Upgrading My HTPC to 4k - Dell Optiplex 3040 - Which of These Cards Is Better ?

• 

  askbargain on 14/04/2024 - 16:42

  you know 1030 can't encode, only decode?

  • 

    jaygriz on 14/04/2024 - 16:44

    i dont think i need to encode (but im not sure).

    I just download stuff off the internet, and the pc lives in the lounge room connected to a tv.

    do i need to decode ?

    • 

      scrimshaw on 14/04/2024 - 17:01

      +1

      All video files are compressed in some way. The method of compression is referred to as "codec"

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Video_Codecs_101.webm

      Encoding is the "writing" process, using code to turn video file into an encoded bit stream. Examples of when this might happen is when you run Plex or Jellyfin on your media file server, and you stream the video to your mobile. The PC encodes the video before it sends it over the network.

      Decoding is the process of reversing it so the data can be converted back into images which can be played. This happens whenever you watch a video from a file or stream over network

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  scrimshaw on 14/04/2024 - 16:50

  +1

  Either will be fine. The main reason you're dropping in a graphics card is because the iGPU on your processor is fairly old and doesn't support the newer codecs used by streaming services (like Main10 HEVC and VP9 decode).

  If you were thinking of upgrading your entire machine to a newer platform then you will not need the graphics card at all, and you might be just buying a GPU that is going to become obsolete (integrated GPU's can do a lot more nowadays).

  You can consult this KB to compare what codecs are supported by the different Intel CPU gens.
  https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/docs/onevpl/develope…

  • 

    jaygriz on 14/04/2024 - 16:52

    thanks scrimshaw! You are correct, im only upgrading to support 4k.

    I'll check out the guide :)

• 

  AustriaBargain on 14/04/2024 - 19:34

  +4

  Why not get a Nvidia shield or Apple TV to playback the files and use the PC as a server?

  • 

    ReaperX22 on 15/04/2024 - 10:11

    If they want to keep budget <100, just grab a Google TV 4k honestly.. Will do the job if it's ONLY being used for streaming/watching local content. Get a type C dongle with power passthrough/ethernet for the cabled connection

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  bazingaa on 15/04/2024 - 11:33

  NVIDIA cards use a separate chip for NVENC/NVDEC, looks for codecs supported by the card in below links

  Encoder : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_NVENC

  Decoder : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_NVDEC

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  bargaino on 15/04/2024 - 11:58

  HTPC? That is a blast from the past.

  Why not use some sort of fanless ARM box for the front-end, like an Apple/Android TV? Use the optiplex as a backend home server, with plex/jellyfin running on proxmox.

  And if you are going with Intel, I thought discreet GPU was only needed for 3D gaming, not video these days?
  edit: I remember now, it lacks HDMI2.0 and your TV presumably has no DP, so no 4K ? At least not more than 30Hz?

  Would an active DP->HDMI2 cable solve the problem? A lot cheaper than a gt1030, and will work with a micro-PC.

  • 

    bargaino on 15/04/2024 - 14:34

    Cancel that - on checking notes, while 4K on Intel HD530 is possible, it is not a good idea for HTPC. No 60Hz, no hdr10, and cpu may struggle.

    So yes, either an NVidea card, or Apple/Android TV.

    • 

      jaygriz on 15/04/2024 - 14:40

      thanks mate. I ordered the 1030 for 105 bux delivered. It will support HDR10 and 4k 60hz. Fingers crossed its as easy as it sounds.

      Should be a cheap upgrade so my loungeroom is 4k :)

      • 

        bargaino on 15/04/2024 - 14:49

        Should work fine. But sorry I wasn't clear on your original question. You asking what the difference between those is? The cheaper one has DVI instead of DP. No big deal.