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How much RAM needed for pro level video editing?

I’d say I am advanced hobbyist when it comes to video-editing, but plan on doing more advanced things to the point of an independent pro, how much RAM do you think is good? I want enough RAM so that Mac Pro won’t use virtual RAM. I am thinking with 12GB of RAM, 2GB would be used by OS. That would leave 10GB, so if the video files I am editing are never over 10GB, I am all set with 12GB? How big are the video files the pro’s deal with? Is that they correct way to think about this problem?
I figure I would have Final Cut Pro open, along with Motion, Safari, and sometimes Soundtrack Pro.
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Royce

Comments: 4 Responses to “How much RAM needed for pro level video editing?”

    13 years ago

    Virtual memory is always used. You can't avoid it. But only for things that aren't priority. So if you are rendering some video, then it would be the priority, most likely. But yes, more RAM is better.
    You're calculations make assumptions about how the video editing software is used. I doubt that it is that direct of a process. There is a lot more going on than storing raw video data in memory. At the same time, the whole video stream wouldn't be in memory at the same time usually. So don't try to calculate it with raw numbers like that.
    More memory is better, so I would just go with what seems like a reasonable expense. I use 10GB in my Mac Pro. I'm not in the habit of checking, but I'd be surprised if it was all being used when rendering out a video file.

    forkboy1965
    13 years ago

    Just curious... would the type and speed of the CPU have any bearing upon how much RAM would be ideal for any given use, video in this instance?

      13 years ago

      I don't think it has any bearing. You would want the best you can get of both depending on your budget, of course.

    forkboy1965
    13 years ago

    Fair enough!

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