I searched the forum for "HTPC Suggestion", could not fine. Request: Could you please give me a n approximate hardware specification? Requirement: Should play 4k 60hz smoothly (through Displayport or HDMI2). (No HDR is okay) Most of the setups I looked would need a 7/8 gen i5+ with non-cheap motherboard (for displayport / hdmi2) I guess a setup could be 8th gen i5, compatible cheapest mb with displayport, 4k monitor Remaining - 400W SMPS, 8/16 GB RAM, No Video Card (if i5) What would be your advice?
4k 60hz. 4-2-2 maybe 4-4-4 smoothly, high bit rate ? passthrough bitstream audio for atmos - hdmi 2.0 hdcp 2.2 -- hmm. you will have to start with a gtx 1080 and an i7, then build to spec around that. look for a board with an audio chipset that supports what you want. need a bunch of big hard drives ? It's addicting, awesome, and it costs.. you could do cheaper, but it will have some limits..avs forum has good insight on this.
@Julius 4k 60hz 4-4-4 smoothly (if it will cost 1.5x more 4-2-2 ) passthrough bitstream audio for atmos - hdmi 2.0 hdcp 2.2 Planning to use DAC hmm. you will have to start with a gtx 1080 and an i7 Just wish to clarify my understanding. In today's market, we can get to 1080p at 60hz easily with a mid range setup - an i5+ equivalent and even lower (if we settle a few factors). Processor, motherboard, integrated graphics ... all gel well to make that happen. But I guess that stage for 4k HDR will come only after 5 years. Since 4k hdr monitor is very exp, gpu to push 4k hdr at 60hz is very exp, motherboard also more expensive. So either I can spend a lot more and enjoy for another 5 years, or wait until then to let prices drop off. Am I right? - at least approximately? Just to get to a philosophical clarification, albeit an informed one. I was under the assumption that what is possible in 1080p is possible for 4k pure 10bit 4-4-4 HDR with a price of ma 1.5X total cost. I guess the actual total cost will be 3x+ (even the monitor etc). So my above question is to get a reality check. @Joe C Are you planning on using a tv tuner in your HTPC? No, mainly just for streaming media frum HD
just a heads up - please do advice now also - this post is auxiliary friends, i think the yesterday announced ryzen 5 2400g, and its future intel and ryzen likes will help hopefully displayport / hdmi 2 - capable of 4k 60hz becomes mainstream in motherboards, else we are throttled at 30hz -