What to Consider When Buying a Computer for Video Editing

Home / Handy Tips / Video Editing

With so much video content online and the demand for it increasing, having a good video editing computer is a must if you regularly edit videos.

However, not all computers are the same, and videos are big files. Therefore, you need to choose one that has the power to make video editing a breeze.

This article guides you through the key factors to consider when selecting a computer for video editing, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned professional.

• Which is better? A desktop or a laptop?
• Your computer needs the right specifications
• HDD or SSD?
• You’ll need a high-resolution display with colour accuracy
• Include video editing software in your budget

Which is better? A desktop or a laptop?

This is often more about preference rather than performance. However, desktop computers are still the preference for powerful video editing and maintain a monopoly.

Another advantage of editing video on a desktop computer is screen size. It’s far easier to edit on a large monitor than a smaller laptop screen. Attention to detail counts and the more screen real estate you have, the better your editing will be. It’s also kinder on the eyes when viewing a large screen, rather than squinting at a 13-inch monitor.

If you prefer to edit on the go or sip coffee in your favourite cafe while working, then choose  a laptop with a 16-inch screen.

Your computer needs the right specifications

Whether you’re building your video editing computer or are looking for a pre-built model, there are three important specs you need to consider:

1. CPU
2. Memory
3. Graphics card

CPU

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain behind your video editing. You’ll want to choose a powerful processor to handle large and complex files.

Memory

How much RAM you have dictates how much work you can do at once. The more RAM, the more data your video editing software can handle simultaneously. You’ll want at least 16GB of RAM to comfortably handle 1080p video files. If you’re working on 4K videos, you’ll need 32GB or more.

Graphics card

The GPU handles image rendering and accelerates video editing operations. Opt for a dedicated rather than an integrated graphics card, such as the NVIDIA RTX 2080. This is a fantastic card for video editing, so long as you also have a powerful CPU.

HDD or SSD?

Many computers come standard with a HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The HDD offers a more cost-effective storage option for large video files, but a SSD (Solid-State Drive) is superior. HDDs struggle when dealing with large amounts of data. They are slower and less reliable.

If you’ll be working on 4K footage, a SSD is the best option for speed, reliability and performance. While you might witness stuttering frames when compiling multiple clips on a HDD-based computer, you won’t experience this using a SSD. You may want to install multiple SSDs to isolate source footage, projects, and your operating system.

You’ll need a high-resolution display with colour accuracy

You now have all the right specifications for a powerful and reliable video editing computer, but it will all mean nothing without the right display.

For desktop users, it’s easy to upgrade to a superior monitor at any time. If you’re editing on a laptop, choose a model equipped with a high-quality display built-in.

Another thing to consider is 4K video. Maybe you won’t start out editing such high resolution videos, but it could be something you’ll handle down the track. If 4K editing is a possibility, choose a display of 3840 by 2160 pixels or more. Anything less and you won’t be able to edit your videos at full 4K resolution.

Colour accuracy is important for professional video editors. It’s just as vital as screen resolution. A key stage of video editing is colour grading, as it can completely change the tone of the film. You need to properly calibrate your monitor for colour accuracy.

Include video editing software in your budget

The computer you build or purchase for video editing is not much use if you don’t allow for quality video editing software in your budget. It’s wise to choose your preferred video editing software first, so you’ll know how much money you have remaining for your computer.

Premium video editing software isn’t cheap. For example, Apple’s Final Cut Pro can cost upwards of $400. Adobe’s Premier Pro and After Effects are now on a subscription model, costing around $30 monthly.