4k playback PC

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Sandman1

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Hello everyone,

I recently bought a Samsung UHD TV, it has HDR as well.

My current pc is a intel dual core 3GHz and is 7 years old. I want to buy a new PC with 4k playback and supports HDR video (if that's even possible). It should be able to handle 1080p editing at minimum as well.

Any hardware recommendations?
 
Sandman1 said:
Hello everyone,

I recently bought a Samsung UHD TV, it has HDR as well.

My current pc is a intel dual core 3GHz and is 7 years old. I want to buy a new PC with 4k playback and supports HDR video (if that's even possible). It should be able to handle 1080p editing at minimum as well.

Any hardware recommendations?
Click to expand...

The first thing you'll be asked is:
What is your budget?

Once you've posted that, some experts will chime in -hopefully- and sort you out.
Watch out for the "know-it-alls". :p
Good luck and godspeed.
 
Budget is 10 grand, 1080p video editing is optional if hardware price not in my budget range.

This PC is going to sit in the TV lounge, play 4k movies and write blu ray discs with personal videos from my iPhone 6s etc...


I already have an 480GB SSD, Blu-ray drive and several 2TB drives from my old PC, so basically looking for :

CPU, GPU, memory, motherboard, PSU spec and overall price.


I hope this helps :-)
 
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ponder said:
R3021.00 - Intel i7-7700 CPU
R298.00 - Cooler Master Hyper TX3 EVO
R1087.00 - ASRock B250M-HDV
R1389.00 - Crucial CT8G4DFD8213, 8GB, DDR4-2133, CL15
R574.00 - Corsair VS CP-9020049-EU, 450w
R4045 - GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1060 WindForce OC GV-N1060WF2OC-3GD
R10 414 - TOTAL

This will allow video editing & gaming as well. We can go for a cheaper MB with 4 sata ports and no M.2 slot, if you have zero interest in gaming we can go with a cheaper gpu as well & try to add mor ram ;)
Click to expand...
Or forgo the GPU entirely because the iGPU can do what needs to be done.
 
A different opinion from my side.

Why you don't get GT1030 (R1300) and try it first? Get one with HDMI + Display Port, so I can buy it from you if you are not happy. :)

I have it installed on HP Microserver, 2GB RAM, Win10 and it plays 4K content perfectly. See HP Microserver thread for details. I did not test it on 4K HDR monitor, but it should be no difference as it does just additional job for downscalling and translating HDR to the standard colour space. Microserver CPU is very underpowered, but there is still lot of space, as it generates 20% CPU utilisation when playing 4K HEVC 10bit HDR or VP9 formats.

Check hardware specification. Don't be misleaded by various posts about lack of hardware coders in GT1030. It has the same hardware video unit as more expensive GTX10 series.

As for video editing, not sure, but you say it is optional. Your AD 2000 PC is at least Core 2 Duo, maybe Sandy Bridge, it may handle a task, albeit slower.

BTW, I agree with Soul Assassin comment (if you chose a new PC), but in such case Xenon CPU or 8 generation i7 CPU is better - for serious 4K editing.
 
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ponder said:
If you have 4k netflix asperations see https://www.extremetech.com/computi...a-driver-will-allow-netflix-4k-streaming-gpus
Click to expand...
Extra comments needed, something has changed. The article was written when there was no GT1030, so they say about minimum GTX1050. All consumer Pascal GPU's have the same video hardware, so for now GT1030 is the minimum. Secondly, as for today any Windows 10 version starting from 1607 with recent updates or above can play Netflix 4K content. It applies only to the Windows Store Netflix app, not a generic Netflix Windows application. NVidia driver is now released to the public. It was that way two months ago when I was installing GT1030.
 
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sajunky said:
Extra comments needed, something has changed. The article was written when there was no GT1030, so they say about minimum GTX1050. All consumer Pascal GPU's have the same video hardware, so for now GT1030 is the minimum. Secondly, as for today any Windows 10 version starting from 1607 with recent updates or above can play Netflix 4K content. It applies only to the Windows Store Netflix app, not a generic Netflix Windows application. NVidia driver is now released to the public. It was that way two months ago when I was installing GT1030.
Click to expand...

Does it come with 3GB+ vram as per the requirements specified?
 
ponder said:
Does it come with 3GB+ vram as per the requirements specified?
Click to expand...
Netflix specification is 3GB RAM for GPU, but it is not required for playing 4K content. If it was needed then Amazon Fire TV would not be able to play Netflix 4K content.
 
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@ponder,

Thanks for list, any recommended sites to buy them?

Is there no motherboard with onboard graphics card that can handle 4k playback?
 
Sandman1 said:
@ponder,

Thanks for list, any recommended sites to buy them?

Is there no motherboard with onboard graphics card that can handle 4k playback?
Click to expand...

Click on the links in the list and it will take you to the site.

The MB/CPU in the list will do 4K playback. If you want you can leave the GPU in the list out and order another RAM module for 16GB which will help with video editing.

Edit: for 16GB just get this https://www.rebeltech.co.za/13120-ballistix-sport-lt-bls16g4d240fsb-16gb.html works out a bit cheaper
 
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Sandman1 said:
Is there no motherboard with onboard graphics card that can handle 4k playback?
Click to expand...
There are couple different questions above:

1. To play 4k content
2. To play 4k content with HDR
3. To play protected 4k content
4. To play protected 4k with HDR

I can't answer all, just introducing myself to this segment, so you must do some research on your side. The best is to use a cheapest option giving reasonable return and experience little bit first. If GT1030 is not up to your expectations, you lose R300 (you can probably sell it for R1000).

If you go for a new PC route, additional GPU is not required. Just note that proposed CPU i7 7-series on this motherboard is not appropriate for protected 4k playback, as it lacks HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2. Other vendors may offer built in DP to HDMI 2.0 converter, I don't know. You need 8 series CPU (i3 is fine, it has more cores now). I have mentioned it before, maybe I wasn't clear enough. :)

Situation is changing every day. Intel just released a new iGPU WDDM 2.3 driver v15.60.0.4849, the first time supporting Netflix HDR and YouTube HDR: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27266/Graphics-Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-60-

As for the GPU, NVidia has updated their Netflix UHD requirements page. Now it requires Win10 1709 build 16299 (fall of creators): http://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4583/
GTX1050 3GB RAM is still a minimum (which I don't believe). Also see the bolded text:
Please note. If you are using a fresh install of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you may need to go to the Windows store to purchase the HEVC codec to playback Netflix 4K/HDR content. Microsoft no longer provides this for free.
Click to expand...
So I gather to get HEVC codec for free you need to install Win10 1607 first, then update to 1709!!!
 
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@ponder, did not realize those were links, thanks..

@ sajunky, in conclusion you suggest I get atleast a decent graphics card if I need hdr, thanks for the advice, will also do some research before making a final buy.
 
Sandman1 said:
Budget is 10 grand, 1080p video editing is optional if hardware price not in my budget range.

This PC is going to sit in the TV lounge, play 4k movies and write blu ray discs with personal videos from my iPhone 6s etc...


I already have an 480GB SSD, Blu-ray drive and several 2TB drives from my old PC, so basically looking for :

CPU, GPU, memory, motherboard, PSU spec and overall price.


I hope this helps :-)
Click to expand...

Why spend 10k on a PC do so that and make it hard.

Buy a Blu-ray Player or Media Box instead.
 
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