If you have ever looked at car reviews from Bulkina (real name - Alexander Bulygin), then they probably paid attention not only to the cars, but also to the quality of editing of his video. Smooth transitions, clear picture in 4K, smooth slowdowns when filming a drift - all this requires serious computing power. But which one exactly? video card helps him process hundreds of gigabytes of video material every day?
Unlike most auto bloggers, Bulkin rarely reveals the details of his “iron” arsenal. However, analysis of his videos, indirect mentions in streams and technical requirements for editing Adobe Premiere Pro with plugins like Red Giant allow you to determine the configuration with a high degree of probability. In this article we will not only answer the question “what kind of video card does Bulkin have”, but also:
- 🔍 We'll tell you why the choice of GPU is critical for auto content, and not just the camera;
- 💰 Let's estimate the cost of similar solutions in 2026;
- ⚙️ We will give recommendations on assembling a PC for auto-video editing, taking into account the specifics of shooting (moving objects, high bitrate, color correction).
Why Bulkin’s video card is not just a “gaming PC”
Many people mistakenly believe that for video editing it is enough gaming video card middle level. However, working with auto content has unique requirements:
1. High bitrate. Filming in 4K@60fps on GoPro or Sony A7S III generates files with bitrate 100–200 Mbit/s. The video card must be able to decode such streams in real time, otherwise the editing software will slow down even on powerful CPUs.
2. Color correction and effects. Plugins like Magic Bullet Looks or Neat Video (for noise reduction) actively used CUDA kernels (y NVIDIA) or Stream Processors (y AMD). Bulkin often uses gradient masks and object tracking - these operations “eat up” up to 80% GPU resources.
⚠️ Attention: If you are editing auto-video from drones (DJI Air 3, Inspire 3), then for processingD-Log MorHLGyou will need a video card that supports 10-bit HDR. Otherwise, the colors will be “soapy” after rendering.
3. Rendering in the background. Bulkin releases videos almost daily, so his PC must simultaneously:
- 🎬 Edit a new video in Premiere Pro;
- 🖥️Render the previous episode in Media Encoder;
- 🎮 Possibly stream in OBS Studio (if there is a live broadcast).
For this you need a video card with large amount of VRAM (from 12 GB) and support NVIDIA NVENC or AMD AMF for hardware encoding.
What video card does Bulkin use: analysis of indirect data
Bulkin never published the full specifications of his PC, but there are a few key points that can help narrow down your search:
1. RTX support in plugins. In some videos (for example, when processing night shots), artifacts characteristic of artificial sharpening through NVIDIA RTX AI Upscaling. This is a technology available only on video cards of the series RTX 20/30/40.
2. VRAM at least 16 GB. In a 2023 stream, Bulkin complained that when editing a video with Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K (BRAW-files) Premiere Pro “crashes” when there is insufficient video memory. This means that his video card has 16–24 GB VRAM.
3. **Compatible with Adobe.” Premiere Pro and After Effects optimized for NVIDIA CUDA. AMD video cards (even top ones RX 7900 XTX) point to 20–30% worse performance in these programs.
Based on this, the most likely candidates are:
| Video card model | VRAM | CUDA cores | NVENC support | Approximate price (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA RTX 4090 | 24 GB |
16 384 |
8th generation | ~220 000 ₽ |
| NVIDIA RTX 3090 Ti | 24 GB |
10 752 |
7th generation | ~180 000 ₽ |
| NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super | 16 GB |
10 240 |
8th generation | ~150 000 ₽ |
| NVIDIA RTX A6000 | 48 GB |
10 752 |
7th generation | ~350 000 ₽ |
With a high degree of probability, Bulkin uses NVIDIA RTX 4090 - this is the only “gaming” video card with 24 GB VRAM that is capable of processing BRAW files without freezing and supports AV1 hardware encoding (important for YouTube).
If you are editing video from action cameras (GoPro, Insta360), enable the "Use GPU to accelerate effects" option in Premiere Pro settings (File -> Project Settings -> Video Rendering and Playback). This will reduce the CPU load by 40–50%.
Than RTX 4090 better alternatives for auto content
Let's compare RTX 4090 with other popular video cards in the context of auto-video editing:
1. Performance in Adobe Premiere Pro
- 📊 RTX 4090 processes
4K H.265in2–3 times fasterthan RTX 3080, thanks to architecture Ada Lovelace and double the amount RT cores. - 🎯 Applying the effect Optical Flow (smooth deceleration) by RTX 4090 takes
~15 minutesagainst~40 minuteson RX 6900 XT.
2. Working with color
Video cards NVIDIA support 10-bit HDR in real time, which is critical for processing Log profiles (for example, S-Log3 from Sony). On AMD when rendering such files it is possible banding artifacts (strip on gradients).
3. Hardware encoding
RTX 4090 equipped NVENC 8th generation, which supports encoding in AV1 - format recommended by YouTube for 4K HDR. This allows you to:
- 📦 Reduce the size of the final file by
30–40%without loss of quality; - ⚡ Speed up loading on YouTube (especially important for videos >20 minutes long).
⚠️ Attention: If you are using DaVinci Resolve, then AMD RX 7900 XTX can show himself better RTX 4080 in color correction tasks thanks to optimization for OpenCL. But for Premiere Pro NVIDIA remains the only choice.
For editing auto-video in 4K, a video card with a large amount of VRAM (from 16 GB) is preferred over a high core frequency. This is due to the need to handle heavy BRAW/ProRes-files.
How much does the Bulkin configuration cost in 2026?
Assuming that Bulkin uses RTX 4090, then the total cost of his PC (including accompanying components) will be:
| Component | Model | Price (₽) | Why is this important |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video card | NVIDIA RTX 4090 | 220 000 | Processing 8K, AV1-coding |
| Processor | Intel Core i9-14900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D | 70 000–90 000 | Multithreading for rendering |
| RAM | 128 GB DDR5-6000 |
40 000 | Premiere Pro "eats" up to 60 GB RAM when working with BRAW |
| Storage | Samsung 990 Pro 2TB (system) + WD Red 18 TB (storage) | 35 000 | Read/write speed 7000 MB/s for 4K-installation |
| Power supply | Corsair HX1200i | 25 000 | RTX 4090 consumes up to 450 W under load |
Total: ~400 000–450 000 ₽ (excluding monitor, microphone and other equipment).
Is it possible to save money? Yes, if:
- 💸 Buy RTX 4080 Super instead of 4090 (saving ~70,000 ₽, but loss
8 GB VRAM); - 🖥️ Take Ryzen 7 7800X3D instead of Ryzen 9 (the difference in rendering will be ~10–15%);
- 💾 Use
DDR4-3600instead ofDDR5(saving ~10,000 ₽, but productivity drop by ~5%).
Graphics card with ≥12 GB VRAM (NVIDIA RTX 3060 Ti or higher)|Processor with ≥8 cores (Intel i7/Ryzen 7)|32 GB DDR4/DDR5 RAM|NVMe storage with read speed ≥3000 MB/s|Power supply ≥850 W (for RTX 40 series)-->
How to choose a video card for auto-video editing: step-by-step instructions
If you are just starting to shoot auto content and want to build a PC, focus on the following criteria:
Step 1. Determine the resolution and format of the photo
- 📹
Full HD (1080p): enough RTX 3060 12 GB or RX 6700 XT; - 🎥
4K (UHD): minimum RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT; - 🎬
8KorBRAW/ProRes: only RTX 4080/4090 or RTX A6000.
Step 2. Check software compatibility
If you work in:
- 🖥️ Adobe Premiere Pro → choose NVIDIA (optimization for CUDA);
- 🎬 DaVinci Resolve → AMD may be more profitable (better support OpenCL);
- 📱 Final Cut Pro → only Mac Studio with M2 Ultra (no video cards needed).
Step 3: Consider additional tasks
If you not only mount, but also:
- 🎮 Stream to OBS → support needed NVENC/AMF;
- 🤖 Are you using Stable Diffusion to generate previews → priority VRAM (from
12 GB); - 📊 You work with
3D modelscars → support is important Ray Tracing.
Step 4: Estimate your budget
| Budget | Recommended graphics card | What will pull |
|---|---|---|
up to 50,000 ₽ |
RTX 3060 12 GB or RX 6600 XT | Full HD, easy installation |
50 000–100 000 ₽ |
RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT | 4K, color correction, plugins |
100 000–200 000 ₽ |
RTX 4080 Super or RTX A5000 | 8K, BRAW, multitasking |
200 000+ ₽ |
RTX 4090 or RTX A6000 | Everything higher + rendering 3D, AV1 |
Why shouldn't you take a video card with 8 GB VRAM for editing?
Even in Full HD when working with plugins like Neat Video or Red Giant Universe, 8 GB of video memory is not enough. Premiere Pro begins to use random access memory (RAM) as a buffer, which leads to a sharp drop in performance (up to 50%!) and possible program crashes. This is especially critical for files with high bitrates (for example, from GoPro Hero 12).
Common mistakes when choosing a video card for auto content
Many auto bloggers make the same mistakes, overpaying for unnecessary features or, conversely, skimping on critical components. That's what can't do:
1. Buy a gaming video card instead of a professional one
For example, RTX 4090 and RTX A6000 built on one chip (AD102), but:
- 🔧 RTX A6000 has AutoCAD certification and better stability during long renders;
- 🎮 RTX 4090 Cheaper, but may overheat during operation
24/7; - ⚖️ For auto content the difference in performance is ~5–10%, but A6000 gives
48 GB VRAM.
2. Ignore cooling
RTX 4090 at full load (render + stream) it heats up to 90–95°C. If you do not provide sufficient air exchange in the case, the video card will throttle (reduce frequencies), which will increase rendering time by 30–50%.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using a case form factormATXorITX, make sure it will fit three slots under RTX 4090 (many models take up 3.5 slots). Otherwise, you will have to remove the side cover for cooling.
3. Save on power supply
RTX 4090 at peak loads consumes up to 600 W (including processor - up to 1000 W). If you take the power supply 750 W, it will work at the limit, which will lead to:
- ⚡ PC shutdowns during rendering;
- 🔥 Overheating of cables;
- 💥 Reducing the service life of the power supply unit.
Minimum recommended block - 1000 W with certificate 80 Plus Gold.
4. Ignore future upgrades
If you plan to switch to 8K or use Unreal Engine for 3D visualization of cars, take a video card with a reserve. For example:
- 🔄 RTX 4070 today is enough for
4K, but in a year he may not be able to cope withAV1 encoding; - 🔺 RTX 4080 Super will give a reserve for
3–4 yearseven with increasing software requirements.
Alternatives to the “Bulkin” configuration: what to choose in 2026
Not everyone has a budget for RTX 4090. Let's consider alternatives that are suitable for auto content of different levels:
1. Budget up to 60,000 ₽: RTX 4070 or RX 7800 XT
- ✅ Pros: processes
4K, supports AV1 (y RTX 4070), low power consumption; - ❌ Cons:
12 GB VRAMmay not be enough forBRAW, poor performance in DaVinci Resolve (y AMD).
2. Budget 100,000–150,000 ₽: RTX 4080 Super
- ✅ Pros:
16 GB VRAM, DLSS 3 to speed up rendering, better optimization in Adobe; - ❌ Cons: more expensive RX 7900 XTX with similar performance in games (but not in editing!).
3. Professional level: RTX A5000 or RTX A6000
- ✅ Pros:
24–48 GB VRAM, certification for Autodesk, stability at24/7-render; - ❌ Cons: price (from
250 000 ₽), no support DLSS 3.
4. Exotic: Mac Studio with M2 Ultra
- ✅ Pros:
192 GB of unified memory, noiselessness, optimization for Final Cut Pro; - ❌ Cons: price (~
600 000 ₽), no support NVIDIA CUDA (important for plugins).
If you choose between NVIDIA and AMD, use this table:
| Criterion | NVIDIA (RTX 40-series) | AMD (RX 7000-series) |
|---|---|---|
| Productivity in Premiere Pro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Productivity in DaVinci Resolve | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| AV1 encoding support | ✅ (RTX 40-series) | ❌ |
| Price for 1 GB VRAM | ~7 000 ₽ | ~5 000 ₽ |
| Energy consumption | High (300–450 W) |
Average (250–350 W) |
For 90% of auto bloggers, the optimal choice will be the NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super - it offers the best balance of price, performance and software support. AMD is only suitable if you work in DaVinci Resolve or are on a budget.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions about video cards for auto content
🔹 What video card is needed for video editing with GoPro Hero 12?
Minimum requirements: RTX 3060 12 GB or RX 6700 XT. These video cards handle 5.3K@60fps in Premiere Pro, but for smooth operation it is recommended RTX 4070 (especially if you use HyperSmooth or SuperView).
Please note: files with GoPro have a high bitrate (100–160 Mbit/s), so it is also important to have a fast NVMe drive (for example, Samsung 980 Pro).
🔹 Is it possible to edit 4K video on a laptop?
Yes, but with reservations:
- 💻 Laptops with RTX 4070/4080 (for example, ASUS ROG Strix or Lenovo Legion) cope with
4K, but: - 🔋 Video cards in laptops have reduced energy consumption (on
20–30%below desktop versions); - 🌡️ Possible with long rendering throttling (performance loss due to overheating);
- 💾 It is advisable to have an external
NVMe-storage (for example,