4K With Skylake - Possible Without Graphics Card?

[sneezy]

I am new at this.

I am not interested in a gaming system, video editing, nor overclocking. I would like speed with many different programs running. I would like energy efficient. I want a Mac that I can open the case like Apple used to make.

Can I do 4K without a graphics card? The graphics cards seem to increase the overall power usage significantly. If not, I may just stick with a standard monitor. My current Mac is a iMac Intel Core 2 Duo and is pretty slow with everything open.

The "Some motherboards will not support resolutions higher than 1080p at 60hz." is confusing to me. Does that mean that the integrated Intel graphics is or is not capable of 4k? "The Skylake processors will feature some improved Iris Pro Integrated graphics which are fully capable of handling as many as three 4K monitors at once, with all running their UHD at a very smooth 60Hz (60 frames per second). This is a massive leap upward from the older Haswell architecture, which was capable of supporting just one 4K monitor at a mere 30Hz, and the current Broadwell architecture, which can support a single 4K monitor at 60Hz."

I get the feeling that if I choose a Custom Mac Budget that I will not get 4k. But the Custom Mac Pro's seem to push a graphics card, which I believe I won't need.

Or should I just stick with a standard monitor?

 

[nobodynose]

I am new at this.

I am not interested in a gaming system, video editing, nor overclocking. I would like speed with many different programs running. I would like energy efficient. I want a Mac that I can open the case like Apple used to make.

Can I do 4K without a graphics card? The graphics cards seem to increase the overall power usage significantly. If not, I may just stick with a standard monitor. My current Mac is a iMac Intel Core 2 Duo and is pretty slow with everything open.

The "Some motherboards will not support resolutions higher than 1080p at 60hz." is confusing to me. Does that mean that the integrated Intel graphics is or is not capable of 4k? "The Skylake processors will feature some improved Iris Pro Integrated graphics which are fully capable of handling as many as three 4K monitors at once, with all running their UHD at a very smooth 60Hz (60 frames per second). This is a massive leap upward from the older Haswell architecture, which was capable of supporting just one 4K monitor at a mere 30Hz, and the current Broadwell architecture, which can support a single 4K monitor at 60Hz."

I get the feeling that if I choose a Custom Mac Budget that I will not get 4k. But the Custom Mac Pro's seem to push a graphics card, which I believe I won't need.

Or should I just stick with a standard monitor?

Yes, you can get 4K resolution with the Intel HD 530 Graphics that are included with most Skylake processors. Just remember that you need either HDMI 2.0 (still rare) or DisplayPort to get 4K at 60Hz. (Bottom line: make sure your motherboard and 4K monitor have DisplayPort, and make sure your DisplayPort cable is good quality and certified.) Also, make sure your 4K monitor can run at 60Hz and is a single LCD panel; some of the cheaper ones use two individual 1080p panels side-by-side and/or display 4K only at 30Hz.

Oh, the statement "...Haswell architecture, which was capable of supporting just one 4K monitor at a mere 30Hz" simply isn't true; I'm typing this now on a Haswell i5-based Hackintosh with HD 4600 Graphics running at 4K @ 60Hz (over DisplayPort).

 

[sneezy]

Thanks for that. Which brings me back to the issue of how do I find out which Skylake processors can support 4k @ 60 Hz? And which motherboards?

Which I select the recommended ones and go to Amazon, there is little in the way of specs.

I am looking in the recommended builds for information.
http://www.tonymacx86.com/buyersguide/june/2016#CustoMac_Budget_ATX
http://www.tonymacx86.com/buyersguide/june/2016#CustoMac_mATX

Congratulations on getting 4K @ 60Hz out of Haswell. I should have included the source of my quote. It was:
http://4k.com/news/intel-possibly-releasing-4k-capable-skylake-chipset-in-september-8929/

 

[ProjectSunstream]

For the CPU you can just look it up here: http://ark.intel.com
Just select your processor and scroll down to graphics.

 

[kiiroaka]

You will probably be restricted to ~30HZ on DVI-DL. If you want 4K @ 60HZ you will probably need an external GPU.

Max Resolution (HDMI 1.4)‡ 4096x2304@24Hz
Max Resolution (DP)‡ 4096x2304@60Hz
Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)‡ 4096x2304@60Hz

http://ark.intel.com/products/88188/Intel-Core-i5-6600-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_90-GHz

Check your mobo specs...

I would like energy efficient[cy].

You'll probably want to stick to 65W procs. Just know that the TDP may still get quite high.

I want a Mac that I can open the case like Apple used to make.

You may have to make your own. See the threads on converting MAC Pros to use PC boards. As it is you are looking at uATX boards and there are some nice cube designs out there that may appeal to you. I suggest a uATX board with four RAM slots and space between where the video card end could interfere with the RAM fingers. Since you're not going with an external card, then an ITX mobo may be up your alley. You'll be limited to two RAM slots, though, so the max you'll be able to get is 32GB, at the present time.

Compare pictures:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182979
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128872

Just because it's smaller doesn't mean it's going to be cheaper, though.

Some good looking uATX cases that might appeal to your MAC sensibilities:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA66Z38G2791
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811854011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4M53XU0737
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/sharkoon-introduces-their-newest-ca-i-mitx-and-ca-m-uatx-pc-cases/
http://phoenixcuration.com/index.ph...m-computer-pc-round-design-case-bravotec.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S3ZV6DY/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

 

[sneezy]

For the CPU you can just look it up here: http://ark.intel.com
Just select your processor and scroll down to graphics.

Thanks for the suggestion, but the info there does not mean enough to me to help. It all says:

Intel® Iris™ Pro Graphics 580 or 530. That does not say to me if it can do 4k at 60 Hz via display port on the right type of mother board.

 

[sneezy]

You will probably be restricted to ~30HZ on DVI-DL. If you want 4K @ 60HZ you will probably need an external GPU.


http://ark.intel.com/products/88188/Intel-Core-i5-6600-Processor-6M-Cache-up-to-3_90-GHz

Check your mobo specs...



You'll probably want to stick to 65W procs. Just know that the TDP may still get quite high.



You may have to make your own. See the threads on converting MAC Pros to use PC boards. As it is you are looking at uATX boards and there are some nice cube designs out there that may appeal to you. I suggest a uATX board with four RAM slots and space between where the video card end could interfere with the RAM fingers. Since you're not going with an external card, then an ITX mobo may be up your alley. You'll be limited to two RAM slots, though, so the max you'll be able to get is 32GB, at the present time.

Compare pictures:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813182979
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128872

Just because it's smaller doesn't mean it's going to be cheaper, though.

Some good looking uATX cases that might appeal to your MAC sensibilities:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA66Z38G2791
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811854011
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4M53XU0737
http://www.thinkcomputers.org/sharkoon-introduces-their-newest-ca-i-mitx-and-ca-m-uatx-pc-cases/
http://phoenixcuration.com/index.ph...m-computer-pc-round-design-case-bravotec.html
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S3ZV6DY/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

So even if I get a mother board with a display port, it will not support 4k @ 60 Hz? GP is required?

"Just know that the TDP may still get quite high."

So it will get hot. Do I care? If so, what should I do about it? I was just going to use a fan, not the more advanced cooling devices.

I was taken too literally about a Mac where I can open the case. I loved the old beige and blue&white.
It is the access to upgrade, add memory, plus internal drives that I miss with these newer bleeping sealed iMacs. I suspect any old PC case will be accessible enough for me to do that sort of changes - I hope. But I appreciate the detailed response. Thanks.

 

[ProjectSunstream]

Thanks for the suggestion, but the info there does not mean enough to me to help. It all says:

Intel® Iris™ Pro Graphics 580 or 530. That does not say to me if it can do 4k at 60 Hz via display port on the right type of mother board.

Really, I don't get it ...



... i clearly states "Max DP Resolution ≈ 4096x2304@60Hz" ... what else do you wanna know?

 

[kiiroaka]

Where to buy a cheap DP 4K display?

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=4k+monitor

Any Skylake processors support HDMI 2.0?

 

[kiiroaka]

"Just know that the TDP may still get quite high."

So it will get hot. Do I care? If so, what should I do about it? I was just going to use a fan, not the more advanced cooling devices.

The stock Intel cooler is quite good. As the proc gets hot you'll probably hear the fans spinning higher and higher. Once it starts to happen when not stressing out the proc then chances are that there is too much dust on the heat sink and it will need to be blown out. It only really matters if noise is a concern. And if you have in-adequate case cooling.