Win - Which processor is better?

Win Which processor is better? - Printable Version

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Which processor is better? - mknabster - 2020-03-23

I am currently in the market for a replacement PC to what i currently have, which is a Dell Optiplex 960 with a Core2Duo 3.0Ghz, 6GB RAM, 128GB SSD, and 1GB Nvidia GPU. It is hard wired into a Gigabit switch to my LAN, plus HDMI to my TV, and the TV has a Toslink to my surround sound bar. The reason for me wanting a replacement is due to a few issues i'm noticing:

when watching Youtube videos, regardless of their length, the audio/video skips/stutters a bit throughout
After upgrading to Kodi 18 from 17, I noticed that when i play 1080p video, that the video will stutter at random times throughout a movie. This doesn't happen with 720p or 480p video however. This problem did not happen when i was running v17 oddly enough
I also have been having some overheating issues where the fans run high

So I tend to purchase used Dell Optiplexs straight from Dell because i have had good luck with that process. I have 3 options listed below that i would like your opinions on which would be best. Obviously they would all be better than what i have now, but I'm wondering which would be able to handle 4K whenever i choose to upgrade my TV to that. I'm not sure if having a dedicated GPU is better to have over a better processor, but this is what i came up with my in my price range:

Option 1 ($189): Dell Optiplex 7020, i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad, 16GB RAM, 500GB HDD (will be replacing this with the 128GB i already have), Intel Graphics with Displayport (I'll have to use a displayport to HDMI converter)

Option 2 ($229): Dell Optiplex 7020, i5-4590 3.3Ghz Quad, 20GB RAM, 500GB HDD (will be replacing this with the 128GB i already have), AMD Radeon R5 240 1GB (I'll have to use a displayport to HDMI converter)

Option 3 ($239): Dell Optiplex 7040, i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD (will be replacing this with the 128GB i already have). Intel Graphics with HDMI built-in

So what are your thoughts on the processors, like is the added cost worth it for more RAM or a newer machine, or is the first one with the i7 better to have in the long-run? Thanks!

RE: Which processor is better? - the_other_guy - 2020-03-24

Option 3 ($239): Dell Optiplex 7040, i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD (will be replacing this with the 128GB i already have). Intel Graphics with HDMI built-in

to run 4k from a PC for non-gaming and non-rendering uses, it'll usually only take a 4k compatible motherboard. The Skylake processors all come with an iGPU capable of running general-use at 4k, which includes streaming movies.

i would look at a ryzen 2400g build

RE: Which processor is better? - mknabster - 2020-03-24

(2020-03-24, 01:18)the_other_guy Wrote: Option 3 ($239): Dell Optiplex 7040, i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD (will be replacing this with the 128GB i already have). Intel Graphics with HDMI built-in

to run 4k from a PC for non-gaming and non-rendering uses, it'll usually only take a 4k compatible motherboard. The Skylake processors all come with an iGPU capable of running general-use at 4k, which includes streaming movies.

i would look at a ryzen 2400g build

Oh, good to know! I will check out the Ryzen as well. Thanks!

RE: Which processor is better? - Matt Devo - 2020-04-01

(2020-03-23, 14:56)mknabster Wrote: So what are your thoughts on the processors, like is the added cost worth it for more RAM or a newer machine, or is the first one with the i7 better to have in the long-run? Thanks!

a <$100 Odroid N2 setup would be far superior for video playback purposes. So if your primary use for this device is Kodi/video playback, you're going at it all wrong. If you need a general purpose PC, then look at the best system you can buy now that meets your needs an upgrade to a dGPU that fully supports 4K once you need it

(2020-03-24, 01:18)the_other_guy Wrote: The Skylake processors all come with an iGPU capable of running general-use at 4k, which includes streaming movies.

Skylake GPUs don't handle HEVC Main10 (ie, can't decode 10-bit content), VP9, and don't have native HDMI 2.0 output. Skylake offers "4K-lite" at best

RE: Which processor is better? - smp1 - 2020-04-01

(2020-04-01, 03:07)Matt Devo Wrote: Skylake GPUs don't handle HEVC Main10 (ie, can't decode 10-bit content), VP9

They do handle HEVC Main10 and VP9.

RE: Which processor is better? - fritsch - 2020-04-01

No, they don't - the only can do 8 bit in HW and use a "hybrid decoder" for 10 bit (but only on windows) - performance sucks and only 1080p can be decoded - useless.

That graph is wrong.