Best Computer for Video Editing: Your Ultimate Guide to HP Workstations and Deals
You may have captured the best footage ever on film, but to make a Scorsese-worthy final movie your computer has to be able to handle video editing and the processing power it requires.
While you may know about the various programs video editors use on a regular basis, you may start to feel a bit overwhelmed when it comes to evaluating processor speed or SSD storage.
We’re here to help with a guide that includes our picks for the best video editing computers and the technical specs you’ll need to get your work done. We also made sure to include desktops in a variety of price ranges so you can find one that meets your budget, too.
1. HP Z8 Fury G5 Tower Workstation
The HP Z8 Fury G5 Tower Workstation is a video-editing dream machine. This high-performance desktop computer is our top pick for the best computer for video editing, featuring Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, an Intel® Xeon® Processor, and NVIDIA® T400 Graphics (4 GB GDDR6) to get you intimately close to your work.
Max memory and storage
The HP Z8 Fury G5 Tower Workstation is one of the top computers for video editing, equipped with 16 GB ECC memory, providing ample capacity for multitasking and efficient operation. Storage is no issue with a 512 GB M.2 storage included, and options for larger or faster SSDs are available.
Incredibly versatile and powerful
The HP Z8 Fury G5 Tower Workstation stands out for its exceptional adaptability and power. This PC caters to professional needs, offering great value for serious video editing tasks. It can be customized with more powerful processors and graphics cards, ensuring swift performance for demanding tasks like 4K video editing and 3D rendering.
What sets this PC apart is its potential for upgrades. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or a professional creative, you can begin with the essential configuration and enhance it over time. The processor options extend to the formidable Intel® Xeon® series, allowing you to keep pace with evolving technological demands.
2. HP Z2 Small Form Factor G9 Workstation
The HP Z2 Small Form Factor G9 Workstation is a compact yet powerful desktop computer designed for professionals who need high performance in a space-saving form factor. It runs on Windows 11 Pro, providing a modern and secure operating environment.
At its core is the 12th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 processor, making it suitable for intensive multitasking and demanding applications. For graphics, it uses the Intel® UHD Graphics 730, providing reliable performance for everyday computing tasks and video editing.
The workstation comes with 8 GB memory and 256 GB M.2 SSD storage, ensuring fast data access and boot times. This configuration can be upgraded to meet your specific video editing needs.
3. HP Z4 G5 Tower Workstation
The HP Z4 G5 Tower Workstation is a powerful video editing desktop designed to cater to various professional needs with a wide range of processor options. It offers Windows 11 Pro for Workstations and an Intel® Xeon® W3-2423 Processor (2.1 GHz, 15 MB cache, 6 core, 120W). These processors are suitable for a variety of tasks, from everyday computing to more intensive applications like video editing and 3D modeling.
The AMD Radeon™ RX 6400 Graphics with 4 GB GDDR6 graphics memory provide solid visual performance, crucial for creative and technical tasks.
Expandable Memory and Storage
The workstation starts with a base configuration of 16 GB memory, which can be upgraded to handle more demanding applications and multitasking requirements. For storage, it offers 512 GB M.2 storage, ensuring quick boot times, fast data access, and ample space for large video files and applications.
4. HP OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop GT22-2000t
Video editing PCs and gaming PCs have a lot in common. They both need high-end graphics processing, speed, and plenty of RAM. The HP OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop GT22-2000t makes our list as one of the best desktops for video and photo editing.
It boasts a Windows 11 Home operating system and an Intel® Core™ i7-14700K processor (up to 5.6 GHz, 33 MB L3 cache, 20 cores, 28 threads) to handle multi-threaded apps.
Powerful video editing graphics
The NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 Ti (8 GB GDDR6 dedicated) GPU delivers HDR gaming with millisecond-sized latency and elevated frame rates. The card’s video RAM and monitor support make it excellent for cranking out high-quality video editing projects.
Kingston FURY 16 GB DDR5-5200 MHz XMP RGB Heatsink RAM (2 x 8 GB) and optional dual-storage make this one of the best non-workstation video editing PCs available.
5. HP OMEN 40L Gaming Desktop GT21-1000m
The gaming and video editing crossover continues with the HP OMEN 40L Gaming Desktop GT21-1000m. All the pro-gamer tech packed into this device is integrated to push gamers, and professional video editors, to new levels.
The HP OMEN 40L edits video with ease, thanks to an AMD Ryzen™ 5 7600 RGB Air Cooler (up to 5.1 GHz max boost clock, 32 MB L3 cache, 6 cores, 12 threads). You can load it with Kingston FURY 8 GB DDR5-5200 MHz XMP RGB Heatsink RAM (1 x 8 GB) to make sure your renders stay real time.
Its NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060 (8 GB GDDR6X dedicated) graphics card works like a champ with Adobe Premiere Pro and other video editing software, thanks to orders-of-magnitude faster processing than the competition for both Premiere Pro performance and 4K playback. It also renders 3D fast, keeping your PC cool and quiet.
How many cores does a video editing PC really need?
It’s important to note that while computers have a single processor chip, that chip typically has anywhere from 1 to 10 cores. Dual (2) and quad (4) cores are the most common options, although specialist PCs such as the HP Z8 Fury G5 Tower Workstation can have even more cores.
Generally speaking, more cores mean faster processing, but that’s not always true. More cores are faster only if programs can split up the tasks for the cores, and not every program can do this.
Cores vs clock speed
Clock speed also makes a difference in how fast your computer is. For example, a newer dual-core with a high clock speed is usually faster than a quad-core from a previous generation. It’s also important to keep power consumption in mind. With more cores, you’ll be consuming more power, which means higher heat levels and the need for additional cooling solutions.
What’s most crucial here is knowing specifics about the software you’re using for editing, because the best programs are often developed to maximize multiple processors. Look into your software of choice to help determine how many cores you need.
What about RAM?
Too little RAM is a big problem when it comes to selecting a good computer for video editing. Most digital filmmaking software performs perfectly fine with 8GB or 16GB of memory if you’re editing in 1080p without any other programs open.
RAM is a major consideration for film pros who plan to use their video editing computer as their main workstation. For example, if you’re using a few editing tools at a time, you’ll want to opt for more memory like 32GB or even 64GB, especially if you’re working in 4K.
Most of the options on our list start at 8GB or 16GB of RAM, but you can upgrade to get more RAM.
More RAM is better for video editing
Our recommendation? Opt for the extra RAM. When you’re operating close to capacity, the whole system slows down, and when you’re working in a medium such as film, the lag can really impede your workflow.
Processors are key to rendering
RAM doesn’t necessarily affect the rendering speed of your film projects, though. Instead, the CPU and GPU are the components responsible for speed, responsiveness, and ensuring visual representations like color adjustments and layer blending meet your expectations.
Is SSD storage a big deal in a video editing computer?
An SSD features no moving parts and can read and write data faster than a traditional hard drive. An SSD takes some of the pressure off of other components, like your graphics card and your RAM, making for better all-around performance.
If you upgrade to an SSD, you’ll notice a big difference when you first open a program. For example, Adobe software won’t take an extended period of time to load up, so you’re no longer left waiting every time you sit down to get some work done.
SSDs are not generally available in units over 2TB. You also want to avoid units that offer less than 256GB of space – it’ll fill up fast if you’re editing video content.
Summary
You’re probably approaching your next computer purchase with cost vs value at the forefront of your decision-making process. Remember, though, if you’re looking for high performance video editing, you’ll want to look for the equipment that meets your editing programs’ needs. Narrow your search for the best computer for video editing and multimedia by reviewing the software specs of the programs you plan to use.
Your strongest bet when selecting a video editing computer is to choose a device that exceeds the minimum requirements needed to support the software you plan to work with. You’re setting yourself up for frustration if you don’t invest in the necessary specs.
About the Author: Tom Gerencer is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Tom is an ASJA journalist, career expert at Zety.com, and a regular contributor to Boys' Life and Scouting magazines. His work is featured in Costco Connection, FastCompany, and many more.
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