Are you looking for the best motherboard for video editing?

We get it, it can be hard to find a motherboard that is tailor-made for video editing in a sea of gaming motherboards. Manufacturers also try to pass off their gaming motherboards as creation boards by only making some cosmetic changes.

However, there are motherboards out there that would be right at home in a video editing workstation. These motherboards separate themselves from the crowd thanks to their unique features and excellent connectivity which is crucial for a video editing rig.

Without further ado, here are our picks for the best motherboard for video editing on both Intel and AMD platforms.

Before moving on make sure you check the following detailed tutorial on how to choose the best motherboard for you: How To Choose The Right Motherboard For Your Needs: A Comprehensive Guide

Why Should You Trust Us?

At Best Motherboard Zone, we are driven by a passion for technology and a dedication to providing the most accurate and comprehensive information to our readers. Our lead author, Konstantinos Chiotis, embodies this commitment. With over a decade of experience in the tech industry and a lifelong enthusiasm for gaming and PC building, Konstantinos brings a wealth of knowledge to our reviews and guides.

From the age of 14, Konstantinos has been building PCs, giving him over 20 years of hands-on experience with the hardware we discuss. This isn’t just theoretical knowledge; it’s practical understanding honed over two decades of personal experience. When Konstantinos talks about motherboards, GPUs, and processors, he does so with the authority of someone who has spent years working with these components.

We don’t just list specs and features; we delve into the details, comparing and contrasting different hardware to give you the most informed perspective possible. Our content is meticulously researched, thoroughly vetted, and always up-to-date. We strive for 100% originality in our content, ensuring that our articles are unique, informative, and reliable. So, when you read our recommendations, you can trust that they are based on deep expertise, extensive experience, and a genuine passion for technology.

How We Choose the Best Motherboard for Video Editing

Video editing machines have specific needs and preferences that separate them from a traditional gaming PC. We made sure that our choices reflect those key differences and highlight the factors and features that make a motherboard suitable for video editing.

Our focus was squarely on the feature set of the motherboards in question. Networking was a huge concern since video editors need to upload or download heavy files frequently. We made sure that the motherboards in our roundup were equipped with the best networking suite in their categories.

We also paid close attention to the storage options provided by the motherboard. Storage is key for editors since they have to store large amounts of data for their projects. Our choices reflect this priority as we selected motherboards with several M.2 slots and SATA ports.

Moreover, we also laid focus on the rear I/O connectivity of the boards. We made sure that the selected motherboards had high-speed USB connectivity, as well as multiple display outputs. Thunderbolt 4 functionality was also given priority.

The power delivery and VRM design of the motherboards were key concerns as well. Since video editing processors are usually very demanding CPUs, they require a beefy VRM setup to deliver their optimal performance.

Finally, the price-to-performance ratio dictates the ultimate verdict of the boards. We prioritized motherboards that offered a higher value proposition in their class.

Keeping these factors in mind, we have selected the very best motherboards for video editing. Let’s jump right in.

The Best Intel Motherboards for Video Editing Reviews

1. Gigabyte Z590 Vision G – Editor’s Choice

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z590 | VRM: 13 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5333 | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 10x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5GbE LAN | Storage: 4x M.2, 6x SATA

Starting off with Intel’s last-gen platform, the Gigabyte Z590 Vision G is a unique motherboard for video editing, thanks to its top-of-the-line features and minimalistic design. It’s packed with powerful components that make it perfect for creators who want the best possible performance. You can pair the Z590 Vision G with the powerful Core i9 11900K for an excellent editing experience.

To handle the 11900K, Gigabyte has installed a 13-phase VRM on the Z590 Vision G.The VRM on the Gigabyte Z590 Vision G has premium components, and it should be more than enough for even the most demanding processors on the platform. You can even expect decent overclocking on the 11900K to boost your editing performance a bit.

In addition to excellent performance, the VRM is also well-cooled with beefy heatsinks that should keep things running smoothly even under heavy load. The stability and reliability of the VRM are a big reason why the Z590 Vision G is a great choice for content creators and editors.

Even though the Z590 Vision G falls in the mid-range category, it is a feature-packed motherboard that’s perfect for anyone looking to build a high-performance editing PC. In the storage suite, it features four M.2 slots for lightning-fast storage, as well as 6 SATA ports for your hard drives and SSDs. On the networking front, the Z590 Vision G features 2.5GbE LAN for super-fast connectivity, but it lacks WiFi capability.

The omission of WiFi is a peculiar decision by Gigabyte, and they don’t offer any WiFi variant of this particular board either. There is the Gigabyte Z590 Vision D, but that is a more expensive board altogether.

The Gigabyte Z590 Vision G is a uniquely designed motherboard that offers great aesthetics and features. The board has a matte white finish with a few RGB lighting accents. The overall design is very minimalistic, making it look great in any build. The color scheme is also well-coordinated and looks great on different gaming PCs.

The lighting on the board is also well done and offers a unique look to the motherboard. There are a few other aesthetic features that make this board stand out, such as the shroud around the I/O area and the built-in I/O panel. Overall, the Gigabyte Z590 Vision G offers a unique, minimalistic aesthetic to your build that is quite rare nowadays.

It is hard to find a Z590 motherboard that looks similar to the Z590 Vision G, but the Gigabyte Z590 AORUS Master can be considered a decent alternative. We prefer the former, however, due to its unique design and better value for money. You can also check out our selection of the best white motherboards for more options.

Overall, the Gigabyte Z590 Vision G is one to consider if you’re looking for a sleek and modern motherboard that has all the latest features but doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. It’s also one of the best designs when it comes to white motherboards, so your build will look clean and tidy. If you’re looking for a motherboard that’s going to be great for editing, gaming, or general use, then the Gigabyte Z590 Vision G should be high on your list.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 8.5/10
• Features: 8/10
• Aesthetics: 9.5/10
• Value for Money: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 9/10

2. Gigabyte Z390-I AORUS Pro WiFi – Best Budget Intel Motherboard

Form Factor: Mini ITX | Chipset: Z390 | VRM: 4+2 Phase | Memory: 2x DIMM, 64GB, DDR4-4400 | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 6x rear IO, 5x internal | Network: 1x 1GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA

For the small form factor enthusiasts, the Z390-I AORUS Pro WiFi is one of the best mini ITX motherboards on the market. It’s perfect for building a powerful gaming PC in a compact PC case for video editing. The board has high-end features and a decent VRM, but it’s also very affordable. The Z390 platform allows you to use excellent CPUs such as the Core i9 9900K and 9900KS.

When it comes to VRMs, the Gigabyte Z390-I AORUS Pro WiFi offers incredible value for money. It has a 4+2 phase VRM design with high-quality components that ensure reliable power delivery to your CPU. The VRM is good enough for stock operation with the Core i9 9900K, but one should stay away from heavy overclocking on this VRM.

The VRM is also cooled by large aluminum heatsinks that help to dissipate heat, even during high load scenarios. Under extended loads, the temperatures start to creep up a bit but that is to be expected from a value-oriented power delivery setup.

The Gigabyte Z390-I AORUS Pro WiFi sports a number of features that make it ideal for video editing machines on a budget. For starters, it features two M.2 slots, which provide ample storage for games and other files. This is quite rare to see on a mini ITX board from this generation.

Additionally, it features a number of networking options, including Gigabit LAN and WiFi. As such, it is easy to connect to the internet and transfer files between devices. We would have liked to see a 2.5 GbE LAN port on this board, but that might have been unreasonable at this price point.

Being a mini ITX motherboard has its limitations, however, and the same holds true for the Gigabyte Z390-I AORUS Pro WiFi. There are only two DIMM slots that severely limit your upgradability in terms of memory, and the PCIe expansion capability is quite limited as well.

Alternatives to the Z390-I AORUS Pro WiFi can be the MSI MPG B560I Gaming Edge WiFi and the Gigabyte B550I AORUS Pro WiFi. Both of these boards are on more modern chipsets, but the Z390-I was selected thanks to its superior price-to-performance standing. Our roundup of the best Z390 motherboards can also be helpful here.

In terms of aesthetics, the Gigabyte Z390-I AORUS Pro WiFi is a good-looking motherboard but it does not stand out from the crowd. It has a black and silver color scheme with a hint of RGB lighting that makes it look nice without being too flashy. The PCB is well designed and laid out, and the overall look is clean and professional.

The only downside is that the RGB lighting is not very bright, and it is situated in a bit of a peculiar spot behind the right edge of the board. However, in a dark room or with the lights off, the RGB lighting looks great and really makes the motherboard stand out.

In essence, the Gigabyte Z390-I AORUS Pro WiFi is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality mini ITX motherboard for their video editing PC. It offers decent features and performance, and is one of the best value options on the market in this form factor. The Z390 platform is also particularly great for value picks now that it is a couple of generations old.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 7/10
• Features: 7.5/10
• Aesthetics: 7.5/10
• Value for Money: 8/10
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

3. Gigabyte Z490 AORUS Elite AC – Best Mid-Range Intel Motherboard

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z490 | VRM: 12 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5000+ | Video Outputs: HDMI | USB Ports: 10x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA

If you’re looking for the best Z490 motherboard for video editing, you can’t go wrong with the Gigabyte Z490 AORUS Elite AC. It’s one of the best value options on the market, and it offers a great feature set for anyone on the Z490 Intel platform. This board can be paired with the likes of Core i9 10900K or i7 10700K, making a very powerful system for video editing.

The Gigabyte Z490 AORUS Elite AC has an impressive VRM with 12 phases and dedicated heatsinks for cooling. This means that it is able to handle even the most demanding 10th Gen Intel CPUs without breaking a sweat. In terms of power delivery, the Z490 AORUS Elite AC is a great choice for anyone looking to build a high-performance PC.

While the Gigabyte Z490 AORUS Elite AC is able to handle the Core i9 10900K on stock settings, you should probably avoid overclocking the flagship Intel CPU on this motherboard. The extended VRM thermal performance does not hold up when paired with the i9 10900K under intense loads.

The VRM heatsinks are adequate, but they are smaller than what some competitors are offering, like the MSI Z490 Tomahawk. You can find more alternative options in our roundup of the best Z490 motherboards.

Meanwhile, the Gigabyte Z490 AORUS Elite AC is a high-quality motherboard that offers a range of features for video editors and other users who require a high level of performance from their computers. One of the key features of the motherboard is its networking capabilities, which include support for both Wi-Fi and 2.5 GbE LAN.

The board also features two M.2 slots for storage, as well as six SATA ports for your older hard drives and SATA SSDs. Even the rear I/O suite is pretty decent for a mid-range Z490 motherboard, making the Z490 AORUS Elite AC a fantastic choice for content creators and video editors on this platform.

Regarding aesthetics, the AORUS Z490 Elite AC looks great and has excellent build quality. The color scheme is black and silver, with a hint of RGB lighting on the I/O cover. The board’s aesthetics are clean and understated, which is a nice change of pace from the usual RGB-laden designs. The lighting on the board is subtle but effective, and the overall look is sleek and modern.

The lack of lighting might play in the favor of video editors and content creators who usually do not want a flashy motherboard inside their workstation PCs. However, this is a subjective choice and some might have preferred a bit more lighting on the board.

At the end of the day, the Gigabyte Z490 AORUS Elite AC is a great Z490 motherboard for anyone looking for a quality video editing motherboard without breaking the bank. It offers plenty of features and won’t disappoint when it comes to performance. If you’re trying to find the best value option for a workstation PC, then this is definitely the motherboard for you.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 8/10
• Features: 7.5/10
• Aesthetics: 8/10
• Value for Money: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8/10

4. ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi – Best Premium Intel Motherboard

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: Z690 | VRM: 16+1 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR5-4800+ | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 8x rear IO, 9x internal | Network: 1x 10GbE LAN, 1x 2.5GbE LAN, 1x WiFi 6E | Storage: 4x M.2, 8x SATA

Our last Intel pick does not come easy on the wallet, which is the ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi motherboard. Ridiculous name aside, this is one of the most feature-rich and unique motherboards you can find on the Z690 platform. Since this is the latest Intel chipset, you can pair the Z690-Creator WiFi with the Core i9 12900K and make a truly premium video editing machine.

To handle the flagship Alder Lake CPU, ASUS has really gone overboard with the power delivery system. Under the gigantic VRM heatsinks, you can find a 16+1 phase VRM setup that is more than powerful enough to handle the Core i9 12900K and other 12th Gen CPUs.

You can even try your hand at overclocking, and this VRM will be able to handle it comfortably.

ASUS has also paid attention to VRM cooling, as previously mentioned. The two massive aluminum VRM heatsinks are joined by a copper heat pipe for maximum heat dissipation. The ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi really does not compromise on either VRM quality or VRM thermals under extended load.

Since this motherboard is a part of the ASUS ProArt lineup aimed at creators, it is packed to the brim with high-end features. Networking is handled via a 10 Gigabit LAN port as well as an additional 2.5 GbE LAN port on the rear I/O. Moreover, you also get WiFi 6E capability for all your wireless networking needs.

ASUS has provided a whopping 8 SATA ports on this board, in addition to four M.2 slots for your storage drives. On the connectivity front, you get Thunderbolt 4 ports, as well as the latest and greatest in terms of USB and Display outputs. This board is truly a premium option for video editors and content creators when it comes to features.

There are really not a lot of dedicated motherboards on the Z690 platform that are aimed at creators. As an alternative, you can look at the ASUS Maximus Z690 Hero motherboard, or the ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WiFi board, both of which are not as rich in features as the ProArt option.

You can also find more Z690 motherboards in our roundup of the best motherboards for i9 12900K.

For a machine dedicated to video editing and content creation, you generally want to stay away from flashy RGB lights and gaudy motherboard designs. The ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi is a relatively simple motherboard, with a straightforward design that blends into the background.

It does not have any RGB lighting, and the board itself is covered in black shrouds with only a bit of golden text here and there. Some users might think of the lack of RGB lighting as a disadvantage, but that is a subjective opinion that will vary from buyer to buyer.

In essence, the ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi motherboard is tailor-made for video editors and content creators on the Z690 platform. Harnessing the power of the Core i9 12900K CPU, you can create a fantastic video editing machine that can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

The board is rather pricy, however, and that can be a problem if you are working with a certain budget constraint.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 9/10
• Features: 9/10
• Aesthetics: 8/10
• Value for Money: 7.5/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

The Best AMD Motherboards for Video Editing Reviews

1. MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk WiFi – Editor’s Choice [BEST SELLER]

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: B550 | VRM: 10+2+1 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5100+ | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 6x rear IO, 7x internal | Network: 1x 2.5GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi | Storage: 2x M.2, 6x SATA

We selected the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk WiFi as our top choice for AMD motherboards due to its excellent performance and reasonable price. It’s packed with an array of features that make it ideal for creators as well as gamers. The best part is that it’s very affordable, making it a great option for budget-conscious creators.

You can pair the B550 Tomahawk WiFi with CPUs like the Ryzen 7 5800X or Ryzen 7 3700X to make a great value video editing machine. The MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk WiFi has an excellent VRM with 12+1 phases that can handle those CPUs perfectly. This means that it can deliver enough clean and stable power to the CPU even when overclocking.

MSI has made sure that the VRM is also well-cooled thanks to the large heatsinks that are located around it. This helps to keep the VRM from getting too hot, even under load. This VRM setup punches way above its weight when it comes to AMD motherboards on the market.

Despite being a value-oriented motherboard, the MSI B550 Tomahawk WiFi is a well-rounded motherboard that offers a solid set of features. It features both Wi-Fi and 2.5 GbE LAN connectivity, as well as two M.2 slots for storage expansion. It also has a good selection of USB ports, including both Type-A and Type-C ports.

In terms of features, we would have liked to see more rear USB ports on this board. Moreover, the second M.2 slot does not have PCIe 4.0 support, but that is a limitation of the B550 platform rather than the board itself.

MSI also has the B550 Gaming Pro Carbon motherboard at a similar price point, but we prefer the B550 Tomahawk thanks to its higher price-to-performance ratio and better VRM heatsinks. The thermal management of the Tomahawk is among the best in this category.

A similar MSI option was also selected in our list of the best Z590 motherboards.

Aesthetically, MSI’s MAG B550 Tomahawk is a thing of beauty. The looks are on point, with a sleek design and color scheme that is both eye-catching and modern. The board is generally stealthy and understated, with a pop of RGB lighting behind the chipset heatsink.

We would have liked a bit more RGB lighting on the board, but that is purely subjective. The board goes perfectly well with PC builds that are built around a dark or stealthy theme. Overall, when it comes to aesthetics, MSI has definitely hit the nail on the head with the MAG B550 Tomahawk WiFi.

Conclusively, the MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk WiFi is a gaming motherboard that seeks to offer the best of both worlds, with a price point that is affordable for creators who are on a budget. The conclusion is that this board offers great value for money, and should be on your list if you are looking for an AMD board that offers all the features you need for editing.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 8.5/10
• Features: 8/10
• Aesthetics: 8/10
• Value for Money: 9.5/10
• Overall Rating: 9/10

2. ASRock B450M Steel Legend – Best Budget AMD Motherboard

Form Factor: Micro-ATX | Chipset: B450 | VRM: 4+2 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-3533+ | Video Outputs: HDMI, DisplayPort | USB Ports: 6x rear IO, 5x internal | Network: 1x 1GbE LAN | Storage: 2x M.2, 4x SATA

Our budget AMD pick of the day is one for the value hunters who want to maximize their bang for the buck. The ASRock B450M Steel Legend is one of the best micro ATX motherboards on the B450 chipset. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to build a budget editing PC based on the B450 platform. You can pair the B450M Steel Legend with a Ryzen 5 3600 or Ryzen 7 3700X CPU to get a very potent budget editing machine.

Being a budget-oriented motherboard, the VRM on the Gigabyte ASRock B450M Steel Legend is average at best. It is a 4+2 phase design that’s capable of running Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 CPUs on their stock settings quite comfortably. You shouldn’t, however, expect any significant overclocking results on this power delivery setup.

Regarding thermals, the VRM is cooled by an aluminum heatsink that is rather adequately sized for better thermal performance. The thermals of this motherboard tend to climb when put under stress for extended periods of time.

The ASRock B450M Steel Legend is an affordable micro ATX motherboard that has a number of features that are normally found on more expensive boards. It has two M.2 slots for storage which is rare to see on a B450 board in this price category. Moreover, it has decent networking thanks to its Gigabit port, but we would have liked to see WiFi capability as well.

You can also look at the MSI B450M Mortar motherboard for an alternative B450 motherboard in a micro-ATX form factor. However, the Steel Legend is just a more interesting choice thanks to its diverse feature set and unique design.

Alternatively, our list of the best B450 motherboards can also be of great help.

The design of the ASRock B450M Steel Legend is definitely one of its strong points. The motherboard has a flashy and angular design with a black and silver color scheme. The black PCB is contrasted by the silver-colored heatsinks, as well as the gray camouflage pattern on the PCB itself. This color scheme gives the motherboard a very modern look.

If that’s not enough, there are also RGB LED lights built into the motherboard. These can be controlled by the ASRock Polychrome RGB software to create any number of lighting effects. The result is a very good-looking motherboard that will definitely stand out in your case.

Conclusively, the ASRock B450M Steel Legend is one of the best micro ATX boards on the market, and it provides a great option for those looking to build a small form factor video editing PC. It offers decent features and performance, and its price point makes it a great value for the money. This board gives you the option to utilize the aging B450 chipset in an affordable editing machine.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 7/10
• Features: 7/10
• Aesthetics: 8/10
• Value for Money: 8.5/10
• Overall Rating: 7.5/10

3. MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE – Best Premium AMD Motherboard

Form Factor: ATX | Chipset: X570 | VRM: 14+1+1 Phase | Memory: 4x DIMM, 128GB, DDR4-5000+ | Video Outputs: None | USB Ports: 6x rear IO, 9x internal | Network: 1x 2.5GbE LAN, 1x 1GbE LAN, 1x Wi-Fi | Storage: 3x M.2, 6x SATA

MSI’s MEG X570 GODLIKE is one of the very best motherboards for content creators and video editors on the market. It’s a high-end X570 option that’s packed with features for enthusiasts as well as gamers.

You can pair the X570 GODLIKE with the AMD Ryzen 9 5900X or 5950X to create a truly unparalleled editing workstation. It’s also one of the most expensive options, but it’s worth the price for serious video editors.

The VRM is an important factor to consider when looking at MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE since editors will pair this motherboard with the likes of Ryzen 9 5950X. The X570 GODLIKE has a 16-phase VRM that is capable of delivering extraordinary amounts of current.

You can expect extensive overclocking on your Ryzen 9 part as well when paired with this board.

Moreover, the power delivery components are also cooled by a large heatsink, which helps to keep temperatures down during extended periods of use. This factor is crucial to the overall reliability and long-term durability of the power delivery setup used on the board.

The MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE is a top-of-the-line gaming motherboard that features a wide range of features to appeal to gamers and video editors who demand the best performance from their systems. On the networking front, the GODLIKE includes a Killer E2500 Gigabit Ethernet controller and an Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 adapter.

The Killer controller is great for stable connections, which is often a priority for video editors who work off a server. And the Wi-Fi 6 support is nice if you’re looking to connect wirelessly. You also get an extra Gigabit LAN port just as a nice addition on this option for best motherboard for video editing.

It also features three M.2 slots for high-speed storage devices, as well as numerous high-speed rear USB ports for connecting a wide range of peripherals. For a premium motherboard, however, the number of rear USB ports could have been increased. We also would have liked to see HDMI or DisplayPort outputs on the rear I/O, which can be really helpful in diagnostic scenarios.

One look at the MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE and you can tell that it means business. The all-black design is highlighted by tasteful streaks of silver, and the I/O cover features a beautiful zone of RGB Lighting.

Stripes of color accentuate the contours of the motherboard, and the built-in LEDs illuminate key components like the VRM and chipset heatsink. Even the I/O shield is backlit, giving the whole setup a futuristic feel.

MSI also offers the PRESTIGE X570 Creation motherboard in this price bracket, but we prefer the GODLIKE thanks to its superior value proposition. The Creation board is also hard to find and is often out of stock.

We also selected a similar Gigabyte option in our roundup of the best motherboards for i9 11900K.

All told, the MSI MEG X570 GODLIKE is a top-tier motherboard that should be on your list if you’re in the market for a new content creation board. It’s got everything you could want in a high-end board, and then some. On the flip side, its sky-high price is also something to be considered before you finalize your purchase decision.

RATINGS:

• VRM Design: 9.5/10
• Features: 9/10
• Aesthetics: 8/10
• Value for Money: 7/10
• Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Best Motherboard for Video Editing – Buyer’s Guide

While most gaming motherboards can also function as motherboards for video editing, there are certain features that make a board more suited for editing purposes than for gaming. You will need to look for these specific features when selecting a motherboard for your next video editing PC.

We have compiled a list of some of the more important factors that can really help your search.

Networking

When it comes to choosing a motherboard for video editing, networking should be one of the key considerations. Many video editors nowadays like to work off of a central NAS or other servers that are not physically connected to the computer. Moreover, you may also have to download or upload heavy files for your video editing project.

The LAN ports and WiFi capabilities of the motherboard will determine how well the computer can connect to the internet and transfer files. For example, a 10 Gigabit LAN port will offer much faster speeds than a standard Gigabit LAN port. For professional workstations, we recommend motherboards that have at least a 2.5 GbE LAN connection.

WiFi 6 is the latest standard in wireless networking and it provides significantly faster speeds than older generations of WiFi. If you plan on using your computer for editing or other networking-intensive tasks, make sure to choose a motherboard with the appropriate networking capabilities.

M.2 Slots and SATA Ports

Storage is an important consideration for any gaming PC, but it is even more important when you want to use your PC for work purposes. Most modern motherboards come with one or two M.2 slots for NVMe SSDs, as well as numerous SATA Ports for your older hard drives and SSDs.

In video editing, it is extremely important that your files are available to you in a quick and seamless manner. This is why most editors tend to put their source material on an NVMe SSD. For this reason, you should look at the number of M.2 slots that are present on the motherboard that you wish to buy. Furthermore, you should also check if those slots support PCIe Gen 4 or PCIe Gen 3 speeds.

SATA Ports are also important for connecting other storage devices, such as spinning hard drives and full-sized SSDs. If you have a lot of files to store, make sure the motherboard you choose has enough SATA ports to handle all the drives that you have.

By taking storage into account when choosing a motherboard, you can be sure to select a model that meets your video editing needs.

Connectivity

When choosing a motherboard for video editing, it is crucial to consider the connectivity options that are available. The connectivity of the board is basically represented by its rear I/O and expansion options.

USB ports come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they offer different speeds and capabilities. The most common USB ports in modern motherboards are the standard USB 2.0 ports and the high-speed USB 3.2 ports. You should carefully check the number and speed of USB ports on the motherboard so that you can connect all your external devices to your workstation PC.

Thunderbolt is also becoming increasingly popular, as it offers even higher speeds and more features. Many premium motherboards nowadays offer Thunderbolt 4 ports, which are basically USB-C ports with lots of unique features. You can even connect external displays using a Thunderbolt port.

When selecting a motherboard for video editing, it’s important to consider what sort of devices you’ll be connecting to it. If you need to transfer large files or connect high-speed devices, then you’ll need to choose a motherboard with the appropriate USB ports for that use case.

FAQs:

Does motherboard matter for video editing?

The motherboard certainly matters in video editing. Not only does the motherboard house your CPU and your graphics card, but it is also directly responsible for providing you with networking, connectivity, and storage solutions. You need a motherboard that has adequate features for your particular video editing use case, and one that can handle a high-end video editing CPU of your choice.

What features should I look for in a motherboard for video editing?

Key features to look for include support for a powerful CPU, high RAM capacity, multiple PCIe slots for graphics cards, and ample storage options. Connectivity features like USB 3.0 ports and high-speed Ethernet can also be beneficial for quick data transfers.

Is a gaming motherboard good for video editing?

While gaming motherboards can be used for video editing, they may not always be the best choice. Video editing often benefits from features like more RAM slots, more storage options, and robust CPU support, which are not always the primary focus of gaming motherboards.

Does video editing benefit from multiple cores?

Yes, video editing software can often take advantage of multiple cores, which can greatly improve rendering times and overall performance.

How much RAM do I need for a video editing PC?

You need a minimum of 16GB RAM for video editing, but 32GB is recommended for most applications nowadays. You can get away with 16GB RAM if you edit simple projects in 1080p or lower resolutions. However, if you are working on complex projects with lots of source files, effects, and a high output resolution like 4K, you should definitely go for 32GB RAM.

Does video editing use GPU or CPU?

Video editing uses the CPU more than the GPU. However, many modern video editing applications are using GPU encoding more and more to take the load away from the CPU. A GPU is generally specialized in a certain task so it cannot take the load completely away from the CPU, however, the balance is certainly shifting towards the GPU. Still, you need a powerful CPU anyway for video editing.

How many cores do I need for video editing?

You need a minimum of four cores for basic video editing, however, six or eight core CPUs are generally recommended for video editing. Complex video editing projects with lots of source files, effects, and high-resolution outputs need at least 8 cores to be seamless. You can also splurge for a 12-core or 16-core processor if you are working with complex 4K or 8K files.