Is an i5 laptop capable of handling heavy video editing tasks? If so, you should know that the Intel Core i5, the company’s mid-range processor, retains a high level of power.
Also, it’s critical to understand how this mid-range processor manages the demanding requirements of video editing for individuals looking for an i5 laptop for sale. Although it has long been a favorite among consumers on a tight budget, its popularity skyrocketed in Q4 2022 after the arrival of the new Raptor Lake i5s.
Due to their enhanced specifications, they are now considered the best option for gamers and streamers. Let’s see if they also work well as CPUs for video editing.
What makes a CPU suitable for editing videos?
The processing of video is CPU-intensive. A few programs can use the GPU to a greater extent for editing. They are the exception rather than the rule. A powerful CPU is necessary to use video editing software efficiently and finish your work quickly.
1. High CPU core and multithreading
Modern i5 processor laptops can handle numerous tasks simultaneously since they often have four to six cores and frequently have hyper-threading enabled. Having several cores helps video editing applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve since these programs can split up the rendering of videos among themselves.
An i5 CPU works wonderfully for low-demand editing activities like clip trimming, transitioning, and dealing with 1080p video. The most recent i5 models have six cores, more than enough for light to moderately intensive video editing. Turbo boost technology allows the CPU to increase its clock speed.
2. High clock speed and turbo speed
Clock speed, or the rate at which a CPU can execute instructions, is crucial in the video editing industry. The base clock rates of most contemporary i5 CPUs range from 2.4 GHz to 3.0 GHz, with turbo boost enabling speeds to reach 4.0 GHz or more when required.
Performance during demanding tasks, including rendering, exporting, or working with high-resolution 4K video files, can be greatly enhanced by this speed increase.
3. Dedicated or integrated graphics
The graphics capabilities of an i5 laptop are another important factor to take into account when editing videos on it. The majority of i5 processors include inbuilt Iris Xe or Intel UHD graphics.
Even though integrated GPUs have advanced significantly in recent years, they are still not as powerful as dedicated graphics cards (GPUs) for tackling the demanding tasks involved in video editing.
An i5 laptop with intel integrated graphics can be sufficient if you’re working with HD film or performing simple editing. Having a dedicated GPU, like an NVIDIA or AMD card, is helpful for more demanding jobs, though, like color grading, working with 4K footage, and multi-layer compositions.
What’s the Role of RAM in Video Editing?
While the processor is important, your laptop’s RAM (Random Access Memory) capacity is just as important for maintaining efficient video editing performance.
RAM allows your laptop to quickly store and retrieve data that it is currently working on, which is essential for processing large video files and intricate editing tasks.
Simple video editing may only require 8GB of RAM, but handling higher-definition content or more complex tasks should require 16GB or more. Although many i5 laptops on the market now have at least 8GB of RAM, getting 16GB can greatly enhance your performance, particularly when using various apps and video editing tools simultaneously.
What Kind of Video Editing i5 Laptop Can Handle?
After talking about the primary variables influencing an i5 laptop’s performance, let’s examine the kinds of video editing jobs that it can manage with ease.
1. Basic video editing
An i5 laptop with 8GB of RAM and integrated GPUs should be more than sufficient if your main duties when editing videos are trimming clips, creating transitions, and doing light color correction on 1080p content. Most widely used video editing programs do not have any appreciable lags when editing or exporting.
2. Intermediate video Editing for 4K
An i5 laptop can still be useful for editing 4K video, but you’ll need to think about making a few upgrades. A laptop that has a dedicated GPU and 16GB of RAM will process 4K video considerably more quickly.
3. Advanced-level video editing
Advanced video editing tasks that push an i5 laptop to its limit include complex effects, real-time color grading, and multi-layered compositions. Under these circumstances, a more potent processor—like an i7 or i9—along with 32GB of RAM and a top-tier GPU might be more suitable.
Nonetheless, an i5 laptop with sufficient RAM and a dedicated GPU can still function well for light or infrequent work in these fields.
To Wrap Up
Even though an i5 laptop can be a good option for video editing, you should be sure it fits your needs by carefully examining the model and its specifications. You can choose an i5 laptop that fuels your creative pursuits by taking into account elements like processor generation, core count, RAM, graphics card, and storage.
Read More: Why Intel Graphics Are Essential For High-Performance I9 Laptops
