Media PC CPU Recommendations?

[R0ADK1LL]

My old gaming rig with a 4790K & GTX970 SLI has been operating as a very inefficient media PC for the last few years but it's doing some funky stuff. Time for an upgrade.

 

I want to build a small form factor PC to live in my TV cabinet. It will be mainly used for streaming HD & 4K content.

It should also be able to run some light games like Jackbox. 

I can stream games to my TV using Moonlight, but it would be good to be able to use Steam in-home streaming if I want to game on the big screen, using my gaming PC in the next room.

 

Any build recommendations? Looking for a CPU that can easily handle streaming decode but operate quietly.

I think I can get away without a discrete GPU. Any experience with this?

 

Thanks in advance.

[NF-A12x25]

I’d either grab a Deskmini with a 5600g/5700g or do an ITX build in a console type case with same.

[R0ADK1LL]

Deskmini doesn't look easily available in NZ unfortunately.

 

I'm thinking maybe a NUC12 Pro with the i5 1240P.

The Asus Mini PC PN52 with the Ryzen 5 5600H looks OK too, at a similar price.

 

I haven't looked closely at these barebones PCs before. Not much room for expansion, but should do the job I want it for now.

 

I'm having trouble justifying the price though. With storage, it's basically the same price as a PS5. Might have to look at something much more basic.

I just want to be able to run Stremio & handle the 4K decode without any issues. Having a browser & being able to use a keyboard & mouse is important though, so a Chromecast doesn't quite cut it.