suitable graphics card for a media PC

[mjosman]

I have this PC [Sale] - 4th Gen i5 Lenovo ThinkCentre M73 Home/Office Desktop Towers | Combo (multi-item) sales & full systems and want a HDMI port on it to connect to my 4K TV. So I was thinking of this card GT1030-SL-2G-BRK | Graphics Cards | ASUS Global but it says max resolution is DVI at 1920*1200. Does that sound wrong and I should just buy it as intergrated graphics can push out 4K desktop and Youtube vids or is it probably true and I should keep away.

 

[JollyJamma]

The 1030 is a pile of shit.

DVI doesn’t do audio either so stick to HDMI and something like an AMD 570 or Nvidia 1060 3gig.

4K is a lot of data per second and the 1030 doesn’t have the memory bandwidth, realistically.

 

[mjosman]

OK I will stay away from the 1030.

However I don't need a good graphics card. I am only need one for watching movies or YouTube vids.

What would you recommend if the PC will not be used at all for gaming purposes.

 

[JollyJamma]

OK I will stay away from the 1030.

However I don't need a good graphics card. I am only need one for watching movies or YouTube vids.

What would you recommend if the PC will not be used at all for gaming purposes.

Well I’d plump for the cheapest card that uses GDDR5 as that’ll give you enough bandwidth to process 4K footage.

Maaaaybe an AMD 560, depending on your budget. Obviously you want to be able to connect to various devices so make sure that it has the correct I/O such as HDMI or optical out.

If you want surround sound, AMD used to integrate the tech into their cards so you didn’t need a separate audio card for it. I’m pretty sure HDMI solved that problem though.

Edit: Looking at the prices, you'd do well to stay away from brand new cards. Find something second hand. Even the Nvidia 1030 GDDR5 is R1300 and you can get way more for your money second hand. The new prices are very close to something like a 1050ti or 1050, which are better in every way including lower power consumption.

Stay well away from the Nvidia 710 - that is a basic display card for two monitors and can only do 1440P.

What's your budget?

 

[mjosman]

Budget is definitely under R1K. Not sure what I can squeeze out from my dad as yet as this is for him.

Not worried about surround sound so that's OK. Must have an HDMI port as that is the only reason I am getting the card.

Was using a DP to HDMI adapter for a while which ended up damaging the controller chip or board or something and Samsung had to come replace the board recently.

 

[Swish]

I've seen guys letting RX470's go for around 1k. From experience I can say it's an awesome card for the price. Even if you arent planning to game on it, it has the horsepower to run games should you ever want to repurpose it. Performs slightly better than a 1050Ti.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

[Soul Assassin]

You should also consider if it's not better to just get a standalone media player, it's going to cost more or less the same as a GPU but you get a nice interface and a remote to work with.

 

[mjosman]

soo...
I have finally got back to sorting this thing out.
How can I determine what will fit in this space? see pics please

DSC_0335.JPG

JPG Image

1drv.ms

 

[JollyJamma]

soo...
I have finally got back to sorting this thing out.
How can I determine what will fit in this space? see pics please

DSC_0335.JPG

JPG Image

1drv.ms

Any baby card really, just make sure that the card uses the power from the PCI-e lanes because I doubt your PC has a PCI-e power cable.

I think the Nvidia 1050 ran off the PCI-e lanes?

 

[Off-The-Chart]

also taking into account that it has to be low profile/half height

 

[mjosman]

Thanks both are important to remember. What I don't know anything about is compatibility with mother board. I am worried I need to check something besides size and power requirements

 

[mjosman]

@JollyJamma I was looking at that Same one. It also has low power draw which is critical for me as I have a 240 watt psu.

 

[JollyJamma]

@JollyJamma I was looking at that Same one. It also has low power draw which is critical for me as I have a 240 watt psu.

Dude, that’s a very low wattage PSU.

You might need to get a new PSU in the 500 watt range because anything like an AMD 470 or 570 is going to hurt it.

It’s a problem with these OEM units - they focus on very low power consumption, usually.

I’d get an AMD 570 and second hand PSU. Then, when you have the cash, buy a new CPU, mobo and RAM and you have a new PC. Maybe you can get a free chassis in the PIF section?

 

[Off-The-Chart]

Any baby card really, just make sure that the card uses the power from the PCI-e lanes because I doubt your PC has a PCI-e power cable.

I think the Nvidia 1050 ran off the PCI-e lanes?

do you even get any low profile 1050s?

 

[JollyJamma]

do you even get any low profile 1050s?

Maybe not but at this point, I think a whole new system is an order.

You do but they are R2000 overpriced

Gigabyte Geforce GTX 1050 OC Low Profile 3GB GDDR5/HDMI/DisplayPorts/ PCI-Express Video Card Graphic Cards GV-N1050OC-3GL

Powered by GeForce GTX 1050 || Integrated with 3GB GDDR5 Memory || Low profile design with 167mm card length || Supports up to 4 displays || One-click Super overclocking

pclinkshop.com

 

[mjosman]

Dude, that’s a very low wattage PSU.

You might need to get a new PSU in the 500 watt range because anything like an AMD 470 or 570 is going to hurt it.

It’s a problem with these OEM units - they focus on very low power consumption, usually.

I’d get an AMD 570 and second hand PSU. Then, when you have the cash, buy a new CPU, mobo and RAM and you have a new PC. Maybe you can get a free chassis in the PIF section?

Seems like this is the way forward. Was really trying to avoid having to change anything other than just add in the card but It is not worth the possible damage to stuff by straining that poor psu.

Thanks for the help now I just need to remember to sort this out not forget about it now that I know what to do.

 

[crackOlicious]

I did something similar a month or two ago. Pick up a 1050 ti Aero. Also powers from the pci lane but swapped out the OEM psu for good measure.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[JollyJamma]

Seems like this is the way forward. Was really trying to avoid having to change anything other than just add in the card but It is not worth the possible damage to stuff by straining that poor psu.

Thanks for the help now I just need to remember to sort this out not forget about it now that I know what to do.

I really think you’re trying to flog a dead donkey there.

I’d get a chassis, move everything to the new chassis and then get a new PSU.

I know what system you have because the shop I worked at used to sell them and they are good value *if* you never want to upgrade the GPU, CPU, PSU, RAM etc.

If you are on a super tight budget, buying second hand entry level components like a PSU or Pentium or 4gig RAM modules can be insane value for money.

4gig RAM modules are a great idea too - run 4 times 4 and you have 16 gigs in dual channel.

That’s plenty for a system and you can’t resell them, but it’s for a media centre so who cares?

Add a 64gig SSD, 2tb HDD, 500 watt Super Flower PSU, 1050ti/570 8gig and you’re gunning for a part time 1080p gaming rig and full time media centre.

 

[el3venth]

However I don't need a good graphics card. I am only need one for watching movies or YouTube vids.

What would you recommend if the PC will not be used at all for gaming purposes.

Well, let's look at the internal iGPU:

Intel® Core™ i7-4790 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz) Product Specifications

Intel® Core™ i7-4790 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz) quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

Intel says it supports the following:

• Max Resolution (HDMI 1.4)‡4096x2304@24Hz
• Max Resolution (DP)‡3840x2160@60Hz
• Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)‡3840x2160@60Hz
• Max Resolution (VGA)‡1920x1200@60Hz

So, the problem is that the HDMI is only specced at HDMI 1.4, which means that it is limited to 30Hz at 4k.
BUT, if we use DP, we can get the full 4k@60Hz.
The question should be: Does you TV have a DP port? (The Lenovo M73 does have DP.)

And secondly, which version of HDMI does your TV have?

My big thing with TV stuff is that it must be quiet. Any GPU + big PSU will just add lots of fan noise.
Sticking to onboard will limit noise.

 

[mjosman]

Well, let's look at the internal iGPU:

Intel® Core™ i7-4790 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz) Product Specifications

Intel® Core™ i7-4790 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz) quick reference guide including specifications, features, pricing, compatibility, design documentation, ordering codes, spec codes and more.

ark.intel.com

Intel says it supports the following:

• Max Resolution (HDMI 1.4)‡4096x2304@24Hz
• Max Resolution (DP)‡3840x2160@60Hz
• Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)‡3840x2160@60Hz
• Max Resolution (VGA)‡1920x1200@60Hz

So, the problem is that the HDMI is only specced at HDMI 1.4, which means that it is limited to 30Hz at 4k.
BUT, if we use DP, we can get the full 4k@60Hz.
The question should be: Does you TV have a DP port? (The Lenovo M73 does have DP.)

And secondly, which version of HDMI does your TV have?

My big thing with TV stuff is that it must be quiet. Any GPU + big PSU will just add lots of fan noise.
Sticking to onboard will limit noise.

No Display Port on the TV.

Not sure which version my TV has but the TV is relatively new so that won't be a limiting factor.

Noise is something I did not even consider up till now. I have no problems with using my onboard graphics except for one critical problem. The lenovo M73 that i have does not have a HDMI port at the back. There is VGA, DP and a spot where a HDMI should be but it is not punched out at the back and therefore no HDMI port is availible.

 

[el3venth]

So theoretically this would be good enough:

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-HDMI-Adapter/dp/B01672IOKW?th=1

4k DP to 4k HDMI 2. Assuming the TV has HDMI 2.0.
But then you are limited to 30Hz. Which may or may not be OK.
Keep in mind that film/tv is 24Hz.

EDIT: This theoretically supports 60Hz

Amazon.com: DisplayPort to HDMI Active Adapter with HDR Support Displays up to 4k at 60Hz with HDR High Dynamic Range - Connect PC or Tablet with DisplayPort to HDMI Enabled Monitor, TV or Projector: Electronics

Amazon.com: DisplayPort to HDMI Active Adapter with HDR Support Displays up to 4k at 60Hz with HDR High Dynamic Range - Connect PC or Tablet with DisplayPort to HDMI Enabled Monitor, TV or Projector: Electronics

www.amazon.com

 

[mjosman]

So theoretically this would be good enough:

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-DisplayPort-HDMI-Adapter/dp/B01672IOKW?th=1

4k DP to 4k HDMI 2. Assuming the TV has HDMI 2.0.
But then you are limited to 30Hz. Which may or may not be OK.
Keep in mind that film/tv is 24Hz.

EDIT: This theoretically supports 60Hz

Amazon.com: DisplayPort to HDMI Active Adapter with HDR Support Displays up to 4k at 60Hz with HDR High Dynamic Range - Connect PC or Tablet with DisplayPort to HDMI Enabled Monitor, TV or Projector: Electronics

Amazon.com: DisplayPort to HDMI Active Adapter with HDR Support Displays up to 4k at 60Hz with HDR High Dynamic Range - Connect PC or Tablet with DisplayPort to HDMI Enabled Monitor, TV or Projector: Electronics

www.amazon.com

This would seem to be what I need. However I was using one of these and it blew controller board for the hdmi ports on my TV which luckily was still under warranty so now I am looking to add a Hdmi port to my PC rather than use an adapter. Also the adapter gave us a lot of hassles which I do not want to go through again.

 

[Nikkel]

Have you considered a Android TV streaming unit...? Xiaomi Mi Box S seems to be floating around for good prices lately...

You can also share a media folder on network to watch whatever downloads you have on pc either via KODI or VLC on the Mi Box...?

Just a different direction...less fiddling with pc and Mi Box has small footprint...