PC Build for 4K video playback Opinions & recommendations

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QuackPipe

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# 251135 10-Jun-2019 13:43

I'm looking at building a PC for 4K video playback and streaming and as a main PC for home use, it won't be a gaming PC or a dedicated HTPC so a grunty graphics card won't be needed I'm guessing. I'm a bit of a noob when it comes to this so please correct me if I'm wrong when I say the only parts I should worry about is CPU, graphics card, RAM for what I need?

Below is what I've managed to come up with granting my limited knowledge on the matter and would greatly appreciate any feedback where I could save money or would need to beef up on to get this to where it will be suitable for my needs.

Thanks

Tzoi

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# 2255291 10-Jun-2019 14:12

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For just 4k video playback and no gaming, you don't need an RTX2060, you'll just need something that is powerful enough and has the right HDMI port (though I don't have enough experience to say what that card may be).

You also don't need a CPU cooler because your computer will come with one which will be sufficient, and the motherboard should come with an ethernet port so you don't need that wired network adapter - though you might need a wireless one if that's what you were trying to add (haven't checked whether that motherboard has onboard wifi or not)

lNomNoml

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# 2255307 10-Jun-2019 14:32

What case you are going to use?

What Operating system?

Why are you buying an extra network adapter?, you sure you want a WiFi one instead?

That Hyper212 is good but you can save around $15 - $20 if you get it from Trademe.

You can get a much cheaper motherboard but I suspect you have picked that one because it has something you need?

For around $30 more you can pickup a 2TB hard drive, are you use 1TB is enough for you?

Agreed with Tzoi on the graphics card, leave that for now you should be fine with on board iGPU, make sure the motherboard has the display connectors you need.

Depending if you want to get the comments for cheaper or not, I would recommend trying out a few other online stores and see what they cost for the comments, do not get from multiple online stores as the shipping costs usually make the difference not worth it, unless a component is drastically cheaper from a different online store that is.

You can also look at pre-built PCs as they can also do the job, this is an example you can add a hard drive and RAM to and will still be cheaper: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC50030/GGPC-Hunter-GTX-1060-Gaming-PC-Intel-Core-i5-9400F

QuackPipe

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# 2255310 10-Jun-2019 14:36

Tzoi:

For just 4k video playback and no gaming, you don't need an RTX2060, you'll just need something that is powerful enough and has the right HDMI port (though I don't have enough experience to say what that card may be).

You also don't need a CPU cooler because your computer will come with one which will be sufficient, and the motherboard should come with an ethernet port so you don't need that wired network adapter - though you might need a wireless one if that's what you were trying to add (haven't checked whether that motherboard has onboard wifi or not)

Thanks.

Ok noted, I will look into suitable cards but hopefully, someone can chime in and recommend one.

When you say I won't need a cooler would that come with the tower? As for the mobo I looked up the specs and it comes with an ethernet port (rookie mistake on my behalf) and I don't need wifi as it will be wired, and I can't see anything suggesting onboard wifi.

Would the CPU's iGPU handle most of the workload for 4K or is that where I will encounter it choking up and a semi-decent graphics card will be needed to help with the load?

The more I learn the more fun this actually is, I should have done this type of stuff earlier in life.

QuackPipe

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# 2255314 10-Jun-2019 14:44

lNomNoml:

What case you are going to use?

What Operating system?

Why are you buying an extra network adapter?, you sure you want a WiFi one instead?

That Hyper212 is good but you can save around $15 - $20 if you get it from Trademe.

You can get a much cheaper motherboard but I suspect you have picked that one because it has something you need?

For around $30 more you can pickup a 2TB hard drive, are you use 1TB is enough for you?

Agreed with Tzoi on the graphics card, leave that for now you should be fine with on board iGPU, make sure the motherboard has the display connectors you need.

Depending if you want to get the comments for cheaper or not, I would recommend trying out a few other online stores and see what they cost for the comments, do not get from multiple online stores as the shipping costs usually make the difference not working it, unless a component is drastically cheaper from a different online store that is.

You can also look at pre-built PCs as they can also do the job, this is an example you can add a hard drive and RAM to and will still be cheaper: https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/WKSGGPC50030/GGPC-Hunter-GTX-1060-Gaming-PC-Intel-Core-i5-9400F

Full tower (unsure on make or model yet)

Win 10 home 32/64bit - I have a spare copy

Sorted, and no I don't require wifi

Good to know, I'll have a look

Nope, I picked it because I have no idea what I'm doing lol, although I'm guessing most mobos come with DP, USB 3, high-speed ethernet port etc. If you can recommend one that would be appreciated.

Good to know, I do have a 3tb external hooked into my network with most my media for streaming around the house.

Cool, I asked that above, so the iGPU will suffice?

Thanks, this is a reference point to start with once I've locked in the build components I will look at going through a single retailer as much as possible.

tieke

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# 2255318 10-Jun-2019 14:55

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Tzoi:

..You also don't need a CPU cooler because your computer will come with one which will be sufficient..

While that is true, it also depends on how quiet you want the overall build to be - I place a premium on having a quiet PC, and have found that the design of stock coolers is aimed entirely at "cooling" rather than "cooling quietly". There's a good Be Quiet cooler on sale at mightyape at the moment (posted by GoranZ here) which I think would be the way to go if cheap and quiet were both priorities.

gehenna

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# 2255351 10-Jun-2019 15:22

You only need a modern CPU for 4K HEVC. All the other stuff is unnecessary. I run multiple 4K HEVC streams concurrently just using a current gen Intel i7. i5 will do it fine too. I have nothing else in the machine other than RAM and storage.

sdavisnz

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# 2255365 10-Jun-2019 15:46

As stated above. All you need is a current gen processor.

Gpu is pointless.

4k will likely be in a format the cpu will have no trouble with. Even a $400 Intel Nuc is fine for 4k playback.

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geekiegeek

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# 2255392 10-Jun-2019 16:26

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You could just buy a intel NUC to achieve this. Something like this - http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/shop/components/mini-pcs/barebones/intel-boxnuc8i5bek4-i5-8259u-iris-655-nuc plus a M.2 SSD and some RAM, done.

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allio

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# 2255393 10-Jun-2019 16:28

You are spending WAY more money than you need to. You have specced out a gaming PC when what you really need is more like an office PC. 4K video is not an exotic requirement in 2019 - tiny $30 single-board computers can do it without breaking a sweat.

Build around a Ryzen 3 2200G and a B450 motherboard. Stock cooler will be fine, but if noise is a top concern then the 212X might be worthwhile.

Drop the budget 256GB SSD and 1TB mechanical drive. That used to be the way to go, but prices on bigger SSDs have now dropped like a stone. Get a 1TB NVME SSD (like an 860 EVO for $230).

Skip the video card. No need for one at all for your uses. The Vega graphics on the 2200G will be more than sufficient.

Don't need a network card.

Keeping the rest of your build the same, that works out at $816, or $883 with Hyper 212.

Lastly - you haven't picked a case. Do you already have one to use?

Tzoi

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# 2255467 10-Jun-2019 18:10

allio:

Drop the budget 256GB SSD and 1TB mechanical drive. That used to be the way to go, but prices on bigger SSDs have now dropped like a stone. Get a 1TB NVME SSD (like an 860 EVO for $230).

NVME SSDs aren't required for almost any situation and 1TB NVME ones are expensive (and the 860 you linked isn't NVME anyway...) - but yes large normal SSDs are cheap nowadays - if there's a lot of programs you'll be running off the PC it may pay to get a larger one, but otherwise for just storing movies/tv shows etc normal HDDs are fine.

Agree with comments re noise - I guess it depends on where the pc will be and how good the case is at dampening noise.

allio

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# 2255509 10-Jun-2019 18:23

Tzoi:

NVME SSDs aren't required for almost any situation and 1TB NVME ones are expensive (and the 860 you linked isn't NVME anyway...) - but yes large normal SSDs are cheap nowadays - if there's a lot of programs you'll be running off the PC it may pay to get a larger one, but otherwise for just storing movies/tv shows etc normal HDDs are fine.

Agree with comments re noise - I guess it depends on where the pc will be and how good the case is at dampening noise.

True, good point. Was at work and didn't bother to look up the 860 EVO. There are some cheap NVME drives - I was looking at a WD Blue SN500 the other day, but looks like the currently largest model in that range is 500GB ($130). Agreed that NVME isn't necessary and wouldn't spend any significant extra money on it.