What Is GPU Rendering? Pros, Cons, and Best Software Options

Discover what GPU Rendering is, its pros and cons, and the best software for faster, more efficient 3D workflows. Ideal for Blender and render farm users.

What Is GPU Rendering?

To begin with, it uses the Graphics Processing Unit to process and generate images, instead of relying on the CPU alone.

Unlike CPUs, which are optimized for general tasks, GPUs are built for handling thousands of calculations at the same time. This makes them especially powerful for rendering tasks, where many parts of an image are computed in parallel.

In short, GPU rendering allows 3D artists to achieve faster results — particularly in software that supports GPU-accelerated engines like Blender’s Cycles.

Advantages and Disadvantages of GPU Rendering in Blender

Advantages

Now, let’s take a look at the main benefits of using:

1. Faster Rendering Times

One of the biggest benefits is speed. GPUs can render images much faster than CPUs, especially when working with high-resolution frames or animations.

2. Real-Time Previews

GPU rendering provides smoother and quicker preview renders, helping you make creative decisions faster.

3. Easy to Scale with Render Farms

When using a Blender Render Farm like 3S Cloud Render Farm, it’s much easier to scale GPU power by connecting to multiple high-end machines — no need to upgrade your local hardware.

As a result, you can render complex scenes efficiently without slowing down your own computer.

Disadvantages

1. Memory Limits

GPUs have limited VRAM compared to CPUs with access to system RAM. If your scene is too large for the GPU memory, it can crash or slow down.

2. Compatibility Issues

Not all 3D software or plugins support GPU. You’ll need to make sure your tools are compatible.

That said, most modern software like Blender now fully supports GPU-based workflows.

Image source: Blender Nation

GPU vs. CPU Rendering: Which One Should You Use?

So, should you choose GPU or CPU rendering? It depends on your project.

For speed and real-time feedback, GPU rendering is the better choice.
For large, complex scenes or software that doesn’t support GPU acceleration, CPU rendering may still be useful.

Ideally, combine both for flexibility — and when needed, connect to a cloud render farm like 3S for more power.

Best Software for GPU Rendering

Here are some popular ones:

Blender (Cycles & Eevee)
Octane Render
Redshift
V-Ray (GPU mode)
Arnold (GPU version)

Among these, Blender is a favorite because it’s free, powerful, and optimized for GPU rendering. And when paired with a Blender Render Farm, it becomes even more efficient.

Why Use a Blender Render Farm?

Sometimes, even a high-end GPU isn’t enough. That’s where a cloud-based Blender Render Farm like 3S Cloud Render Farm helps:

Access powerful GPU servers instantly
Upload your .blend file and render from anywhere
Save time and free up your local machine

Most importantly, it’s affordable and scalable based on your project size.

Conclusion

In summary, GPU rendering is one of the best choices for 3D artists who want speed, flexibility, and modern workflow support. It’s ideal for most Blender users — and when paired with a cloud-based Blender Render Farm, you get maximum performance with minimal setup.

So if you’re looking to render smarter and faster, consider making GPU rendering a part of your workflow.