4K Video Editing Is Slow and Laggy? Fix It Now
“I currently have a Dell laptop with a 2.7ghz dual core i7 with 8gbram. I have edited a few 4K clips but it’s really slow and laggy. I am sick of Windows and am looking to upgrade to an iMac but don’t want to spend the money on a brand-new one. Was looking at 2013 models with the quad-core i5s. Was wondering if anyone here uses an iMac for their edits and how well it handles 4K workloads?”
This user is not alone. Read from the forum, we see that there are lots of people stuck in a similar situation as the user does. But don’t worry, in this post, we will help you figure out why this issue happens and more importantly, how to fix it. So keep reading and find more.
Why Computer Becomes Slow and Laggy When Editing 4K Videos?
The first possible reason, which most users may have already known, is related to the hardware. Abandoning the dual-core i7 and going with a quad-core i5 is not the most sensible move for your choice. The processor may have an impact on 4K video editing and processing, but other hardware issues can be the causing factor, namely, GPU cache, RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. By the way, isn’t 2013 models way too obsolete for you to go back to?
If the basic hardware system in your computer is not capable of editing video files in 4K resolution, then the targeted solution is to upgrade them or make a new build. With the most budget rebuild, hundreds of money spending is inevitable, still, it is quite economical compared to investing in a brand new laptop.
We are clear that when editing a 4K video, both hardware and software are called for. So the second possible reason is about the software, which is easily overlooked by us. And in most occasions, the software is possibly the real core reason why the computer becomes slow and laggy during 4K editing.
Nowadays, most hardware is capable of processing 4K video files. But if the software cannot stimulate the potential of the hardware for 4K video processing, the slow and laggy issue would come out as well. So in this guide, we mainly focus on the reason that stems from software and will introduce a powerful video editing tool that can save you from the tedious slow, and laggy 4K editing. Check it in the following content.
Solution 1. Edit 4K Video with Hardware Acceleration
With a specialized built-in hardware acceleration engine, VideoProc Converter is perfectly designed for 4K video editing. Its Level-3 Hardware Acceleration is empowered by Intel®, AMD®, NVIDIA®, and Apple® M-series chips.
The picture below demonstrates that video processing under CPU only, GPU acceleration, and Hardware Acceleration yields different: video editing with CPU only is 6 times speed faster than that real-time editing; with GPU acceleration, 24 times speed improved compared to real-time processing; with VideoProc Converter’s full hardware acceleration, which doubles the GPU acceleration performance, hits nearly 8 times performance that CPU only does, and peaks up to 47 times than that of the real-time processing!
A Step-by-step Pictorial Guidance on Editing 4K Smoothly in Full Hardware Acceleration
Step 1. Open VideoProc Converter. Click the Video button on the main interface.
Step 2. Enable Hardware Acceleration. Hit the Option button on the right side of the user interface and hardware checking will be automatically triggered.
Step 3. To get detailed data on codec-supported info, you can click the Recheck button. This algorithm can detect which processor your PC is working with to trigger accordingly acceleration when you are editing videos.
Step 4. When the recheck process is done, you can edit your 4K video with hardware acceleration in VideoProc VideoProc Converter! Hit the Next button to get started. Edit 4K video with hardware acceleration. Speed is marginally quickened than ever before!
Solution 2. Organize a 4K-Friendly Editing Workflow
Here are some tips focusing on developing the proper workflow and organizational habits to get the best performance when editing 4K videos, especially on systems with limited resources. Optimizing how media is imported, stored, and rendered and maximizing available CPU/GPU power for Premiere Pro are key.
Import media and transcode/consolidate to an editing codec like ProRes. When first importing 4K media, transcode it to an intraframe codec like ProRes that is more editing-friendly. This reduces processor load and prevents lagging.
Break up long clips into shorter segments. Shorter clips put less demand on your system than long ones. Break up lengthy 4K clips whenever possible for the best performance.
Keep the project file and media on the SSD while editing. An SSD has much faster read/write speeds than a traditional hard drive, so storing your active 4K project and media on an SSD will help avoid lag and dropped frames during editing and playback.
Close other applications to devote maximum CPU/GPU. The more applications you have open, the more your system resources are divided. For the best 4K editing performance, close all other apps before working in Premiere Pro.
Save the project frequently while editing. Saving and reopening your project file forces the video editing software to flush its memory, freeing up RAM and making additional resources available for smooth 4K playback. It only takes a few seconds but can make a big difference.
Render a low-resolution preview as you go before the final render. Select sections of your sequence and render them at a lower resolution like 1/4 to get shorter render times. This allows for quicker previewing so you can check if edits are working well before the final full-resolution rendering. Rendering at lower resolutions saves time and system resources when you need them.
Solution 3. Upgrade Hardware and Software
Assess your hardware and software requirements based on these guidelines and ensure that your system is capable of handling 4K video editing tasks efficiently and avoiding experiencing slow and laggy performance.
Recommended Hardware Upgrades
- CPU: Consider upgrading to a faster and more powerful processor with more cores to handle the demands of 4K video editing effectively.
- GPU: Invest in a high-end graphics card with ample VRAM, such as NVIDIA GeForce RTX or AMD Radeon RX series, for improved real-time playback and rendering performance.
- RAM: Upgrade to 32 GB or more of RAM to ensure smooth multitasking and efficient handling of large video files.
- Storage: Opt for an SSD with a larger capacity to store your project files and media. This will significantly improve read/write speeds and overall performance.
- External storage: Utilize external drives, preferably with Thunderbolt or USB 3.0/3.1 connectivity, to offload footage and projects, freeing up space on your main drive.
Software considerations
- Video editing software: Ensure you have the latest version of professional-grade editing software like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro X. Updated software often includes performance optimizations.
- Operating system: Use a current and stable operating system, such as Windows 10 or macOS, with regular updates installed. These updates often include bug fixes and performance enhancements.
- Drivers: Keep your GPU drivers up to date to benefit from the latest optimizations for video editing software.
In conclusion, if you find yourself struggling with slow and laggy performance when editing 4K videos, it’s essential to take action and optimize your workflow. By assessing your hardware and software requirements, upgrading where necessary, and implementing troubleshooting techniques, you can reclaim control over your editing process.
Take the time to implement these fixes now and experience the joy of working on your 4K video projects with speed, responsiveness, and efficiency. Embrace the power to create, edit, and bring your vision to life without the frustration of watching the clock. It’s time to regain control of your editing process and unlock your true creative potential.