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Video Card for New Build

olds

Elite Member
My HTPC doesn't support Win 11 and I am not sure I want to run Linux. Most likely not.
Looking at a new build. All it will really be used for is watching Youtube and playing mkv files (Jellyfin) on my 75" TV. Most of those mkv files are 1080 but I want to be able to play 4k files. No gaming on this PC. For playback, I have been using VLC. Current card is a 1070. What video card should I be looking at?
 
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My HTPC doesn't support Win 11 and I am not sure I want to run Linux. Most likely not.
Looking at a new build. All it will really be used for is watching Youtube and playing mkv files (Jellyfin) on my 75" TV. Most of those mkv files are 1080 but I want to be able to play 4k files. No gaming on this PC. For playback, I have been using VLC. Current card is a 1070. What video card should I be looking at?

- Realistically speaking you don't even need a videocard.

Most integrated graphics that come with modern CPUs should be able to handle basic playback HTPC work, even at 4K.
 
Agreed. Recently I replaced my HTPC with a 4K streaming box from ONN. Other than the lack of DTS Audio support it is doing everything I need it to (YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Jellyfin, and more). And much cheaper than a GPU at only $50.
 
Agreed. Recently I replaced my HTPC with a 4K streaming box from ONN. Other than the lack of DTS Audio support it is doing everything I need it to (YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, Jellyfin, and more). And much cheaper than a GPU at only $50.
I assume I need DTS to feed my soundbar (Sonos Arc), but I may be wrong.
 
I assume I need DTS to feed my soundbar (Sonos Arc), but I may be wrong.
Most stuff is Dolby Digital. Some movies were DTS. Here's a link to the box.

 
OP is in California, and our power rates are truly hideous. Everyone has different needs, but I'd hate to run a full-fat PC just to play videos. A HTPC also throws off way more waste heat, which means more AC cooling in the summer.*

Most of us have gladly accepted our new AMD (Ryzen) overlords, but IIRC Quick Sync Video was one of the (few?) reasons to choose an Intel CPU. May only matter if you're transcoding on the fly.

* So the HTPC is an order of magnitude more expensive up-front, and probably an order of magnitude more on power consumption over time. Ouch.
 
OP is in California, and our power rates are truly hideous. Everyone has different needs, but I'd hate to run a full-fat PC just to play videos. A HTPC also throws off way more waste heat, which means more AC cooling in the summer.*

Most of us have gladly accepted our new AMD (Ryzen) overlords, but IIRC Quick Sync Video was one of the (few?) reasons to choose an Intel CPU. May only matter if you're transcoding on the fly.

* So the HTPC is an order of magnitude more expensive up-front, and probably an order of magnitude more on power consumption over time. Ouch.
He left California for other pastures, a few years back.

 
OP is in California, and our power rates are truly hideous. Everyone has different needs, but I'd hate to run a full-fat PC just to play videos. A HTPC also throws off way more waste heat, which means more AC cooling in the summer.*

Most of us have gladly accepted our new AMD (Ryzen) overlords, but IIRC Quick Sync Video was one of the (few?) reasons to choose an Intel CPU. May only matter if you're transcoding on the fly.

* So the HTPC is an order of magnitude more expensive up-front, and probably an order of magnitude more on power consumption over time. Ouch.
Ohio now.
I just need mobo, cpu, ram and storage. I am reusing my case and psu.
 
This an example or recommendation?
Rob reviewed it, and feedback is mostly good from owners. My mom-in-law keeps dragging her feet on getting a PC to go with the modern internet finally available out in the sticks where she lives. I am seriously considering this one for her.

 
I have a GMKTek N150 mini PC. It is decently fast, quiet and low power. Not sure it would handle 4K video without dropping frames though? I don't have a 4K monitor to test with.

They are 12th gen CPUs but only e-cores supposedly. I don't like the naming convention of the N95, N97, N100, N150 as it doesn't make it clear that it is 12th gen, or clear what they are at all really. They are kind of bottom of the barrel for CPUs available for newish mini PCs, so you can get much faster if needed.

I also have an Acemagic F3A with the Ryzen 9 HX 370. Very fast but way overkill for this.
 
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