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Home Theater => Sources => HTPCs => Topic started by: Blackstar on Mar 16, 2016 at 12:44 PM

Title: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Blackstar on Mar 16, 2016 at 12:44 PM
Hi guys! I'm not sure if there is a dedicated topic for processors to be used for HTPC builds but I'm opening one anyway. Mods, please delete this thread if there is one similar to this.

I am planning to build an HTPC to replace my old AMD FM2 build. I am looking for one that can decode 4k (h265 sana para future proof) contents effortlessly so as to eliminate the need for a dedicated graphics card. Low power consumption is a plus as well as wide distributorship.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: CoolTOYZPH on Mar 16, 2016 at 02:13 PM
^ I am just wondering... with the low prices of Media Players and extended capabilities, what would be the advantage of a HTPC at this time.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: jh@meeh on Mar 16, 2016 at 06:01 PM
Nvidia shield android TV
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: DTNS on Mar 16, 2016 at 09:18 PM
stick with your FM2 htpc and get an NVidia GTX 950. you'd be ready for 4K @ 60hz and H.265 with an NVidia 900 series video card.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Nelson de Leon on Mar 16, 2016 at 09:41 PM
^ I am just wondering... with the low prices of Media Players and extended capabilities, what would be the advantage of a HTPC at this time.

Ako I have both actually. it's true madaling gamitin ang media players. Pero my HTPC kasi also serves as my bluray player and music source. I also noticed na iba din ang PC when it comes to tweaking sa colors etc. Upgradeability is also a factor. Pero hands down ako when it comes to convenience kasi basically plug & play na lang talaga ang media players.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: CoolTOYZPH on Mar 16, 2016 at 10:27 PM
^ my HiMedia Q10 also serves as my music source via Coax out to DAC. I am wondering if I am missing out on something by not using an HTPC.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: AC on Mar 16, 2016 at 10:44 PM
^ I am just wondering... with the low prices of Media Players and extended capabilities, what would be the advantage of a HTPC at this time.
hindi po malayo ang price ng htpc and media players so siguro kanya kanya..if you want it simple/media player get a media player but.. htpc can do alot... i dont even own a notebook now dahil sa htpc ko... i can also to stuff from work at home pag uwi ko kahit walang notebook.. multitasking is so much easier din..

as an htpc user.. baliktad naman iniisip ko... iniisip ko.. why kaya di nalang nag htpc yung mga media player user? hehe nakikita ko lang na hurdle is 4k.. dahil hindi lahat na htpc setups kaya ng 4k..
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Stagea on Mar 16, 2016 at 11:42 PM
stick with your FM2 htpc and get an NVidia GTX 950. you'd be ready for 4K @ 60hz and H.265 with an NVidia 900 series video card.

I agree on this. It is the easiest and the most economical route.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Nelson de Leon on Mar 17, 2016 at 08:24 AM
^ my HiMedia Q10 also serves as my music source via Coax out to DAC. I am wondering if I am missing out on something by not using an HTPC.

I've also tried media players for music. Ang naging limitation ko is 24 bit studio master playback capability.

With video playback naman, I've had a discussion before with atty. barrister that for him, Mede8er lang ang maayos ang playback ng 23.976 fps.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: ♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ on Mar 17, 2016 at 08:26 PM
^NVidia Shield Android TV has an update to Marshmallow and they added support for 23.976 playback...
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: shoktongxxx on Mar 17, 2016 at 11:43 PM
^NVidia Shield Android TV has an update to Marshmallow and they added support for 23.976 playback...
brader pag bumili ba ng NVidia Shield Android naka Marshmallow na? :)
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: TinkerTailor on Mar 18, 2016 at 12:17 AM
After trying out a cheap android media player (mx3) something I keep missing from an htpc is the multi tasking ability. In an htpc I can play music, edit files in microsoft office, chat with friends, be updated in the social networking sites, download, etc. An htpc is really an all around machine.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: AC on Mar 18, 2016 at 02:46 AM
After trying out a cheap android media player (mx3) something I keep missing from an htpc is the multi tasking ability. In an htpc I can play music, edit files in microsoft office, chat with friends, be updated in the social networking sites, download, etc. An htpc is really an all around machine.
agree.. kung kaya man gawin ng android yan.. it will be harder and slower..
downside ng... htpc... so much you can do.. ang hirap tumapos ng movie.. pag nag bubuzz friend mo sa facebook messenger... hehe
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: ♡ lvcdg23™ ✌ on Mar 18, 2016 at 10:55 PM
brader pag bumili ba ng NVidia Shield Android naka Marshmallow na? :)

Not yet brader. Pero very easy to update naman online :)
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: shoktongxxx on Mar 20, 2016 at 05:26 PM
Not yet brader. Pero very easy to update naman online :)
ah, okay thanks! ;)
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Nelson de Leon on Mar 20, 2016 at 10:34 PM
After trying out a cheap android media player (mx3) something I keep missing from an htpc is the multi tasking ability. In an htpc I can play music, edit files in microsoft office, chat with friends, be updated in the social networking sites, download, etc. An htpc is really an all around machine.

Sir htpc user din ako pero hindi ba kaya ng android media player ang microsoft office, chats & FB?
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: AC on Mar 26, 2016 at 02:54 AM
kaya kung kaya.. pero sobrang complicated gamitin...
specially on word/excel...
i try excel on my android phone para sa work... ang bagal.. just to view excels.. di nako nagtry mag edit..
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Nelson de Leon on Mar 26, 2016 at 04:13 AM
kaya kung kaya.. pero sobrang complicated gamitin...
specially on word/excel...
i try excel on my android phone para sa work... ang bagal.. just to view excels.. di nako nagtry mag edit..

Try niyo sir on android tablet or media player. I was referring sir bongkadi's experience with android media player.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: AC on Mar 27, 2016 at 12:25 AM
Try niyo sir on android tablet or media player. I was referring sir bongkadi's experience with android media player.
i see.. also baka entry machines mas mabagal pa lalo...
nagulat nga ako na hi end androids can run 4k na.. ano chips nila? mga 820? 805?
i remember the last time i was trying excel on android was on my samsung s4... and sa toshiba tablet ko na nvidia powered yata... pero outdated na sila now
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Nelson de Leon on Mar 27, 2016 at 08:48 AM
i see.. also baka entry machines mas mabagal pa lalo...
nagulat nga ako na hi end androids can run 4k na.. ano chips nila? mga 820? 805?
i remember the last time i was trying excel on android was on my samsung s4... and sa toshiba tablet ko na nvidia powered yata... pero outdated na sila now

I think meron silang equivalent ng excel for android. I'm not familiar with the chips. Hehe! Try niyo sir google drive.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: AC on Mar 28, 2016 at 12:55 AM
sorry di malinaw pagkakasabi ko.. i got them to work on my s4 and toshiba tab.. kayalang masyado mabagal.. kaya not usable for me.. mga pricelist kasi yun and contacts.. kaya ginawa ko to jpeg nalang.. until now im still using jpeg nalang muna...
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: mojako on Jun 29, 2016 at 09:48 PM
stick with your FM2 htpc and get an NVidia GTX 950. you'd be ready for 4K @ 60hz and H.265 with an NVidia 900 series video card.

Patanong lang bro.  Do we need HDMI 2.0 certified cables to run this @ 4k@60hz 4:4:4 chroma?  Considering that the TV is capable of that?
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Stagea on Jun 30, 2016 at 11:31 AM
Patanong lang bro.  Do we need HDMI 2.0 certified cables to run this @ 4k@60hz 4:4:4 chroma?  Considering that the TV is capable of that?
No. Just get Category 2 cables (HDMI 1.3a or higher), and you should be fine. :)
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: mojako on Jun 30, 2016 at 12:22 PM
No. Just get Category 2 cables (HDMI 1.3a or higher), and you should be fine. :)

Would you know where this is available locally?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Stagea on Jun 30, 2016 at 12:32 PM
Would you know where this is available locally?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Most of the cables on the market are Category 2. You probably have a handful of them.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: mojako on Jun 30, 2016 at 11:26 PM
Most of the cables on the market are Category 2. You probably have a handful of them.

sorry to hijack this thread...

But here's the best that my cables can do... I'm saying cables, because both my tv (Hisense 55k322) and Vid card (asus gtx 950) can do 4k @60hz 4:4:4 Full RGB.. pero ito lang kaya nya.

4k @ 30hz Full RGB.  @60gz, 4:2:0 lang kaya nya.

(http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk8/mojako8/Hisense-rgb-30hz_zpse8bhudms.jpg)
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Stagea on Jul 01, 2016 at 11:27 AM
sorry to hijack this thread...

But here's the best that my cables can do... I'm saying cables, because both my tv (Hisense 55k322) and Vid card (asus gtx 950) can do 4k @60hz 4:4:4 Full RGB.. pero ito lang kaya nya.

4k @ 30hz Full RGB.  @60gz, 4:2:0 lang kaya nya.

Are you positive that your TV supports 4:4:4 at UHD resolutions @ 60Hz? It isn't currently available on the higher XT910 series.

Try other inputs and modes (some TVs only support it on certain inputs and/or picture modes).

Unrelated Nvidia tips for better IQ on a TV:
1. Try selecting Full for Output Dynamic Range
2. Try selecting Full Screen Videos for Content Type to be Reported

Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: mojako on Jul 01, 2016 at 11:59 AM
As far as i know yes...  Here's the equivalent North American model >

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9342/4k-htpc-hisense-tv

Are you positive that your TV supports 4:4:4 at UHD resolutions @ 60Hz? It isn't currently available on the higher XT910 series.

Try other inputs and modes (some TVs only support it on certain inputs and/or picture modes).

Unrelated Nvidia tips for better IQ on a TV:
1. Try selecting Full for Output Dynamic Range
2. Try selecting Full Screen Videos for Content Type to be Reported


Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Stagea on Jul 01, 2016 at 12:28 PM
As far as i know yes...  Here's the equivalent North American model >

http://www.anandtech.com/show/9342/4k-htpc-hisense-tv


There might be a unique setting on your TV to enable it. On Samsungs TVs, device type has to be set to PC for it to work (UHD Color also needs to be on in certain models).
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: DTNS on Jul 01, 2016 at 02:49 PM
this complete mini PC kit by Intel might just be what most people need in an HTPC: ;) :D
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/nuc-kit-nuc5pgyh.html (http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/nuc/nuc-kit-nuc5pgyh.html)
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: too jazzy cool on Jul 01, 2016 at 02:52 PM
sabre pare, they work well at 4k @ 60hz 4 4 4 YATA (or 4 2 0 or something). better than my audioquest chocolate which gives flicker at the same resolution.

this is with UHD color on.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: defined on Aug 12, 2016 at 02:26 PM
Based on intel 3rd generation up can handle 4k videos, but if i will go for 4th gen.


intel site...
Does my processor support 4k video?
For 4k video support you need a 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Family Processor or higher with Intel® HD Graphics and the latest Intel® HD Graphics driver. In addition you need you will need a high-speed HDMI cable. Standard-speed HDMI cables will not support 4K. Pentium and Celeron family processors do not support 4k video.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Stagea on Aug 12, 2016 at 10:34 PM
Based on intel 3rd generation up can handle 4k videos, but if i will go for 4th gen.


intel site...
Does my processor support 4k video?
For 4k video support you need a 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Family Processor or higher with Intel® HD Graphics and the latest Intel® HD Graphics driver. In addition you need you will need a high-speed HDMI cable. Standard-speed HDMI cables will not support 4K. Pentium and Celeron family processors do not support 4k video.
This 4k support over HDMI is limited to 30Hz with current Intel hardware, however.

4th gen and 5th gen Core processors get partial HEVC acceleration. Only the 6th gen Core processors (and I believe Cherry Trail processors too) get a hardware 4K HEVC decoder. Unfortunately the hardware decoder does not support Main10, which is the standard utilized by UHD Blu-ray.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Stagea on Aug 13, 2016 at 03:20 AM
Right now, this is the least expensive way to get decode and display support for the latest video formats...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131695 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131695)

Kaby Lake is expected to be the first with integrated graphics that will support the new formats. It's supposed to arrive later this year.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: DTNS on Aug 13, 2016 at 11:27 AM
Right now, this is the least expensive way to get decode and display support for the latest video formats...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131695 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131695)

Kaby Lake is expected to be the first with integrated graphics that will support the new formats. It's supposed to arrive later this year.

I think Easy PC or PC Worx is selling Sapphire's version of the 460 already.
Title: Re: What's the best processor for an HTPC build?
Post by: Stagea on Aug 16, 2016 at 01:23 AM
I think Easy PC or PC Worx is selling Sapphire's version of the 460 already.

I hope they release reference or close to reference variants for HTPC users. Eye candy and factory overclocks aren't worth the bulk and cost for this segment.

UHD Bluray software is still missing in the PC ecosystem though.