This blog post is for video editors and gamers who are looking for a processor that can handle 4k editing and gaming. I am going to cover the top 3 processors with the best price/performance ratio.
The first thing you want to look at when buying a new processor is your budget, but also how many cores you need. In my opinion, if you’re on a tight budget then you should go with an AMD Ryzen 5 2400G or Intel Core i3 8100, both of which have four cores. If your budget allows it then I would recommend stepping up to an AMD Ryzen 7 2700X or Intel Core i5-8400 (8th Gen), both of which have six cores and will be able to do more.
At a Glance:
Best Pick
Intel Core i9-10900X
- High processing speed
- Efficient performance
- Can run on a wide range of motherboard
Staff Pick
AMD RYZEN 9 3950X
- Reasonably-priced
- High clock speed
- A large number of cores and threads.
Budget Pick
Intel Core i9-9900K
- 16 logical cores
- Overclocking capability
- Integrated graphics card
- Intel Optane memory support
- Improved heat dissipation
The task of video editing is very processor-intensive, hence it is significant to find the best CPU for your rig within your budget. The reason you should invest in a good CPU is that most of the video editing software’s heavily rely on the CPU. Selecting from a bunch of CPUs available in the market is an overwhelming task. The decision-making task is tiresome especially for content creators and professionals, who have to make videos on daily basis. Even if you are not a tech geek, knowing all the available options in the market is going to greatly affect your decision. There are a lot of queries in the mind of each buyer, which require answers from professionals. For example, should you buy an Intel CPU or an AMD one? How does the core count affect the CPU’s performance? Should I go for the top-tier and most expensive option to get the most performance? Even if you are linked with the processor community, you’ll still need to dig a little deep when purchasing the Best processor for you! We are here with our buying guide, to provide you an in-depth review of all the best available CPUs of 2021 for your video editing rig.
Table of Contents
- Intel Core i9-10900X
- AMD RYZEN 9 3950X
- Intel Core i9-9900K
- Summery Best 3 Processor for 4k video Editing
- Conclusion Best 3 Processor for 4k video Editing
Intel Core i9-10900X
Best Pick
| Number of Cores: | 10 |
| Number of Threads: | 20 |
| Processor Base Frequency: | 3.70 GHz |
| Max Turbo Frequency: | 4.50 GHz |
The first on our list is the Intel Core i9-10900X, the Intel 10900X is one of the most respected processors in the high-end desktop series. The process isn’t the best of the best about handling complex tasks or multitasking, as it features only 10 cores with 28 threads. But regarding use with the purpose of video editing and exporting, the CPU has enough performance. While talking about the processor speed, it is worthwhile to note that, it has superior speed performance in comparison to CPUs in a similar price bracket. The base clock speed of Intel 10900X is 3.7 GHz, and it can reach up to 4.7 GHz when boosted. Moreover, if you go for the 10900K variant then you can even achieve 5.3 GHz speed. We’d also like to mention that another attractive feature of this CPU includes Deep Learning Boost technology. This technology can boost any process, which depends upon artificial intelligence. For example, image tagging and motion tracking hence feature is like a cherry on top for the professional video editors.
Pros
- High processing speed
- Efficient performance
- Can run on a wide range of motherboard
Cons
- A bit expensive when compared to similar processors
AMD RYZEN 9 3950X
Staff Pick
| Socket: | AM4 |
| Threads: | 32 Threads |
| Cores: | 16 Cores |
| Architecture: | 7nm Zen 2 |
The AMD Ryzen 9 3950X should be on your list if you are looking to create a balance between affordability and performance. The CPU is equipped with 16 cores along with 32 threads. After the launch of the CPU, AMD took the throne from Intel against its high-end lineup. The CPU features a base clock speed of 3.5 GHz, but the clock speed can be boosted to 4.7 GHz for your multitasking needs. Usually, you wouldn’t expect such a top-tier processor to have any shot coming. But unlike most AMD CPUs in a similar price bracket, the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X doesn’t feature a cooling system. Moreover, as the CPU is equipped with a TDP of 105 W, it is recommended to use an AIO cooler of 280mm for maintaining performance Still, you can get a version with a cooler, which is good. But it is not recommended, because you’d be spending extra cash on it.
Pros
- Reasonably-priced
- High clock speed
- A large number of cores and threads.
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a cooler in the cheaper option
Intel Core i9-9900K
Budget Pick
| Threads: | 16 Threads |
| L3 Cache: | 32 MB Total |
| Max Memory Size: | Up to 128 GB |
| Overclocking: | YES |
Intel Core i9-9900K is a universally accepted great processor, which features 8 cores along with 16 threads. The CPU has a base frequency of 3.6 GHz, hence it has more than enough performance for encoding/decode and export. To support your extra workload, the CPU can push up to 5 GHz of frequency. This performance is great for the calculation of timeline effects along with subjecting to overclocking. The CPU features an improved micro-architecture, hence it can support motherboards with 300 series chipsets. Also, the CPU is equipped with a cooling STIM material which has great heat transferring capabilities. Hence, you don’t need to worry about the heating issues while overclocking the CPU. The CPU also supports Intel Optane memory with extremely quick response, along with an integrated GPU (Intel UHD 630) for video editing. This may be the best processor for video editing, as it has 16MB cache memory with 40 PCIe lines. It is highly recommended as it provides the best value for money.
Pros
- 16 logical cores
- Overclocking capability
- Integrated graphics card
- Intel Optane memory support
- Improved heat dissipation
Cons
- Runs hot
- No stock cooler
Summery Best 3 Processor for 4k video Editing
Conclusion Best 3 Processor for 4k video Editing
If you’re looking for a processor that can handle 4k editing and gaming then you should keep the top 3 processors in mind. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G or Intel Core i3 8100 will both work well if your budget is tight, but stepping up to an AMD Ryzen 7 2700X or Intel Core i5-8400 (8th Gen) would give more power at higher resolutions. Which of these three processors are on your shortlist? Let us know what features are most important to you so we can help find one that best fits your needs!