How good are Intel HD Integrated GFX ?

[Ancalagon]

This is true, but the 96GT is still stronger than HD3000.

The problem is, the only GPU with hardware decoding to deal with H.265 is the GTX960. So at this point in time the GPU can't really help much anyway (and even if you could get the gpu to decode using pixel shaders, see above). Your CPU will be decoding in software mode and from what I've seen, it isn't up to the task.

I'm basing this assumption on the link that shows the i3 in the OP to be roughly equal in performance to the 6000+

Yeah, but .265 could be a while away from mainstream adoption. It will probably only really takeoff when the hardware support is there.

For now, most things will still use .264, and I believe most modern GPUs (even those in Android devices) have fixed function support for decoding it.

 

[SykomantiS]

Yeah, but .265 could be a while away from mainstream adoption. It will probably only really takeoff when the hardware support is there.

For now, most things will still use .264, and I believe most modern GPUs (even those in Android devices) have fixed function support for decoding it.

Most modern gpu's don't- to date only the GTX960 has- and of course Intel's new Skylake architecture. And like I said, I've already seen some shows and movies using the new encoding. Of course you can still get these in good old .264.

This is my opinion, and I'm just trying to be helpful. I like the idea of future proofing, so there's that.

 

[Ancalagon]

Most modern gpu's don't- to date only the GTX960 has- and of course Intel's new Skylake architecture. And like I said, I've already seen some shows and movies using the new encoding. Of course you can still get these in good old .264.

This is my opinion, and I'm just trying to be helpful. I like the idea of future proofing, so there's that.

It's a good idea, but its not realistic for the OP. Skylake Mini PCs aren't available yet and a GTX 960 means this becomes a gaming PC, and the price and size increase dramatically. Just not feasible.

EDIT: Just to add, .264 support is common in GPUs. Not .265 as you say, but .264 is. I have a tiny little Android media player that is far weaker than even my cellphone, and it can play 1080p videos.

 

[vinodh]

Dion Wired at Lifestyle Centre in Centurion still have stock of the Late 2012 Mac Mini for R6100. They should still have one left. I bought the other.

RAM is upgradeable to 16GB and it can also be upgraded to two 2.5" drives. It has optical out.

 

[PostmanPot]

Dion Wired at Lifestyle Centre in Centurion still have stock of the Late 2012 Mac Mini for R6100. They should still have one left. I bought the other.

RAM is upgradeable to 16GB and it can also be upgraded to two 2.5" drives. It has optical out.

What a machine.

 

[SykomantiS]

It's a good idea, but its not realistic for the OP. Skylake Mini PCs aren't available yet and a GTX 960 means this becomes a gaming PC, and the price and size increase dramatically. Just not feasible.

EDIT: Just to add, .264 support is common in GPUs. Not .265 as you say, but .264 is. I have a tiny little Android media player that is far weaker than even my cellphone, and it can play 1080p videos.

Agreed on the GTX 960- it's just too expensive.
But for the price in the OP, or maybe slightly more, I believe a Core i3 Skylake setup is possible (midi atx, so not as small). I had a look at Esquire prices, it seems doable.

Anyway, my 2c. Use it, don't use it...

 

[garyc]

This Lenovo uses Intel HD 4000 graphics. You should be fine.

I am running the previous generation i3 on my HTPC that has HD 3000 graphics. The machine runs Kodi on Linux kernel 3.19 with the output via HDMI. Full HD videos are fine on this system. I have also played some .265 videos without a problem, but these were only 720 resolution.

I am going to be upgrading to Skylake, but this has nothing to do with the video hardware.

The main problem with that Lenovo is that it only has a 1 TB drive. If you are going to keep your media on it, then that space will go quickly.

 

[BradleyKZN]

Here OP:

ASUS Xonar DGX, 5.1 Channel, PCI-Express, 105/103dB R 714
Cooler Master Elite 110, Mini-ITX Tower, Black, Mini-ITX R 523
Western Digital Caviar Blue, 1TB, 3.5", SATA6G, 7200rpm R 752
AMD Kabini Athlon 5150, 1.6GHz, Quad Core, AM1 R 714
MSI AM1I, AM1, AMD SoC Chipset, Mini-ITX R 456
Corsair CX, 430w, 80 PLUS Bronze R 714
Patriot Signature Line, 4GB, DDR3-1600, CL11 R 315
OCZ Trion 100, 120GB, 2.5", SATA6G, 550/450MB/s R 817

From Rebeltech, includes an SSD, a dedicated sound card with SPDIF.

Total cost is R5005.00

 

[Dolby]

I have an HP server - but I want to move boxes out the living room if possible.

The idea to have a small front end with minimal footprint in the lounge and I'll move the HP to the study to use as a NAS. I have 3 x 2TB in it and an SSD which I'll just transfer. Plus, this Lenovo is less 40% with my ebucks at Makro

I was worried going for an onboard Intel GFX vs a (cheap, budget) but dedicated GT210 may be a step backwards

 

[BradleyKZN]

I have an HP server - but I want to move boxes out the living room if possible.

The idea to have a small front end with minimal footprint in the lounge and I'll move the HP to the study to use as a NAS. I have 3 x 2TB in it and an SSD which I'll just transfer. Plus, this Lenovo is less 40% with my ebucks at Makro

I was worried going for an onboard Intel GFX vs a (cheap, budget) but dedicated GT210 may be a step backwards

Ok, then go for it, I was just worried about what you were getting for that price, but if its that cheap then go for it.

 

[ODTech]

You could build a more powerful media PC with dedicated HD5450 for cheaper, the advantage of this means you would have extra space for HDD's. In fact, you could add in a 120GB SSD, and still have a 2TB HDD.

True. The AMD AM1 mini itx boards and cpu's are dirt cheap.

Put it in a CFI 6719 chassis, it has room for a ssd and a 3.5" drive or a slim dvd.
Just one thing about this case is the intel stock cooler doesn't fit, i had to mod mine. I don't know what size the AMD ones are but you do get low profile coolers like zalman CNPS2X that will fit.

 

[Dolby]

Thanks guys