Which CPU should I choose to render 4K video via HDMI

Sebastian_Mannerheim

I'm building a media PC and I was wondering what CPU models would be suitable to play 4K videos, preferably both with H264 and H265 encoding at 60HZ and no lag. Should also be cheap if possible 🙂

mranderssen

Something to keep in mind here, is that while a CPU like AMD Ryzen 2400G should be capable of decoding 4K video, either using a software decoder or, when running supported software, the hardware decoder, you're going to need an HDMI 2.0 port in order to drive a 4K monitor comfortably (60hz).

Motherboards don't have this yet, so the only way you're going to do this properly, is with a motherboard with a displayport output and an ACTIVE displayport to HDMI adapter. By the time you pay the premium for these things, you probably could have assembled a machine with a Ryzen 5 2600 and a GT 1030 or RX550, which can be had with HDMI 2.0 AND a displayport already built in.

This gives you a better CPU for software decoding of 4K when required, and a better GPU for accelerated decoding when supported, and potentially more versatile and plug-n-play video output options.

Kenneth_Crayton

Most modern CPU's can do 4K video, it's really more about HDMI ports, cables, frame rate limits and similar set by other hardware parts.

Magnus_Lind

Most Intel gen 10 will do 4K fine too. No idea if they cached up with AMD yet tho.

George_Hegland

It's a lot about the cable too. You'd really want HDMI 2.0 at least for 4k at 60Hz

Samuel_Oldfield

George_Hegland It's a lot about the cable too. You'd really want HDMI 2.0 at least for 4k at 60Hz

And the port too, even tho it's supported by both CPU and motherboard, and you've actually bought yourself a HDMI 2.0, (or more recent) cable. The port might still be of a lower version. For any resolution above 2560x1440 you might want to use a dedicated GPU in your setup.