What to upgrade for 4K video?

yonk · 12 Dec 2019 at 18:05

Hi, I have Intel i5 2500k with 8Gb ddr3 with Radeon HD6850 card and 500W PSU.
I'm planning to buy 43" 4K TV (used).

What do I have to change to watch silky smooth 4k movies and 4k youtube videos?

yonk · 16 Dec 2019 at 11:47

Would a newer graphics card be any help?

Grimley · 16 Dec 2019 at 17:34

You'll Have to change the lot unfortunately.

Squid Vicious · 16 Dec 2019 at 18:02

Grimley said:
You'll Have to change the lot unfortunately.

Why do you think the lot will need to be replaced? Any modern gfx card should be sufficient for 4k playback of media - gtx 1030 or something like that should be adequate.

Limitations on the current setup are going to be the display interfaces on the 6850 are very likely going to be limited to a max resolution of 2560x1440 - and won't have bandwidth for 4k.

@yonk sounds like you're just planning to plug TV directly into gfx card - using hdmi and will be playing media files directly or in a browser?

Grimley · 16 Dec 2019 at 18:11

Squid Vicious said:
Why do you think the lot will need to be replaced? Any modern gfx card should be sufficient for 4k playback of media - gtx 1030 or something like that should be adequate.

I based it on this thread over in the USA.

https://www.avsforum.com/forum/26-home-theater-computers/2364113-guide-building-4k-htpc-madvr.html

Squid Vicious · 16 Dec 2019 at 18:21

@Grimley aah I see, if the OP is intending running a htpc/media server - particularly if a blu-ray player is involved it does introduce a need for specific hardware.

Few threads on these forums that cover off normal media playback e.g.
https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/card-for-4k-video-playback-only.18838702/

Grimley · 16 Dec 2019 at 18:34

/\/\ I was trying to cover all possiblities. Agreed on just a CG upgrade on stored media files or YT videos. I've just tried streaming a 4K YT video on a 5675C onboard graphics & its up to the task on my Dell 1080p monitor, but I fear that even an overclocked 2500K with help from a HDMI 2.0 card would not be up to the task.

yonk · 17 Dec 2019 at 11:17

The 4K TV will just replace my 24"monitor, I'll use it for watching movies, videos and do regular computer work, like browsing, mail, maybe some light gaming..., just regular stuff. I don't have a blu-ray player in mind.

So it seems that a basic card like rx470, rx480, rx570, gt1030 would do for my needs?