I'm looking for a complete PC setup for video editing in Adobe After Effects. Ideally, I'd like around 1TB of storage and 32GB of RAM, but I'm not sure what processor or graphics card I need. My total budget is about £800, including the monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Would that be realistic, or would I need to increase my budget or consider used parts?
3 Answers
After Effects generally benefits from a strong, fairly modern CPU, 32GB of RAM, fast SSD storage, and a dedicated graphics card with plenty of VRAM. A system using an 11th-generation-or-newer Intel processor or a Ryzen 3000-series-or-newer chip would be a reasonable starting point. For £800 including the monitor and peripherals, you’ll probably need to compromise on performance, shop for used parts, or start with 16GB of RAM and upgrade later.
Check prebuilt systems from established UK retailers, but keep your expectations realistic. At this budget, a new computer with 32GB RAM, a 1TB SSD, a suitable GPU, and all the peripherals will be difficult to find. You may get better value by building the PC yourself or buying a used desktop and adding a monitor separately.
A small Ryzen 7 mini PC could handle lighter editing, but it may not be ideal for demanding After Effects projects unless it supports a capable external GPU. For smoother work, a normal desktop with a dedicated graphics card is the safer choice. If you can raise the budget, prioritize the CPU, 32GB of RAM, and an SSD before spending extra on peripherals.
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