Those should be able to handle everything just fine, but the price is a bit steep for my liking, even used.

Same goes for other micro-pc’s, like any of the various NUCs. The potential issues with these got me thinking about doing a more powerful embedded system, something X86, but the price rises dramatically. I’m not opposed to either of those, there are a few Ham radio projects I could cannibalize them for if they didn’t work for this, or alternatively I could use them to make an actual HTPC to replace my Roku (more on that later). It looks like the Odroid N2+ or the RockPro64 might be able to muster up the horsepower needed, but it’s hard to find good documentation on anyone having done that. After that, I decided to look at some other SBCs. When I originally approached this, my first thought was to run everything on a Raspi 4, though it seems that it would just barely sneak by for the 4k decode, and unfortunately 4k decode isn’t supported by steam link yet, nor parsec, iirc (Raspberry Pi 4 is currently broken on Parsec). None of these are particularly difficult on their own, but when you add them together things get a bit rough.

Must pass the girlfriend test - that is, it cant look like “one of those god forsaken computer projects”.

As inexpensive as can be managed without giving up the other requirements.

Fairly straightforward setup, I’d rather this not turn into a Frankenstein mess.

Capable of 4k60 decode, though faster would be great (tv is a 4k 120hz, and PC can definitely drive a good number of games at that res/framerate).

My requirements are a bit stiff for this project, admittedly. However, I have some requirements that are making the selection process a bit more difficult. Typically, this would be pretty straightforward, just grab a Raspberry Pi or the like and go nuts. I plan to use Steam link, as well as/or alternatively Parsec for the software, probably on Linux. Beyond the cost aspect, it just seems like a waste when I already have a plenty powerful enough computer sitting just upstairs in the office.

I’d like to be able to play games in the living room on the TV, but I don’t want to have to dork with moving my PC down, and I don’t have the money for a full on secondary gaming rig.

Hello everyone! I’ve come for some advice on putting together a small HTPC, primarily for in home streaming for games.

Steam link rpi