Looking to Play 4K UHD 'Movies' on My 10 Year Old PC - Any Ideas Apreciated

John Dough on 30/05/2018 - 17:48
Last edited 01/06/2018 - 13:11 by 2 other users

Hi OzB Computer Crew,

I'm looking to upgrade my PC to play some nice new crisp 4K movies.
My phone records 4K 60fps and I can't play them on my PC, it goes fuzzy and jumpy and just freezes up.

I'm after a new GPU card and a monitor - something that pairs well, doesn't have to be too budget, but has to play 4K.
New or second hand is ok.

I do wonder if my PC is actually up to task in the first place here's the specs;
AMD Athlon 64X2 Dual Core Processor 5400+ 2.8GHZ (Overclocked and stable at 7% faster)
4 GB Ram
Currently a NVIDIA GEForce GT610 1GB GPU

I don't like replacing things unnecessarily so would prefer to beef it up a bit than replace a good ,stable working PC.

Anyone out there have any suggestions?
I have been researching for a while now but I really can't work out what will be required to make the upgrade!

I have been looking at a GTX 970 NVidia second hand around $220
Also a Samsung monitor something from MSY for around the $600 mark
e.g.

I understand it's not a gaming screen, but that's ok I don't really play games on my PC these days.

Any help appreciated.

Computing

Comments

  • josetann on 30/05/2018 - 18:07
    +2

    Too lazy to check compatibility, but…

    I'm using a GT1030. Paid $100 a year ago, seems to be a similar price now. It'll handle 4k HEVC fine (last I checked Linux only supported up to 8bit, but Windows supported 10bit, that may have changed). Doesn't support Netflix 4k though (google is your friend here).

    If it's primarily for movies, no need for a monitor. Just get a good 4k tv.

    • aik on 30/05/2018 - 19:39

      sony android 4k tv plays h265 nicely.

      • John Dough on 30/05/2018 - 20:24

        They are also up there in price! ;)

    • John Dough on 30/05/2018 - 20:23

      No worries, thanks I will check it out!

  • scrimshaw on 30/05/2018 - 19:01
    +2

    AMD Athlon 64X2 Dual Core Processor 5400+ 2.8GHZ

    This looks quite outdated? I'm not even sure if a GPU upgrade will actually still enable your PC to playback 4k content.

    though, this might be fine depending on the codec and whether or not the GPU is doing all the heavy lifting.

    • John Dough on 30/05/2018 - 20:30

      Yeah I am worried about that fact! Hoping someone might have tried something similar….
      If I have to upgrade CPU/Motherboard/PSU and GPU - I will probably just invest in a whole new system.

      $100 ish for a GPU that should do the trick as suggested by josetann is a small gamble and I can always re-sell it I guess.

      • scrimshaw on 30/05/2018 - 23:11

        as per detective pikachu, game consoles can do a pretty decent job of acting as a media centre.

        There are also Android TV based Xiaomi box and Android Oreo boxes that may cost less, even less than a GT 1030 graphics card. They do have some hardware limitations however, e.g the Xiaomi one is not super powerful and it doesn't have SD card storage, or Ethernet port.

  • O O on 30/05/2018 - 19:02
    +1

    Samsung U28H750UQE uses TN panel. For a similar price point, you're better get LG 27UD58 which uses IPS panel.

    I agree with josentamn, pick the GT 1030, instead of GTX 970.

    • John Dough on 30/05/2018 - 20:32

      I have been advised against TN panels and read a little about them but got a bit lost in the detail.
      IPS is the go in your opinion yeah?
      I have also heard if its not for gaming, a TV will be fine as well. It does open the door to a bigger size for the money.
      Any drawbacks with that? Should the TV also be IPS panel?
      Thanks for your help!

  • Detective Pikachu on 30/05/2018 - 20:29
    +1

    As an alternative a Xbox One S might be an option (Supports 4K Blu-ray and Streaming).

    • John Dough on 30/05/2018 - 20:47

      Hmmm just checked it out, the 1TB are gone but still have the 500gb.
      So this would play 4K off my phone on a 4K tv via USB or a network server (like Plex or something?)
      If so, it's probably a great option, with resale value to boot and gaming potential as well…. money well spent.

      • Detective Pikachu on 30/05/2018 - 20:53
        +1

        Not sure about that, as I've never used a Xbox before, just it came to mind based on your budget.

      • epicttiimm on 30/05/2018 - 21:38
        +2

        VLC for Xbox One is your friend mate. Plug in ur media via USB and bobs ur uncle.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join