2-to-1 integer scaling for desktop resolution

jstamm · ‎11-13-2024

Reposted because my original post was inexplicably marked as spam and left that way.

I have the exact same issue as this older post. The near-UHD 3456 x 2160 resolution of my Dell XPS 15's built-in display causes lots of issues related to display scaling in Windows 11, especially when connecting an external monitor using a different scaling percentage. Setting the resolution to half (1728 x 1080) and using integer scaling should solve those issues and still look very sharp due to the scaling being exactly 2-to-1. Unfortunately, after doing this, the text is blurry, indicating that integer scaling is not being used.

I've enabled the Fixed Width (Integer Scaling) option in the Retro Scaling section of ArcControl, and I've also tried all the Scale options in Intel Graphics Command Center. I updated my graphics driver to latest, did lots of reboots, and tried every combination of the available options, but it looks like integer scaling isn't applying to the internal display's desktop rendering.

Please advise.

CPU: i9 12900HK

GPU: Iris Xe

OS: Windows 11, build 22631.4391

Graphics driver: 32.0.101.6078

RandyT_Intel · ‎11-23-2024

Hello jstamm,

I apologize for your original post being left that way and for my delayed response. Thank you for reposting and bringing this to our attention. Let's get back to addressing your issue.

The main issue you're experiencing is that integer scaling is not being correctly applied to your Dell XPS 15's internal display. Despite setting the resolution to half (1728 x 1080) and enabling the Fixed Width (Integer Scaling) option, the text remains blurry, indicating that the scaling method isn't functioning as intended. This problem is due to several factors: Windows 11's handling of different scaling percentages for multiple monitors can lead to inconsistencies, especially when mixing high-DPI displays with standard ones. Even with the latest graphics drivers and settings adjustments in Intel Graphics Command Center and Arc Control, there might be limitations or bugs preventing integer scaling from being applied correctly. Additionally, Windows has multiple scaling mechanisms, and not all of them support integer scaling properly, leading to blurry text when the expected scaling isn't applied.

To better assist you, I need to gather some additional information. Could you please answer the following questions?

Has this issue occurred before?
Can you please run the System Support Utility (SSU) and share the logs with me?
How did you perform the last update? Did you use a device manager-clean installation or Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) before updating to the latest graphics driver?
When you connect the external monitor, is your Dell XPS 15 set as the primary display? Windows often bases its scaling on the primary display, which can affect how scaling is applied across multiple monitors.
Have you tried logging out and back in after changing the scaling settings? Sometimes, Windows needs a fresh session to apply new scaling settings correctly.
What is the resolution and scaling percentage of your external monitor? Mixing different resolutions and scaling percentages can sometimes cause issues.
What type of cable are you using to connect your external monitor (e.g., HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C)?

Kindly check these articles for your reference:

What is Intel® Retro Scaling?

Scaling Options in the Intel® Graphics Command Center

How to Forcibly Set Scale Option to Maintain Display Scaling as the...

Providing this information will help me diagnose the system more accurately and check for available solutions. Thank you for your cooperation, and I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Randy T.

Intel Customer Support Technician

jstamm · ‎11-26-2024

Hi Randy,

My original post was eventually restored, so feel free to close this one so we can consolidate troubleshooting. I don't want to be the cause of duplicate efforts and posts. But allow me to provide the info you've requested.

I've done an assortment of clean installs and tested using Intel graphics driver versions 32.0.101.6078, 31.0.101.5186, as well as a slightly older one whose version I don't remember. For 31.0.101.5186, I've tried both the Intel-supplied version and the Dell-supplied one. In between each update, I've rebooted my machine. I've tested every permutation of the following:

- Single monitor only (built-in)

- Built-in monitor plus external via Dell Thunderbolt 3 dock

- 100% scaling

- 125% scaling

With each configuration, I've also verified that Arc Control's Retro Scaling feature is set to Fixed Width (Integer Scaling) and tested all of the Display > Scale options available in IGCC. No configuration I've tested allows my desktop session to use integer scaling, so I can say confidently that the scaling percentage, external monitor setup, and primary display setting are not the cause.

I suspect that this is either a missing or broken feature in the Intel graphics driver. Integer scaling for games is great, but in the era of ultra-high DPI workstation laptops, allowing integer scaling to work for the entire desktop session (not just games) is important.

Attached are the SSU and DxDiag files.

RandyT_Intel · ‎11-26-2024

Hello jstamm,

Thank you for your prompt response. I will proceed with closing this ticket and will cascade the information you provided to our team for further review.

Best regards,

Randy T.

Intel Customer Support Technician