9 High-Performance Computers for Video Editing in 2024

By Robin Owens 20 days ago, Hardware

Video editing PCs with powerful processor and graphics.

top 3 computers for video editing

Working with video requires a lot of patience and solid hardware, especially for beginners. With a specialized computer for video editing, you'll be able to create amazing videos that showcase your creativity and skills. You also can practice with the laptop for video editing, but desktop options are more powerful and can handle all levels of tasks without heating.

Top 9 Computers for Video Editing

  1. Apple iMac - Our choice
  2. HP Envy Desktop - Best for Windows
  3. Microsoft Surface Studio 2 - Touch-sensitive display
  4. HP Pavilion - For multitask work
  5. Lenovo IdeaCentre 3i - Affordable
  6. HP OMEN 30L - For working with 4K video
  7. ROG Strix G15CK - Comprehensive cooling system
  8. Skytech Archangel - For 1080p gaming
  9. Alienware Aurora R14 - Configurable

When choosing the best computer for video editing, make sure you have a high-end processor, plenty of RAM, good storage options, and a powerful graphics card with a high amount of VRAM. You want a monitor that can handle 4K videos, as this will ensure you're getting the most accurate and detailed view of your footage.

1. Apple iMac (24”, M1, 2021)

Our choice
apple imac computer for video editing

CPU: M1 chip | GPU: Radeon Pro 555X or Radeon Pro 560X | RAM: Up to 16GB | Screen: 24-inches | Storage: Up to 2TB

  • ✚ Suitable for resource-intensive software
  • ✚ More affordable than other iMacs
  • ✚ Display with a maximum brightness of 500 nits
  • Not as upgradable as the Mac Pro (2019) for professional workflows
Rating

The Apple iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021) is stylish and easy to set up, making it a great Mac for video editing. It also has a 4.5K Retina display, which is perfect for video improving, delivering ultra-high resolution and supporting the DCI-P3 color space.

apple imac video editing pc

The Apple M1 chip is incredibly fast and efficient, delivering superior performance for heavy-duty tasks. While the video editing PC may not have the processing power of some more expensive computers, it's still a great option for hobbyists and those on a budget. Just be aware of the limited ports and potential need for additional accessories.

2. HP Envy Desktop

Best for Windows
hp envy desktop computer for video editing

CPU: 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 770 | RAM: Up to 16GB | Storage: 512GB

  • ✚ Good storage capacity
  • ✚ Advanced thermal management solution
  • ✚ Abundance of ports
  • May not have enough power for some tasks
  • Not for Mac fans
Rating

The HP Envy Desktop has a powerful processor, making it perfect for handling the intense load of video enhancing. It also has a good graphics card, which is essential for handling video editing software.

hp envy desktop video editing pc

This desktop for video editing has an EPEAT Gold rating, meaning it's environmentally friendly, and it has advanced thermal management to keep system components cool.

In terms of problems with usage, some users have reported issues with the WiFi connectivity. However, these issues seem to be rare and can usually be fixed with a simple troubleshooting process.

3. Microsoft Surface Studio 2

Touch-sensitive display
microsoft surface studio 2 computer for video editing

CPU: Intel Core i7 | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce | RAM: Up to 32GB | Screen: 28” | Storage: Up to 2TB

  • ✚ Great option for creative professionals
  • ✚ Touchscreen display with Surface pen support
  • ✚ Fast SSD for storage
  • No Thunderbolt 3 port
  • Slightly reflective screen
Rating

The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is the computer that's touted as the perfect computer for video editing. The 28'' PixelSense display uses a 3:2 aspect ratio. This computer for photo editing has a very high resolution of 4500 x 3000 pixels and is excellent for basic and advanced tasks.

The screen also supports touch functionality, allowing you to navigate the machine with your finger or the Surface pen.

microsoft surface studio 2 video editing pc

The Surface Studio 2’s powerful processor, Nvidia GeForce graphics card, large hard drive and ability to handle 4K videos make it an excellent choice for professionals who want to work with high-end video production software. The machine can handle most editing and rendering applications, including Adobe Premiere Pro, Lightroom, and more.

4. HP Pavilion

For multitask work
hp pavilion computer for video editing

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5700G | GPU: AMD Radeon | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB

  • ✚ Wide variety of components to choose from
  • ✚ Compatible with the latest software
  • ✚ 9 full-sized ports
  • Require additional upgrades for certain software
  • Comes without a screen by default
Rating

The HP Pavilion is a great choice for those who want to edit high-quality videos at home. This video editing PC is powerful and has a good amount of storage space, which makes it easier to edit large files.

It has at least 16GB of RAM and a powerful computer processor, which ensures that the software runs smoothly and isn't slowed down by other processes running on your machine.

hp pavilion video editing pc

There are plenty of connectors on the side that will allow you to add a more powerful graphics card or a bigger hard drive. It also comes with a USB-C port, which is useful for connecting to other devices.

5. Lenovo IdeaCentre 3i

Affordable
lenovo ideacentre 3i computer for video editing

CPU: Intel Pentium Gold G7400 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 710 | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB SSD plus 2TB HDD

  • ✚ Powerful Intel processor
  • ✚ Smoothly stream 4K content
  • ✚ HDMI port and USB 3.0 port
  • Only for Window users
  • Display not included
Rating

The Lenovo IdeaCentre 3i is an affordable desktop for video editing, which is great for those who want to start working with clips and movies without breaking the bank. It's also very quiet, which is a rare fact for computers of this kind.

This desktop computer has a powerful processor, a decent amount of RAM and storage. The computer also has a sleek design and is made of metal, which gives it a high-end look and feel.

As you explore your video editing journey, consider complementing your hardware with the right software. There are free video editor options available that can perfectly align with your budget-friendly approach.

As you explore your video editing journey, consider complementing your hardware with the right software. There are free video editor options available that can perfectly align with your budget-friendly approach.

6. HP OMEN 30L

For working with 4K video
hp omen 30l computer for video editing

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | GPU: GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD

  • ✚ Powerful processor and GPU
  • ✚ Customizable lighting
  • ✚ Relatively cheap
  • The fans can get pretty noisy
  • The computer can get hot
Rating

The HP OMEN 30L has a lot of power and performance, which is essential for movie editors who need to process and render their projects quickly and smoothly. The GPU and processor make it capable of handling almost any task, even high-resolution projects with smooth frame rates.

hp omen 30l video editing pc

This video editing computer also has enough memory capacity, which is crucial for working with movies. The computer for animation is also easy to upgrade and customizable, meaning you can get it up to speed without breaking the bank.

7. ROG Strix G15CK

Comprehensive cooling system
rog strix g15ck computer for video editing

CPU: Intel Core i7-10700KF 8-core | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB

  • ✚ Attractive design with transparent panel
  • ✚ Affordable price for gaming enthusiasts
  • ✚ Customizable RGB chassis lighting
  • May not be suitable for professional editors
  • Monitor must be purchased separately
Rating

The ROG Strix G15CK is a gaming PC packed with high-end components, making it a great option for serious video improving tasks. The CPU is powerful enough to handle heavyweight editing apps with ease. The graphics card delivers smooth graphics for fast-paced esports titles and smoother gameplay.

rog strix g15ck video editing pc

The multi-zone chassis keeps the CPU, graphics card, and power supply in separate chambers to minimize thermal interference and lower ambient temperatures while pushing processor clocks and frequencies higher for better overall performance.

8. Skytech Archangel

For 1080p gaming
skytech archangel computer for video editing

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core | GPU: GeForce GTX 1660 Super | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 500GB

  • ✚ All basic components needed for video improving
  • ✚ Fans for maximum air flow
  • ✚ Budget gaming system
  • RAM may not be enough for 4K editing
  • Doesn't have a large enough SSD
Rating

The Skytech Archangel is a computer for video editing with enough RAM to accommodate multiple projects running at once, without losing performance. It has a good processor and a decent graphics card that will work with the latest video enhancing software.

While the Skytech Archangel is meant to be a great desktop computer under $1000, it can also be used for light editing tasks. If you're a professional editor, you might find that it lacks some of the higher-end features that you need for more complex projects.

9. Alienware Aurora R14

Configurable
alienware aurora r14 computer for video editing

CPU: 12-core AMD Ryzen | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB

  • ✚ Large hard drive with additional storage options
  • ✚ Good range of ports
  • ✚ Easy to upgrade
  • Expensive
  • Bulky and heavy
Rating

The Alienware Aurora R14 is equipped with the best budget CPU for video editing that can handle 24 threads at once, so you can perform complex tasks with ease. This computer for graphic design is also got a whopping 70 MB total cache, which means that it runs smoothly and fast at all times.

alienware aurora r14 video editing pc

In terms of memory and storage space, the Aurora R14 has a good amount of both. What's more, you can easily change the processor and add a new graphics card, as well as upgrade the RAM.

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
computer for video editing apple imac
Apple iMac (24”, M1, 2021)
OUR CHOICE
  • M1 chip
  • Radeon Pro 555X or Radeon Pro 560X
  • RAM: Up to 16GB
  • Storage: Up to 2TB
CHECK PRICE
computer for video editing hp envy desktop
HP Envy Desktop
FOR WINDOWS
  • 12th Generation Intel Core i7-12700
  • Intel UHD Graphics 770
  • RAM: Up to 16GB
  • Storage: 512GB
CHECK PRICE
computer for video editing microsoft surface studio 2
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
TOUCH-SENSITIVE
  • Intel Core i7 NVIDIA GeForce
  • RAM: Up to 32GB
  • Screen: 28”
  • Storage: Up to 2TB
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Computer for Video Editing?

When editing clips, you will need something more powerful than a regular assembled PC or workstation laptop. Assembling your own desktop for video editing and multimedia and carefully selecting each component according to your needs, it is easy to achieve maximum performance.

how to choose computers for video editing

CPU. You want to make sure you have a high-end processor with multiple cores and a good clock speed.

  • Quad-core processor is optimal for 1080p preview and encoding.
  • Six-core processor is optimal for 4K encoding.
  • 6-8-core processor is optimal for 4K preview.

For Adobe Premiere Pro, it is better to use 8-12 logical cores and clock speed above 3.0 GHz. Therefore, Intel Core i7-8700K (12- logical cores, 3.7 GHz) is a popular processor for professional editing workstations.

GPU. You want a powerful graphics card for video editing to ensure smooth playback and rendering of your clips. Look for a graphics card with a high amount of VRAM (video RAM) for the best performance.

RAM. Look for at least 8 GB of RAM, but consider getting more if you have a large collection of videos or a lot of complex projects.

video editing pc how to choose

Storage. You'll want a solid SSD for the operating system and main applications, but a large-capacity hard drive is recommended for long-term storage. It's also important to consider the video resolution you plan on working with, as this will impact the amount of storage space you need.

Monitor. You'll want a display that can handle 4K videos and has accurate colors, so you can see your footage as it truly is. This is especially important if you plan on color grading your videos. It's also a good idea to look for a monitor for video editing with a high refresh rate, so you can see your edits in real-time without any lag.

FAQ

  • • Is a higher-priced computer always better for video editing?

Not necessarily. While pricier computers often offer top-tier specs, the key is to strike a balance between your editing needs and your budget. A well-optimized mid-range computer can deliver impressive performance without breaking the bank.

  • • Can I use a gaming computer for video editing?

Yes, gaming computers with strong CPUs and GPUs can often handle video editing tasks. However, ensure that it has ample RAM and storage as well, as video editing can be more demanding than gaming in certain aspects.

  • • Should I go for a laptop or a desktop for video editing?

Both options have their merits. Laptops offer portability, allowing you to edit on the go, while desktops usually offer more customization and raw power due to their larger form factor.

  • • How much RAM do I need for editing?

For smooth video editing, aim for at least 16GB of RAM. If you're working with 4K or higher-resolution footage or using complex effects, consider 32GB or more for optimal performance.

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