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. I took all of those factors into account in order to compile my list of the Best CPUs for Video Editing. The CPUs I have picked pack enough performance to handle multi-layered timelines and real-time playback, while also cutting down on render times to give a seamless video editing experience.
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Here are the Best CPUs for Video Editing in a processor comparison chart:
Make Sure To Check:
Best CPU For Video Editing
Here are my recommendations for the Best CPUs for Video Editing:
- Best CPU For Gaming and Video Editing: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Best Intel CPU For Video Editing: Intel Core i9-14900K
- Best Budget CPU For Video Editing: AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
- Best CPU For 4K and 8K Video Editing: AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
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
Performance: The Ryzen 9 7950X3D comes with 16 cores and 32 threads, making it an absolute powerhouse when it comes to video editing. The 16 cores are built to reach a maximum of 5.7 GHz while hovering at 4.2 GHz as their base frequency. Combine that with its increased L3 capacity of 128MB, and you get a gaming beast.
Cooling: The Ryzen 9 7950X3D, despite being the ultimate powerhouse, is quite an efficient chip, coming with a TDP of 125W. In my testing, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D not only gave better performance-per-watt figures but also ran significantly less hot than its competitors like the Core i9-13900K.
Future Proofing: Ranking among the best-performing processors currently available, the Ryzen 9 7950X3D is undeniably future-proof. I find its capabilities more than enough to last for the next couple of years. Moreover, the AM5 chipset is also designed to support the next-generation Ryzen CPUs, which is an added bonus in my book.
Buy It If:
✅You want the best possible gaming and video editing processor: The Ryzen 9 7950X3D’s ability to truly be the best of both worlds; gaming and video editing are what I liked the most about this processor.
What We Disliked
❌You want to overclock your processor: The processor does not come with an unlocked multiplier, which means manual overclocking is out of the question.
❌You have a tight budget: You will have to really drain your bank to build a Ryzen 9 7950X3D build.
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. It offers superb performance in both categories, making it the Best CPU For Video Editing and Gaming.
- Best Motherboard for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Best RAM for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
- Best CPU Cooler for Ryzen 9 7950X3D
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Efficiency: 8/10 |
Intel Core i9-14900K
Best Intel CPU For Video Editing
Socket: LGA1700 | Cores: 24 (8P + 16E) | Threads: 32 | L2 Cache: 32MB | Base Clock: 2.4 GHz (E), 3.2 GHz (P) | Boost Clock: 4.4 GHz (E), 5.6 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
Performance: The Core i9-14900K packs an astounding 24 cores and 32 threads. Here, 8 of these cores are Performance cores, while the other 16 are Efficient cores. The performance cores are capable of clocking up to a speed of 5.6 GHz as long as the CPU is given enough thermal headroom, making it an excellent choice for high-end video editing.
Cooling: The Core i9-14900K’s power draw is off the charts, which makes sense considering its maximum turbo power rating of 253W. I recommend using a top-of-the-line 360mm cooler with the i9-14900K for the best possible experience. Otherwise, the chip might suffer from thermal throttling in no time.
Overclocking Potential: While I don’t think overclocking is necessary considering the 14900K’s already outstanding performance, it is possible as long as you pair the CPU with the ideal components. This means you’ll have to use an equally capable motherboard as well as an extremely powerful cooler.
Buy It If:
Take a look at the i9-13900K during our testing:
✅You want uncompromised performance: The best thing about the Core i9-14900K is its single and multi-core performance from its whopping 24 cores. The CPU is built to handle professional-grade video editing.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌You have a low-wattage PSU: Given the high power draw of the Core i9-14900K, anyone working with a low-wattage PSU will have to steer away from this option.
❌You want a cheaper processor: The Core i9-14900K costs a premium, making it out of the question for anyone who is looking for a budget-friendly CPU.
What Makes It The Best Intel CPU For Video Editing?
The core i9-14900K packs an astounding amount of cores and threads, while also boosting up to insane clock speeds. The processor provides top-charting single-core and multi-core performance, making it the Best Intel CPU For Video Editing.
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Efficiency: 7/10 |
AMD Ryzen 7 5700X
Best Budget CPU For Video Editing
Socket: AM4 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 4MB | Base Clock: 3.4 GHz | Boost Clock: 4.6 GHz | TDP: 65W
Pros
- Great Pricing
- Good Value For Money
- DDR4 Compatibility
Cons
- No integrated graphics
Performance: I was impressed by how well the Ryzen 7 5700X performs in video editing tasks, delivering phenomenal performance thanks to the 8 cores and 16 threads. The processor is also capable of boosting up to a clock speed of 4.6 GHz, which is a decent increase from its base speed of 3.4 GHz.
Cooling: Despite the respectable performance, I was surprised by its lower overall TDP of 65W. The lower rating means you won’t need to spend an outrageous amount when it comes to cooling. A decent air cooler should be enough for the processor; however, you can also opt for a 240mm AIO cooler if you are looking for extra thermal headroom.
Overclocking Potential: The Ryzen 7 5700X is fairly easy to overclock thanks to the unlocked multiplier. You’ll be able to get a decent performance boost out of the processor with overclocking; however, monumental gains might not be possible. Overall, I was satisfied with the overclocking experience offered by the mid-range Ryzen 7 5700X.
Buy It If:
✅You want fantastic value for money: I was blown away by the value for money offered by the Ryzen 7 5700X. It also supports DDR4 RAM, further reducing the overall cost of your system.
✅You want to upgrade from an older AM4 processor: The Ryzen 7 5700X also makes for a suitable upgrade for anyone coming from an older AM4 CPU.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌You want an integrated GPU: The Ryzen 7 5700X does not come with integrated graphics, which means you will have to use a dedicated GPU with it.
What Makes It The Best Budget CPU For Video Editing?
The Ryzen 7 5700X demonstrates fantastic performance at a fairly affordable price. I have titled it the Best Budget CPU For Video Editing because of its solid price-to-performance.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 8/10 |
AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Best CPU For 4K And 8K Video Editing
Socket: AM5 | Cores: 8 | Threads: 16 | L2 Cache: 8MB | Base Clock: 4.2 GHz | Boost Clock: Up to 5.0 GHz | TDP: 120W
Pros
- Great Multi-Core Performance
- Handles 4K & 8K Editing
- Future Proof
Cons
- Disabled Overclocking
Performance: The Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes with 8 cores and 16 threads, utilizing base and boost clock speeds of 4.2 GHz and 5.0 GHz, respectively. Adding to that is the 3D V-Cache technology, which propels the L3 Cache count all the way to 96 MB. All of that makes 4K and 8K video editing a breeze on the 7800X3D
Cooling: With a rated TDP of 120W, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D proves to be more efficient compared to non-3D V-Cache variants of the 7000 series processor. That said, I will recommend using a decent 280mm or even a 360mm AIO for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D in order to avoid any temperature-related issues.
Future Proofing: Despite coming with a locked multiplier, I think the Ryzen 7 7800X3D is one of the most future-proof options one can opt for thanks to its exceptional performance. The AM5 platform further increases future upgradeability, with support for next-gen AMD CPUs, PCIe 5.0, as well as DDR5 memory.
Buy It If:
Here is the Ryzen 7 7800X3D before we tested it:
✅You want a reasonably priced option for 4K and 8K editing: Despite being relatively cheaper than flagship chips, I was amazed to find that the Ryzen 7800X3D packs enough performance to support 4K and 8K video editing.
✅You want top gaming performance: Along with video editing, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D absolutely nails gaming performance, making it one of the best gaming CPUs currently available.
Don’t Buy It If:
❌You want to overclock your processor: The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is not for overclocking enthusiasts since it comes with a locked multiplier.
What Makes It The Best CPU For 4K And 8K Video Editing?
Backed with high-clock speeds, an impressive L3 cache, as well as phenomenal single-core and multi-core performance, the Ryzen 7 7800X3D can nail it all, which is why I have deemed it the Best CPU For 4K and 8K Video Editing.
- Best CPU Coolers For Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Best Motherboard For Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Best RAM For Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- Best GPU For Ryzen 7 7800X3D
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Efficiency: 8/10 |
Comparison Table
I have compared the key specifications of all of the best CPUs for video editing.
| Best CPUs For Gaming | No. of cores | No. of threads | Base frequency (GHz)(Full-power cores) | Boost frequency (Full-power cores) | Total L2 cache (MB) | Total L3 cache (MB) | Base TDP (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMD Ryzen 9 7950X3D | 16 | 32 | 4.2 | 5.7 | 16 | 128 | 120 |
| Intel Core i9-14900K | 24 | 32 | 3.2 | 5.6 | 32 | 36 | 125 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 5700X | 8 | 16 | 3.4 | 4.6 | 4 | 32 | 65 |
| AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D | 8 | 16 | 4.2 | 5.0 | 8 | 96 | 120 |
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.
How I 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.
- Rendering and Overall Performance: First and foremost, I judged every CPU I reviewed over their render times. Following that, I moved on to other performance benchmarks which allowed me to gauge each aspect of each processor’s performance.
- Value For Money: For every CPU I reviewed, I kept in mind its price-to-performance ratio. Therefore, I skipped those CPUs that 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: 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.
What Our Readers Think
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, 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.
- March 25, 2024: I swapped the i9-13900K with the i9-14900K because of its superior performance.
- March 17, 2024: I also replaced the Ryzen 9 7950X with the Ryzen 7 7800X3D as the best CPU for 4K and 8K video editing thanks to its superior price-to-performance.
- March 11, 2024: I replaced the i5-13600K with the Ryzen 7 5700X due to its lower price.
- 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.
Get In Touch: sameed@tech4gamers.com
