Need a new video card to output 4K video from an older build

[Freegrazer]

I just got a beautiful new 4K tv and now I want my 7/8 year old PC to start outputting 4K video to it.

PC is a self build and has been connected to my main HDTV for the past 7 years or so and used as a HTPC as well as a general use PC and some small video editing. I don't game on PC at all. (Yeah I know, booooo!)

In order to play 4K video content and output it to my new tv, I'll need a 4K video card to replace my old GTX 560 (which I was actually given to me for free back then). Now, I really don't know much about video cards, and while I built the PC myself I've forgotten a few things since I did it and hardware has certainly moved on since then.

What card should I be looking at given that I won't be gaming at all with it and it will be used mainly for 4K movie/video content?

I'm assuming that a dual slot video card just means it takes up the space of 2 PCI slots and doesn't actually plug into 2 PICe slots, right? So I can simply swap out the GTX 560 for a new card and don't have to worry about it being a dual slot card and taking up any more slots than the 560 did?

Mobo is a Sabertooth Z77 btw:

I have the GTX 560 in the top slot PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (beige slot), and a Soundblaster Zxr main audio card in the other available PCIe 3.0 x16 slot (brown slot) along with the ZxR daughterboard in a PCIe 2.0 x1 slot right below my main audio card slot. Can I fit a dual slot card in place of the 560 or is it going to cover the audio card slot or else be so close to the audio card to be touching it and/or cause issues with heat/airflow.

If it will be a problem, I suppose I could just move my audio cards to the bottom 2 slots if necessary.

Any advice or suggestions appreciated!

 

[Zefan]

Yes, you're right about the "slot" nomenclature. You'd need to be getting a triple slot card to begin justified worrying about being close to your audio card.

If you're looking to buy new, the cheapest cards that will output the resolution you're looking for are the AMD RX 550 and NVIDIA GT 1030.

 

[Freegrazer]

Sorry got too late last night, only seeing your reply now.

I saw the gt 1030 recommended in another thread, but someone pointed out that for Netflix 4K content you need a 3GB or 4GB card.

The RX 550 has a 4GB model so should do the job, but that same thread had a discussion about needing a mid range gaming card to really get the full potential out of 4K video content, particularly for up-scaling (even if not using it at all for gaming).

Here is the thread: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/foru...ovies-without-buffering-on-playback.18869172/

The guy even recommends an Nvidia 1660, and I get what he's saying about it doing everything fully properly with 4K video but I kinda want a second opinion before I go and fork out double the price of an RX 550!