Barebones 4K-Ready Computer Build?
May 21, 2014 2:17 PM Subscribe
It's been about decade since I've put together a machine, but would a Shuttle DS81, an i7-4790S Haswell 3.2GHz LGA 1150 65W processor, a Seiki SE39UY04 39-Inch 4K Ultra HD "monitor", and a DisplayPort 1.1 to HDMI 1.4 Active Adapter (plus a drive, RAM, and an OS) be everything I need to effectively achieve 4K Resolution? (I'm not a gamer. I just want lots of pixels.) Thanks.
Possibly relevant: NVidia's page on 4k.
More specifically:
posted by mikeh at 2:41 PM on May 21, 2014
More specifically:
There are 2 ways of delivering 4K content, HDMI and DisplayPort.In other words, you can only get 30Hz with what you've outlined.
A) HDMI
The current HDMI 1.4 standard only has bandwidth for 4K at 30hz. HDMI 2.0 will add support for 4K at 60Hz. Details should become clearer in late 2013. There are a few TVs on sale today that support 4K @ 30Hz through HDMI.
B) DisplayPort 1.2
DisplayPort can support 4K @ 60Hz using Multi-Stream Transport(MST). The graphics card provides signals for multiple displays but these are multiplexed on a single cable. Computer monitors such as the ASUS PQ321Q 31.5-in 4K 60 Hz Tiled Monitor take input using this format.
posted by mikeh at 2:41 PM on May 21, 2014
Response by poster: (I think I'll be OK with 30Hz.)
posted by glibhamdreck at 2:49 PM on May 21, 2014
posted by glibhamdreck at 2:49 PM on May 21, 2014
glibhamdreck: (I think I'll be OK with 30Hz.)
You should be sure of that. 30Hz to 60Hz is a world of difference when you're doing computer work.
posted by hanoixan at 3:33 PM on May 21, 2014 [5 favorites]
You should be sure of that. 30Hz to 60Hz is a world of difference when you're doing computer work.
posted by hanoixan at 3:33 PM on May 21, 2014 [5 favorites]
Response by poster: If it matters, my expected work is fairly static typical office stuff: QuickBooks, Excel, databases, email, etc.
posted by glibhamdreck at 4:39 PM on May 21, 2014
posted by glibhamdreck at 4:39 PM on May 21, 2014
The Seiki is definitely serviceable for dumping a ton of pixels in front of your face. I've used mine for static, texty apps and it has worked fine for work use over six months. The color curves are total garbage on it - it took an endless amount of fiddling to get well enough calibrated to be bearable to look at all day.
Logically everything else should fit together, but the configuration I use is to connect mine directly to the HDMI port of an Nvidia 650 board.
posted by wotsac at 8:47 PM on May 21, 2014
Logically everything else should fit together, but the configuration I use is to connect mine directly to the HDMI port of an Nvidia 650 board.
posted by wotsac at 8:47 PM on May 21, 2014
Looking at your proposed build, I think you're focusing on the wrong components.
IMHO, I would go for a less-expensive processor and a decent quality video card.
I would also pass on the Seiki monitor (I've done a little bit of research on it at Newegg and elsewhere, and found too many negative aspects), and go for something like a 27", 2560 x 1440 monitor instead (plus a second monitor, if you have a spare somewhere).
I have a Dell U2713M that I quite like, and that provides a nice amount of real estate. The current prices on similar monitors are comparable to the Seiki.
posted by Jefffurry at 9:33 PM on May 21, 2014
IMHO, I would go for a less-expensive processor and a decent quality video card.
I would also pass on the Seiki monitor (I've done a little bit of research on it at Newegg and elsewhere, and found too many negative aspects), and go for something like a 27", 2560 x 1440 monitor instead (plus a second monitor, if you have a spare somewhere).
I have a Dell U2713M that I quite like, and that provides a nice amount of real estate. The current prices on similar monitors are comparable to the Seiki.
posted by Jefffurry at 9:33 PM on May 21, 2014
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posted by dgeiser13 at 2:38 PM on May 21, 2014