Hey everyone!
I'm planning a new Mini-ITX HTPC build and I'm aiming to keep it as small and efficient as possible. This means no dedicated graphics card – relying solely on integrated graphics. The primary use will be for 4K video playback (streaming services, local files with HDR support), light web browsing, and potentially some very casual emulation or retro gaming. Power efficiency and low noise are also high priorities.
What CPUs are you all recommending for this kind of setup? I've been looking at:
- Intel Core i3-13100: Good value, decent integrated graphics (UHD 730).
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600G: Stronger integrated graphics (Radeon Vega), but higher TDP.
- AMD Ryzen 5 8600G: Newer generation, even better integrated graphics, but might be overkill and pricier.
I'm leaning towards the Intel i3 for its lower power draw, but I'm concerned about its 4K HDR playback capabilities compared to AMD's offerings. Has anyone had hands-on experience with these (or similar) CPUs in an HTPC scenario without a dGPU? What are your thoughts on performance, power consumption, and heat output?
Any other CPU suggestions, or specific motherboard/RAM configurations that complement these CPUs for an HTPC, would be greatly appreciated!
Key Requirements:
- Excellent 4K/HDR video playback (HEVC, AV1 support is a plus)
- Low power consumption for idle and playback
- Silent or very quiet operation
- Sufficient performance for light multitasking
- Integrated graphics must handle the load
Thanks in advance for your help!
Comments
Hey TechEnthusiast88,
For 4K HDR playback without a dGPU, you really can't go wrong with the AMD Ryzen APUs. The 5600G is a fantastic sweet spot. Its Radeon Vega graphics are significantly more capable than Intel's UHD graphics, especially for decoding various video codecs and handling higher resolutions smoothly. I've been running a 5600G in my Mini-ITX HTPC for over a year, and it handles everything I throw at it without breaking a sweat, including high-bitrate 4K HDR content. Power consumption at idle is very low, and under load, it's still very manageable for an HTPC build.
The 8600G is even better, but honestly, the 5600G is often more than enough and can be found at better prices.
I agree with HTPC_Master. If your primary concern is video playback performance, the iGPU on the Ryzen APUs is the way to go. I used an Intel i3-12100 with UHD 730 for a while, and while it was okay for 1080p and some 4K, it struggled with certain high-bitrate HDR files and AV1. The 5600G is a noticeable upgrade in that regard. Also, consider the power efficiency of the overall system. While the 5600G has a higher TDP, modern AMD CPUs can be very efficient when configured correctly with undervolting.
Thanks for the insights, both of you! It sounds like the AMD 5600G is the frontrunner. I was worried about the power draw, but if it's manageable and offers significantly better graphics performance for video, it's a worthwhile trade-off. I'll look into undervolting as well.
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