4k TV upgrade query.

APM · 9 Apr 2016 at 13:26

I don't do much gaming and currently I have a VGA or DVI out to a 1080p monitor on my desk and a HDMI going to a 1080p TV via an AVR,both from the motherboard.

I've been considering moving to a 4k (Sony KD-55X8005C)TV but as I understand both my monitors from the mobo need to have the same resolution in order to function I've been holding back from doing that.

Another thought is that the PC recognises the AVR which is currently only 1080p specified too so maybe I could add the 4k TV without upsetting the mobo resolution outputs and allow the 4k TV to upscale with it's built in engine after passing through the 1080p AVR without any issues?

I'd appreciate any thoughts or experience with this as if I need to upgrade my monitor,AVR and PC/GPU all at the same time it's a far more expensive proposition.

Thanks.

Kurgen · 9 Apr 2016 at 13:35

not sure if ive read your question correctly, but the TV and monitor only need to be the same resolution if your are duplicating, ie same image on both screens. if your extending the desktop monitors can be different resolutions. I use a 23" 1080p monitor at work via displayport along side a 21" 768p via DVI.

So you can have your 4k TV as 1 desktop . 1080p monitor as desktop 2

APM · 9 Apr 2016 at 19:16

I wasn't aware of that but,yes,I do clone the displays usually.

The set up as it as has worked flawlessly for 5 years now but there are some 4k tv's coming into my price range so I've been considering one.

APM · 9 Apr 2016 at 19:17

I guess I could just swop the tv from a 1080p to a 4k one as the pc recognises the avr rather than the telly but it would be a sod if I shelled out for a tv that wouldn't just be a straight exchange for the one that's there now.

Kurgen · 10 Apr 2016 at 10:03

sorry I think my answer there was a slight error. you can clone the displays, but the 4k TV would down scale to 1080p to match your monitor, only in extended or 4K TV only with the resolution be 4K

I cant comment about AV receiver, as I only have All in one home cinema crap

smilertoo · 10 Apr 2016 at 13:41

You will need an nvidia 9xx series gfx card to run a 4k tv at 60hz, i think at the moment theyre the only cards with hdmi2.0.

Kurgen · 10 Apr 2016 at 13:55

smilertoo said:
You will need an nvidia 9xx series gfx card to run a 4k tv at 60hz, i think at the moment theyre the only cards with hdmi2.0.

I think your sort of right there. I looked at NVidias website and the lowest spec card that supports 4K is a GTX650

http://www.geforce.co.uk/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-650/specifications

OCUK the lowest 4k card they sell is the GTX 750, or you could look for a second hand GTX 650..

APM · 10 Apr 2016 at 19:45

Yeah,it's definitely a grey area and I think only trial and error will give an answer.

Thanks guys.