In my last couple of posts, I discussed different options for editing software. In this post, I intend to help explain the hardware requirements in order to use that software efficiently. Before I get into the subject I wanted to clarify that I am in no means a computer hardware expert, all of my recommendations will come from the creators of the editing software.

You just installed your new editing software and you’re ready to start creating content. You attempt to load the program but it appears slower than programs you’ve used in the past. The most likely reason for this is your computer hardware, the pieces inside your computer, do not meet the programs hardware requirements. When it comes to hardware for editing software there are five major components to pay attention to.

They are:

1. RAM
2. CPU
3. GPU
4. Internal/External Storage
5. Monitor (Optional)

Most programs require 4GB of RAM or more in order to run at a decent speed. From personal experience, I would recommend going with 8GB of RAM just to be on the safe side. While RAM provides the memory for instructions to be executed it’s up to the CPU to run those executions. I’ve only dealt with Intel Processors but the sites I’ve mentioned below should provide equivalents in other brands such as AMD. When it comes to Intel processors you might be able to get away with an i3 if the program isn’t extensive, but if you can afford to go with an i5 then there won’t be very many programs your computer can’t handle logically. Next is GPU. Similar to the CPU, the GPU is in charge of memory and executing instructions for graphical purposes. You might have an amazing processor but if you do not have one dedicated to graphics it will be near impossible to run video editing software at an efficient speed without any lag. I’m running an Intel (R) HD Graphics 530. Although it often meets the requirements and runs moderately, its an outdated graphics card that could easily be replaced by a newer and better graphics card to boost performance.

When it comes to buying your computer hardware here are my recommendations from personal experience. The first place I always check is Amazon. I might not necessarily purchase from them but I may use their listings to get more information on the product. I mainly use Amazon to gather information or to buy smaller hardware such as cords. Next, I would then either check out Newegg or Micro Center. Although they offer a few other products, Newegg is known for its wide selection of computer hardware available at the click of a button. They also allow you to compare different components and then based on the ones you are comparing, offer recommendations relevant to your search. Although Micro Center also has a decent online store, what they offer that their competitors don’t are physical stores with staff that can assist you with any electronics project you’re working on. Here is a video that helps showcase all the things they offer.

Before purchasing and trying to use any editing software, make sure that your computer meets the hardware requirements and that you have enough storage space for both the software and the files for your upcoming projects.