Best PC Build for Video Editing in 2024

Desktop PCs can be built for a number of different reasons. Whilst we tend to focus on building gaming PCs, there are plenty of people that want to build a PC for creating content, browsing the web, and staying on top of daily life.

Aside from gaming, leisurely desktop PCs are most commonly used for content creation. Whether you’re a designer, streamer, editor, or writer, the additional firepower of a PC can make these tasks much easier, mainly thanks to reduced rendering times.

For this build, we’re putting down the controller to focus on a system that will elevate content creation, while sticking to a tight budget. More specifically, this PC will be excellent for video editing, with each part picked out with this task in mind.

But of course, this system will also be capable of plenty of other activities, including playing the latest games.

Acting as our main inspiration for this build, the ASUS ProArt RTX 4060Ti is rare entity within the PC building landscape. With the GPU being such a vital aspect of gaming PCs, and optional for other systems, it can be difficult to find a design that isn’t tailored towards gamers in some capacity. However, this GPU is specifically designed with content creators in mind, which is portrayed by the professional and modest tones.

Aside from a sophisticated facelift, the ProArt RTX 4060Ti is also packed with plenty of firepower to handle editing tasks fairly comfortably.

The processor we’ve picked to put alongside the RTX 4060Ti is the Intel Core i5 14600K, a solid mid-range processor that is well-equipped to take on workstation applications. Whilst this CPU doesn’t provide the generational upgrade we would have expected when compared to the i5 13600K, the 14600K still provides a performance advantage for a similar price.

Also, our testing showed the biggest advantage this CPU had over its predecessor came in productivity-related applications, where the difference in performance was fairly substantial. As a result, the 14600K seemed like a worthy candidate for a creator-focussed build like this one.

To keep the CPU and surrounding components as cool as possible, we’ve picked up DeepCool’s AK620 Digital, an air cooling solution with a twist. The original AK620 and its numerous variants have become some of our favourite air CPU coolers within the office, thanks to their strong performance and reliability.

However, the AK620 Digital takes this performance and adds some flair by introducing an LCD display into the mix. This lets builders see vital CPU information such as temperature and usage at all times, which makes it easy to monitor your system and notice problems before they get out of hand.

Our second ProArt component to feature in this build is the ASUS ProArt Z790 Creator WiFi. This motherboard is tailor-made to provide content creators and media professionals with all the tools they need to build a productive powerhouse.

Equipped with a plethora of connectivity features, such as PCI-E 5.0 slots to support the best current and future graphics cards, along with four M.2 slots for a wealth of storage, this is one of the most versatile Z790 motherboards available. In addition, this motherboard supports up to 192GB of DDR5 memory, providing consumers with the tools to cut down on load times, and increase responsiveness.

The Corsair Vengeance RGB DDR5 kit has been a mainstay within the GeekaWhat offices since its release, offering an excellent blend of performance, design, and reliability. Whilst there are many variants of this RAM available in a plethora of configurations, we’ve opted for their 32GB 5600MT/s kit. This will provide the performance needed to complete most edits in a swift manner, whilst also keeping costs down to a minimum.

Whilst RGB lighting isn’t considered the most important aspect for a productivity-focused build, the small hint of colour this DIMM slot provides is subtle enough to work within a less gaming-oriented PC. Plus, it acts as a gentle reminder that this build isn’t necessarily designed to be used within a workplace environment.

Storage is a vital aspect of any creator-focussed PC, as large video files can quickly add up, leaving you with little space to store important footage. Because of this, we’ve splashed the cash on Samsung’s 990 Pro SSD, a high-speed M.2 drive that can deal with any task you throw at it.

For this build, we’ve picked out the 2TB version, but the 990 Pro is also available in a 4TB capacity for those looking to store their files on a single SSD. No matter which variant you choose, the 7.45GB/s read and 6.9GB/s write speeds will provide blisteringly-fast loading and rendering times, meaning you won’t have to wait too long to complete and upload projects.

With the PC case being the component that brings the overall design and aesthetic of a build together, we’ve opted for a chassis that resonates professionalism in a way that doesn’t come across as bland or generic. Out of all the PC cases we’ve tested, there was no better case to match this description than the Fractal North.

This chassis has become an instant classic thanks to the wooden front panel bringing a breath of fresh air to the PC building space. Whilst lots of modern cases seem to be rehashes or imitations of older designs, this chassis shows that thinking outside of the box can truly pay off.

To power up our system, we’ve chosen to pick up a more affordable power supply to counteract some of the expenditure on other components. As a result, Thermaltake’s Smart BM3 750W power supply is a great choice for those wanting to stick to a tight budget.

This semi-modular PSU is attached with all the necessary cables needed to get your system up and running, whilst also providing additional connectors for upgrades. Additionally, the ATX 3.0 form factor gives you access to a PCIE Gen5 connector, which makes it easier to plug in our RTX 4060 Ti graphics card.