Best Mini PC for Video Editing with Discrete GPU & Thunderbolt 2026

Video editing demands serious processing and graphics power — especially when working with 4K, 6K, or even 8K timelines, color grading, multi-layer effects, and exporting large project files.

While full-sized desktops have traditionally dominated this field, modern mini PCs have caught up dramatically, now offering:

  • High-core CPUs for smooth editing timelines
  • Discrete or integrated high-performance GPUs for GPU-accelerated rendering
  • Thunderbolt/USB4 connectivity for high-speed external drives
  • Compact footprints that fit on any desk or travel bag

Below are the best mini PCs for video editing in 2026, chosen for their GPU performance, RAM capacity, storage speed, Thunderbolt connectivity, and editing-ready feature sets.


Why Choose a Mini PC for Video Editing

  • Massive Performance in a Small Package: Power comparable to desktops while saving space
  • Silent, Efficient Cooling: Modern mini PCs run whisper-quiet, ideal for studios
  • Thunderbolt / USB4 Connectivity: Enables ultra-fast external SSDs and RAID storage
  • Multi-Display Support: Drive 3–4 high-resolution monitors for multitasking
  • Travel-Ready: Perfect for creators, YouTubers, and filmmakers on the move

Quick Comparison Table

ModelCPUGPURAM / SSDConnectivityBest ForPrice
GMKtec K6 Mini PC GamingAMD Ryzen 7 7840HS (8C/16T)Radeon 780M iGPU32GB / 1TBUSB4, HDMI, DP, 2.5GbE LANFast 4K video editing & encodingCheck Price
GEEKOM IT15 Mini PCIntel Ultra 9 285H (16C/22T)Intel Arc 140T (discrete)32GB / 2TBThunderbolt 4, WiFi 7, 8K output8K editing, color grading, AI workflowsCheck Price
MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 Mini PCAMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12C/24T)Radeon 890M iGPU64GB / 1TBDual USB4, HDMI, DP, 2xRJ45, WiFi 7Multicam editing, 3D effects, and AI-assisted renderingCheck Price

Best Mini PC for Video Editing

1. GMKtec K6 Mini PC Gaming

Best Budget-Friendly Mini PC for 4K Video Editing

GMKtec Mini PC Gaming, K6 AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS Dual NIC LAN 2.5Gbps…
  • 【Premium Gaming Mini PC】The Nucbox K6 Gaming PC is a small form factor Desktop Micro Mini Computer with an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS (8C/16T up to 5.1Ghz) processor. The GPU is integrated with…

Performance & Features

The GMKtec K6 delivers exceptional performance for 4K video editing in an ultra-compact design. Powered by AMD’s Ryzen 7 7840HS, it balances raw processing muscle and efficiency.

  • AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS (8 cores / 16 threads, up to 5.1 GHz) — handles timeline scrubbing and multi-layer effects smoothly
  • Radeon 780M integrated GPU — surprisingly powerful, great for 4K editing and GPU acceleration in DaVinci Resolve, Premiere Pro, and After Effects
  • 32GB DDR5 dual-channel RAM (upgradeable) ensures fluid playback of high-bitrate footage
  • 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD gives blazing project load times
  • USB4.0, HDMI, DisplayPort, and 2.5Gbps LAN — ideal for fast media transfer and multiple display setups
  • WiFi 6E + Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless connectivity

Build Quality

  • Sleek matte metal chassis with efficient dual-fan cooling
  • Compact footprint fits even on small studio desks
  • Quiet operation even during heavy renders

Everyday Use

  • Ideal for content creators editing 4K footage, YouTubers, and travel editors
  • Handles basic color grading, motion graphics, and encoding efficiently
  • Compact enough to carry in a backpack for mobile production

Pros

  • Excellent performance-to-price ratio
  • Super-compact and silent
  • USB4 enables ultra-fast external storage

Cons

  • Integrated GPU only (not ideal for heavy 8K work)
  • Not built for large multicam RAW workflows

[Check Price on Amazon] — Best Budget Mini PC for 4K Editing


2. GEEKOM IT15 Mini PC

Best High-End Mini PC for 8K Video Editing & Color Grading

GEEKOM IT15, The Most Powerful Mini PC with Intel Ultra 9 285H (15th…
  • ➊ Meet the GEEKOM IT15: As the most powerful Intel mini pc 2025, the GEEKOM IT15 powered by the 15th Gen Intel Core Ultra 9 285H (16C/16T, up to 5.4GHz), the IT15 Mini Desktop delivers 28%…

Performance & Features

The GEEKOM IT15 is one of the most powerful mini PCs ever built, designed for professional editors handling massive 6K–8K projects.

  • Intel Ultra 9 285H (16 cores / 22 threads) — a new-gen powerhouse optimized for media workloads
  • Intel Arc 140T discrete GPU (99 TOPS AI performance) — hardware AV1 encoding, fast GPU acceleration, and AI-driven effects rendering
  • 32GB DDR5 RAM + 2TB PCIe Gen4 SSD for seamless playback of multi-layer timelines
  • Thunderbolt 4, USB4, HDMI, and 8K Quad Display support — run multiple monitors plus fast RAID drives simultaneously
  • WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 provide future-proof wireless connectivity

Build Quality

  • Premium aluminum chassis with efficient vapor-chamber cooling
  • Silent under load — perfect for studio environments
  • Tool-free design for easy SSD/RAM upgrades

Everyday Use

  • Ideal for cinematic video editing, colorists, and 8K RAW workflows
  • Handles complex grading, effects, multicam editing, and high-bitrate exports
  • Perfect for edit suites needing discrete GPU power in a tiny footprint

Pros

  • Extremely powerful CPU + discrete GPU combo
  • Thunderbolt 4 for blazing-fast external storage
  • Handles 8K timelines and color grading effortlessly

Cons

  • Larger and heavier than other mini PCs
  • Overkill for light 4K projects

[Check Price on Amazon] — Best High-End Mini PC for 8K Video Editing


3. MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 Mini PC

Best AI-Powered Mini PC for Multicam & AI-Accelerated Editing

Sale
MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 Mini PC AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370(12C/24T) 64GB…
  • 【Leading AI Mini PC】MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 Mini PC comes with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, which uses AMD’s latest generation Zen 5 architecture. It has 12 Cores and 24 Threads, the boost clock is up to 5.1GHz. The overall processor performance is up to 80 TOPS, and the NPU performance reaches up to 50 TOPS. AMD Ryzen AI enables improved productivity, advanced collaboration, and improved efficiency.

Performance & Features

The MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 is designed for next-gen video editing workflows, blending raw performance and cutting-edge AI acceleration.

  • AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 (12 cores / 24 threads) — powerhouse for rendering, encoding, and multitasking
  • AMD Radeon 890M integrated GPU — new-gen iGPU close to entry discrete GPU performance, perfect for GPU-accelerated effects
  • 64GB DDR5 RAM ensures stutter-free playback of complex multicam projects
  • 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD — ultra-fast media cache and scratch disk speeds
  • Dual USB4 ports, HDMI, DP, 2xRJ45 LAN for expansive connectivity
  • WiFi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 — ultra-fast wireless editing file transfers

Build Quality

  • Sleek aluminum case with intelligent AI-based fan curve control
  • Compact, modular design for easy RAM/SSD expansion
  • Copilot AI-ready for future creative software acceleration

Everyday Use

  • Excellent for longform multicam editing, 3D video effects, and AI-enhanced tools
  • Handles complex video timelines, tracking, masking, and background AI tasks easily
  • Ideal for video editors who want future-proof AI hardware

Pros

  • Huge 64GB RAM capacity for heavy projects
  • Dual USB4 ports for external GPU or RAID setup
  • AI-ready processor accelerates creative workflows

Cons

  • iGPU slightly below discrete GPUs in pure 3D power
  • Needs good airflow around chassis for best performance

[Check Price on Amazon] — Best AI-Powered Mini PC for Video Editing


Buying Guide: How to Choose a Mini PC for Video Editing

1. CPU Performance

  • Prioritize multi-core CPUs (8–16+ cores) for timeline smoothness and export speed
  • AMD Ryzen 7/9 or Intel Ultra 9 are excellent choices

2. GPU Acceleration

  • Discrete GPUs (Intel Arc, RTX series) deliver faster effects rendering and color grading
  • Modern integrated GPUs (Radeon 780M/890M) are capable for 4K timelines

3. RAM & Storage

  • Minimum 32GB RAM for 4K editing
  • 64GB+ RAM for 6K–8K projects and multicam work
  • PCIe Gen4 SSDs ensure smooth playback and fast exports

4. Connectivity

  • USB4/Thunderbolt 4 enables ultra-fast external drives, docks, and eGPUs
  • 2.5GbE LAN + WiFi 6E/7 for rapid media transfer

5. Display Support & Ports

  • Look for triple or quad display support to run timeline, preview, scopes, and bins on separate screens

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can mini PCs really handle 4K or 8K video editing?
Yes — modern mini PCs with high-core CPUs and discrete GPUs handle 8K timelines, multicam editing, and effects-heavy projects easily.

Q2: Is Thunderbolt important for video editing?
Yes — Thunderbolt/USB4 is critical for fast external SSDs or RAID drives to store large video files.

Q3: How much RAM do I need?

  • 32GB is minimum for 4K editing
  • 64GB+ recommended for 6K/8K projects and multicam workflows

Q4: Are these mini PCs upgradeable?
Yes — most support user-upgradeable RAM and dual NVMe SSD slots.

Q5: Are they quiet enough for editing studios?
Yes — all three models feature advanced cooling and whisper-quiet operation, ideal for creative environments.


Final Verdict

If you want desktop-class video editing performance in a small footprint, these are the best mini PCs for video editing in 2026:

  • Best Budget 4K Editing: GMKtec K6 — compact and affordable, ideal for creators
  • Best High-End 8K Editing: GEEKOM IT15 — powerhouse Ultra 9 + Arc 140T discrete GPU
  • Best AI-Powered Multicam: MINISFORUM AI X1 Pro-370 — 64GB RAM and next-gen AI acceleration

[Check Today’s Best Deals on Amazon] — Supercharge your editing workflow with these powerful mini PCs built for professional video creation.

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