10 Best CPU for Video Editing – Complete Guide 2021

When you’re building a video editing PC, there are a few key components that you must not compromise on. The most important of those components is the processor. Most, if not all of today’s video editing software relies heavily on the CPU. Sure, there are some that support GPU acceleration, but it’s the CPU that handles most of the load.

This is the main reason why anyone looking to build a video editing PC should invest in a good CPU. A processor with a sufficient number of cores and threads, a good microarchitecture, along with a high clock speed is ideal for video editing. 

Video Editing CPUs Comparison Table

PRODUCT	FEATURES	LATEST PRICE
1. AMD Ryzen 9 3950X	Native PLCe Gen 4.0 Very fast Amazing power efficiency	Check Price
2. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Processor	Supports PCLe 4.0 Outperforms Intel Has 12 cores	Check Price
3. Intel 9th Gen Core i9-9900K Processor	128 GB memory capacity Single and double-threaded workloads	Check Price
4. AMD Ryzen 7 3800X Processor	PLCe 4.0 Bundled cooler	Check Price
5. AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Processor	Great for gaming PCI express 4 Low power consumption	Check Price
6. Intel 9th Gen Core i7-9700K Processor	Great single-core performance Handles 3D graphics High frame rate	Check Price
7. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor	AM4 motherboards Great price point Improves gaming performance	Check Price
8. AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor	Supports AM4 motherboards Affordable High quality	Check Price
9. Intel Core i5-9600K	Good multitasking skills Integrated graphics Great overclocking abilities	Check Price
10. AMD Ryzen 5 2600	Phenomenal overall performance Bundles cooler Performs well in multi-threaded apps	Check Price

What should you look for when buying the best CPU for video editing?

Not every CPU is good for video editing, even those that cost quite a bit. There are a few things that can help quite a bit with a video editing workflow, and those are the ones worth investing in. The ones worth mentioning are the cores, the threads, and less important the processor’s clock speed.

There are a lot of components that need to be married together to make a great video editing PC. Needless to say that the CPU is one of, if not the most important component. Let’s take a look at what’s actually worth your money, and we’ll touch upon the roles of the CPU and GPU in video editing.

Cores and the Threads

In this day and age, we wouldn’t recommend anything below a four-core CPU for video editing. Video editing software does take advantage of multiple cores and threads, and the performance of said software often scales directly with higher performance CPUs that have multiple cores. Examples of high-performance video editing CPUs are AMD’s Ryzen 9 3950X and Ryzen 9 3900X, or Intel’s Core i9-9900K with the 9900K having 8 cores and 16 threads, the 3900X having 12 cores and 24 threads, and the 3950X having an amazing 16 cores and 32 processing threads. That’s not to say you can’t edit videos without them, but more cores and more threads do help. For example, with Premiere Pro, you’ll notice a rapid increase in performance as you increase the core count up to 10 cores. After that, there’s still an increase, but it’s not as obvious.

Clock Speed

The other important aspect of the CPU is clock speed. However, it is important to note that the clock speed of a CPU is only important if the CPU has a sufficient number of cores and threads along with an efficient microarchitecture. As you increase the clock speed, the software works a lot better. This means that processors with high clock speeds overall perform better. With the examples CPUs we mentioned above, the Ryzen 3950X and 3900X would be the better choice even though their clock speeds are slightly lower because they have significantly more cores and threads than the 9900K. One more thing to note here is that if you edit videos in higher resolutions, such as 4K, the benefit of a more powerful CPU will be much more obvious.

CPU VS GPU for Video Editing

So, which one is more important for video editing, the CPU or the GPU? Well, if you were to ask this a few years ago, it would undoubtedly be the CPU. And overall, it’s still the CPU, but a good GPU will be beneficial, especially if you’re using Premiere Pro. Adobe has constantly increased GPU use with Premiere Pro, so a modern GPU will certainly help. Considering that video encoding is a very CPU-intensive task, you’ll want most of your money to go towards the CPU. However, if you use GPU-accelerated effects in your videos, note that Premiere Pro, for example, makes use of the CUDA cores to render those effects much better. GPU-accelerated effects are used a lot in video editing, so it’s actually something that depends on your specific workload. But in the end, you’ll want to spend more on the CPU, as this is what will give you the most benefit when you’re editing video.

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Video Editing Processors

With the “buyers’ guide” out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the best video editing processors money can buy today. They’re all excellent, but have varying strengths and come at differing price points. Which one you choose to go for is completely up to you.

1. AMD Ryzen 9 3950X

AMD’s latest offering is also its brightest, especially when it comes to video editing.

AMD’s Ryzen 3950Xcosts a bit more than the Intel Core i9-9900K and doesn’t come with a cooler.Normally, this would’ve been a deal breaker. However, the Ryzen 3950X does literally come with twice more cores and threads.

Yes, you read that right. The Ryzen 3950X comes with 16 cores and 32 threads, which is twice more than what the Intel Core i9-900K.

Of course, by the multi-core and threaded performance, we’ve already known for a while that the3900X was comfortably ahead of the i9-9900K when it comes to workloads that made use of the extra cores and threads.

Like, for example, video editing.

Considering that the 3950X has even more cores and threads, it’s safe to say that it’s going to perform considerably better than the i9-9900K. All in all, the Ryzen 9 3950X is a high performing processor that is great for a video editing PC.

 

Pros:

• Very fast
• Native PLCe Gen 4.0
• Amazing power efficiency
• Most motherboards are compatible with it

Cons:

• Slightly higher price point

Additional Features

• 4.7 GHz max boost
• 1 cache-1 MB
• PCI express version-PCIe 4.0 x16

AMD Ryzen 9 3950X Specs:

Architecture	Zen 2
Socket	AM4
Cores / Threads	16 / 32
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.5 GHz / 4.7 GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	3200 MHz / Dual-Channel
Cache	73MB
Integrated Graphics	No
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes
TDP	105W
Process	7nm

2. AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Processor

If you take a look at AMD’s Zen 2 lineup, the Ryzen 9 3900X is a great option. Its a high core count, high-frequency beast capable of rendering videos very quickly, even at higher resolutions.

The sheer number of cores and threads is impressive – 12 and 24 respectively, and it manages to perform better than Intel’s competition here. The base clock is fairly high at 3.8 GHz, but during rendering when you need a bit more, there’s a maximum boost of 4.6 GHz. This should be more than enough, but you can still overclock it quite a bit since it’s an unlocked CPU.

Like AMD promised with their first-generation Ryzen processors, the 3900X still uses the AM4 socket. It’s made on a 7nm process, which is the latest and greatest and is one of the main advantages AMD has over Intel. Memory support is dual-channel, at 3200 Mhz, and the CPU comes with a 105W TDP.

All things considered, if you want a high-end video editing machine, the Ryzen 9 3900X is certainly a CPU that’s certainly worthy of powering one – it can handle anything you throw at it.

 

Pros:

• Supports PCLe 4.0
• Outperforms Intel
• Has 12 cores
• It has 24 threads

Cons:

• Doesn’t have integrated graphics
• Slow gaming performance

Additional Features

• Can deliver ultra-fast 100+ FPS performance
• AMD Wraith prism cooler

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Specs

Architecture	Zen 2
Socket	AM4
Cores / Threads	12 / 24
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.8 GHz / 4.6 GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	3200 MHz / Dual-Channel
Cache	64MB
Integrated Graphics	None
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes
TDP	105W
Process	7nm

3. Intel 9th Gen Core i9-9900K Processor

Intel’s Core i9-9900K is the latest and greatest CPU from Intel that’s not a part of the non-HEDT platform. It’s an excellent all-around CPU for those who can afford it, and it makes sure to pay attention to everything that’s important for a CPU.

To begin with, it’s an eight-core, sixteen-thread beast. This is more than enough for video editing, especially when you factor in the base frequency of 3.6GHz. If this isn’t enough for your workload, or you just want more, the i9-9900K can turbo up to 5GHz which is impressive. This allows it to deliver excellent performance when it comes to video editing.

It operates on the LGA 1151 socket with a TDP of 95 watts. The STIM cooling material ensures that heat transfer from the CPU to the cooler is excellent, so you can comfortably overclock the processor. The integrated graphics card is Intel’s UHD 630, and the CPU has support for Intel’s Optane memory. With up to 40 PCIe lanes and 16MB of cache, this is a great processor for video editing, if the price isn’t an issue.

 

Pros:

• Performs in single and double-threaded workloads
• 128 GB memory capacity
• More cores than preceding processors

Cons:

• Doesn’t improve gaming performance much
• Doesn’t have a stock cooler

Additional Features

• Intel Optane Memory Supported
• Compatible only with motherboards based on Intel 300 series chipsets

Intel Core i9-9900K Specs

Architecture	Coffee Lake
Socket	LGA 1151
Cores / Threads	8 / 16
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.6GHz / 5GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	2666MHz / 2
Cache	16 MB
Integrated Graphics	Intel UHD 630
Unlock Multiplier	Yes
TDP	95W
Process	14nm

4. AMD Ryzen 7 3800X Processor

While there are more powerful options as part of the Zen 2 release from AMD, there are some video editors that simply don’t need that much performance. If you don’t need the Ryzen 9 3900X’s high core count, there’s a great alternative that will also save you a few bucks – the Ryzen 7 3800X. It’s still a very powerful processor, but a bit cheaper.

To begin with, you have a CPU made on the TSMC 7nm FinFET process, which uses AMD’s much familiar AM4 socket. It comes with a 105W TDP and AMD’s excellent Wraith Prism cooler, but you’ll want something more powerful if you intend to overclock it.

As far as numbers go, this is an 8-core, 16-thread CPU. This should have you more than covered for video editing, especially considering the running frequencies. The base frequency is 3.9 GHz, higher than the Ryzen 9’s 3.8 GHz, but if you intend to push it like it’s meant to be pushed, it will easily get to 4.5 GHz with turbo boost. Oh, and there’s always plenty of room for overclocking. Memory support is dual-channel at 3200 Mhz, and if you want to fully take advantage of the CPU, we recommend using fast memory.

All things considered, if you don’t need 12 cores, the Ryzen 7 3800X is certainly a good fit.

 

Pros:

• PLCe 4.0
• Bundled cooler
• Both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance

Cons:

• Minimum overclocking headroom

Additional Features

• 16 threads
• Advanced processing power

AMD Ryzen 7 3800X Specs

Architecture	Zen 2
Socket	AM4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.9 GHz / 4.5 GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	3200 MHz / Dual-Channel
Cache	32MB
Integrated Graphics	None
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes
TDP	105W
Process	7nm

5. AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Processor

AMD released two models as a part of their performance-labeled Ryzen 7 series, and the 3700X is the weaker of the two. While we do say weaker, this is still one of the best processors for video editing, especially if you’re intending to save a few bucks. This is the CPU you would get if you’re getting an aftermarket cooler, since it has quite a lot of overclocking potential.

Unless you really need those fast render times (and the difference isn’t all that big, to be honest), it makes sense to go for the 3700X instead of the 3800X. Kicking things off with the similarities, they’re both built on a 7nm FinFET process, both use the AM4 socket, and both have support for dual-channel memory at 3200 Mhz. Last but not least, both have eight cores and sixteen threads, which is more than plenty for video editing.

The main difference is that the 3700X comes with slightly lower frequencies. You have a 3.6 GHz base clock, and the maximum boost clock is 4.4 GHz. However, as we mentioned, this can easily be remedied with overclocking. Oh, and there’s also a lower TDP of 65W.

Depending on how fast you need your rendering to go, it’s an individual choice whether you get the 3700X or its bigger brother. If you aren’t in a rush, by all means, save a few bucks. Or invest them in faster memory – you’ll need that too.

 

Pros:

• Great for gaming
• 7-nanometer manufacturing process
• Supports PCI express 4
• Low power consumption

Cons:

• Complicated to use

Additional Features

• 100+ FPS performance
• DDR4 3200 MHz system memory

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Specs

Architecture	Zen 2
Socket	AM4
Cores / Threads	8 / 16
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.6 GHz / 4.4 GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	3200 MHz / Dual-Channel
Cache	32MB
Integrated Graphics	None
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes
TDP	65W
Process	7nm

6. Intel 9th Gen Core i7-9700K Processor

Before we got the i9 series, Intel’s i7 lineup was the flagship CPU lineup for non-HEDT users. With the introduction of the i9, the i7 gets somewhat lower performance, as well as a lower price. However, the 9700K is still a beast when it comes to video editing.

For starters, it has eight cores and eight threads. The base frequency is 3.6GHz, which is decent, and it turbos up to an impressive 4.9GHz. And that’s before you do any kind of overclocking. When you’re editing video, chances are this is all you’ll need, and the 9700K performs flawlessly.

It’s made with a 14nm process and runs on the LGA 1151 socket, with 12MB of cache and a 95W TDP. It’s not the fastest, it’s not the most powerful, but the i7-9700K is definitely more than what most users actually need for video editing. If you don’t want to spend too much money, yet want excellent performance, this is what you should be looking at.

 

Pros:

• Great single-core performance
• Handles 3D graphics
• High frame rate

Cons:

• Does not have a cooling system
• Does not support hyper-threading

Additional Features

• 64 GB Memory
• Memory bandwidth 41 GB/s

Intel Core i7-9700K Specs:

Architecture	Coffee Lake
Socket	LGA 1151
Cores / Threads	8 / 8
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.6GHz / 4.9GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	2667MHz / 2
Cache	12 MB
Integrated Graphics	Intel UHD 630
Unlock Multiplier	Yes
TDP	95W
Process	14nm

7. AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor

Even though it’s part of the mainstream-labeled Ryzen 5 models, the Ryzen 5 3600X is likely to become the best seller out of all CPUs AMD released as part of the Zen 2 architecture. Its main competitors are Intel’s i7-8700K and i7-9700K, and interestingly enough, it edges out both of them in some scenarios. It’s also priced cheaper, which makes it a very attractive option.

Just like all the other released models, the Ryzen 5 3600X is built on a TSMC 7nm FinFET process. Memory support is dual-channel, at 3200 Mhz, and just like with all other Ryzen chips, we would recommend fast memory if you want to take advantage of it. There’s a default TDP of 95W, and you get a Wraith Spire cooler inside the box to get you up and running.

The Ryzen 5 3600X has a few fewer cores than the Ryzen 7 models – it’s a six-core, twelve thread configuration, which is still plenty for video editing. The frequencies are also great – a base frequency of 3.8 GHz and a maximum turbo boost of 4.4 GHz should keep you happy while you’re scrubbing through a timeline or rendering. All things considered, this is the sweet spot between price and performance, definitely give it a shot.

 

Pros:

• Improves gaming performance
• Can support AM4 motherboards
• Great price point

Cons:

• Doesn’t have integrated graphics
• Poor overclocking abilities

Additional Features

• DDR 3200 support
• AM4 platform can support PCIe 4 0 on x570 motherboards

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Specs:

Architecture	Zen 2
Socket	AM4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.8 GHz / 4.4 GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	3200 MHz / Dual-Channel
Cache	32MB
Integrated Graphics	None
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes
TDP	95W
Process	7nm

8. AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor

The Ryzen 5 3600 is the slightly weaker brother to the 3600X – just like the 3700X and the 3800X. And just like the situation with the Ryzen 7, the fact that it’s the weaker model doesn’t make it bad. Quite the contrary, it makes it perfect for people who want to save a bit. Let’s take a look at the specs, and see why how this compares to the Zen 2 lineup.

For starters, the Ryzen 5 3600 comes with six cores and twelve threads. The clock speeds are slightly slower than the more powerful option – here you have a base frequency of 3.6 GHz, and the turbo boost goes up to 4.4 GHz. However, unless under very heavy load, this isn’t something you’ll notice. There is dual-channel memory support at 3200 Mhz, as well.

Like the others from the Zen 2 lineup, the Ryzen 5 3600 uses AMD’s AM4 socket and is made on a TSMC 7nm FinFET process. It has a very reasonable 65W TDP, and there’s plenty of room for overclocking, so if the frequencies don’t cut it for you, you can go ahead and push it a bit. While the included Wraith Stealth cooler will let you get pretty far in that regard, a liquid cooler would certainly be better.

 

Pros:

• Supports AM4 motherboards
• Affordable
• High quality and long-lasting

Cons:

• Slow
• No integrated graphics

Additional Features

• Wraith Stealth cooler max temps 95°C

AMD Ryzen Ryzen 5 3600 Specs:

Architecture	Zen 2
Socket	AM4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.6 GHz / 4.2 GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	3200 MHz / Dual-Channel
Cache	32MB
Integrated Graphics	None
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes
TDP	65W
Process	7nm

9. Intel Core i5-9600K

If we’re being completely honest, Intel’s been trying to catch up to AMD in the past couple of years. While their higher-priced models often perform better, when it comes to two equally priced CPUs, AMD usually takes the cake. Intel’s 9th generation CPUs somewhat changed that, and the i5-9600K is a part of that generation. If you want to go the Intel route, this process covers all the necessities and costs much less than the i7 and i9 of the same generation.

To begin with, this is a six-core, six-thread configuration. This should more than do the job for video editing. To add to that, you have a base frequency of 3.7 GHz, which can go as high as 4.6 GHz when you need it. You have 9MB of SmartCache and a 95W TDP. Unfortunately, while this is an unlocked CPU, there isn’t a cooler included, so that’s an additional expense.

The CPU is made on Intel’s 14nm process and supports a maximum of 128GB of RAM – which comes in handy for video editing, and it’s dual-channel memory. To round things off, there’s also an included graphics card – the UHD 630, which isn’t too powerful but will get the job done. All things considered, a great option if you want to go with Intel.

 

Pros:

• Good multitasking skills
• Has integrated graphics
• Great overclocking abilities

Cons:

• No process cooler

Additional Features

• Compatible only with motherboards that are based on Intel 300 Series Chipsets
• Intel UHD Graphics 630

Intel Core i5-9600K Specs:

Architecture	Coffee Lake
Socket	LGA1151
Cores / Threads	6 / 6
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.7 GHz / 4.6 GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	2666 MHz / Dual-Channel
Cache	9MB
Integrated Graphics	Intel UHD 630
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes
TDP	95W
Process	14nm

10. AMD Ryzen 5 2600

Nearly two years since it was first released into the market, the AMD Ryzen 5 2600’s value has only increased.

With the price having gone down considerably to make way for AMD’s more recent offerings, the2600 can be had for a little over $100 these days.

For video editors on a budget, that’s a steal.

Featuring 6 cores and 12 threads, as well as a 4.1GHz boost clock, the 2600 holds a lot of value for video editing. Plus, with the money that you saved with it, you can buy either a better graphics card, faster storage, and/or more memory, all of which can help significantly improve your video editing system.

Finally, there’s the fact the 2600 is overclockable.

Although it might take you a while, a stable 4.0GHz overclock on all cores (from 3.4GHz) isn’t unrealistic. In fact, if you’re lucky enough, you can push the 2600 even further to see huge gains in performance without compromising stability, albeit you might have to invest in a better CPU cooler than then one that it comes with to do this. 

All in all, the 2600 is the best budget CPU for video editing today.

 

Pros:

• Phenomenal overall performance
• Bundles cooler 
• Performs well in multi-threaded apps 

Cons:

• Limited overclocking abilities 
• Average gaming performance 

Additional Features

• DDR4_sdram system RAM type

AMD Ryzen 5 2600 Specs:

Architecture	Zen +
Socket	AM4
Cores / Threads	6 / 12
Base Frequency / Boost Frequency	3.4 GHz / 3.9 GHz
Memory Speed / Controller	2933 MHz / Dual-Channel
Cache	19MB
Integrated Graphics	No
Unlocked Multiplier	Yes
TDP	65W
Process	12nm

Conclusion

Now that you have looked through the list, you can decide which of them suits your needs. Everyone is going to have different minimum feature requirements. Just remember, get one with the features that you really need, and be practical about what you don’t need. The more features, the higher the power consumption, so it isn’t always the more the merrier when it comes to computer processors.

The above are the market leaders in processors for video editing. We have discovered the right processor for you in this review so that you can finally stop all of that painstaking research you’ve been doing. 

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FAQ:

If you are still a little uncertain about which CPU for video editing to buy, then the following frequently asked questions section should help you. The world of computers and gadgets can be a complicated place for anyone who is unfamiliar with it, which is why asking as many questions as you can before spending your hard earnt cash is advised. 

Q: What CPU is best for video editing?

A: There are a few things to consider when searching for the best CPU for video editing. You should opt for a computer with 8GB RAM or more. Basically, purchase a CPU with as much RAM as you can afford! 

Look for a processor with four or more cores: a Multi-core Intel i5/i7/i9 model. These processors are the fastest and the most appropriate for the job. 

Q: Is CPU important for video editing?

A: Yes, the CPU is one of the most important computer features for video editors. Your computer’s CPU is responsible for the speed of completing editing tasks. If you have a poor CPU, then you won’t be able to edit videos comfortably and smoothly. 

Q: Does video editing use CPU or GPU?

A: Most video editing requires the use of its CPU, not GPU.

Q: Why is video editing so CPU intensive?

A: Your computer is required to encode, render, and preview a video before you can edit it, which requires high multi-tasking abilities. 

Q: Are four cores enough for video editing?

A: Yes, four cores are enough for video editing. Your computer should have a minimum of four cores if you plan on using it for video editing purposes. 

Q: What is good CPU speed?

A: If you are looking for a good processor, then between 3.50 to 4.2 GHz processing speed is great. Look for a CPU with a processing speed that is on the faster side. 

Q: How long will my CPU last?

A: CPUs can last up to 10 years, which is more than enough as most of us upgrade our computers every few years. 

Q: Is it ok to run my CPU at 100%?

A: Yes, it is ok to run your CPU at 100%; however, you probably won’t enjoy using your device like this. Running a CPU at 100% will make it very slow and unresponsive. 

Sources:

https://www.amd.com/en/products/cpu/amd-ryzen-9-3900x https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/processors/core/i5-processors/i5-9600k.html