You only need one graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce which is GTX or RTX for newer modesl) or AMD Radeon. There are a variety of model lines by NVIDIA and AMD respectively and you can look up how performance generally compares on many sites. The brands you see manufacture the boards but the designs are by NVIDIA and AMD.

Some benchmarks by TechGage here: https://techgage.com/article/best-cpu-for-rendering-video-encoding-spring-2021/3/

Assuming you aren't building your computer (and based on your questions I wouldn't recommend it) the manufacturer worries about the motherboard, power supply, etc. so you don't have to.

If you take a decent Intel CPU with integrated GPU, you don't need an external GPU card for Vegas to work correctly.

Furthermore, at present it is definitely cheaper to buy a PC as a complete device or to have it configured by a specialist workshop instead of assembling it yourself. The manufacturers snatch up most of the parts from us - and get better prices because they buy in larger quantities and have better relationships - and horrendous prices are charged for what remains on the free market.

If you take a decent Intel CPU with integrated GPU, you don't need an external GPU card for Vegas to work correctly.

I'm looking at pre-assembled branded computers like HP, Acer, Asus, etc. and - yes - they seem to have all the graphics and other cards integrated onto the motherboard.

But then the question is: are these integrated GPUs sufficient for 4K editing (i.e. at least equivalent to GeForce GTX with 4GB RAM) without unduly lengthy rendering times or lag? If I don't install a dedicated GPU then what do I need to look for as minimum specs in an integrated GPU?

For your last question, laptops integrate separate AMD or NVIDIA GPUs onto the motherboard. Laptop or desktop CPUs can integrate a GPU into the CPU chip itself. Desktop computers can have a second GPU in the case and it can work alongside the iGPU.

How well do such GPUs perform? In the case of recent Intel CPUs with iGPUs, pretty well for what Vegas needs like encoding (rendering) and decoding (video playback). Intel QSV can hold its own for both and Vegas also uses them for certain Intel OpenVino Fx (though I don't have a compatible chip and haven't seen real-world tests yet). The newer the Intel processor the better the iGPU.

Here are some render tests and some people have tested Intel QSV here: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/benchmarking-results-continued--118503/

For other tasks requiring 3D and computational abilities these integrated chips perform far worse than dedicated graphics cards. So if you love plugins like NeatVideo or others that rely heavily on GPUs it won't be as quick.

It's extremely spontaneous to appeal help for a 4k-editing system here! 
1, everybody builds his machine with very subjective arguments and nobody is expert - I dare say. 
2, more horrible is, you even don't have basic idea about computer - pls forget the "update", do a totally new one. 
3, determine how much you wanne invest: e.g. 3500$. 
4, find a local company and tell them your purpose, follow their advice - a branded machine is good but not very special optimized for 4k video editing. 

A problem with pre-builds usually comes down to the quality of the parts outside of the CPU. Dell, Alienware, HP, etc... I suggest you watch Gamers Nexus review of , and search for prebuilds. If you live near a Micro Center, they might be a better option since you can ask for specifics.

Like most here, I build my own. It's therapeutic for me and I've been doing it since 1990 having built custom PC's for business (and setting up the network infrastructure) and of course people.

My computer specs are listed below and I am quite happy with it. I've been using the same computer for the last 2 years and do have a CPU upgrade path to the 5000 series and can add another 32GB of RAM if necessary. Nary a driver issue with the AMD GPU I am using and I am using the gaming drivers.

As has been mentioned, GPUs are ridiculously expensive. I do 3D animation and like others I usually build my own systems with a dedicated graphics card. However, this time around it was more feasible to get a pre-built. I ended up with a Dell Alienware desktop and I am quite pleased with it. I have an older PC which runs Vegas; I haven't tried it on my latest PC yet.

A problem with pre-builds usually comes down to the quality of the parts outside of the CPU.

My computer specs are listed below and I am quite happy with it.

Yes, I have the same concern about pre-builds: a lot of stuff is included that I don't want (money that could go to a more expensive GPU, say) and I'm concerned about the quality of all the integrated components.

What are your computer specs (you didn't "list them below" 😁)?

Gary, click on "signature" for many of us including Reyfox to see computer specs.

As has been mentioned, GPUs are ridiculously expensive. I do 3D animation and like others I usually build my own systems with a dedicated graphics card. However, this time around it was more feasible to get a pre-built. I ended up with a Dell Alienware desktop and I am quite pleased with it. I have an older PC which runs Vegas; I haven't tried it on my latest PC yet.

Just need to read reviews on the exact system you want. I recall a Dell Intel10600 I was interesting had very poor cooling and thermally throttled, the problem being they use special dell mounts, and you can't replace it with your aftermarket cooler of choice. Then there was a lack of circulation problem, a need to get more cool air into the case, this caused another problem, as once again you couldn't just attach standard after market fan to the front vents due to a blockage caused by something else.

The Dell 10700K version came with a better propriety cpu cooler, that did not thermally overload at default settings, but if you overclocked it , it would, and then the problem of having a non standard mount and the case fan problem again, needing to get more air into the case. Need to read reviews and possibly be prepared to use it as built, not trying to get extra little bit of extra performance out of it I would have been happy with 10700K, but 10600 was a bad design

@gary-o my computer specs are in my signature.

@Former user is correct in what he is saying. I considered a prebuild, but after seeing what they can be like (Gamers Nexus reviews), I will wait. Micro Center does system builds and you can specify the parts you want and they'll put it together for you. Or, they have their pre-builds that you can ask them "what's really inside.... can it be upgraded, how is the thermal air flow...etc." Dell uses a LOT of proprietary parts that can not be upgraded.

It's a tough time to be buying computer parts/prebuilds....Unless you use Puget Systems or similar company. You will pay more, but the parts selection is superior and the computer is tested.

I considered a prebuild, Dell uses a LOT of proprietary parts that can not be upgraded. It's a tough time to be buying computer parts/prebuilds....

Thanks. I had a look at Dell Alienware, but they seem unnecessarily expensive (maybe justified for high-end gamers, but I don't think VP's System Requirements warrant it.

I don't want to be stuck with proprietary parts either.

So my tentative solution is to configure my own computer. So far, I found some high-spec components that aren't overly expensive and still future-proof the setup for several years:
 

• Gigabyte motherboard that supports DDR4 and gen12 CPUs (preferably with four DDR slots instead of just two);
• GeForce 1050 available from several manufacturers (Zotak, Sapphire?) with 4GB RAM;
• (Kingston?) 32GB RAM (2 x 16GB);
• Intel i7 12gen 20 cores 3.6Ghz (not all that much more expensive than i7 10gen 8 cores); not sure if I need a CPU cooling fan as well, but they're not too expensive either;
• a case with fans and plenty of disk drive trays and openings for USB and HDMI ports; a decent 700W power supply, say.

I already have monitors and drives and a powered USB extension and all the other peripherals. It doesn't seem to matter which manufacturer I select, after all. The motherboards seem to have many integrated chips and external ports already - but I suppose one could easily slip up on some niggly detail. If it's a well-known brand then there are likely to be all the drivers I need built into Windows anyway.

And most of the manufacturers I've looked at provide a good 3-year warranty on their respective components.

Am I on the right track?

@gary-o I can not personally speak on the graphics card you've chosen, others can, but not sure if 4GB of RAM is "enough".

I posted a link above with an Alienware review and tear down. Proprietary hardware, so there is no upgrade path.

As for motherboards, VRM quality and their cooling are vital if you plan to run higher end CPU's. And motherboards that use quality VRM and cooling cost over $200. There is much discussion on whether to get a motherboard that supports DDR5 (the future) over DDR4 (here and now) with 12th gen Intel. DDR5 is expense and has greater latency than good DDR4 RAM now. Gigabtye, Asus, MSI all make good boards, and not so good boards. Read the reviews. Also see how many fan headers, USB 3 type devices, etc that it supports.

Then, what CPU cooler do you plan on using? And yes, for the CPU you are using, you will need a good 360 AIO (all in one) water cooler to avoid thermal throttling, or a beefy air cooler.

Then what about the case? All cases are not created equal with air flow and keeping the hardware cool. Again, Gamers Nexus reviews cases like no other. They have their "best of" videos on them.

And yes, most manufacturers do provide good warranties. Are you going to build the computer yourself? What about NVME drives?

The graphics card you've chosen is old. It'll work in Vegas though- that model is what I use. Is a 1650 available? If so it's a better choice as are 20XX or 30XX cards.

The graphics card you've chosen is old. Is a 1650 available? If so it's a better choice as are 20XX or 30XX cards.

Yes, thanks. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1650 costs $400 here in Thailand incl. import duty and sales tax. Same as Amazon in the US. It's probably more than I need, but is better future-proofing for only an extra $100.

UPDATE

We have a computer chain that will build your computer according to your chosen specs, no extra charge 😃

So this is what I've chosen so far:

• MSI Pro Z690a motherboard. Not a well-known brand maybe, but it has 4 DDR4 slots, 8 USB ports, HDMI/VGA outputs, 6 SATAs, 4 SSDs and just a lot of extra features cf. the equivalent Gigabyte product. $275
• Intel i7-12700kf $490 (ouch!)
• Aorus Waterforce 240 liquid CPU cooler $185 (double ouch! I had no idea I'd need to super-cool the CPU like this...Maybe if I lived in a cooler country, but temperatures during the day range from 27°C in winter to 38°C in summer)
• Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1650 (4GB) $400
• 32GB Corsair DDR4/3200 RAM $250
• Thermaltake Smart 600w PSU $60 (I used an online power calculator that said I only needed 300W, but an extra $20 I found a PSU with double the capacity)
• Greatwall 601 tower case $100 (I realized that if I have so many USB ports and disk connectors then I'd need to have a case with the sockets and bays, else there wouldn't be any way I could plug in the extra peripherals)

The warranty on each the key computers is 3 years.

I already have disks, SSDs, monitors, keyboard, mouse, etc. etc. So my total outlay of $1750 is substantially less than if I had to start from scratch.

I realize that I've overspec'd it all. But I did a comparison with slightly older, less powerful components - that would more than adequately meet my present video editing requirements; and it only came to about $300 cheaper. What if I wanted to upgrade the CPU or GPU or something in a year's time? Trying to save this amount now would be false economy. And I can't imagine getting DDR5 or i9 to squeeze the absolute max out of current technology is going to make all the much difference, and certainly not enough to justify an almost doubling of the overall price!

I think anyone else in the community wanting to build a similarly-spec'd machine would probably need to pay an extra $500-$800 for the peripherals (SSD/monitor(s)/keyboard/mouse, etc.) but still a not-unreasonably expensive machine that could probably double as a decent gaming computer too.

What say you?

I spent some more than 2500Euro and built this machine. My purpose is editing 4k-HDR-video.

I got the performance on userbenchmark.com --

The CPU is extreme powerful and the GPU weak --

Future upgrade will be an RX6800(xt) if the price goes under 1000Euro.

The only thing from a laptop, the old and small hd for some odd backups, would be changed against a 4TB-SSD (if price drops to my acceptance). I have already an external 4TB-HD.

So, I shall drive this machine till one dies: me or her.

That saying, even the current run has no bottlenecks - this is extreme important.

@Yelandkeil I'm on an email waiting list for RX 6700XT, which is over priced like everything else...

Just wonder 1-how much that email-offer, 2-why not Nvidia.

For me, I don't play any game, I need the 16GB-RAM for 4k-HDR source clips; and the Ryzen5950x-CPU will be more effective with this graphic card.

But the price, sigh...

Very interesting... I see that there is a linear relationship between benchmark speed and price. If you divide the benchmark value by 10 you will get the price of the card in Euros (and at the current rate of exchange divide by 8.85 to get the price in USD).

😃

@Yelandkeil the 6700XT is going for $675USD when it is available. That's if they ever get them in. That is about as much as I am willing to spend on any graphics card.

Why not Nvidia? I've had zero problems with AMD so far.