HTPC for 4K

[neonplanet40]

Hi Folks,

I currently have the following HTPC:

HP Gen 8 with Intel i5 2390T CPU and 6GB ram, Windows 10 Pro and Crucial M4 128GB SSD, MSI AMD R7 240 2GB, 2x WD Red 3TB

Now, this all works great for FullHD Remuxes.

However, I'd have no chance with 4K.

I am currently thinking about upgrading to a 4K projector which I will use for 4K videos i.e remuxes.

For a HTPC to match, do I need to build a brand new system? Or is their a GPU which will take all the grunt?

Thank you

[DanceswithUnix]

You should be able to get a new GPU to work, the usual recommendations are GT 1030 as the cheapest (though the really cheap ones tend to come with a small whiny fan) or an RX 550, not that I have personally tried either.

The cheapest GPU out there is probably the one built into the £50 Athlon 3000g, but that would require a new motherboard and RAM.

Edit: If you Google for H265 and VP9 gpus you should get lots of hits. There was a question about this on here recently, and it didn't sound like there was a lot of experience on here. I personally use smart TVs and set top boxes to do my streaming and very rare file playback.

[neonplanet40]

Thank you. Given the price of 4K projectors, I was just trying to keep the upgrade cost down. Being able to buy only a GPU (But would need to be low profile) would suit me best.

If a whole new build would be best, then I'd just have to beg a bit more from the OH

[DanceswithUnix]

Well it sounds like any recent GPU will do good decoding, including the integrated ones from Intel or AMD. Or ARM chips for that matter, hence there are plenty of Android boxes out there that can do 4K decode.

I guess making sure you get the right HDMI output is a thing as well. Modern cards can encode and decode these standards, but something like a gtx 950 can I believe have a stab at decoding but might not want to talk to a 4K output device as they were all a bit new when those cards came out.

The problem seems to be that the low end of GPUs is now all integrated into CPUs so you don't really get cheap video cards like you used to. Guess you are looking at something like:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/asus-...gx-41j-as.html

AMD seem pretty much not in this market any more, their low end boards are no cheaper than a £120 RX 570 (not that you will get one of those in half height )

[Terbinator]

For a HTPC to match, do I need to build a brand new system? Or is their a GPU which will take all the grunt?

I don't know if things have now changed, but for 4K streaming of Netflix you may need to go Intel:
https://help.netflix.com/en/node/23931

[spacein_vader]

Which software do you use? Plex and Emby have well developed support for Intel Quick sync and NVENC but the AMD version does not have the same stability.

The current thinking is that the 1050 is the best balance of grunt and price, but NVIDIA artificially limit the number of simultaneous streams to two. That said, on GitHub there are patches that remove this limitation from the driver.

[neonplanet40]

Generally I use Kodi and it all connects via HDMI to my Denon AVRX6300. I have dolby atmos etc so sound is just as important as video. I keep putting off upgrading as standards keep changing. I do want to be able to output in full HDR etc.

[neonplanet40]

I'm still researching this and finding little concrete help. I no longer use disks. Instead, files are ripped into remuxes and stored on my NAS for playback through my HTPC. This work is done on my main rig.

My needs:

For kodi or similar to play 4k HDR remuxes and able to output:

Dolby Atmos
HDR10
3D
Dolby Vision
Netflix/Prime 4K with Atmos etc

Possibly even MadVR? I have found it to be much better with my FullHD 3D rips after some tinkering. But it is processor heavy.

My receiver should be able to do all the audio work itself.

However, I want the pc to be powerufl enough to play these back.

I have had the new nvidia sheild recommended as well, but unsure how well it would suit my needs...


I had thought that building a HTPC to do this would be easy now. It seems it's still a minefield.

I am most likely going to get the Epson TW9400 projector for my setup. I just want to make sure by playback hardware is ready.

Thanks for your help.

[neonplanet40]

So, I have done a little more research on the Shield. IT seems that when it works, it's great. However, there are many bugs with:

DTS:X
Atmos
Dolby Vision
HDR
4K playback (sometimes)

As such, I still want to go the PC route. Does anyone have any idea what kind of build would be needed for the features I listed above?

Thanks

[shaithis]

Dare I say a Firestick 4k?

[neonplanet40]

Only if it meets all my needs lol

[neonplanet40]

So, it seems I will defintely be going for a PC. Playback of 4K will be fine. That isn't an issue.

However, the problem is upscaliung 1080p to 4k using MadVR. It will need a beefly GPU.

So with this in mind, can anyone recommend a build based on this? Possibly an RTX 2060 or an AMD gpu? Not sure which one.

CPU and mobo I am unsure about. I don't know whether to go Ryzen or Intel.

So as always, views and opinions are welcomed.

I need options for:

Cpu
Mobo
Ram
GPU
Case - This will be a HTPC so quietness and size is important.
SSD
PSU
Windows - I have Windows 10 for it already.

Thank you!

[spacein_vader]

What containers are the remuxes stored in? Are they still on the NAS so local storage can be minimal?

What playback software are you using, Plex, Emby, Kodi, other?

[neonplanet40]

What containers are the remuxes stored in? Are they still on the NAS so local storage can be minimal?

What playback software are you using, Plex, Emby, Kodi, other?

They are all stored on my synology nas. So my htpc will only have an sad to boot from.

I use kodi primarily. But I also use my htpc as a plex server (for my tablet etc).

Madvr to upscale 1080p to 4k will likely be the most demanding job of my new htpc. I am thinking I'll get a 2060. Its the cpu, mobo and ram etc that I'm unsure about. Possibly a Ryzen 2600 and a b450 mobo.

[Domestic_Ginger]

Trying to not sound ignorant but have you looked at the new raspberry pi? I think it got a lot beefier and can output 4k. Not sure if it can upscale.

[neonplanet40]

I had looked at everything mate. But when it came to upscaling, nothing can compare to a pc with a really beefy gpu. Nothing currently available gpu wise, allows madvr to run in max settings. Everything I've read said madvr will make a real difference for me upscaling because I'm using a projector with a large 100'' screen. Just running native 4k is easy with a fairly low power gpu. The main issue is upscaling.