4k media playback

Ardacer · March 27, 2016

Hi, posted this in "graphics cards", no love for my problem there, perhaps this subforum might offer some insight

I'm considering the following cards which I can get for cheap, to be driving my HTPC 4k at 30 hz (hdmi 1.4)

HD 6450

R5 230

R7 240

GTX 750 ti

R7 260X OC

GTX 660

which one is the most sensible choice? I just need to play back videos at 4k 30 hz, nothing more. I have no knoweledge of 4k compressions like mkv and other containers use for full hd, would that have an impact on anything?

Also, the CPU is E5200, would it make any more sense to upgrade it to Q6600?

Mr.Twabfish · March 27, 2016

1 hour ago, Ardacer said:

Hi, posted this in "graphics cards", no love for my problem there, perhaps this subforum might offer some insight

I'm considering the following cards which I can get for cheap, to be driving my HTPC 4k at 30 hz (hdmi 1.4)

HD 6450

R5 230

R7 240

GTX 750 ti

R7 260X OC

GTX 660

which one is the most sensible choice? I just need to play back videos at 4k 30 hz, nothing more. I have no knoweledge of 4k compressions like mkv and other containers use for full hd, would that have an impact on anything?

Also, the CPU is E5200, would it make any more sense to upgrade it to Q6600?

Hello, Ardacer. To tell the truth, The only cards you mentioned above that effectively support 4k video are the r7 seies cards, and the GTX 750ti. Based on some quick research, however, I found that for about the same price, as a r7 260x OC, or 750ti, you could land yourself a GTX 950, which not only supports the latest HEVC codec, but is far more efficient than the cards you mentioned above. I do know that 4k compression formats such as HEVC and VP9 usually only affect your playback in terms of slight quality adjustments- or consistent speed if you have a slow internet connection while streaming. Also, yes, if you have the extra cash available, upgrading to a Q6600 with its 4 cores would really help with content decoding.

I hope this was enough love for your problem