Question Upscaling Video on a budget

[bearcat2222]

Interested in achieving some goals:

1. Make all sources of video streaming work without buffering;
2. Simultaneously run a computer game (for example Xcom2), youtube video, Amazon video, Notepad and Yahoo email, et. all, without lag in anything;
3. Very inexpensively upscale poor quality video clips to HD. 240p to 720p, for example. All clips at least one hour long. Do not yet have any software for upscaling, it all looks prohibitively expensive, ridiculously so, and hardware requirements very high. Would like to spend 300 or less on this.

Current machine appears to lack necessary hardware to achieve goals.
Am considering replacing with a different machine, but doubt its quality and ability. Both described below:

CURRENT MACHINE

Currently getting about 771 Mbps download speed. Cost to go to next speed tier prohibitive, and not sure machine could handle it anyway.
Hardwired connection, cable.

Machine name: DESKTOP-G6RRQI5
Machine Id: {7D6FC6FC-17A1-4AF9-BECC-4721DCE9CA70}
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit (10.0, Build 19045) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: CyberPowerPC
System Model: C Series
BIOS: P4.20 (type: UEFI)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9400F CPU @ 2.90GHz (6 CPUs), ~2.9GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8108MB RAM
Page File: 11094MB used, 16722MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 12
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
Miracast: Available, no HDCP
Microsoft Graphics Hybrid: Not Supported
DirectX Database Version: 1.0.8
DxDiag Version: 10.00.19041.2075 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Type: Full Device (POST)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_2184&SUBSYS_1351196E&REV_A1
Device Status: 0180200A [DN_DRIVER_LOADED|DN_STARTED|DN_DISABLEABLE|DN_NT_ENUMERATOR|DN_NT_DRIVER]
Device Problem Code: No Problem
Driver Problem Code: Unknown
Display Memory: 10034 MB
Dedicated Memory: 5980 MB
Shared Memory: 4054 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
HDR Support: Not Supported
Display Topology: Internal
Display Color Space: DXGI_COLOR_SPACE_RGB_FULL_G22_NONE_P709
Color Primaries: Red(0.647461,0.331055), Green(0.316406,0.577148), Blue(0.149414,0.071289), White Point(0.281250,0.288086)
Display Luminance: Min Luminance = 0.500000, Max Luminance = 270.000000, MaxFullFrameLuminance = 270.000000
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: 32inch LG FHD
Monitor Id: GSM76F5
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: HDMI
Monitor Capabilities: HDR Not Supported
Display Pixel Format: DISPLAYCONFIG_PIXELFORMAT_32BPP
Advanced Color: Not Supported

Note this was done today, and DXdiag is not correctly identifying monitor connected, it reads an old monitor!


*********************************

Considering this as a replacement, Amazon listing, if it will let me run upscaling hardware and eliminate streaming buffering:

$225

Dell Optiplex 9020 Small Form Factor Desktop with Intel Core i7-4770 Upto 3.9GHz, HD Graphics 4600 4K Support, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, DisplayPort, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth - Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)​

• This Dell 9020 SFF desktop computer, features 4th Generation Intel Core i7-4770 upto 3.9 Ghz processor 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
• With a small form factor design, the Dell Desktop Computer provides the workstation performance you need without taking up too much desk space
• Visuals are handled by an HD Graphics 4600 (2x Display Port 1x VGA) DisplayPort to HDMI adapter Included
• Features USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports for ultra-fast data transfers. USB 3.0 is up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0, yet fully compatible with USB 2.0
• Stay connected to the WiFi Adapter. Play your favorite music files with stereo sound. Easily connect to large and multiple monitors through the installed onboard video connections.

 

[kanewolf]

Interested in achieving some goals:

1. Make all sources of video streaming work without buffering;
2. Simultaneously run a computer game (for example Xcom2), youtube video, Amazon video, Notepad and Yahoo email, et. all, without lag in anything;
3. Very inexpensively upscale poor quality video clips to HD. 240p to 720p, for example. All clips at least one hour long. Do not yet have any software for upscaling, it all looks prohibitively expensive, ridiculously so, and hardware requirements very high. Would like to spend 300 or less on this.

Current machine appears to lack necessary hardware to achieve goals.
Am considering replacing with a different machine, but doubt its quality and ability. Both described below:

CURRENT MACHINE

Currently getting about 771 Mbps download speed. Cost to go to next speed tier prohibitive, and not sure machine could handle it anyway.
Hardwired connection, cable.

Machine name: DESKTOP-G6RRQI5
Machine Id: {7D6FC6FC-17A1-4AF9-BECC-4721DCE9CA70}
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit (10.0, Build 19045) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: CyberPowerPC
System Model: C Series
BIOS: P4.20 (type: UEFI)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9400F CPU @ 2.90GHz (6 CPUs), ~2.9GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8108MB RAM
Page File: 11094MB used, 16722MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 12
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
Miracast: Available, no HDCP
Microsoft Graphics Hybrid: Not Supported
DirectX Database Version: 1.0.8
DxDiag Version: 10.00.19041.2075 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Type: Full Device (POST)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_2184&SUBSYS_1351196E&REV_A1
Device Status: 0180200A [DN_DRIVER_LOADED|DN_STARTED|DN_DISABLEABLE|DN_NT_ENUMERATOR|DN_NT_DRIVER]
Device Problem Code: No Problem
Driver Problem Code: Unknown
Display Memory: 10034 MB
Dedicated Memory: 5980 MB
Shared Memory: 4054 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
HDR Support: Not Supported
Display Topology: Internal
Display Color Space: DXGI_COLOR_SPACE_RGB_FULL_G22_NONE_P709
Color Primaries: Red(0.647461,0.331055), Green(0.316406,0.577148), Blue(0.149414,0.071289), White Point(0.281250,0.288086)
Display Luminance: Min Luminance = 0.500000, Max Luminance = 270.000000, MaxFullFrameLuminance = 270.000000
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: 32inch LG FHD
Monitor Id: GSM76F5
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: HDMI
Monitor Capabilities: HDR Not Supported
Display Pixel Format: DISPLAYCONFIG_PIXELFORMAT_32BPP
Advanced Color: Not Supported

Note this was done today, and DXdiag is not correctly identifying monitor connected, it reads an old monitor!


*********************************

Considering this as a replacement, Amazon listing, if it will let me run upscaling hardware and eliminate streaming buffering:

$225

Dell Optiplex 9020 Small Form Factor Desktop with Intel Core i7-4770 Upto 3.9GHz, HD Graphics 4600 4K Support, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, DisplayPort, HDMI, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth - Windows 10 Pro (Renewed)​

• This Dell 9020 SFF desktop computer, features 4th Generation Intel Core i7-4770 upto 3.9 Ghz processor 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD
• With a small form factor design, the Dell Desktop Computer provides the workstation performance you need without taking up too much desk space
• Visuals are handled by an HD Graphics 4600 (2x Display Port 1x VGA) DisplayPort to HDMI adapter Included
• Features USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports for ultra-fast data transfers. USB 3.0 is up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0, yet fully compatible with USB 2.0
• Stay connected to the WiFi Adapter. Play your favorite music files with stereo sound. Easily connect to large and multiple monitors through the installed onboard video connections.

Why would you replace a 9th Gen CPU with a 4th Gen? That is a downgrade.
Upgrading the RAM in your current PC is a better use of funds.

 

[bearcat2222]

Thanks. I lack knowledge in this area.
Bottom line Kanewolf, how can I achieve listed goals and spend no more than 300 bucks?
Hopefully the DXdiag reflects that I quadrupled the RAM recently, with ZERO effect on anything.
I've downoladed and tried to use a couple software that supposedly upscale.....the interface is like trying to fly an insterstellar space ship.
There is no such thing as just a plain "upscale to this level" button anywhere I can find.

 

[kanewolf]

Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8108MB RAM

Your original post says you have 8GB of main memory. That will also be a single memory stick, which hurts performance. You want to do many things simultaneously, so you probably want 32GB RAM to replace your current 8GB. Something like this -- https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=32gb+ddr4+3200&N=600327642

Hopefully the DXdiag reflects that I quadrupled the RAM recently, with ZERO effect on anything.

DXDiag is for graphics memory. At 1080p your 1660 card has enough physical memory.

What do you have for storage? All SSD? Mixed SSD and HDD? HDD only ?

 

[bearcat2222]

There is both an SSD and a mechanical hard drive.

I have a couple peripheral SSD plugged in, because the C drive rapidly filled up to insane levels, and it appeared as if nothing could be moved from it or removed from it. Most of what is on the C drive is gibberish I don't understand or recognize.

A few months ago, I quadrupled the RAM. I don't know how to find out if the computer is using it or not. Task Manager says under Memory: 15.6 / 31.9 GB

 

[kanewolf]

There is both an SSD and a mechanical hard drive.

I have a couple peripheral SSD plugged in, because the C drive rapidly filled up to insane levels, and it appeared as if nothing could be moved from it or removed from it. Most of what is on the C drive is gibberish I don't understand or recognize.

A few months ago, I quadrupled the RAM. I don't know how to find out if the computer is using it or not.

It does not look like your RAM has changed based on your original post.
What did you do to quadruple the RAM?

 

[USAFRet]

I have a couple peripheral SSD plugged in, because the C drive rapidly filled up to insane levels, and it appeared as if nothing could be moved from it or removed from it. Most of what is on the C drive is gibberish I don't understand or recognize.

Install and run either WinDirStat, or WizTree.

Run as Administrator, selecting only the drive in question.
Post a screencap here.

Also, a screencap of your Disk Management window.

 

[bearcat2222]

It does not look like your RAM has changed based on your original post.
What did you do to quadruple the RAM?

. Task Manager says under Memory: 15.6 / 31.9 GB

 

[SkyNetRising]

. Task Manager says under Memory: 15.6 / 31.9 GB

Show screenshot.
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

 

[bearcat2222]

Install and run either WinDirStat, or WizTree.

Run as Administrator, selecting only the drive in question.
Post a screencap here.

Also, a screencap of your Disk Management window.

Uh.....I'm not really sure that there IS a "drive in question".

I don't know what a Disk Management window is.

You're not talking to a trained astronaut here. I'm a monkey that got shot
up in a space capsule......so, maybe talk to me the way you might to a small child.

I'm running WinDirStat, but it looks like it's going to take a long while.

 

[kanewolf]

. Task Manager says under Memory: 15.6 / 31.9 GB

That is not what your original post says.

 

[USAFRet]

Uh.....I'm not really sure that there IS a "drive in question".

I don't know what a Disk Management window is.

You're not talking to a trained astronaut here. I'm a monkey that got shot
up in a space capsule......so, maybe talk to me the way you might to a small child.

I'm running WinDirStat, but it looks like it's going to take a long while.

You mentioned your C drive "filling up", and you do not know why.
This may have a major impact on performance.
Your OS drive is "the drive in question".

Us out here seeing your WinDirStat result may let us identify issues.


Bottom line - Identify the problem before applying a solution.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I don't know what a Disk Management window is.

Run google search on "how to open disk management".
Hope you know, how to use google?

 

[bearcat2222]

That is not what your original post says.

Look, dude, are you trying to start a fight, or are you trying to be helpful?
I literally know NOTHING about computers.

 

[USAFRet]

Look, dude, are you trying to start a fight, or are you trying to be helpful?
I literally know NOTHING about computers.

And we out here are trying to help.

There is nothing preventing a 9th gen i5 from doing what you seem to be wanting. Except maybe a lack of system RAM, or other user induced problems.

 

[bearcat2222]

Run google search on "how to open disk management".
Hope you know, how to use google?

Ok, I appreciate your help. Part of help is patience.

Show screenshot.
(upload to imgur.com and post link)

I have never used imgur before. I tried, just now, and I can't figure it out. However, I did post a screen shot here:

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/laf/d/washington-here-is-the-screen-shot/7709822978.html

I am 60 years old, and mentally ill. I learn things VERY slowly by brute force rote repetition. If I do not use something on a daily basis, it is assured that I will forget it. Your patience would be appreciated.

 

[bearcat2222]

And we out here are trying to help.

There is nothing preventing a 9th gen i5 from doing what you seem to be wanting. Except maybe a lack of system RAM, or other user induced problems.

"that isn't what your original post says" sounds /reads combative or sarcastic or hostile or impatient to me.

 

[USAFRet]

So, you have 32GB system RAM.
So that is not 'the problem'.

(and at 60 years old, you are several years younger than I am)

 

[bearcat2222]

Install and run either WinDirStat, or WizTree.

Run as Administrator, selecting only the drive in question.
Post a screencap here.

Also, a screencap of your Disk Management window.

I do not know what a "screen cap" is.
Google is often useless, as it gives so many answers that it's often impossible to find the right / relevant one.

So, you have 32GB system RAM.
So that is not 'the problem'.

(and at 60 years old, you are several years younger than I am)

https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/laf/d/washington-windirstat-image-attached/7709827463.html

 

[bearcat2222]

I can't find "Disk Management". Google and YouTube frequently pop up "help" that shows pictures that do not match what I see on my screen, or refer to things that are not on my computer.

I rely very heavily on muscle memory, and have a huge preference for simplicity.

 

[USAFRet]

"screencap" = screen capture.

Like what you did.

And in WinDirStat...do it again, but with ONLY the C drive selected.

Select the button for Individual Drives, and select ONLY the C drive.

 

[DSzymborski]

"that isn't what your original post says" sounds /reads combative or sarcastic or hostile or impatient to me.

He's literally saying that you're giving different information in one post than in another post.

It's hard to give advice if the underlying facts are prone to changing.

 

[DSzymborski]

And the use case is not realistic. Upscaling "hours" of "poor quality" 240p to 720p is not a task that is effective or inexpensive. We're talking about *12 times* the pixels. Depending on how poor the quality of these videos are, just the software to even do this sort of effectively will cost $300 or more by itself, and it's going to take a long time *and* it's going to be awful trying to game and watch videos while doing it. And it *still* might not even be all that good in the end.

 

[bearcat2222]

And the use case is not realistic. Upscaling "hours" of "poor quality" 240p to 720p is not a task that is effective or inexpensive. We're talking about *12 times* the pixels. Depending on how poor the quality of these videos are, just the software to even do this sort of effectively will cost $300 or more by itself, and it's going to take a long time *and* it's going to be awful trying to game and watch videos while doing it. And it *still* might not even be all that good in the end.

Well, how poor was already stated. 240p

What is your definition of "effectively", and what specific software at that price are you referring to?

I have no problem running it overnight while I sleep and am not otherwise using the computer.

Explicitly why might it still not even "be all that good" (definition?) in the end.

Something I've noticed on tech forums is that the more knowledge a person has, the more arrogant they become, the less imaginative, creative, proactive and optimistic. Just because THEY don't know the answer, the proposition is "impossible".

Pretty much everything we currently have and use was sneered at as impossible at some point. Thanks for your encouragement and constructive input.

 

[bearcat2222]

He's literally saying that you're giving different information in one post than in another post.

It's hard to give advice if the underlying facts are prone to changing.

That's perfectly reasonable, phrased the way you put it. If he'd said all that, it might have saved us time, don't you agree?

There is an old corny movie named Airport. The pilot and copilot of a jet airliner are killed in an accident, and a stewardess has to land the plane, following directions over the radio.

The guy on the ground doesn't say "What gauss pressure is on the altimiter?" He says, " There are five red one inch diameter dials in a row to your left. Look at the one in the middle and tell me where the needle is pointing"