Big Budget Dilemma

[sportula]

So I need to build a hardcore system and I knew nowhere else to turn to other than AT. I've built rigs in the past, but nothing like this before. This is going into a conference room, hence the need for the projector and the Monitor/TV. The Monitor/TV is for the high resolution images, while the projector is for regular presentations that don't require the resolution of the monitor. I don't think the contrast ratios are going to do the images justice in the ambient light that's going to be around and that's what the client insists on doing. I also don't have the luxury of saying, "Well, just swap displays when you're changing content types."

System:
1 Workstation with Xeon Processor
1 Projector either 1080p or 4k
1 65" - 85" TV/Monitor (preferably 75" or 85")
Budget: 15k (not including projector)

I need to be able to display on a projector either a 1080p or 4k image in addition to mirroring the output to a large TV/Monitor, which must be 4k. I seem to be running into a few problems.

Problem 1:
Is this even possible?

Problem 2:
What graphics card(s) should I be using to power these displays?

Problem 3:
It seems like most high end graphics cards (other than the 980 GTX) don't support HDMI 2.0. I'd like to try to stick with something along the professional lines of graphics cards, but I'm not sure that's possible within this budget.

Problem 4:
Will people see a difference between 30hz and 60hz with videos? I'm leaning toward the fact that the output signal needs to be at 60hz based solely on my amateur watching of sports on my TV at home .

Problem 5:
Is it possible to mirror displays and have them set at different resolutions? Like I said, the TV/Monitor must be 4k, while the projector may end up being 1080p.

Problem 6:
It seems like most large TVs don't have the ability to use DP, which leaves me wondering if I'm stuck with HDMI 2.0 (4k @ 60hz) and the limited selection of graphics cards that support HDMI 2.0.

If my logic seems incorrect, I'm open to suggestions as this isn't my field of expertise.

Thanks!

 

[Geforce man]

What is going to be done on the computer? From what you are describing, its playing videos. In which case, get a dual core hyper threaded with 8gb of ram. Then spend whatever money is needed on a video-card that meets your needs (gtx 970/980 right now might be your best bet).

If it is going to be running simulations etc., then you could upgrade to a hex or octo-core, but if its just for displaying video, the xenon equivalent of an i3 is more than overkill. Really depends on your usage.

 

[sportula]

Thanks for the response. I'm not so worried about the workstation specifications as much as the compatibility of video card with the monitor/TV and projector. I really need the video/images to look flawless. The GTX 980 looks like it could be the winner, but can it handle mirroring a 4k display and a 1080p display at the same time, at 60hz, and connect to a large 4k TV and projector.

 

[alcoholbob]

The reference 980 with 3 DP 1.2 ports and 1 HDMI 2.0 port can drive up to four 4K displays I believe. Now I don't have personal experience with four but I have driven 3 4K displays at the same time using two DP 1.2 and the HDMI 2.0 port--a LG 49UB8500 TV (HDMI 2.0), a Samsung UD 970 monitor (DP 1.2) and a LG 31MU97 (DP 1.2).

Panasonic's 4K lineup currently supports DP 1.2 by the way, so you don't HAVE to have a GTX 980 as any card with a DP 1.2 port can drive 4K60 on their TVs. However their largest panel is 65 inch. If you need something that's bigger, the LG 79UB9800 supports HDMI 2.0 at 4:4:4 but does not have a displayport connector so you will need a GTX 980. There's also the 84UB9800 but the price difference is pretty steep ($7000 vs $9500).

I doubt anyone will notice differences in watching videos because most 4K video is shot in 24frames per second. However the desktop will look a lot more fluid at 60Hz and there won't be mouse-over flicker associated with 30Hz.

 

[sportula]

Astrallite, thanks for the response! That's exactly the information I was looking to obtain (hopefully first hand, like yours). I appreciate the peace of mind!

 

[SolMiester]

Im not sure if you need 60hz@4k, video at 30 FPS is considered real time., therefore a 7 or 6 series nvidea card with HDMI will be enough.
Now in order to mirror the display is another matter. I dont even know if there are projectors that output at 4k, maybe they will accept the inpout at 4k and downsample to 1080, while the mirror is displayed at 4k to your TV.

 

[Phynaz]

Sounds like this is for your employer? If so I wouldn't build it, I would hire a pro.

 

[garagisti]

@OP

4k projectors actually offer more resolution than TV's. Well, i know that Sony's projectors do. For projectors/ tv's, i would suggest that you have a field day at avsforum. Some of them are running really proper high end theaters and equipment, and could give you tips into buying the right tv and projector.

About the computer, depends entirely on what you want to accomplish from it. Merely media playback, or/ and games, or/ and do some rendering etc., you will have to suggest what it is, and people will be able to help you with it.

Although, you can't go wrong with the cheapest i7 quad, decent motherboard and ram. If money spent is not a problem, i'd recommend that you buy x99+5820 haswell e based system. Microcenter gives awesome price on it.

Graphic card, well i'd recommend trying out the 970. Neither of them are properly high-end, and soon enough more cards will come. Better to get most for your money, and only if the 970 doesn't serve your purpose, try moving to 980. Although, 290x from AMD could almost everything you need for video (4k@30fps, displayport supports 4k@60fps)

Do you already have your AV solution? That is an AVR/ Amplifiers/ speakers etc.? Personally, i would just buy a cheap AVR (4520CI routinely hits $999 now) and upgrade later, as DTS UHD, Auro etc are still not available on products in the market. Again, ask for suggestion at avsforum.

 

[garagisti]

Sounds like this is for your employer? If so I wouldn't build it, I would hire a pro.

I'd second this. However gathering information on products/ features/ pricing etc., will certainly help.

 

[Headfoot]

Sounds like this is for your employer? If so I wouldn't build it, I would hire a pro.

Agreed.

Building yourself = putting yourself on the line for any issue that crops up = more busywork

 

[thecoolnessrune]

For just simple video display, graphics card horsepower is almost never an issue. The real issue is having enough TMDS horsepower to drive 4K monitors at 60Hz. Graphics cards of current generations currently stage at around 2K per output, and then higher end cards can do 4K@30Hz. If you look closely at the data sheets, you'll often find that going to 4K@60Hz cuts the usual number of displays in half or less, because there isn't enough TMDS units on the card to drive all the outputs at that resolution.

That being said, the AMD FirePro W4100 is certified to drive 3 monitors at 4K@60Hz, so it would be my pick for a high-res solution.

Also, mirroring on monitors with different resolutions is a big problem usually. Ultramon is a program that does well in allowing you to mirror different monitors at different resolutions. Costs around $40 and is well worth the price if you really plan to be mirroring from 4K --> 1080.

 

[Headfoot]

Also, mirroring on monitors with different resolutions is a big problem usually. Ultramon is a program that does well in allowing you to mirror different monitors at different resolutions. Costs around $40 and is well worth the price if you really plan to be mirroring from 4K --> 1080.

Seconded on UltraMon. Adds a ton of useful multimonitor functionality