How Much RAM for Video Editing?

[ThatDiabeticGuy]

Looking to get an M3 or M4 MacBook Pro (Pro chip) in the near future and trying to figure out how much RAM I need for video editing. 
 

The new M4 Pro MacBook Pro comes with 24GB of RAM by default. Is that enough or would I need to upgrade to the 48GB option? 
 

I'm editing in DaVinci Resolve, Canon and Sony mirrorless footage, fairly basic editing with minimal effects (speed ramps, motion blur). I do create pretty big projects though with multiple large timelines and hundreds of clips. 

[ki8aras]

39 minutes ago, ThatDiabeticGuy said:

Looking to get an M3 or M4 MacBook Pro (Pro chip) in the near future and trying to figure out how much RAM I need for video editing. 
 

The new M4 Pro MacBook Pro comes with 24GB of RAM by default. Is that enough or would I need to upgrade to the 48GB option? 
 

I'm editing in DaVinci Resolve, Canon and Sony mirrorless footage, fairly basic editing with minimal effects (speed ramps, motion blur). I do create pretty big projects though with multiple large timelines and hundreds of clips. 

look at your current ram usage while editing

[jaslion]

2 hours ago, ThatDiabeticGuy said:

'm editing in DaVinci Resolve, Canon and Sony mirrorless footage, fairly basic editing with minimal effects (speed ramps, motion blur).

Any specific reason for a mac then? Its quite a bit cheaper for a windows machine fot example.

 

Either way check ram usage now to see how much is used.

 

Also what is the current spec you are editing on?

[ThatDiabeticGuy]

6 hours ago, jaslion said:

Any specific reason for a mac then? Its quite a bit cheaper for a windows machine fot example.

 

Either way check ram usage now to see how much is used.

 

Also what is the current spec you are editing on?

My current Windows desktop actually works just fine, but I need to switch to a laptop for the work I’ve been doing. And just a personal preference on the Mac vs PC front. 

[Commodus]

On 10/31/2024 at 4:11 AM, ThatDiabeticGuy said:

Looking to get an M3 or M4 MacBook Pro (Pro chip) in the near future and trying to figure out how much RAM I need for video editing. 
 

The new M4 Pro MacBook Pro comes with 24GB of RAM by default. Is that enough or would I need to upgrade to the 48GB option? 
 

I'm editing in DaVinci Resolve, Canon and Sony mirrorless footage, fairly basic editing with minimal effects (speed ramps, motion blur). I do create pretty big projects though with multiple large timelines and hundreds of clips. 

In your case, I'd say 24GB is enough. You're not going beyond 4K, making elaborate cuts, or layering effects, and those are the things that are most likely to slam the memory. Hundreds of clips will demand RAM, but if you get an M4 Pro you'll also have gobs of bandwidth.

 

If it comes down to things, wait for pro video YouTubers like Tyler Stalman to review the M4 Pro MacBooks and how well they cope with various workloads.

[herbie_]

Did you end up getting the 24gb spec ?