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Small Form Factor Video Editing PC: The Ultimate Build Guide

Ready to build a powerful small form factor video editing PC but tight on space? This guide is for you! We'll walk you through choosing the best compact components, from mini-ITX motherboards to powerful GPUs, and show you how to assemble a beastly rig without the bulk. 🖥️✂️

26 Sept 2025 | Quick Read | 👤 BuildByte

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Build a Small Form Factor Video Editing PC | Evetech Guide

Tired of that massive tower hogging your desk space? Imagine packing 4K video editing power into a sleek, compact chassis you can actually move without a trolley. Building a small form factor video editing PC isn't just about saving space; it's about creating a powerful, minimalist setup that doesn't compromise on performance. This guide will walk you through picking the right parts for a beastly yet tiny rig, right here in South Africa. 🚀

Why Choose a Small Form Factor Video Editing PC?

The biggest advantage is obvious: size. An SFF PC frees up valuable desk real estate and offers portability that traditional towers can't match. But modern SFF cases and components have closed the performance gap. You no longer have to sacrifice rendering speed for a smaller footprint.

While massive, air-cooled workstation PCs still have their place for extreme multi-GPU setups, a well-planned SFF build can handle demanding timelines in DaVinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Final Cut Pro with ease. The key is smart component selection.

Core Components for Your SFF Video Editing Build

Building in a small case means every component choice matters, especially when it comes to heat and size. Let's break down the essentials for a potent small form factor video editing PC.

The Brains: CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Your CPU does the heavy lifting for encoding, decoding, and handling complex effects. You have two excellent choices:

Intel: Intel CPUs with integrated graphics (like those in our Intel PC deals) offer Quick Sync Video technology. This is a hardware media engine that dramatically accelerates H.264 and H.265 (HEVC) encoding and decoding, making for a buttery-smooth timeline experience in Premiere Pro.
AMD: AMD Ryzen processors often provide more cores for your money, which is brilliant for 3D rendering and faster final exports. If your workflow involves more CPU-intensive rendering than timeline scrubbing, exploring our AMD Ryzen PC deals is a smart move.

For an SFF build, be mindful of the CPU's TDP (Thermal Design Power). A lower TDP means less heat to manage in a cramped space.

[Pre Built] Intel Core Ultra 7 265KF RX 9070 XT Gaming PC

R42209.00In Stock

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K 5.3GHz RTX 5070 12GB DDR5 Gaming PC

R30344.00In Stock

[Pre Built] Intel Core Ultra 7 265K RTX 5070 Gaming PC

R38114.00In Stock

Intel Core Ultra 5 225F ARC A380 6GB Gaming PC

R14174.00In Stock

AMD RYZEN 5 3600 RTX 3050 Budget Gaming PC

R11024.00In Stock

[Pre Built] HP OMEN 35L B1ZR4EA Intel Core Ultra 7 265K RTX 4080 SUPER Gaming PC

R49349.00In Stock

The Muscle: GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) ⚡

Your GPU is critical for real-time playback, colour grading, and GPU-accelerated effects.

NVIDIA: Generally the top choice for video editing due to its powerful CUDA cores, which are widely supported by professional software like the Adobe Creative Suite and DaVinci Resolve. An RTX card from our lineup of NVIDIA GeForce gaming PCs will crush render times and complex effects.
AMD: While NVIDIA often leads in editing, modern AMD GPUs offer fantastic performance for their price, especially in DaVinci Resolve which utilises OpenCL well. They are a solid alternative found in many of our AMD Radeon gaming PCs.

Crucially for SFF: Always check the GPU's physical dimensions (length, height, and width/slot count) against your chosen case's specifications!

TIP FOR YOU

Measure Twice, Buy Once 🔧

Before you buy any component for an SFF build, check its dimensions against the case's official spec sheet. Pay close attention to CPU cooler height clearance, GPU length and thickness, and power supply type (ATX, SFX, or SFX-L). This simple step can save you a massive headache and a costly return.

Memory and Storage: RAM & NVMe SSDs

RAM: 32GB is the sweet spot for 4K video editing. If you work with 6K/8K footage or heavy visual effects, 64GB is a worthy upgrade. Look for low-profile RAM kits if you're using a large air cooler to avoid clearance issues.
Storage: A fast NVMe SSD is non-negotiable. Use one for your OS and applications, and a second, larger NVMe for your active project files and cache. This ensures lightning-fast loading and scrubbing.

[Pre Built] AMD RYZEN 7 9700X RTX 5070 Gaming PC

R35699.00In Stock

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K RTX Pro 4500 DDR5 Workstation PC

R77909.00In Stock

[Pre Built] AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D RX 9070 XT Gaming PC

R69299.00In Stock

RYZEN 5 7500X3D RTX 5060 DDR5 Gaming PC

R21524.00In Stock

Intel Core Ultra 5 225F ARC A380 6GB Gaming PC

R14174.00In Stock

Intel Core Ultra 7 265K 5.3GHz RTX 5070 12GB DDR5 Gaming PC

R30344.00In Stock

Putting It All Together: Case, Cooling, and Power

The SFF case is the heart of your build. Brands like Cooler Master, Lian Li, and Fractal Design offer incredible ITX cases that balance size, cooling, and ease of building.

Cooling is the biggest challenge. A low-profile air cooler or a small 120mm/240mm AIO (All-in-One) liquid cooler are your main options. Ensure your case has good ventilation to prevent thermal throttling, where your components slow down to avoid overheating.

Building a small form factor video editing PC can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It's a puzzle that results in a powerful, clean, and portable creative machine. However, if the thought of cramming all that tech into a tiny box is a bit daunting, don't worry. Opting for professionally assembled pre-built PC deals can give you all the performance without the hassle of cable management in a tight space. ✨

Ready to Build Your Compact Powerhouse? Whether you're custom-building your dream SFF rig or looking for a professionally assembled machine, the right components make all the difference. Explore our range of high-performance workstation PCs and find the perfect foundation for your creative workflow.

Absolutely. Modern SFF components deliver incredible performance. With the right CPU, GPU, and cooling, a compact pc for video editing can easily handle 4K workflows.

The best SFF case balances size, airflow, and component compatibility. Look for cases with good ventilation and support for full-size GPUs and adequate cooling solutions.

Yes! Many SFF cases are designed to accommodate full-length, high-performance GPUs. Always check the case specifications for maximum GPU length and width before buying.

Thermal management in SFF builds is key. Use low-profile CPU coolers, case fans with good static pressure, and ensure clear airflow paths to keep components cool under load.

You'll need a Mini-ITX motherboard. These compact boards are feature-rich, often including high-speed connectivity essential for demanding video editing workflows.

They can be slightly more expensive. Mini-ITX motherboards and SFF power supplies sometimes carry a premium, but the space-saving benefits often outweigh the minor cost increase.