When it comes to video editing, you need a CPU that offers lots of cores, has high clock speeds, and supports Multi-Threading to run parallel tasks without wasting time. The best CPU for video editing should pack enough performance to handle multi-layered timelines and real-time playback, along with cutting down on render times to give a seamless video editing experience.
Here are the Best CPU For Video Editing in a processor comparison chart:
Last update on 2023-12-13
Both Intel and AMD offer quite a few performance-packed processors to keep up with the demands of video editing professionals. These processors come with an impressive number of cores with high clock speeds. Furthermore, their architectures are designed to make the most out of their cores by running parallel tasks and nailing video encoding. In this guide, I have ranked the best CPU for video editing based on various factors. Therefore, whether you’re looking for a budget CPU or a high-end one capable of editing 8K videos, this guide has got it all.
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Best CPU For Video Editing
The following are the Best CPU For Video Editing:
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Intel Core i9-13900K
- Intel Core i5-13600k
- AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
Best CPU For Gaming and Video Editing
Socket: AMD AM5 | Cores: 16 | Threads: 32 | L2 Cache: 16MB | Base Clock: 4.2 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.7 GHz | TDP: 120W
Pros
- Exceptional multi-core performance
- Top-tier gaming performance
- 128MB L3 Cache
Cons
- Quite expensive
- Locked multiplier
Let’s begin with the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. AMD’s 3D V-Cache implementation on the Ryzen 7000 processor is nothing short of an engineering marvel. The processors were already some of the best when it comes to video editing and gaming, but the extra L3 Cache has just taken them to another level.
First up, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D comes with 16 cores and 32 threads. Just the sheer core count and support for multi-threading alone make the processor a top-tier selection for video editing. However, that’s not it. The 16 cores are built to reach a maximum of 5.7 GHz while hovering at 4.2 GHz as their base frequency. Such insane clock speed guarantee world-class short rendering times. You can say goodbye to wasting time waiting for your PC to finish exporting a long video.
But, we have called the Ryzen 9 7950X3D the best CPU for gaming and video editing. This means that the processor must have a hidden trick up its sleeve to also nail gaming benchmarks. Well, that trick isn’t really hidden; it’s simply that AMD has stacked an additional L3 Cache onto the CPU die, increasing the overall L3 capacity to a whopping 128MB. With such a high L3 cache storage, along with lots of cores clocking at high frequencies, the processor will eat AAA titles for lunch.
While the additional L3 cache puts a tiny dent in the overall multi-core performance of the chip, especially when compared to the original Ryzen 9 7950X, the overall performance gains are totally worth it. Regardless of the video editing software you use, the combination of 16 cores that support multi-threading gives you enough performance to quickly apply effects and playback in real-time without any lags.
That’s not it. The Ryzen 9 7950X3D, despite being the ultimate powerhouse, is quite an efficient chip. The processor has a default TDP of 125W, which is one of the advantages of X3D processors over their non-X3D variants. In my testing, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D was not only giving better performance-per-watt figures, but it was also running significantly less hot than its competitors like the Core i9-13900K.
Apart from all the good things, there are two disadvantages to going for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. Yes, the processor offers remarkable performance in both video editing and gaming, but it is a very expensive processor. You will have to really drain your bank to build a Ryzen 9 7950X3D build. In addition to that, the processor does not come with an unlocked multiplier. Therefore, if you’re a fan of overclocking and you were planning to push the chip to its limit, you can’t do that the traditional way. Of course, you can use AMD’s Precision Boost Overdrive to achieve the purpose.
What We Liked
The Ryzen 9 7950X3D’s ability to truly be the best of both worlds; gaming and video editing, is what I liked the most about this processor.
What We Disliked
As far as performance goes, I didn’t dislike anything about the Ryzen 9 7950X3D. However, its high price tag and locked multiplier are two major factors that might come your way from getting it for your video editing build.
Who Is It For?
If you are a video editor by profession but also love hardcore gaming, then the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is for you. It will never let you down during your work and will give you excellent framerates in all of your favorite games.
What Makes It The Best CPU For Video Editing and Gaming?
The combination of 16 cores with 32 threads along with a max frequency of 5.7 GHz is superb for video editing. However, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D also comes with an enormous 128MB L3 Cache, which is something most AAA titles will benefit from a lot. Therefore, the ability to offer the best of both worlds is what makes the Ryzen 9 7950X3D the Best CPU For Video Editing and Gaming.
Other Components To Go With The Ryzen 9 7950X3D:
- Best Motherboard for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Best RAM for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 8/10 |
Intel Core i9-13900K
Best Intel CPU For Video Editing
Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 24 (8P + 16E) | Threads: 32 | L2 Cache: 36MB | Base Clock: 2.2 GHz (E), 3.0 GHz (P) | Boost Clock: 4.3 GHz (E), 5.4 GHz (P) | TDP: 125W
Pros
- 24 Cores/32 Threads
- Excellent multi-core capabilities
- Supports DDR4 and DDR5
Cons
- Costs a lot
- High power consumption
- Requires high-end cooler
Coming towards Team Blue, there is no better CPU for video editing than the ultimate Core i9-13900K. The processor utilized Intel’s Hybrid Technology to the fullest and manages to pack an astounding 24 cores. Here, 8 of these cores are Performance cores, while the other 16 are Efficient cores.
When it comes to video editing, you need as many cores as possible that are also clocking at high frequencies to handle extremely CPU-intensive tasks like real-time video playback. In the case of the i9-13900K, all 8 performance cores have a base and boost clock speed of 3.0 GHz and 5.4 GHz, respectively. But that’s not it. The best of these performance cores can also clock at up to 5.8 GHz whenever possible, making the i9-13900K an excellent choice for high-end video editing.
These 8 P-cores also support multi-threading, so there are a total of 16 threads for the P cores and one thread each for every Efficient core, bringing the total thread count to 32. The Core i9-13900K offers more than enough single-core and multi-core performance to handle all CPU-intensive tasks, along with gaming. With this processor, your video rendering times will be some of the shortest, and you will face no lags in applying different effects to your multi-layered timelines.
Pair the processor with 32GB or 64GB of either DDR4 or DDR5 RAM (Raptor Lake processors are compatible with both), and you will have the best of the best video editing build. You can easily edit 4K or even 8K videos using Adobe Premiere Pro, and your PC will have no problems handling it.
Another great thing about the Core i9-13900K is that it is an unlocked chip. Therefore, you can overclock it to reach even higher clock speeds. For a video editing build, the default speeds are more than adequate, so you shouldn’t go down the overclocking route unless you’re a tech enthusiast. One downside of the i9-13900K is that while the processor is no doubt a beast in terms of single- and multi-core performance, it sucks power like no other CPU.
With a base and maximum turbo power rating of 125W and 253W, respectively. My testing revealed that the power consumption of the Core i9-13900K was off the charts. It is integral to use a very high-end CPU cooler to keep this processor tamed. Otherwise, the chip will suffer from thermal throttling in no time. Similarly, while you can overclock this processor, doing so will result in even higher power consumption and temperatures. Make sure you have a well-built top-of-the-line cooling system to take care of this CPU. Additionally, being the flagship of Intel’s Raptor Lake line-up, the Core i9-13900K will cost you an arm and a leg.
What We Liked
The best thing about the Core i9-13900K is its single- and multi-core performance from its whopping 24 cores. The CPU is built to handle professional-grade video editing.
What We Disliked
Given the high power consumption and the processor’s pricing, getting an expensive top-tier CPU cooler to go along with the i9-13900K will further drain your wallet.
Who Is It For?
If you are a Team Blue fan and want to build your next video editing rig on the Intel platform, then the Core i9-13900K is for you. It is backward compatible so that you can use the DDR4 RAM from your previous build, and it packs insane performance.
What Makes It The Best Intel CPU For Video Editing?
The number of cores and clock speeds of the Core i9-13900K are unparalleled. Being the Raptor Lake’s flagship product, the processor stands as the undefeated champion of single- and multi-core performance. Its sheer performance makes it the Best Intel CPU For Video Editing.
Other Components To Go With The i9-13900K:
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 10/10 | Efficiency: 7/10 |
Intel Core i5-13600K
Best Budget CPU For Video Editing
Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 14 (6P + 8E) | Threads: 20 | L2 Cache: 20MB | Base Clock: 2.6 GHz (E), 3.5 GHz (P) | Boost Clock: 3.9 GHz (E), 5.1 GHz (P) | TDP: 125W
Pros
- Great Pricing
- Good Value For Money
- DDR4 and DDR5 Support
- Low Blender Times
Cons
- Nothing Significant
So far, both processors I have listed are undoubtedly the best CPUs for video editing. However, both of them have one thing in common: they are top-tier products of their respective line-ups, so they cost a ton. Unless you’re a professional video editor well-off in his/her career, it can be difficult to afford such high-end rigs. Therefore, if you are looking for a CPU that offers good value for money and is actually affordable, then the Core i5-13600K is for you. It is the best cheap CPU for editing that you can get.
Despite being aimed at the budget segment, the Core i5-13600K comes with 14 cores, a combination of 6 Performance and 8 Efficient cores. Just like the Core i9-13900K, the performance cores of the i5-13600K also support multi-threading to handle concurrent editing tasks without breaking a sweat. Furthermore, since the i5-13600K supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, you can pair it with high-capacity DDR4 RAM to cut costs and still get great performance. While the i5-13600K’s core count is truly impressive, that’s not all about it.
On paper, the Core i5-13600K claims to rock phenomenal base clock speeds of 2.6 GHz and 3.5 GHz for its Efficient and Performance cores, respectively. Similarly, the processor claims to boost its Performance cores at 5.1 GHz under heavy workload, and that is completely true. In my tests of the Core i5-13600K, both its Performance and Efficient cores lived up to their names and continuously clocked at 5.1 GHz and 3.9 GHz, respectively.
As a result, the processor left its competition in the dust in both single-core and multi-core tasks. When I tested the Core i5-13600K in Cinebench R23, the CPU scored the highest among its competitors. The same goes for Blender rendering times as well, with the i5-13600K rendering BMW 27 and Classroom at 131.503 seconds and 482.122 seconds, respectively. There are several other productivity benchmarks I ran to gauge the performance of the i5-13600K, I will share the rest of the results later in this guide.
In short, my benchmarks and tests made it very clear that when it comes to going for a budget CPU, there is no better option than the Core i5-13600K. Whether it is the core count or the clock speeds, it has everything a CPU must have to be the best CPU for video editing. I always kept track of the power consumption during my tests. The CPU was consuming around 180W during intensive workloads. Given its maximum turbo power of 181W, it is pretty much on point.
Being an unlocking chip, I had to overclock it to see how much juice I could get from the i5-13600K. The maximum stable clock speeds were 5.6 GHz for the Performance cores and 4.4 GHz for the Efficient cores, with the chip consuming 192W. These specs gave me a ~9.7% jump in the Cinebench R23 score. However, since I used a custom loop setup, my i5-13600K didn’t thermal throttle. You should lower your expectations if you’re going to use a regular CPU cooler.
Since you’re on a budget, you may also want to explore Best CPU For RTX 4060, Best CPU For RTX 4060 Ti, and Best CPU For RX 7600.
What We Liked
I was blown away by the value for money the Core i5-13600K. Considering its pricing, performance, and support for DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, the processor is the best bang for the buck chip out there.
What We Disliked
There isn’t much to complain about the i5-13600K. Yes, it is not the best-performance CPU. But it does not cost a ton, either. However, its power consumption is quite up there, making it necessary to use a good quality CPU cooler.
Who Is It For?
If you’re looking for the best cheap CPU for video editing, then the Core i5-13600K is for you. You won’t be breaking your wallet with it, and you will still get plenty of performance to render high-res videos easily.
What Makes It The Best Budget CPU For Video Editing?
First of all, the Core i5-13600K’s combined 14 cores with its 6 P-cores clocking at 5.1 GHz gives the processor a huge benefit in video editing. In addition to that, considering the chip’s pricing, the i5-13600K comes out to have one of the best price-to-performance ratios. That’s why we have picked the i5-13600K as the Best Budget CPU For Video Editing.
Other Components To Go With The i5-13600K:
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 8/10 |
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
Best CPU For 4K And 8K Video Editing
Socket: AM5 | Cores: 16 | Threads: 32 | L2 Cache: 17MB | Base Clock: 4.5 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.7 GHz | TDP: 170W
Pros
- Great Multi-Core Performance
- Handles 4K & 8K Editing
- Good Software Optimization
Cons
- Nothing Significant
If you are after the most ultimate video editing CPU that can handle professional-grade 4K and 8K video edits, then the Ryzen 9 7950X should be your go-to choice. Now you might be wondering, why not go for the Ryzen 9 7950X3D? Can it not do the above-mentioned things? Well, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D can also edit 4K and 8K videos, but its show-stopper feature is the ability to be the best of both worlds, that is, editing and gaming. On the other hand, the Ryzen 9 7950X is more productivity-focused than the X3D variant, making it an even better choice for professional video editors.
How so? Both the Ryzen 9 7950X and the Ryzen 9 7950X3D have the same number of cores and threads, that is, 16 cores with support for multi-threading, giving the CPUs an edge in productivity. However, since the 7950X3D comes with an additional L3 cache, it has lower clock speeds, which is basically a gaming-productivity tradeoff. On the other hand, the Ryzen 9 7950X benefits from its high base clock speeds, making it the king of video editing processors.
The Ryzen 9 7950X has base and boost clock speeds of 4.5 GHz and 5.7 GHz, respectively. Therefore, compared to the X3D variant, the Ryzen 9 7950X has around 7% higher base speed. The result? You get lag-free real-time playback of both 4K and 8K videos. Plus, since there are 16 cores that are clocking at such high speeds, you get insanely low render times as well. In all of my productivity and render benchmarks, the Ryzen 9 7950X stayed at the top of the competition due to its remarkable mixture of raw core count and high clock speeds.
There is one downside to enjoying such top-tier performance, and that’s power consumption. With a rated TDP of 170W, the Ryzen 9 7950X theoretically generates around 40% more heat than its X3D variant, and even in my tests, the processor’s power draw was quite up there. Furthermore, a Ryzen 9 7950X video editing rig won’t come cheap. The processor only supports DDR5 RAM, and since your CPU packs such high performance, you will probably go for 32GB or 64GB DDR5 RAM. All in all, be ready to spend top dollar to get the best Ryzen CPU for video editing.
What We Liked
The high-end combination of 16 cores with a base and boost clock speed of 4.5 GHz and 5.7 GHz, respectively, give the Ryzen 9 7950X an unparalleled edge in video editing, and that’s what I like the most about this CPU.
What We Disliked
Apart from the massive price tag that follows the processor and the fact that its DDR5-only memory support will further drive up your rig’s total cost, the Ryzen 9 7950X also has high power consumption, making it integral to opt for a high-end cooler.
Who Is It For?
The Ryzen 9 7950X is perfect for professional video editors whose workload revolves around editing high-res 4K and 8K videos. With quick rendering, real-time playback, and handling multi-layered timelines, the Ryzen 9 7950X can nail it all.
What Makes It The Best CPU For 4K And 8K Video Editing?
With multi-threading support, the phenomenal single-core and multi-core performance backed by high-clock speeds make the Ryzen 9 7950X the Best CPU For 4K And 8K Video Editing.
Other Components To Go With The Ryzen 9 7950x:
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 8/10 |
More 4K Options
Benchmarks of The Best CPU For Video Editing
To ensure that every CPU I recommend is indeed the best CPU for video editing, I tested them using different benchmarking software to determine their capabilities. From gaming to renders to other CPU-intensive productivity tasks, every CPU was tested using the same test bench for a fair comparison. Take a look at my results:
Important CPU Key Terms
Whenever you’re going through a CPU’s specifications, you will come across many terms that might make zero sense. However, it is important to understand the meaning of these terms to ensure that you make the right decision and buy the best CPU.
- Cores: A CPU contains a bunch of cores. These cores are responsible for executing instructions and processing tasks. The more cores a CPU has, the better it generally is.
- Threads: Threads are logical instructions given to CPU cores to perform by applications or programs. The more thread a CPU has, the better it is in multitasking.
- Cache: It is a small memory (or storage) located inside the processor. Since it is physically very close to the CPU cores, the data from the cache can be fetched (or written) very quickly. The bigger the cache capacity, the more data can be fed to the processor quickly, and hence the less time the processor will have to stay idle for when waiting for instructions.
- Clock Speed: The clock speed refers to how many cycles of instructions a CPU can perform in a second. The higher the clock speed, the faster the CPU.
- TDP: Thermal Design Power refers to the heat generated by the CPU. Whenever you’re buying a CPU cooler, make sure it can support your CPU’s TDP.
- Overclocking: Overclocking is the process of feeding your CPU with extra power to achieve higher clock speeds. Basically, when you overclock your CPU, you push it beyond its factory-set limits to get even more performance.
CPU Vs GPU For Video Editing
The CPU is by far the most important component in video editing. It deals with the most hardware-intensive tasks like video decoding/encoding, playback, and rendering. Therefore, whenever you’re building a PC dedicated to video editing, you should always prioritize the CPU first. The right CPU can make all the difference in the world in your workflow.
However, lately, video editing is benefitting a lot from graphics cards as well. For instance, Adobe Premier Pro and DaVinci Resolve supports GPU-accelerated encoding to shorten the render times and GPU-accelerated decoding to make the playback as smooth as possible. Furthermore, the tensor and RTX cores of NVIDIA graphics cards have also allowed video editing software to bring features like Auto Reframe and face recognition.
In short, gone are the days when video editing was all about the CPU. While you can get away with a fairly budget GPU today as well, having a performance-centric graphics card will surely help you out a ton. When it comes to graphics cards and video editing, NVIDIA is still an unparalleled champ. Apart from the AI bells and whistles that come with NVIDIA’s RTX graphics cards, most video editing software are better optimized to work with Team Green GPUs.
How We Picked The Best CPU For Video Editing
Video editing is a very CPU-intensive task, and a no-good processor can make it quite a headache. To have a lag-free, seamless editing experience, I scrutinized my recommendations of the best CPU for video editing over a series of factors. It is best to consider these factors whenever you’re buying a CPU to make sure you make the right choice.
Rendering and Overall Performance
First and foremost, I judged every CPU I reviewed over their render times. This includes running a series of rendering tests from Blender to Corona, Cinebench R23, and Geekbench 5. These tests helped me figure out which CPU offers the quickest real-world performance while keeping in mind the price tag.
Video editing benefits a lot from CPUs that support multi-threading, which allows one physical core to handle two logical threads simultaneously. With multi-threading enabled, a processor can have an edge over multitasking. Apart from that, having a high frequency of clock speed along with plenty of cores is also necessary for a CPU to deal with video editing.
Value For Money
It might sound obvious, but when buying a CPU, understanding how much value you’re actually getting for your money is quite important. For every CPU I reviewed, I kept in mind its price-to-performance ratio. Therefore, I skipped those CPUs which could practically handle video editing but didn’t make sense from a financial point of view, especially for video editing alone.
Thermal Consumption and Power Efficiency
When building a high-end video editing rig, you should be prepared to go with a top-of-the-line AIO and PSU. That’s because most flagship processors, especially the ones from Intel, generate a ton of heat while also drawing lots of power. When I tested the best CPUs for video editing, I made sure to keep an eye on their power consumption and temperatures. Some of my recommendations are definitely quite power-hungry, but they make up for it with their ultimate performance.
Why You Should Trust Us
With over a decade of experience, Tech4Gamers has built a team of technical experts who are dedicated to testing and reviewing hardware products. Our tests are conducted based on specific guidelines to ensure authenticity and reliability. For instance, for every CPU we review, we test them on 25+ software to judge their performance over a variety of tasks, along with a plethora of 1080p and 1440p games. After thorough tests, we gain special insights into the performance, reliability, stability, durability, and efficiency of the product.
Apart from processors, we also test graphics cards, RAM, PC cases, CPU coolers (AIOs), storage, motherboards, and much more. As a result of our unbiased testings and reviews, hardware manufacturers such as Aerocool, ARCTIC, ASRock, ASUS, be quiet!, Cooler Master, Corsair, DeepCool, EKWB, Fractal, Gamdias, GIGABYTE, Kingston, MSI, Noctua, Orico, Razer, Sabrent, Thermaltake, and others have collaborated with Tech4Gamers.
These manufacturers send us their latest products, so our team of hardware experts can review them and bring authentic benchmarks and tests timely. With that said, you can go with any of the best CPUs for video editing that I have recommended above, as they have been tested thoroughly.
FAQs
A CPU that comes with a good number of cores (10 or more) along with high clock speeds and support for multi-threading is good for video editing.
CPUs like the Core i9-13900K, Core i5-13600K, and the Ryzen 9 7950X are really good for video editing.
The CPU works significantly more than the GPU in video editing. From decoding the video to rendering it after all the edits, video editing relies heavily on the CPU. The GPU deals with tasks such as effects processing, color grading, and GPU-accelerated effects.
If you’re a professional video editor in 2023, then the i5-13600K is the minimum acceptable latest CPU you can buy. It is the best bang-for-the-buck CPU for video editing.
- August 30, 2023: Few text changes to improve readability. No products were changed.
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[Hardware Expert]
With a major in Computer Science, Sameed is a tech enthusiast who puts his passion for gadgets into words and creates informative blogs. From comparing different hardware to reviewing the best RAMs, motherboards, and graphics cards for your next build, Sameed has covered a wide spectrum of topics that have given him a special insight into every nook and cranny of the tech world. Sameed is also a certified expert at Computer Hardware & Networking.
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