Video Card for New Build

olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
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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?
 
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GodisanAtheist

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2006
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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.
 

In2Photos

Platinum Member
Mar 21, 2007
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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.
 
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olds

Elite Member
Mar 3, 2000
50,117
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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.
 

In2Photos

Platinum Member
Mar 21, 2007
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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.

 

manly

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
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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.
 
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esquared

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 8, 2000
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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.