PCs For Design & Video Editing

Buying a PC for design / video editing work

Whichever software tools you use to do your work, they will all require a PC with decent processing power, a good graphics card and plenty of RAM. If you plan to store big, high resolution files locally too, a high capacity SSD should also be high up on your list of requirements.

Operating system

One of the big decisions you need to make is whether to go for a Windows PC or an Apple Mac. Historically, Macs were preferred by creative professionals whereas PCs were favoured by business users. Nowadays, both provide similar capabilities when it comes to working with graphics/video and both support most of the editing programs you’ll need to work with. In general, Windows PCs will support a wider set of applications whereas Macs are easier to work with and offer better iOS integration if you have other Apple devices.

Processor

Look for a PC equipped with a Core i5/Ryzen 5/AMD A8 processor which has at least 4 cores. The more powerful the processor the faster the PC will render your footage and process large image files and the less likely you are to experience system crashes or the dreaded spinning wheel when making edits. Your choice of processor is especially important since many graphics and video applications are written to take advantage of a processor’s multithread capabilities to get more tasks completed concurrently.

RAM

Pay attention to the amount of RAM the PC has installed too. Most PCs now ship with at least 8Gb of RAM as standard but the more memory, the better. This is particularly important if you routinely work with very big files or run lots of applications at the same time. Refer to the software vendor’s recommended specs to check how much RAM you need to run their software. You can upgrade the RAM later on most PCs if you’re not sure but check the specs to be on the safe side.

Graphics card

The type of graphics card the PC features might be important depending on the type of work you need to do. Many PCs ship with integrated graphics which basically means the graphics chip (GPU) is integrated into the motherboard. More powerful models tend to use a dedicated card such as a Nvidia GeForce GTX/RTX or AMD R9 GPU which support higher resolutions and better image quality. For lightweight and midrange editing such as 2D graphic design, an integrated GPU will probably be more than capable. If on the other hand you will be working with very large image files, 3D modelling or need to render 4K video footage, opt for a PC with a dedicated graphics card.

Chassis

PCs for design & video editing come in various shapes and sizes ranging from full size tower PCs to compact mini PCs with a tiny footprint. Think about the space you have available as well as the potential need for future upgrades and expansion as these factors will have a bearing on the type of PC you invest in. Full size tower PCs and workstations are often the most powerful and expandable type of PC since they have the most room to house the bulkier, high-end components and have the space for spare slots and drive bays. Micro PCs and all-in-ones are less flexible but can still pack a punch performance wise (based on model/specs), take up less room and are often quieter and cheaper to run.