Best Solution to get 4K/60FPS from HD Graphics 530?

[TheViper4Life]

Hello,

Early last year I bought a refurbished Dell OptiPlex 7040 SFF desktop, which is a massive improvement over the terrible Laptop I had for 7 years prior to it. It came with HD Graphics 530 pre-installed on it, which I know now only allows for HDMI 1.4. Unfortunately I didn't think to check for that ahead of time. 

However it wasn't a problem until today. I bought a new 4K Monitor (Samsung M7) to replace my old one. It's a 60Hz monitor, with 2 HDMI 2.0 ports and 1 USB-C port. The problem here is obviously that the HDMI 1.4 ports on my PC aren't allowing 60Hz, only 4K 30Hz. The OTHER issue is that while the PC has Display Port 1.2 (which should allow 4K/60), the Monitor does not. 

So I was wondering what a relatively. semi-inexpensive solution would be? For instance is there an adapter where I can use the Display Port on the PC and get 4K/60 from the USB-C port or even HDMI? If not, what is a good alternative graphics card for a PC like this so I can get a USB 2.0 port of it (keep in mind this is a Small Form Factor PC)? Obviously I don't need something crazy like an RTX 3090 or anything...something older and cheaper would be better (I'm not a PC gamer).

Any help would be appreciated. 

[n_scott_pearson · Accepted solution]

It is very common to use DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapters and cables to support 4K monitors. Here are some Amazon examples of hardware that should be able to support 4K@60Hz, depending upon how the DisplayPort channel is actually being exposed:

A. Adapters (combine with your HDMI Cable):

1. US$13 DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086QQT48Y.
2. US$14 Mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089GF8M87.
3. US$14 USB-C-to-HDMI adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JW7GT7H.

B. Standalone Cables:

1. US$13 DisplayPort-to-HDMI cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081GGNWCX.
2. US$15 Mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FBJGLRZ.
3. US$16 USB-C-to-HDMI cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075V5JK36.

[Note: I say 'should' because I have not tried these particular adapters/cables myself and thus cannot endorse them.]

I have an Intel NUC, model NUC6i5SYH, which has Intel HD Graphics 540. I use this adapter to support its connection to a 40" Samsung 6000 Series 4K TV: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017NKIQ8M, so I know that it can definitely be done using the DisplayPort output of the graphics engines in the 6th gen Intel Core processors.

Hope this helps,

...S

[TheViper4Life]

Thanks! I bought the one in your first link and I'm getting 60FPS without issue now! 

But would you guys be able to recommend an older graphics card that would work on a SFF PC like this? I have a PCIe x16 port open on my motherboard if that helps. 

Thanks again, though.

[Alx24]

There are compatible devices for Intel Corp. products with Intel Graphics

https://compatibleproducts.intel.com

https://compatibleproducts.intel.com/ProductDetails?prodSearch=True&searchTerm=NUC11PAHi5

https://compatibleproducts.intel.com/ProductDetails?prodSearch=True&searchTerm=NUC11PAHi7

"Adapters and Dongles"

Accell USB Type-C to HDMI 2.0 adapter U187B-002B Intel Validated

StarTech Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter MDP2HD4K60S 3rd Party Validated

Light Plus Cable mini Displayport to HDMI (4K) LPC1651 Intel Validated

The peculiarity of such devices is that some of them may not work on Power On/Reboot BIOS stage and are suitable
only for connecting a second display.

https://www.newsweek.com/samsung-smart-monitor-m7-review-perfect-display-work-play-1553855#:~:text=The%20Samsung%20Smart%20Monitor%20M7%20features%20a%2032-inch,is%20also%20an%20Eye-saver%20mode%20with%20two%20settings.

...

"Connectivity
The Smart Monitor M7 features plenty of connectivity options.

The Samsung Smart Monitor M7 offers a lot of connectivity options. There is a USB-C port that supports display, audio and connectivity. There are two HDMI ports, including one that supports ARC to simplify connecting a soundbar if you want to upgrade the audio.

Three USB ports on the back of the monitor allow you to connect accessories you want to use with a computer. This simplifies keeping a webcam, hard drive or other accessories plugged in while only needing to plug one cable into your computer.
The monitor supports Wi-Fi, which is how the apps and smart features work. Bluetooth allows you to connect a keyboard and mouse."

Alx24.

[n_scott_pearson]

Why do you say 'older'? You should be able to use some of the latest cards out there.

Depending upon the height of the PCIe cards your SFF chassis can support, you may be limited in the GFX engines available to you. If you can take a full-height PCIe card, then you shouldn't be limited at all! If you can only support half-height cards, then you will be limited - but it should still be possible to easily out-do the iGFX 530.

Hope this helps,

...S

[TheViper4Life]

I definitely need to use half height cards. But when I say older I just mean I don't need something like an RTX 3090, it's not for gaming purposes so I don't need something insanely powerful. I mainly want something that beats the integrated HD 530 that I have, but is powerful enough to give me the HDR support this monitor has (that I can't currently get out of the 530), but also isn't going to break the bank either. So I'm looking for "good enough" for this PC, rather than latest and greatest, high end.