Do i need a graphics card to run 4k?

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Kishan25

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Apr 13, 2015
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I want to build my mom a 4k computer. She doesnt game. She does regular PC stuff like browse the web and watch youtube videos. Would I need a graphics card? And if I do would it have to be expensive like a 980ti or something? And if I wouldnt need it would I need a good mother board?
 
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I really don't think a 4K monitor is going to be helpful to her, and they are rather expensive. If she needs a lot of screen space, buy two 1080p displays. That will probably be cheaper and work well. If she just wants it to look good, then 1080p will be fine.

If you are stuck on 4K, you could probably get by with the integrated graphics, but I'd probably go for a low-end graphics card just to be safe. You don't need to go overboard, but something like an Nvidia GT 730 would be plenty. I wouldn't look at anything over about $80, and probably pick something cheaper honestly.
 
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4k was just an example. I want to get her a intel i5 6600k. And for the monitor i want to get her a LG 34 inch ultrawide 3440x1440p. She will most likely watch youtube videos in 1440p at 60fps if available. Do I need a GPU?

 
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Just because its better. Even though she's just going to be on youtube and facebook doesnt mean she has to be limited to 1080p.

 
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And like I said above 4k was just an example. I want to run her on 1440p.
 
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Forgive me for being blunt but I get the impression its you that wants the latest kit. Your mom can browse and facebook and youtube and skye etc. etc. on a Pentium 4 all day long....I know because my kids do. Why would you need to buy at £3000 PC rig to do that?
 
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My budget is $800. She's only ever had those cheap $100 pre built PCs and she's under the impression that Mac is better because she's only ever owned low end computers. I want to get her this to PC because I want to get her better and to prove that Macs aren't that much better. Plus she owns a business and does a lot of work on her computers but I dont know what she does so I didn't what to add it in as a variable. And the reason I wouldn't go for a Pentium is because they have never lasted very long for me.
 
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I would have opted for an i3 processor but i feel 2 cores wouldn't be enough when she's running a bunch of programs and softwares in the back. I would hate for her PC to slow down because of something as little as that.
 
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The reality is you have nowhere near enough of a budget to build a PC rig around an i5 6600K, never mind adding the cost of a 34" ultrawide monitor. The monitor alone is nearly £600 so $800 - 900. your processor is <>£200 so $300....then you need a motherboard, memory, CPU cooler, PSU, case....the list goes on.

If you want to persuade your mom that PC's are better than Macs (which they are of course ;-) ), you need to really read up on building a budget rig.

Have you ever built a PC system before?
 
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So here is all that you'd need for a 4k system and it is about double the price of just the i5 6600k CPU:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4170 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($57.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($123.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $460.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-12-12 17:19 EST-0500

* CPU is plenty for multi-tasking.
* RAM is plenty.
* Mobo might be a bit overkill, but it is affordable and has plenty of options.
* GPU will display 4k at 60 Hz on DP.
* SSD is plenty fast and will make the system snappier in and around Windows (a must for a newer system, IMHO).
* Case is perfect for Micro ATX build
* PSU is plenty for this build and is modular, so you can limit cable clutter and allow more air flow.
 
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Im still pretty new to PC building and stuff so wouldnt having 2 cores slow down my PC when I have an anti virus software, a malware software, and chrome all running or does that depend more on the ram than the CPU. Also what would I need 4 cores for?
 
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No 4 cores isn't always needed. If your gaming and want to cover other programs then 4 or more cores is definitely a bonus. 2 cores are plenty for Facebook, Youtube, etc. and having 8 gb's of RAM and an SSD will ensure a pretty peppy system all around. If you want 4 cores then the i5 4460 is a good option for about $185, but for Youtube and Facebook you don't need 4 cores for that.
 
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Kisha25 - Simple answer is no. Modern CPU's can run multiple apps. without issues or slow downs, especially when those apps are not CPU intensive in any way.

Lunyone has built you a perfectly acceptable system given your initial statement about how this PC would be used.
 
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I have built 3 systems so far. The monitor is not a variable in the budget
 
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2 more question: If there is no K in the model name of a CPU, does that mean it cant be overclocked?

What does it mean if there is a T in the model number?
 
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I know the 750ti is already pretty cheap but do i need that to run 1440p at 60fps or can i go a little cheaper?
 
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Wouldnt getting a 950 be better than the 740ti?
 
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950 > 740 Ti (I think you might have meant 750 Ti). Yes the 950 would be better, but for Facebook and Youtube you don't need more than a 750 Ti. If you want to spend more and get the GTX 950 go ahead and help yourself. We aren't stopping you from doing that. I was just trying to fit your requirements without wasting too much $ on unnecessary parts.
 
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I did mean 750, and the 950 doesnt cost any more than the 750.
 
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