What are the recommended computer specs to edit HD video?

Erik-Anderson wrote on 6/8/2023, 9:25 AM

hi!

I have been editing videos for a while now, but I have been using a different software (Cyberlink PowerDirector). However, I know that Sony Vegas has more options and is more aligned for professional video editing. I would like to see if I can get some assistance in figuring out an issue that I have been experiencing. For some time, I have noticed that when I am editing 4K video on PowerDirector, there is some lagging going on. I experience the same issue the times that I have tried to use Sony Vegas. Furthermore, I noticed that when I tried to use improve grainy video (using denoiser in Sony Vegas), the program was taking a really long time.

I am wondering if my laptop needs an upgrade, some formatting followed by a clean install, or perhaps I just need to get a brand new laptop designed to edit and process HDV (4K, 6K, 8K, etc) in the event that my current laptop can’t be upgraded that far ahead.

I currently own an Alienware Area 51-M with the following specs:

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-9900 CPU @ 3.10GHz 3.10 GHz

Ram: 64.0 GB (63.8 GB usable)

System Type: 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

OS: Windows 11 Pro

Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060

Please let me know if the specs are good enough to process HD video. Although if that’s the case, then I may just need a format my computer. Otherwise, if you feel I definitely need to upgrade components, what are the recommendations? Specifically, what do I need to be able to run Sony Vegas at it’s maximum potential? My goal is to produce high quality videos.

Thank you all so much for this help!

Comments

RogerS wrote on 6/8/2023, 9:34 AM

I wouldn't upgrade for what you are trying to do. Your system is enough for 4K video.

Denoise in VEGAS is extremely slow. I bought NeatVideo instead which really leverages the GPU. For lag it has more to do with media than anything. Can you share details on what media you often use? https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-how-to-post-mediainfo-and-vegas-pro-file-properties--104561/

vkmast wrote on 6/8/2023, 9:37 AM

@Erik-Anderson Please note that there is no "Sony Vegas" after v. 13. The later versions are VEGAS from MAGIX.

Erik-Anderson wrote on 6/8/2023, 9:41 AM

@Erik-Anderson Please note that there is no "Sony Vegas" after v. 13. The later versions are VEGAS from MAGIX.

Duly noted. Thank you for the clarification. I had always been curious about "Magix", now I realize that it's branded as a new name.

Erik-Anderson wrote on 6/8/2023, 9:56 AM

I wouldn't upgrade for what you are trying to do. Your system is enough for 4K video.

Denoise in VEGAS is extremely slow. I bought NeatVideo instead which really leverages the GPU. For lag it has more to do with media than anything. Can you share details on what media you often use? https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-how-to-post-mediainfo-and-vegas-pro-file-properties--104561/

Thank you for responding. I will need to get back to you on this. Although I have been told about NeatVideo, just never got around to getting it.

In regards to video resolutions, my plan is to eventually be able to work with higher than 4K (6k-8k) to be able to produce the best looking videos. What upgrades would you recommend I do to my current computer so that I can prepare it to get to that level? If it goes beyond upgrades, what specs would I need to keep in mind for my next computer?

Thank you

Reyfox wrote on 6/8/2023, 1:06 PM

I don't think you can use the same motherboard for a new CPU, which would be faster and more cores/threads. Upgrading the graphics card would also be recommended if you are going to edit 6K. But you can also work with proxies. That's something that you might consider before spending a ton of money on new hardware.

Steve_Rhoden wrote on 6/8/2023, 1:19 PM

You are quite ok with the system you currently have for editing your HD content when you are ready. Just concentrate on getting your experience and creative skills level up with the latest version of Magix Vegas Pro. That's it!

mark-y wrote on 6/8/2023, 4:38 PM

Furthermore, I noticed that when I tried to use improve grainy video (using denoiser in Sony Vegas), the program was taking a really long time.

Any denoise filter, whether kernel or AI, is very system intensive and very slow. That is the current state of the art.

RogerS wrote on 6/8/2023, 7:23 PM

I wouldn't upgrade for what you are trying to do. Your system is enough for 4K video.

Denoise in VEGAS is extremely slow. I bought NeatVideo instead which really leverages the GPU. For lag it has more to do with media than anything. Can you share details on what media you often use? https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-how-to-post-mediainfo-and-vegas-pro-file-properties--104561/

Thank you for responding. I will need to get back to you on this. Although I have been told about NeatVideo, just never got around to getting it.

In regards to video resolutions, my plan is to eventually be able to work with higher than 4K (6k-8k) to be able to produce the best looking videos. What upgrades would you recommend I do to my current computer so that I can prepare it to get to that level? If it goes beyond upgrades, what specs would I need to keep in mind for my next computer?

Thank you

6K may work fine without doing anything in particular. If it's 10-bit HEVC you may benefit from newer generation Intel CPUs with iGPUs. You can see what I built for VEGAS in my signature and could get a laptop with similar specs. For 8K VEGAS just isn't that optimized and data rates are nuts, so you'd want to create proxy files for it.

64GB ram with a modern GPU with 8GB or more VRAM is fine.

mark-y wrote on 6/9/2023, 12:20 PM

Specifically, what do I need to be able to run Sony Vegas at it’s maximum potential? My goal is to produce high quality videos.

Your system, as long as it meets basic requirements, does not affect the quality of your video. It does affect the time needed to produce it.

Even with good systems, even HD video at 60 fps is known to cause occasional Preview stutters or frame rate.