With hundreds of possible configurations and customizations out there, it's impossible to recommend an exact model. So you'll need to do the shopping. But I'd recommend a few rules of thumb.

1. Get a processor that rates at least 11,000 on this benchmark page. https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

Even better if it's Windows 11 ready. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/windows-processor-requirements

2. At least 16 gig of RAM

3. PowerDirector doesn't get a lot of power from GPU, but a decent graphics card can be helpful. Though I don't think you need to go too high up this list. You don't need a gamer machine. https://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

4. An SSD hard drive definitely adds some pep -- but they can be pricey if you're looking at something that's a terrabyte or more. So maybe get a $500 SSD drive for your programs and store your media on a seperate SATA drive.

Finally consider that it may be your media rather than your hardware that's causing your challenges. What form is your 4K video in? If it's an MP4 at 3480x2160 at 30 fps the program is a lot less likely to choke on it than if it's GoPro or iPhone or other advanced footage that runs at 60 fps or uses the HEVC codec.

Your laptop is pretty hefty. It should not be struggling with 4K editing, especially if you're using the program's "shadow files" feature. So before you sink a couple of grand into a massive system, consider that maybe things will run smoother if your video is more compatible with basic video editing, IMHO.

Quote With hundreds of possible configurations and customizations out there, it's impossible to recommend an exact model. So you'll need to do the shopping. But I'd recommend a few rules of thumb.

1. Get a processor that rates at least 11,000 on this benchmark page. https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

Even better if it's Windows 11 ready. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/design/minimum/windows-processor-requirements

2. At least 16 gig of RAM

3. PowerDirector doesn't get a lot of power from GPU, but a decent graphics card can be helpful. Though I don't think you need to go too high up this list. You don't need a gamer machine. https://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

4. An SSD hard drive definitely adds some pep -- but they can be pricey if you're looking at something that's a terrabyte or more. So maybe get a $500 SSD drive for your programs and store your media on a seperate SATA drive.

Finally consider that it may be your media rather than your hardware that's causing your challenges. What form is your 4K video in? If it's an MP4 at 3480x2160 at 30 fps the program is a lot less likely to choke on it than if it's GoPro or iPhone or other advanced footage that runs at 60 fps or uses the HEVC codec.

Your laptop is pretty hefty. It should not be struggling with 4K editing, especially if you're using the program's "shadow files" feature. So before you sink a couple of grand into a massive system, consider that maybe things will run smoother if your video is more compatible with basic video editing, IMHO.

Thanks so much for that. Very insightful.
My processor barely makes the cut with a benchmark score of about 11500 (I7-9750 2.6 GHz).
I have 16GB RAM and a 500GB SSD C drive that I use when video editing (I transfer the video files to a hard drive when editing is complete to save SSD space)
I am editing GoPro files and using 1080P source video (not 4K as asked for in my hardware wish)
When producing I use H264 1080P/60.
To your point about GPUs, when watching the Task Manager performance, during a PD "Produce" I see about 4X CPU use vs GPU (see the attached).
Given all that Id say the laptop is usable with PD20 and 1080P editing when creating 5-minute videos.
So I think I have a usable but very sluggish platform without any upgrade path and If I want better performance Im going to have to spend some money.

I looked at other hardware possibilities it seems Apple is at the top of everyones list but not for me.
A possible choice but expensive is the newly released Dell 8950. An I7-12700K has a Passmark benchmark of around 30,000 and uses a Radeon R6600 GPU but its pushing $2500.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/new-xps-desktop/spd/xps-8950-desktop/xd8950adl30h?configurationid=9c4a8a13-284f-45bc-b55d-53c06970f324


Does the use case clarification above suggest to you a direction for performance improvement?

Thanks again

Quote


A possible choice but expensive is the newly released Dell 8950. An I7-12700K has a Passmark benchmark of around 30,000 and uses a Radeon R6600 GPU but its pushing $2500.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/new-xps-desktop/spd/xps-8950-desktop/xd8950adl30h?configurationid=9c4a8a13-284f-45bc-b55d-53c06970f324


Does the use case clarification above suggest to you a direction for performance improvement?

Thanks again

If your videos aren't long or too effect heavy, you don't need to go that powerful to edit in 4k. Try something like this" https://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-Nitro-5-15-6-Full-HD-IPS-144Hz-Display-11th-Gen-Intel-Core-i5-11400H-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-3050Ti-Laptop-GPU-16GB-DDR4-512GB-NVMe-SSD-Windows-11-Ho/607988022

Based on what you've said, I'd say the issue isn't so much your hardware. It's your source footage.

I could be wrong -- but before you go out and spend a grand or two on a new system, consider that maybe the issue is that you're trying to edit 60 fps 4K from a GoPro. Many editors struggle with this type of footage.

If you can, set your camcorder to shoot in 30 fps 4K. That may make all the difference. (You can also convert your footage to 30 fps using a program like Handbrake. But it's nice if you can leave the conversion step out.)

Also, as I said above, try editing using Shadow Files, a proxy system that creates a scaled down version of your video for editing, then applies your edits to the original footage for output.

But using 30 fps 4K rather than 60 fps may alone make all the difference, IMHO.

No need to rush out and spend a fortune on a new comptuer if you don't have to. Especially when it may not fix your issue if the real issue is your source footage.

Quote
If your videos aren't long or too effect heavy, you don't need to go that powerful to edit in 4k. Try something like this" https://www.walmart.com/ip/Acer-Nitro-5-15-6-Full-HD-IPS-144Hz-Display-11th-Gen-Intel-Core-i5-11400H-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-3050Ti-Laptop-GPU-16GB-DDR4-512GB-NVMe-SSD-Windows-11-Ho/607988022

thanks for the suggestion.