System requirements for 4K video editing - Joule Performance Switzerland (2024)

Lightning-fast data access

When it comes to fast loading and rapid rendering, there is no way around flash memory. Solid-state drives (SSDs) are not only much faster at accessing data; they are virtually silent. Mechanical hard drives with their rotating discs create far more noise during heavy-duty use in video editing.

An M.2 SSD with PCIe bus for the operating system and a second SSD with increased capacity for the current project’s video data are ideal. This allows the video editing software to work smoothly. For AMD systems of the third, fifth and seventh generations, a PCIe 4.0 SSD is also recommended, since PCIe 4.0 SSDs are up to twice as fast as PCIe 3.0 SSDs. On the other hand, for archiving finished videos, you can certainly use an HDD, which offers much cheaper storage space

Stable power supply

The relevance of a high-quality power supply unit is often underestimated. Here, both the quality and the performance of the power supply is tremendously important in a video editing system.

The current flows from the socket as alternating current (which alternates between positive and negative) with 230 V into the power supply unit. The power supply unit converts the alternating current into direct current. The 230 V are distributed into different voltage ranges, so they supply the individual components separately. This increases the power supply’s stability when power requirements are high during the short term.

Setting the tone – for the editor too

Contemporary mainboards come ready-fitted with very good sound cards. For many users, this is perfectly adequate. But if you attach a great deal of importance to having a professional sound even at the video editing stage, you should opt for an additional sound card. However, this has no influence on the edited video’s sound quality, because this depends on the quality of the playing device and the audio track.

Conclusion

The most important components in a PC for professional video editing are the processor, the graphics card, the RAM and a speedy SSD. No expense should be spared here. Which processor is the ideal one to use very much depends on the video editing software’s design. So you would be well advised to follow the software developer’s recommendation. If you regularly work on extensive video projects, a system that delivers sub-standard performance will become a major drain on your valuable time.

System requirements for 4K video editing - Joule Performance Switzerland (2024)

FAQs

What is the minimum requirement for 4K video editing? ›

If a PC is to edit 4K videos efficiently, 32 GB of RAM is recommended. If you want to start with 16 GB and upgrade later as needed, it is important that you use the same memory modules from the same manufacturer for the expansion. Compatibility problems may arise if different modules are used.

What CPU do I need for 4K video editing? ›

1. Intel Core i9-9900K. The Intel Core i9-9900K is renowned for its exceptional performance in video editing tasks, courtesy of its high core count and clock speed. It excels in demanding scenarios, providing editors with the speed and efficiency needed for 4K editing and beyond.

What are the system requirements for Movavi? ›

Processor: Intel®, AMD®, or compatible processor, 1.5 GHz. Memory: 2 GB RAM. Graphics: Intel® HD Graphics 2000, NVIDIA® GeForce® series 8 and 8M, Quadro FX 4800, Quadro FX 5600, AMD Radeon™ R600, Mobility Radeon™ HD 4330, Mobility FirePro™ series, Radeon™ R5 M230 or higher graphics card with up-to-date drivers.

What are the system requirements for 4K photo editing? ›

To run Photoshop and perform video editing in 4K, you will need a powerful computer with specific hardware requirements to ensure smooth and efficient performance. Here are the key components and specifications to consider: CPU: Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 or higher. GPU: NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon with 4GB+ VRAM.

How much RAM does 4K video editing use? ›

A minimum of 16 GB of RAM for HD is fine, but with 4K or 6K editing, that minimum rises to 32 GB or more. Data must be quickly accessible to both the CPU and RAM so storage speed is crucial.

How many cores do I need for 4K video editing? ›

Look for CPUs with a high core count and clock speed to ensure smooth real-time playback and efficient rendering. How many cores for 4k video editing? A hexa-core or octa-core processor from Intel's Core i7 or AMD's Ryzen series is a great starting point.

Is 4K video editing CPU or GPU intensive? ›

Having a powerful GPU is essential for rendering parts of a video through which a CPU would take significantly longer to chew. That's an oversimplification, however, because ultimately, both the GPU and CPU do the heavy lifting when editing video, depending on the complexity of your scene.

What is the best value GPU for 4K video editing? ›

  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Ti. Our top choice for all types of video editor. ...
  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050. A cheap video editing GPU that won't break the bank. ...
  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090. The most powerful GPU for video editing. ...
  • AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT. Top choice from Team Red. ...
  • Nvidia Titan RTX. ...
  • Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super. ...
  • Apple Mac mini.
Mar 12, 2024

How much RAM does Movavi use? ›

System requirements
Minimum system requirements
RAM2 GB RAM
Free disk space400 MB for installation 600 MB for ongoing operations
Other
Administrator permissions are required for installation
4 more rows

How much RAM does Movavi need? ›

System requirements
Minimum system requirements
Graphics cardYour graphics card must support OpenGL 2.0 and above for the program to work correctly.
Resolution1280 × 768 screen resolution, 32-bit color
RAM2 GB
Available disk space400 MB for installation 600 MB for ongoing operations
6 more rows

What is better than Movavi? ›

1. ScreenApp. Short Summary: ScreenApp is a cloud-based screen recorder and video editor designed for streamlined communication and creation. It goes beyond Movavi basics with easy screen capture, quick edits, instant sharing, and powerful collaboration features.

Do I need SSD for 4K video editing? ›

The amount of SSD or HDD storage you need for 4K video editing will rely on the type of codecs you are working with. Surprisingly 4K footage can be very small files. In fact, HD footage can be a larger file than 4K. The key element is finding the bitrate of the file.

What are the system requirements for good video editing? ›

Key Specifications to Consider
BasicGood
CPU: As file resolution increases, so does the importance of a fast CPU.<2.8 GHz2.8 GHz - 3.8 GHz
RAM: Get what you need, because many systems can't be easily upgraded.8 GB12 GB
Screen Resolution1366x7681920x1080

What is the best CPU for Photoshop and Lightroom? ›

What CPU is best for Photoshop? Currently, the best CPU for Photoshop is Intel's Core i9 14900K. It leads the pack of other 13th & 14th Gen Core and AMD Ryzen 7000 Series processors in our Photoshop benchmark, though it is only slightly faster than the previous 13900K.

Is 16GB enough for 4K video editing? ›

16GB RAM: Will work for projects that are 1080p-4k 8bit. This will allow minor usage of background projects as well. 32GB RAM: This can carry a heavy load for video editing while still using background projects. 64GB RAM: This amount of RAM can handle 8K footage in 10bit or more.

What is the minimum requirements for Premiere Pro 4K? ›

16 GB of Ram for HD media and 32 GB of Ram for 4k media. 16 GB of unified memory on Apple Silicon GPUs, 4 GB of GPU for HD workflows on Intel GPUs, and 6 GB of unified memory for 4k and higher resolution workflows. A fast SSD for storage, app installation, and cache.

What are the requirements for 4K resolution? ›

There are two standard resolutions for 4K video. The Digital Cinema Initiatives standard for 4K resolution in the film and video production industry is 4096x2160 pixels. The 4K resolution standard for television and monitors is 3840x2160 pixels.

Do I need a 4K monitor for 4K editing? ›

While 4K enables sharpening images with finer precision, a lower-resolution monitor may be more comfortable for extended use. For 4K video editing, though, he recommends a 4K monitor to view full resolution.

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