comparing 3ds Max to 3D software like Blender, it might not be immediately clear which graphics cards meet the minimum requirements for 3ds Max.

When looking at 3ds Max system requirements for a graphics card, all you’re going to see is the company recommending that you use certified hardware, of which the entire list is full of professional-grade options. Most people would rather use consumer options as they’re the most accessible.

To give you something a little more usable, here are some of the key factors you should look out for when buying a GPU to improve your 3ds Max workflow:

• CUDA Cores/Stream Processors: You can think of CUDA cores or stream processors as being cores in a CPU, except for GPUs made by Nvidia and AMD respectively. It’s not so simple, but generally, the more of these cores that are present, the better the performance.

• VRAM: Graphical files, especially in video games, are getting larger and larger. The more VRAM you have, the more files the GPU can hold for easy and quick access.

• Render Engine Compatibility: Most popular render engines will support essentially any modern GPU that you use them with. However, some engines, such as Autodesk Arnold, are well-optimized for Nvidia GPUs.

• Energy Efficiency: Generally speaking, a more powerful GPU produces more heat and drains more energy. Make sure that the power supply unit in your system has the capacity to take on a power-hungry new component, or that you have appropriate cooling to take care of the extra heat.

• Budget: Perhaps the most important thing is your budget. You might know that the Nvidia RTX 4090 is the one for you, but without the money to buy it, it’s out of reach.

Top GPUs for 3ds Max in 2025

If you want to see some quick recommendations regarding the top graphics cards for 3D modeling in 3ds Max, you’re in the right spot. Regardless of your performance needs or your budget, there’s something here for you and your workflow.

High-End GPUs

You won’t even need to worry about 3ds Max rendering GPU recommendations, because these options are the best of the best and pretty much tick every box you could want.

#1 Nvidia RTX 5090:

Launching on January 30th, 2025, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is the absolute pinnacle of consumer-focused performance from the GPU giant. It runs on the new Blackwell architecture and is packed with 32GB of cutting-edge GDDR7 memory.  

#2 Nvidia RTX 4090:

Because the RTX 5090 might be very hard to find so soon after launch, its predecessor, the RTX 4090, is still an incredibly capable option. It comes with 24GB of GDDR6X RAM and will dominate for a 3ds Max workflow.

Mid-Range Options

Do you still need solid performance without a price that climbs into the thousand-plus range? Here are some great mid-range choices.

#3 Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti:

The RTX 4070 Ti isn’t as far from the RTX 4090 in performance as the price might suggest. Sure, the 4090 hits 260k+ in the 3DMark Cloud Gate GPU benchmark, but for essentially half the price, the 4070 Ti does 217k+. That’s with 12GB of GDDR6X memory.

#4 AMD RX 7900 XT:

Now, for those who are team AMD, you arguably get better value for money. The RX 7900 XT is a solid card, packing 20GB of GDDR6 VRAM and doing 260k in the same benchmark and at a lower price than any GeForce 4070 Ti option out there.

Budget Picks

Now, if you’re a beginner (in which case, here are some great 3ds Max tutorials!) or simply can’t afford it, here are some fantastic budget GPUs for 3ds Max users. Understand that GPUs that are too inexpensive won’t be able to do the job for tasks like this.

#5 Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti:

For under $400, you can get your hands on an Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti with 8GB of GDDR6 RAM and enough power for 3ds Max projects that aren’t too demanding. It’s a good balance between affordability and performance.

#6 AMD RX 6750 XT:

Unsurprisingly, the AMD option is cheaper than Nvidia’s, at just a tad above $300. As far as newer GPUs go, that’s affordable, especially considering that you still get 12GB of video memory.

Nvidia vs AMD: Which Is Better for 3ds Max?

Nvidia and AMD have long waged battle against one another, but in the specific context of 3D modeling tasks in 3ds Max, it’s hard to disagree on Nvidia taking the crown. In fact, in most software domains that might involve a GPU, Nvidia tends to win.

When it comes to driver support and partnerships with software devs, Nvidia comes out on top. The same applies when rendering, as Nvidia’s CUDA cores are optimized, in many cases, for some of the most popular render engines. With an RTX chip, you also get much better raytracing performance in-app.

This doesn’t mean that AMD isn’t worth it. It’s the best option for affordability, but the software support could be better in many cases.

Optimizing Your GPU for 3ds Max Performance

If you’ve got a new GPU or simply want to squeeze the most life out of the one you currently have, optimization is important. Here are some tips you can follow:

• The first thing you’ll want to do is turn on GPU rendering. To do this, press F10 to bring up Render Settings, make sure the System tab is selected, and then expand the Device tab if not already expanded. Beside “Render Device”, choose GPU from the dropdown.

• Ensure your software is always up to date, particularly your GPU drivers. These come with bug fixes and performance optimization.

• Make sure that your computer’s positioning, fans (especially on the GPU itself), and case, are all properly done to avoid overheating and throttled performance.

• Lower the render resolution to FHD if it happens to be any higher than that. That should allow for faster renders without pixels you might not even need.

Alternatives for High-Performance 3D Rendering

Even at just a little bit above $300, the cheapest card on this list might still not be that affordable for some folks. This is why we’re glad that cloud rendering solutions exist, and Vagon is one of them.

With a high-performance computer located in the cloud, Vagon gives you access, letting you run intensive applications without needing to invest in incredibly expensive components. It works quite nicely, especially in situations where you might need intense GPU performance, such as when rendering. That comes with a monthly subscription, which ends up being a lot more affordable.

Conclusion

When moving through the viewport, rendering, or using simulations in 3ds Max, your GPU is the most important component in your system. For instance, when comparing a GPU vs CPU for 3ds Max rendering, there’s a world of difference. Getting one with the capacity to match your workflow is essential. Whether that’s the brand-new RTX 5090 or the budget-friendly AMD RX 6750 XT, there’s almost certainly something to match your needs.

Say Goodbye to 3ds Max Crashes with Vagon

If you get tired of dealing with crashes and needing to troubleshoot, you can always turn to Vagon. Vagon’s high-end cloud computers run 3ds Max smooth as butter, letting you handle the heaviest workloads without breaking a sweat. Access it from anywhere, give the trial a shot today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Does 3ds Max rely more on the CPU or GPU?

3ds Max primarily utilizes the CPU for tasks like modeling, scene management, and rendering (especially with CPU-based render engines). However, the GPU plays a major role in viewport performance, real-time effects, and GPU-accelerated rendering engines like V-Ray and Arnold.

2. What is the minimum GPU requirement for running 3ds Max?

While Autodesk recommends certified professional GPUs, many consumer-grade cards also perform well. At minimum, a GPU with 4GB of VRAM, such as an Nvidia GTX 1650 or AMD RX 580, can handle basic 3D modeling, but for rendering and complex scenes, a more powerful card is necessary.

3. Is an Nvidia or AMD GPU better for 3ds Max?

Nvidia GPUs are generally preferred for 3ds Max due to better software compatibility, optimized CUDA cores, and superior raytracing support in render engines. AMD cards provide good performance at lower prices but may lack the same level of driver support and software optimization.

4. How much VRAM is needed for smooth 3ds Max performance?

The amount of VRAM required depends on project complexity. For basic modeling, 6GB–8GB is sufficient. For high-resolution textures, detailed architectural scenes, or complex simulations, 12GB–24GB or more is ideal to avoid slowdowns.

5. Can I use an external GPU (eGPU) with 3ds Max?

Yes, an eGPU can improve viewport performance and GPU rendering on laptops or weaker desktop setups. However, the performance gain depends on the eGPU’s connection speed (Thunderbolt 3/4 recommended) and the GPU model used.

6. How can I optimize my GPU settings for 3ds Max?

To maximize performance, enable GPU rendering in Render Settings, update your GPU drivers regularly, ensure adequate cooling to prevent thermal throttling, and optimize scene complexity by reducing unnecessary geometry and textures.