These days, most modern computers can handle some level of video editing. Most even come with basic video editing software pre-installed. However, if you have a project that requires better performance and the power to process lots of information quickly, then you have to start exploring your options. Let’s go over what you need if you’re planning on taking the daunting yet rewarding task of editing to the next level. These are the minimum system requirements for editing 6K video.
About 4K, 6K and 8K video editing
4K, 6K and the more advanced 8K all represent steps in the progression towards ever crisper, clearer and more detailed footage. Editing 4K requires more resources than editing full HD, and editing 6K is more intensive still. Higher resolution means larger file sizes. Your editing system, in turn, must be equipped to process more data faster to provide a smooth editing experience in 6K and beyond. If you plan to regularly edit 6K video, you need a computer that can handle the job.
More complex projects require more resources
First, as with any project you embark upon, you have to familiarize yourself with what works, what doesn’t and what you will need for a typical project. A documentary project will likely require more storage space, while a 6K project with lots of special effects will need additional RAM and a faster GPU. Choose your components according to the kinds of projects you most frequently work on.
Minimum system requirements for 6K video editing
If you want to do significant 6K video editing, you need an editing system with the right specs. That ensures your editing software runs smoothly while editing 6K video. The higher the video resolution, the more power you’ll need to edit it. Even if your system can handle 4K files with ease, you’ll still see reduced performance when editing in 6K. If you need an introduction to computer system specs and how they affect video editing, check out our guide to computer shopping.
When considering computer performance, the main components are the processor (CPU), the graphics card (GPU), the installed RAM and the storage drive capacity. Adobe’s official minimums are lower: 8 GB of RAM and 4 GB of GPU memory on Windows. Adobe recommends 32 GB of RAM for 4K and higher. For 6K, workstation builders typically suggest at least 64 GB of RAM and 12 GB of VRAM, with a fast SSD or several for storage. The specs below reflect that practical floor.
Here’s what you’ll need, at minimum, to edit 6K video:
- CPU: Intel Core i7 (12th generation or newer) or AMD Ryzen 7 (7000 series or newer), with 8 or more cores. Apple M1 Pro or newer works too, and it is a strong choice for 6K.
- RAM: 64 GB is the practical minimum for 6K, according to workstation builders. Adobe’s own recommendation is 32 GB for 4K and higher. Workstation builders often suggest 128 GB for multi-layer 6K projects. More RAM lets you work on longer projects without issue and keep more programs open at once.
- GPU: Adobe’s official minimum is 4 GB of GPU memory. Workstation builders typically recommend at least 12 GB for 6K, such as an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 or newer, or an equivalent AMD Radeon card. Adobe products on Windows rely on Nvidia’s CUDA, so Nvidia is the safer choice there.
- Storage: At least 256 GB, ideally an NVMe SSD with around 550 MB/s of throughput. For 6K, data throughput matters more than capacity.
Software minimums can also set the floor. According to Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve 21 release notes, Windows needs 16 GB of RAM, or 32 GB for 4K or when using Fusion. On a Mac, Resolve 21 requires an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 15 Sequoia, with 8 GB of RAM or 16 GB when using Fusion. Check Blackmagic’s readme for the exact GPU driver requirements before you buy.
Keep in mind that editing a simple one-minute video is different than editing a one or two-hour documentary with multiple layers of video, audio and graphics. The more complicated the project, the more resources it will require for editing. It’s vital to know your project and your budget before taking on any overwhelming project. You don’t want your computer crashing every few minutes or freezing up on you.
When film editor Vashi Nedomansky edited Scotty Waugh’s film, “6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain” (2017), it was the first feature film he edited natively in 6K. Since 6K files are nine times larger than HD, he used custom-made workstations with 20-core processors, equipped with 128 GB of RAM and NVIDIA Quadro M6000 12 GB video cards, only to handle the pixel power he needed for real-time playback. This project shows why it is crucial to anticipate your project’s demands so you can build a system that supports your workflow.
Choosing software that works for your project
Editing software is constantly being updated. Before you decide which editing software is right for you and your project, make sure you check their websites for updates to see what formats are supported. Make sure your editing software can support the file type and resolution you plan to shoot in to avoid having to transcode your footage. Most pro-level editing software now supports 6K and 8K resolutions, but many consumer-level programs don’t offer this feature.
You’ll also want to check the minimum and recommended system specs for any post-production software you plan to use. This can help predict how the software will perform on your editing system.
For more information on choosing the right editing software, see our editing software buyer’s guide.
Know your display
While 4K monitors are becoming more common, 6K computer screens are still rare and expensive. You can edit a 6K video project without viewing the footage on a 6K monitor, but you won’t be able to watch it at full size. In most cases, this won’t affect the look of your final project, since most work today is delivered in 4K or below.
If you plan on editing a lot of 6K footage, you may want to upgrade your monitor. Even moving from a full HD display to a 4K display will be an improvement. However, color accuracy is often more important than resolution when it comes to video work, so keep that in mind as you decide how to spend your monitor budget.
Editing 6K without upgrading your hardware
There are options that let you edit video in 6K, even if your computer system struggles to support hi-res video and you can’t afford to upgrade your hardware.
Many editors use proxy video files to make their workflow more manageable. In a proxy workflow, you transcode high-res footage to a lower resolution and bit rate so it plays back more smoothly on your editing system. Before the final export, you swap the low-res placeholder clips for the original high-res footage. Proxies can save you time and speed up turnaround, helping you get your project to market faster.
Another option is to lower the playback resolution in your editing software. Advanced editing software such as DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro allows you to adjust the playback resolution without going through the proxy creation process. Switching playback resolution to half or even a quarter of full resolution can make it easier to edit 6K video efficiently.
Final advice
The ever-advancing technology of digital video is brimming with new ideas, innovation, solutions and equipment faster than the world rotates. If you plan on editing in 6K, then you need a powerful computer with a faster processor, a hefty amount of RAM and a higher-end graphic card compared to your everyday desktop. Storage and monitoring solutions may need upgrades, too. Overall, you can expect a significant jump in system requirements and upgrades, but if you frequently edit 6K, the improved editing experience will be worth the leap.
