CPU ITX, 4k/120hz/HDR 10/444 options?

[dowfry]

I got an LG C5 oled, to use as an office monitor.
What options are there to run it at full resolution, without a GPU?
I'd like to keep it small, low cost, and hopefully more powerful than a 12th gen i5.
Windows 10, web browsing, MS Office, streaming. Trying to get full output, and not use DSC if possible.

I think I'd like to try an AM5 ITX, if possible. The 8700g with the 780m igpu is a little more expensive than I'd like to spend ($180-220?). I was hoping for more like $80-150. Used is fine.
I see conflicting reviews, about whether Gigabyte/Asrock boards can output that. I asked Gigabyte, they told me the 650i board could not, without DSC. MSI gave me false info.

Otherwise, I guess it's an Intel nuc, and USB C > HDMI 2.1. Or maybe a laptop with thunderbolt 4.
I'd prefer to have an ITX system that I could upgrade in a few years. And that I don't have to worry about overheating.

I don't really want to use a GPU. I think only the >rtx 3000 series can do it without a workaround. And I don't really want to spend >$150, plus the size, only to never game with it. Or pay the SFF tax for small models. And even half-height, or console style, seem pretty silly for this. Then the PSU increases as well. I don't know much about the Intel Arc gpus - same size regardless.

One question is, what CPU/igpu is capable of it? AFAIK >12th gen Intel. Idk about AMD.
The other question is, what ITX motherboard? True HDMI 2.1 (Not TMDS, 2.0b I guess). Thunderbolt 4 I think. >DP 2.0?
I think 4k/120hz/HDR 10/444 is about 38gbps?

I don't know what DP Alt is. Or USB 4. Or FRL. It seems like most manufacturers have asterisk disclaimers regarding their board-specific outputs, anyway.
I think a lot of people are going USB-C thunderbolt > HDMI 2.1, either via cable, or active adapter.

If you've got a budget setup that works, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

 

[hrh_ginsterbusch]

Low cost during RAMaggeddon? good luck.

AMD AM4 and AM5 APUs series (anything with a G at the end, eg. 5600G, 8500G etc) seem to all support 120hz at 4K.

Maximum display number is 4, but my guess is that the more displays, the lower the refresh rates may drop. But for one single display it should be totally ok.

Used AMD Ryzen 5-5700G + Asrock DeskMini / DeskMeet X300 should do the trick.

Other option: Ryzen 5 8500G + Asrock DeskMini / DeskMeet X600, but would only be feasible if you get your hands on cheap used DDR5 ram, else I'd pick the AM4 option.


You could, in theory, also be able pull off an Intel APU build, but they seem to cap 4K at 60Hz, so if you wanted to stick to 120 Hz, you'd need at least a cheap GPU.

FYI: I've been looking into similar options for a bit before, and came up with reusing my 13700k + ITX board, drop it into a 5 - 7L case, use the ID-Cooling IS-67-XT (in tests, allows to cool up to 180W), and pair it with a single slot GPU.

What I found most feasible for my use case was the PNY Quadro P4000, which can be had as low as 80 Euro, and sits specs-wise at approx GTX 1660 level. As I've already own all other components, the only real costs involved would have been the GPU + the case.

I've semi-scraped this project by now, as I've started work on my "Mystery Case" build, but one could use the original idea as a template, to scrounge the used market, eg. for a regular build, then pick out the components one needs and sell the rest. So that eventually, one ends at the wanted low prices.

cu, w0lf.