I'm planning my first PC build for creating educational videos and video essays in DaVinci Resolve, while also playing mostly single-player games at 1440p. My projects will usually be 20–30 minutes long, with some videos potentially exceeding an hour. I expect to work with 4K camera footage, lower-resolution clips, titles, graphics, and basic Fusion effects such as lower thirds and title cards. I'm not aiming for competitive gaming performance or extremely high refresh rates.
The current build uses an Intel Core i7-12700K, Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE, MSI Z790-P WiFi motherboard, 32GB DDR5-6000 memory, 1TB and 2TB NVMe SSDs, an Intel Arc B580 12GB graphics card, a Montech case, a 750W Corsair PSU, and a 27-inch 1440p 180Hz AOC monitor. The total is about £1,911.
The two SSDs are intentional: I planned to use the 1TB drive for Windows, applications, Resolve, and games, with the 2TB drive reserved for project files, generated Resolve files, footage, and older videos. I may eventually move archived footage to a hard drive.
Could you check whether the parts are compatible and reasonably priced? I'd also appreciate advice about alternative components, the monitor's suitability for video work, and whether I'll need anything else for a comfortable editing setup.
3 Answers
Pay close attention to the power supply choice and buy a well-reviewed, modern unit from a reputable line. A 750W supply is more than adequate for this build, so there’s no need to overspend on much higher wattage. Confirm that the case includes enough airflow and that the graphics card and CPU cooler have comfortable clearance.
The CPU is the weakest part of the selection from a value perspective. A newer chip in the same general price range should offer noticeably better performance than the older i7-12700K, so I’d update the platform rather than paying premium pricing for a previous-generation processor.
The separate SSD arrangement is workable, but it may not be the best use of the budget. A single 4TB NVMe drive can provide better value per terabyte, simplify project management, and leave you with more usable space. You can always add a dedicated scratch or project drive later if your workflow benefits from one.
Also, don’t choose the monitor based only on its claimed sRGB coverage. For editing, check independent measurements for colour accuracy, calibration, and whether its sRGB mode actually limits the wide-gamut panel correctly. A 1440p display is fine for this budget, but reliable colour handling matters more than its 180Hz refresh rate.
That makes sense. I chose the monitor mainly because it was a 27-inch 1440p model with an adjustable stand, and I hadn’t really checked independent colour testing. I’ll investigate that before buying.
The overall parts list should be functional, and the Phantom Spirit is a capable cooler for this class of processor. However, I’d compare current prices carefully because some of the storage and memory pricing looks unusually high. If a newer CPU and a larger single SSD cost less than the current combination, that would be a much better allocation of the budget.
For video editing, 32GB of RAM is usable for your described projects, though 64GB would be a worthwhile upgrade if you use Fusion heavily, keep many applications open, or work with multiple layers of 4K media. The Arc B580 has useful video encoders and enough VRAM for a 1440p system, but make sure your Resolve version and chosen effects support the relevant Intel GPU acceleration.
Thanks. I was unsure about the PSU, so I’ll compare reliable models and check the case airflow rather than choosing based only on wattage.