GPU for HTPC with hardware decoding for HEVC (h265) 10 bit

[quicky008]

9 year old intel quad here.
Running 'Big Hero 6' 1080p 10bit hevc RIP.
CPU usage
15-30% in VLC
and only 10-15% in MPC-HC

Encoding HEVC on CPU is still a nightmare though. There aren't and proper GPU encoders so far.

which intel quad core cpu do you have?

 

[supergamer]

IMO you absolutely need a 10bit panel to see 10bit RIP in its full glory.
Most TN gaming panels are only 6bit and cheap IPS,VA these days are 8 bit panels. These panels will the replace the colors they can't display with their closest neighbor color in the spectrum... sort of like dithering.
And no, a 10bit Panel will not let you play HDR content. For HDR you need Dolby Vision or HDR10 certified displays.

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which intel quad core cpu do you have?

q9400 at stock.

 

[whitestar_999]

[MENTION=98840]ssb1551[/MENTION], i suggest getting RX460.It can be used for hardware decoding of HEVC 8/10bit as well as for other purposes like gaming,video post-processing,hardware based video encoding etc.

 

[ssb1551]

^^ Thanks Man!! Was waiting for someone to recommend a GPU haha .

 

[BhargavJ]

I'm confused. I have a 2015 Dell laptop, the display of which is probably 8 bits. Will there be a noticeable difference playing 10 bit video on that display compared to an 8 bit video? I've played a few clips, both 8 bit and 10 bit, and I can't observe any difference.

 

[whitestar_999]

The display of that laptop is almost certainly 6-bits.Trying to observe differences between similar bitrate 8bit & 10bit videos on that screen is like asking a person with -8 reading glasses number & without wearing his glasses,whether iphone 7 screen is better than samsung galaxy s8.

 

[BhargavJ]

The display of that laptop is almost certainly 6-bits.

Is there any way to find how many bits the display has, like a utility or small app? The Dell website just says it's an LED Backlit Display with Truelife and HD Resolution (1366 x 768)

 

[whitestar_999]

No such utility as the only sure way to confirm a panel's bit depth is by disassembling it(whether laptop,monitor or TV).By default though,most laptops come with 6bit TN panel & any laptop which has a 8bit IPS panel should advertise it quite clearly & boldly as it is a rarity in laptop market.

 

[ssb1551]

Finally got a Galax 1060 6GB EXOC variant. Pics in "post Your latest purchase" thread.