Processor recommendation for HTPC

[SyncGuy]

Hi guys and girls,

I'm planning to setup (actually upgrade from my laptop) a HTPC for multiple uses/programs:

Spotify, Kodi, Steam (gaming and streaming), browser, Emulator, WhatsApp, Hangout, etc.

I don't usually close programs and don't even shut down my HTPC. I just put it to sleep, ready to start again in a moment's notice.

Therefore, would an i7 be recommended, or a sufficiently overclocked i5-6600k be enough?

 

[Elijahonli]

Hi guys and girls,

I'm planning to setup (actually upgrade from my laptop) a HTPC for multiple uses/programs:

Spotify, Kodi, Steam (gaming and streaming), browser, Emulator, WhatsApp, Hangout, etc.

I don't usually close programs and don't even shut down my HTPC. I just put it to sleep, ready to start again in a moment's notice.

Therefore, would an i7 be recommended, or a sufficiently overclocked i5-6600k be enough?

a i5 should be more than enough, the hyper-threading cores would not benefit you much except in some games.

 

[singupingu]

Boils down to your budget. The i5 is enough to be honest. But if you willing to spend extra for i7, go ahead. Though both if oc to same frequency perform identically. Would suggest get like fractal design Nano s so you can fit full size Cpu cooler or even have space for aio cooler for your cpu.

Sent from Overpowered Phone Mark III using GAGT

 

[singupingu]

Performance per dollar goes to i5 of coz. i7 is a premium to get imo.

Sent from Overpowered Phone Mark III using GAGT

 

[SyncGuy]

I see... So the 6600k can handle multiple programs that is launched and in the background also? Wow.. didn't know that.

My current desktop is running the same processor and OC to 4.7ghz with the H80i GT. It's only used for LR and general usage, hence onboard GPU only with 2x4gb 2400mhz RAM.

Guess I'll need to look at similar setups then.

Would I then be advised to have more and speedier RAMs? e.g 2x16gb 3200mhz

I'm just worried the system would start to lag due to whatever reasons, only after having thrown the dough in.

 

[warnick]

I see... So the 6600k can handle multiple programs that is launched and in the background also? Wow.. didn't know that.

My current desktop is running the same processor and OC to 4.7ghz with the H80i GT. It's only used for LR and general usage, hence onboard GPU only with 2x4gb 2400mhz RAM.

Guess I'll need to look at similar setups then.

Would I then be advised to have more and speedier RAMs? e.g 2x16gb 3200mhz

I'm just worried the system would start to lag due to whatever reasons, only after having thrown the dough in.

RAM does not have any noticeable difference in real life, just get the cheapest you can find.

Think of it this way, i5 is a GTX 1070, can run alot of things very fast, but an i7 is a GTX 1080, it can run faster than a 1070, but do you really need it?

Cause from what I see, your comparison of i5 and i7 is like a GT 210 vs a GTX 1080.

How many programs you can run in background will also be determined by how much ram you have. Just get a 6600k, 16gb ram of any speed and you are good to go

 

[SyncGuy]

Awesome advices! OK! Thank you to all who shared!

 

[singupingu]

If all the program you launched utilizes hyper threading (which not many uses it imo. Usually more common in video editing or 3d modeling softwares), then perhaps i7 have a notable lead in performance. But this doesn't mean the i5 is not capable. It too can run everything only seconds away from i7.

You just got to justify the cost of the i7 see whether the extra 100+ bucks worth that few seconds lead or not. Cumulatively it may or may not be worth as it depends on your usage.

It's noteworthy to understand newer games with dx12 slowly utilizing hyper threading in i7. As more to come, an i7 may benefit from it too. But that's a premium to get as I mentioned and an i5 would still perform as intended and only lag behind about 5fps at max depend on the games you play.

Sent from Overpowered Phone Mark III using GAGT

 

[SyncGuy]

Ok, rather than start a new thread, I'm thinking it's better to just continue here, if it's ok.

I'm currently in between i5-6500 and i5-6600k for my HTPC. Will mull over it..

Anyway, my HTPC will be plugged into my TV, LG UF860T to be exact, and it's 4K with upscaling capability.

Which GPU should I be looking at?
1060 vs 1070 vs 1080.

I've read reviews after reviews with some saying that 1060 is sufficient for 4k@60hz, whereas some says it is only capable for 4k@30hz only. Now I blur liao...

 

[DarthGW]

just get 1080. with that resolution its worth the extra juice. i went with a i5 6600, enough. save the money on investing a better gfx card.
running my htpc on a LG UH650

 

[SyncGuy]

just get 1080. with that resolution its worth the extra juice. i went with a i5 6600, enough. save the money on investing a better gfx card.
running my htpc on a LG UH650

Ah... OK! I suppose you game on it too?
That means the TV won't be upscaling right?
And movies, mine are all 1080p but those around 25gb each. Will the GPU help to upscale or the TV will?

 

[singupingu]

For 4k, 1070 minimum. 1060 can still run but if games, will need to lower settings to quite a fair bit (perhaps medium). Since it's a htpc, non-k i5 is fine. Movie at 1080p will be in 1080p regardless. It's up to your media player to upscale or not but normally is can upscale when you just use it on fullscreen mode and stretch the video to fit your screen (in your case, your tv)

Sent from Overpowered Phone Mark III using GAGT

 

[DarthGW]

Ah... OK! I suppose you game on it too?
That means the TV won't be upscaling right?
And movies, mine are all 1080p but those around 25gb each. Will the GPU help to upscale or the TV will?

gpu will upscale. just treat the tv as a monitor. the htpc will do the upscaling

 

[SyncGuy]

I see... Ok, thank you once more! Think maybe I'll settle for 1070.. 1080 a tad too rich for me.

 

[yusoffb01]

I see... Ok, thank you once more! Think maybe I'll settle for 1070.. 1080 a tad too rich for me.

If you don't plan on gaming, 1060 is fine.

 

[SyncGuy]

If you don't plan on gaming, 1060 is fine.

Yep! Planning to game on it, although I know the TV isn't that suitable but oh well.. I can't quite appreciate 144hz over 60hz as I'm not a hardcore gamer.

Anyway, just as I suspected, my HTPC's gonna be more powerful than my desktop coz of the difference in usage.

Heck, I had no dGPU for my desktop until a few days back when I found one at the dustbin near my void deck. A GTX550Ti. Hahahaha!!