You don't need the latest and greatest for effective video editing. What you do need is a balanced system with key components:

An Intel CPU (12th gen or later) with integrated graphics (iGPU) is crucial. The iGPU's QuickSync feature enables smooth hardware decoding and encoding for various video formats, eliminating the need for intermediates or proxies.

For the GPU, an NVIDIA RTX with at least 6GB VRAM is ideal, especially for 4K work. While AMD or Intel options are viable, NVIDIA's CUDA offers more stable effects acceleration and better hardware encoding.

RAM is essential: 32GB is now standard for editing, with 64GB providing even smoother performance. For storage, invest in dedicated fast drives separate from your system SSD.

This setup balances performance and cost-effectiveness, allowing for smooth editing of most video formats without requiring the absolute newest hardware.

I've put together what I believe to be an excellent PC build for video editing in 2024. This setup is designed to handle even the most demanding video editing tasks with ease. Let's break it down:

1. CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K (24-core, 3.2 GHz)

   • A powerhouse for multi-threaded tasks like rendering and encoding.

2. CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black

   • Top-tier air cooling to keep that i9 running cool and quiet.

3. Motherboard: Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX

   • Solid Z790 board with great VRMs for the i9 and plenty of connectivity options.

4. Memory: 128GB (4x32GB) G.Skill Flare X5 DDR5-5600 CL36

   • Massive amount of fast DDR5 RAM for handling large projects and multiple apps.

5. Storage: Acer Predator GM7000 4TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD

   • Fast, spacious storage for your OS, apps, and project files.

6. GPU: Gigabyte GAMING OC GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER 16GB

   • Excellent for GPU-accelerated effects and encoding. Alternative: RTX 4080 or 4090 depending on your budget and needs.

7. Case: Fractal Design Pop Air RGB ATX Mid Tower

   • Good airflow and RGB for those who like a bit of flair.

8. PSU: Corsair RM1000e 1000W 80+ Gold

   • Plenty of clean, efficient power for this high-end system.

This build offers a great balance of CPU power for timeline scrubbing and rendering, ample RAM for complex projects, fast storage, and strong GPU performance for effects and encoding. The 4080 SUPER is a great choice, but if you work with 8K footage or heavy GPU-accelerated effects, consider stretching for the 4090.

Total cost (excluding the PSU) comes to about $3000, which is a solid investment for a professional-grade editing rig that should serve you well for years to come.

For a high-performance video editing PC with a budget around $3000, here's a recommended configuration:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X or Intel Core i9-14900K

• Both CPUs offer excellent multi-core performance for video editing tasks
• Choose based on your preference and budget

GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER or RTX 4090

• These high-end GPUs provide optimal performance for 4K video editing and effects rendering
• Consider the RTX 4090 if your budget allows for even better performance

RAM: 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR5 or faster

• Plenty of RAM is crucial for smooth 4K video editing and multitasking
• Consider faster RAM speeds for AMD Ryzen processors

Storage:

• OS & Applications: 2TB NVMe SSD (e.g., Samsung 990 Pro, WD Black SN850X)
• Project Files & Footage: 4TB NVMe SSD (for fast access) + 8TB or larger HDD (for bulk storage)

Motherboard:

• For AMD: X670 or B650 chipset with good VRMs and features (e.g., ASUS ROG Strix, Gigabyte Aorus, MSI MPG series)
• For Intel: Z790 chipset with good VRMs and features (e.g., ASUS ROG Strix, Gigabyte Aorus, MSI MPG series)

Cooling:

• CPU: High-performance air cooler (e.g., Noctua NH-D15) or 280mm/360mm AIO liquid cooler
• Case: Ensure good airflow with multiple fans for optimal cooling

Power Supply:

• 1000W or higher 80+ Gold certified PSU from a reputable brand (e.g., Corsair, Seasonic, EVGA)

Other Considerations:

• Choose a case with good build quality, cable management, and airflow
• Consider a color-accurate IPS monitor for video editing (e.g., LG, ASUS ProArt, BenQ)
• Invest in a comfortable keyboard and mouse for long editing sessions

Remember to allocate your budget based on your specific needs and preferences. Prioritize the CPU, GPU, and RAM for the best video editing performance.

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X

GPU: RTX 4080 SUPER

RAM: 32GBx2 DDR5 6400MHz CL32

Motherboard: X870E motherboard

Waiting for Intel Arrow Lake-S series CPUs and RTX 5000 series GPUs.

For efficient video editing, you need:

Intel CPU (12th gen or newer) with integrated GPU (K, KS, or standard). The iGPU's QuickSync feature enables smooth hardware decoding for H.264/H.265 formats without proxy files.

NVIDIA RTX GPU with minimum 6GB VRAM for comfortable 4K editing (4GB suffices for HD work). While AMD/Intel GPUs work, NVIDIA's CUDA offers better stability for effects and superior encoding quality. QuickSync excels at H.264/H.265 decoding, though GPU decoding may work better for certain camera formats.

32GB RAM is now standard for editing, especially 4K content. While 16GB handles HD projects, 64GB provides noticeably smoother performance across all workflows, even if RAM usage rarely exceeds 25GB.

Storage should be fast and plentiful, separate from your system drive. Options include:

• Dedicated SSD
• RAID setup
• External USB 3.0 SSD

This configuration ensures smooth editing of modern video formats without constant rendering or proxy creation.