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Devices => PC's and Other Hardware => Topic started by: jmone on October 30, 2016, 04:35:57 pm

Title: NUC for 3D / 4K with madVR?
Post by: jmone on October 30, 2016, 04:35:57 pm

I've read some conflicting advice on whether the Intel Iris 540 iGPU in the latest NUC (like the NUC6i5SYK (http://www.intel.com.au/content/www/au/en/nuc/nuc-kit-nuc6i5syk.html)) works well with madVR / 3D / 4K.

I'm not after a powerhouse HTPC but something that just works.  Has anyone had any exposure to how these NUC go?  My alternative is to get a Shuttle and push in a real GPU but I like the Form Factor and have good experience with older NUCs (but no 3D / 4K).

Thanks
Nathan

Title: Re: NUC for 3D / 4K with madVR?
Post by: Manfred on October 31, 2016, 02:48:22 pm

Hi,

I am skeptical. I asked in  a different thread a similar question only for RO Standard:
Does anyone has some experience of up-scaling 1080p(i), 770p etc. to 4k resolution on intel skylake HD530 or Iris Pro GPU's using RO Standard. Is GPU utilization near 100% or less? Is HD 530 enough? No final answer.

I have tested the following using RO Standard on my EVGA GTX 960 SSC 4GB.
Playing a 1080p@29. xx Hz video leads to a GPU utilization of 35% with GPU clock running at 1025,2 Hz (1279 max with boost). EVGA 960 has a G3D mark of ~5996 -> 5996*1025,2/1279*35% = 1682.
HD540 has a G3D mark of  1360 which is below the value of 1682. This would mean HD540 is not capable to upscale 1080p to 4k. Because its an extrapolation from NVIDIA->intel GPU it could be seriously wrong.

Using madVR with GTX 960 a 1080p bd concert upscale to 4k using BC75+AR (chroma) | Lz3+AR (Image) | CR+AR+LL (Downscaling) utilizes the EVGA card around 50%. NEEDI for my card is not possible.

If one uses DXVA2 for Image and Downscaling utilization is lower on my card but how that applies to HD540 I have not seen any test on that.  On my i7-4770T with HD4600 GPU utilisation using DXVA2 using BC75+AR (chroma) | Lz3+AR (Image) | CR+AR+LL (Downscaling) the same video utilizes  around 55% for FHD. HD4600 has a passmark of 712. So for 4k this would mean roughly 721*55%*4=1586 also above 1360. The HD580 could be a different beast.

Also the NUC you described has also no HDMI 2.0 - if you need this.
That are my 5 cents.

Title: Re: NUC for 3D / 4K with madVR?
Post by: Manfred on October 31, 2016, 03:17:32 pm

Some of the upcoming Kaby Lake nuc's will have more 4K features and optimized DXVA2 drivers for 4k:
http://www.fanlesstech.com/2016/07/exclusive-kaby-lake-apollo-lake-nuc.html (http://www.fanlesstech.com/2016/07/exclusive-kaby-lake-apollo-lake-nuc.html)

Also you can find a review of the madVR/HTPC credential on intel Skull Canyon NUC here (it's loud):
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10343/the-intel-skull-canyon-nuc6i7kyk-minipc-review  (http://www.anandtech.com/show/10343/the-intel-skull-canyon-nuc6i7kyk-minipc-review)

Title: Re: NUC for 3D / 4K with madVR?
Post by: jmone on November 05, 2016, 07:52:16 pm

Thanks Manfred.... Those new NUC look like the go, just have to wait till early new year.