Guide to Finding the Best Processor for Video Editing

Guide to Finding the Best Processor for Video Editing
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If you are looking for the best processor for video editing, you need to consider several factors. These factors include the processor’s ability to handle software that requires heavy processing power like Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere and Sony Vegas, as well as its ability to handle video rendering. You also need to consider that you will also be using a video card that can handle video editing quite nicely, so your processor needs to be able to work with your video card smoothly. The price, of course, needs to be appropriate for your budget.

Video Rendering

Video rendering is one of the most important parts of video editing, therefore making it a prime consideration in picking the best processor for video editing. This process involves applying transitions, adding effects, cutting and sequencing video clips. The process also requires adding audio layers for soundtrack and voice recordings. That’s a lot of processing tasks and you will definitely need a processor that can handle all of that efficiently. Look for the fastest processor that you can afford. Check its processor speed, as well as its processor bus speed, and see if it will work for you and your budget.

Processor Speed

If you can afford it, a multi-processor is the way to go in video editing. Most of the popular video editing software applications support multi-processors, so if your video editing software is one of those compatible ones, go for multiple processors. Processors with multiple CPU cores include Intel’s Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7. This line of processors from Intel was specifically designed to cater processing-heavy applications and tasks. If you’re not keen on purchasing a multi-processor, a processor with the fastest front side bus speed is your next best bet in terms of processor speed. Front side bus speed determines how fast information is transferred in and out of your processor, so the faster the front side bus speed, the faster your video processing will go. A CPU with a speed of 3.0 Ghz or something higher will do the job if you’re just looking for something workable and fits your home video editing needs.

Playing Nice With Other Hardware

The processor is not the only hardware you need to effectively conduct video editing tasks. As previously mentioned, a good video card is also needed. Other hardware that can help with all the required processing tasks include the system RAM and your hard disk speed. The processor you’re looking at should be compatible with all of these hardware components and it needs to play nice with them in terms of speed. A fast processor may be worth nothing if the other hardware components in your video editing workstation are subpar.

The Price

If you’re just editing videos for personal use, you just need at least a 3.0 Ghz CPU to do video editing in a comfortable manner and speed. If you can afford the high end stuff, though, your best bet would be Intel’s line of Core processors, specifically i3, i5 or i7. Their multi-processing power will give you enough processing juice to do batch video rendering comfortably and quickly.

For the right package, check also the best computer for video editing.