Best Processors for Video Editing & Work in 2024 [Budget to High-end]

If you are into professional video editing and video rendering then it is imperative that you need a powerful processor. This is because video editing & rendering are majorly CPU-intensive tasks and require a fast multicore CPU. However, some modern video editing software can take advantage of graphics cards through GPU acceleration (GPGPU) by offloading some of the work from the CPU. Also, good modern-day GPUs do come with efficient hardware-based encoders and can help in video encoding. So, a GPU can help a bit, but video editing & rendering is largely dependent on the CPU, and the faster the CPU you have with more cores, the better performance you will get in video editing or productivity. Besides a powerful CPU and a decent graphics card, you also need a good amount of RAM for video editing.

Some of the most popular professional productivity software (video editing & others) include Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Elements, Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X10, CyberLink PowerDirector 17 Ultra, AVS Video Editor, Pinnacle Studio, Kdenlive, Blender, Autodesk Maya, AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, etc. The minimum system requirements for these software are pretty much demanding, which means you need to have a powerful enough system to work with them.

Well, if you are just starting with video editing or into mid-level or even professional video editing then you don’t need to spend a huge amount of money on an expensive high-end HEDT or Workstation processor because there are pretty powerful desktop processors available too for mainstream users that offer very good performance in video editing and workstation tasks. So, here in this post, I am going to list down the best desktop processors from the budget, mid-end, and high-end category for video editing/productivity and even for gaming too.

Read also: Best Graphics Cards for Video Editing [1080p & 4K]

Best Budget CPU for Video Editing

AMD Ryzen 5 3600

[Best Value for Money]

Ryzen 5 3600 is certainly the best value for money processor for both productivity and gaming. It costs very reasonably, offers great performance, and is much faster than the Intel processor in the same price bracket. Ryzen 5 3600 is a Hexa-core processor with 6 cores & 12 threads and comes with 35MB of total cache (L2+L3). It is built on Zen 2 architecture and a 7nm FinFET manufacturing process. It has got base and boost clock speed of 3.6 GHz and 4.2 GHz respectively. This is an unlocked processor that supports overclocking and it can also overclock itself automatically on supported motherboards using the XFR2, Precision Boost 2, and Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO). Also, it supports the latest PCIe 4.0 bus standard for PCIe 4.0 ready graphics cards and NVMe drives. The processor requires an AM4 socket-compatible motherboard to work with that includes X570, B450, X470 chipset motherboards. It can support DDR4 memory up to 3200 MHz in dual channel mode which is a step ahead of the Ryzen 2000 series processors. It does not come with integrated graphics, which means you have to use a discrete graphics card with it. The TDP of this processor is rated at 65W and it comes with Wraith Stealth Cooler. However, you can get a good budget aftermarket CPU cooler to get the maximum performance out of it, along with quieter operation.

AMD-Ryzen-5-3600

Ryzen 5 3600 is way faster than its predecessor, which is Ryzen 5 2600 and also beats the Ryzen 5 2600X. It also beats the Intel Core i7 8700K and Core i5 9600K in productivity and workstation tasks. In gaming too, it does not disappoint and remains very close to the Core i5 9600K in FPS. Also, it comes close to the performance of the Ryzen 7 2700X, which is one segment above it and is an eight-core sixteen-thread processor. So, if you are on a budget and looking for a processor that will cater to your video editing, gaming, and work needs, then as of now, you won’t find anything better than Ryzen 5 3600. Highly Recommended by me.

Must Read: Top Motherboards with BIOS Flashback Button for Ryzen 3rd Gen CPUs

Note: A slightly faster version of this processor is also available, which is Ryzen 5 3600X. It has got the same specifications but comes with a higher Base and Boost clock speed of 3.8 GHz / 4.4 GHz. It also has a higher TDP rating of 95W and comes with a slightly better cooler, which is Wraith Spire. It costs around $50 more, which I think is not justified given that the performance between the X and non-X variants is not that huge. You can also check out this processor from the links given below.

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Specifications
Clock Speed 3.6 GHz / 4.2 GHz (Base/Boost)
Cores / Threads 6 Cores / 12 Threads
Cache Memory 35 MB
Socket Type AM4
Integrated Graphics NA
Memory support DDR4 3200MHz
Overclocking support Yes (Unlocked)
TDP (in Watts) 65W

Buy AMD Ryzen 5 3600 Processor

Buy AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Processor

Best Mid-Range CPU for Video Editing

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X

If you are having a mid-level budget, which is between 300 and 350 dollars then Ryzen 7 3700X is the processor that you should look forward to for your video editing and professional work. This is an octa-core processor with 8 cores / 16 threads and comes with 36 MB cache memory in total. It has got Base / Boost clock speed of 3.6 GHz / 4.4 GHz and can overclock itself automatically to higher speeds using the XFR 2, Precision Boost 2, and Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO) technologies. It is an AM4 socket processor that requires an X570 motherboard can also run on older AMD 400 and 300 series supported motherboards. The processor supports the latest PCIe 4.0 version, DDR4 3200 MHz RAM, and is built on the Zen 2 architecture on the 7nm FinFET manufacturing process. It has a TDP of 65W and comes with Wraith Prism Cooler with RGB LED. There is no onboard graphics on this processor and for display, you need a discrete graphics card.

AMD-Ryzen-7-3700X

This processor offers great performance for the price and is significantly faster than its predecessor, which is Ryzen 7 2700X. It also beats the Intel Core i7 9700K in productivity tasks that involve video editing, rendering, compression, 3D modeling, etc. Also, in gaming too, there is not much of a frame rate difference between the Core i7 9700K and the Ryzen 7 3700X. In all, Ryzen 7 3700X offers a great balance between outright performance and price and is certainly one of the best desktop processors that you can get without spending too much.

Note: If you want a slightly faster processor then you can have a look at Ryzen 7 3800X, which is also an 8 core / 16 thread processor with 36 MB cache, but comes with a higher Base / Boost clock speed of 3.9 GHz / 4.9 GHz. Also, it has a higher TDP of 105 Watt, which means more heat generation and higher temperatures.

AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Specifications
Clock Speed 3.6 GHz / 4.4 GHz (Base/Boost)
Cores / Threads 8 Cores / 16 Threads
Cache Memory 36 MB
Socket Type AM4
Integrated Graphics NA
Memory support DDR4 3200 MHz
Overclocking support Yes (Unlocked)
TDP (in Watts) 65W

Buy AMD Ryzen 7 3700X Processor

Best High-end CPU for Video Editing

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is one of the fastest desktop processors and is the second-fastest processor in the AMD Ryzen 3000 series lineup, after the Ryzen 9 3950X. Ryzen 9 3900X is a dodeca-core processor with 12 Cores / 24 Threads and comes with 70 MB cache in total. It has got Base / Boost clock speed of 3.8 GHz / 4.6 GHz and can be overclocked automatically using XFR 2 (eXtended frequency range), Precision Boost 2, and Precision Boost Overdrive (PBO). The processor is built on Zen 2 architecture on 7nm process and supports the latest PCIe Gen 4.0 and can DDR4 RAM up to 3200 MHz in dual channel mode. This is a Socket AM4 processor and is best to be used with the X570 motherboard for best performance. It has a TDP of 105W and comes with Wraith Prism with RGB LED cooler out of the box.

AMD-Ryzen-9-3900X

When it comes to productivity and performance in workstation applications then it beats the Intel Core i9 9900K, and even the Intel Core i9 7900X and AMD Threadripper 2920X, which are HEDT / Workstation processors, solely designed to handle high workstation loads. In gaming, Core i9 9900K still leads, and even the Core i7 9700K and Core i7 8700K are faster in gaming compared to Ryzen 9 3900X. However, the Ryzen 9 3900X is not that far behind, can be used for gaming too, and is more than capable of delivering more than 100+ FPS in games (@1080p mostly), when paired with a high-end graphics card. Also, the single core performance of the Ryzen 9 3900X is at par with the Core i9 9900K. It is also very power efficient and consumes less power than the Intel Core i9 9900K. The CPU lacks integrated graphics, and you have to buy a discrete graphics card for it separately. So, if you are looking for a high-performance processor for your professional needs, then you have to get this one.

AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Specifications
Clock Speed 3.8 GHz / 4.6 GHz (Base/Boost)
Cores / Threads 12 Cores / 24 Threads
Cache Memory 70 MB
Socket Type AM4
Integrated Graphics NA
Memory support DDR4 3200 MHz
Overclocking support Yes (Unlocked)
TDP (in Watts) 105W

Buy AMD Ryzen 9 3900X Processor

Intel Core i9 9900K

[One of the Fastest Gaming Processors]

Intel Core i9 9900K is one of the fastest gaming processors around. However, it is also a very capable processor when it comes to productivity tasks that involve video editing, rendering, 3D modeling, etc. When compared to the above-mentioned Ryzen 9 3900X, it does contain relatively fewer cores as it is an octa-core processor (8 core) but can execute 16 threads simultaneously. Also, it is built on the bigger 14nm architecture, but because of its higher clock speed and better single-core and IPC performance, it does deliver better results in some workstation applications, like Adobe Premiere Pro. Another advantage of Core i9 9900K is that it has got integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), which means you don’t need a separate graphics card for it.  However, if you have a dedicated graphics card installed too, then using the Intel Quick Sync Video feature, you can encode and decode videos using the onboard graphics, which allows the processor and graphics card to do other tasks faster.

Intel-Core-i9-9900K

The processor comes with a 16 MB cache and has got Base / Boost clock speed of 3.6 GHz / 5.0 GHz, and supports DDR4-2666 memory. It does not come with a cooler, which means you have to invest in a really good aftermarket cooler, because this CPU runs hot and requires better cooling. It is an LGA 1151 Socket and should be used with high-end chipset motherboards only, which is Intel Z390 Chipset. The processor has got TDP of 95W, but it can exceed this number by a significant margin during overclocking and at higher loads. When it comes to performance then Ryzen 9 3900X beats it easily in all productivity tasks but in gaming, it still retains the throne. So, if you are an Intel fan and want the best desktop processor from it then it is the one.

Must Read: Best CPU Coolers for Intel Core i9 9900K [Air & Liquid]

Intel Core i9 9900K Specifications
Clock Speed 3.6 GHz / 5.0 GHz (Base/Boost)
Cores / Threads 8 Cores / 16 Threads
Cache Memory 16 MB
Socket Type LGA 1151
Integrated Graphics Intel UHD Graphics 630
Memory support DDR4-2666
Overclocking support Yes (Unlocked)
TDP (in Watts) 95W

Buy Intel Core i9 9900K Processor

Final Words

When it comes to productivity then Ryzen still dominates over Intel, while the gaming department is still ruled by Intel. So, if you are a content creator or a professional then going with the latest Ryzen 3000 series processors make much more sense because you will get maximum performance for less money. Also, these new Ryzen 3000 series processors are much more power-efficient than the previous Ryzen 2nd generation, being faster too. If you have any queries or any insight on this topic then you can connect with us using the comment box below.

(*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!)

87 Comments

  1. SomeRandomguy August 24, 2019
    • Akshat Verma August 25, 2019
  2. user12345 September 13, 2019
    • Akshat Verma September 13, 2019
      • user12345 September 13, 2019
        • Akshat Verma September 13, 2019
      • user12345 September 13, 2019
        • Akshat Verma September 13, 2019
  3. Erik September 28, 2019
    • Akshat Verma September 28, 2019
      • Erik September 28, 2019
  4. Serviver October 9, 2019
    • Akshat Verma October 9, 2019
  5. Enrique Ortega October 27, 2019
    • Akshat Verma October 27, 2019
      • Enrique Ortega October 27, 2019
        • Akshat Verma October 27, 2019
  6. Salvo November 19, 2019
    • Akshat Verma November 19, 2019
  7. Jack Ross December 6, 2019
    • Akshat Verma December 6, 2019
  8. Jack Ross December 6, 2019
    • Akshat Verma December 7, 2019
      • Jack Ross December 7, 2019
        • Akshat Verma December 8, 2019
  9. Karl Schutz December 16, 2019
    • Akshat Verma December 16, 2019
  10. Adwait January 26, 2020
    • Akshat Verma January 26, 2020
      • Adwait January 26, 2020
        • Akshat Verma January 26, 2020
  11. San February 11, 2020
    • Akshat Verma February 11, 2020
  12. San February 11, 2020
    • Akshat Verma February 11, 2020
  13. San February 24, 2020
    • Akshat Verma February 24, 2020
  14. San February 24, 2020
    • Akshat Verma February 24, 2020
  15. Alwin April 8, 2020
    • Akshat Verma April 8, 2020
  16. Parth April 16, 2020
    • Akshat Verma April 16, 2020
  17. Randy April 28, 2020
    • Akshat Verma April 29, 2020
  18. Randy April 29, 2020
    • Akshat Verma April 29, 2020
  19. Randy April 30, 2020
    • Akshat Verma April 30, 2020
      • Randy April 30, 2020
        • Akshat Verma April 30, 2020
  20. Randy May 5, 2020
    • Akshat Verma May 5, 2020
  21. Randy May 5, 2020
    • Akshat Verma May 5, 2020
  22. Andras May 9, 2020
    • Akshat Verma May 9, 2020
  23. CagSan May 14, 2020
    • Akshat Verma May 14, 2020
      • CagSan May 15, 2020
        • Akshat Verma May 15, 2020
      • CagSan May 30, 2020
        • Akshat Verma May 30, 2020
      • CagSan May 30, 2020
        • Akshat Verma May 30, 2020
      • CagSan May 31, 2020
        • Akshat Verma May 31, 2020
  24. George June 19, 2020
    • Akshat Verma June 19, 2020
  25. J, Hamm August 2, 2020
    • Akshat Verma August 2, 2020
  26. J Hamm August 3, 2020
    • Akshat Verma August 3, 2020
  27. J Hamm August 3, 2020
  28. Ralk August 3, 2020
  29. Khurram Shahzad November 19, 2020
    • Akshat Verma November 19, 2020
  30. Khurram Shahzad November 20, 2020
    • Akshat Verma November 20, 2020
  31. Dawn January 23, 2021
    • Akshat Verma January 23, 2021
  32. Paresh June 14, 2021
    • Akshat Verma June 14, 2021
  33. Ramana February 13, 2022
    • Akshat Verma February 13, 2022
      • Ramana February 14, 2022
        • Akshat Verma February 14, 2022

Reply Cancel Reply

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.