Intel Iris provide 3440 x 1440 30 Hz on external monitor through HDMI 2.0

[EinarsL]

Hi there! I'm running Dell Vostro 7620 with 12th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-12700H 2.30 GHz. It has built-in Intel Iris graphic and also Nvidia RTX 3050 Ti.  When I connect my external monitor AOC CU34G2X as extended main display (through HDMI 2.0) it set's resolution to 3440 x 1440 30 Hz and uses Intel Iris graphic driver (tried to force Nvidia but no success on W11). Problem is that I can't get higher refresh rate for this resolution. Monitor supports 144 Hz on DP and 60 / 100 on HDMI, why there is no 60 / 100 or more Hz available as option? From Intel 12700H seems that it should support it.

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @EinarsL  

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.  

I am sorry to hear what is happening with your laptop, I will gladly assist you here. 

This seems to be a bandwidth limitation, since HDMI 2.0 max effective bandwidth is 14.4 Gbps and for this resolution at 60Hz bandwidth would be approximately 14.93 Gbps or a little bit less. 

You can refer to the article How to use Bandwidth to Determine the Best Video Output for more information. These are video port standards, not set by Intel graphics. 

Have you tried the DisplayPort or Thunderbolt instead of HDMI? 

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician. 

[EinarsL]

Thanks for reply Jocelyn.

I read article and now I'm little bit confused. I checked my display settings and it has option 3440x2160@60 Hz which works fine but it's scaling makes it unusable - icons and text is stretched. But doesn't it mean that with cable and port everything is OK? As I'm able to run higher resolution with 60 Hz refresh rate.

I tried using Thunderbolt, but unfortunately I noticed that adapter which I was using supports only 4K@30 Hz, that's why nothing changed with it

Currently I have no adapter that supports higher 4K refresh rate nor for HDMI 2.0 nor DP 1.4. Before I purchase them I would like to understand if really problem is in cable or port.

I managed to connect this external monitor to my working PC - Lenovo Legion Y530-15ICH (Intel Core i5-8300H with Nvidia GTX 1050 Mobile). From specification I see there is support for 4096x2160@60Hz. When I connected it to this work PC I was able to use external monitor on resolution 3440x14440@100Hz  with same cable and also it has HMDI 2.0. So  I have feeling that there could be issue with drivers but I also tried to update everything.

Could you please help ASAP! I have purchased this PC and Monitor and have to deal with this issue quickly until my return expires.

If there is any reports that I can attach I would like to do it.

Have to note that I tried contact AOC and they confirmed that this monitor supports 3440x1440@60/100  over HDMI 2.0, to achieve higher I should use DP 1.4.

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @EinarsL  

Thank you for the information provided. 

Please confirm and clarify, does the refresh rate limitation issue happen with HDMI 2.0 or Thunderbolt? According to the thread title, we understand that the issue happens with HDMI 2.0. 

How is the monitor connected to the laptop exactly? Are you using video cable adapters?  

Intel does not recommend using any kind of adapters and cannot guarantee 3rd party products/adapters will work as expected. You can check the following article regarding this information: Using Video Cable Adapters, Splitters and/or Docking Stations in Computers not Manufactured by Intel 

Please, provide us with the following reports to have more information about your laptop: 

Intel® System Support Utility for Windows. 

Note: Make sure to mark the box that says "everything" before pressing the Scan button. After that, click on "Next>" and select "Save" and then, attach the .txt file. 

Intel® Graphics Command Center: 

1. Go to Intel Graphics Command Center. 
2. Click on the "?" Icon or the "Support" tab on the left bar. 
3. Go to the "System Diagnostic" Tab. 
4. Click on the "Generate Report" option. 

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician. 

[EinarsL]

Hi @Jocelyn_Intel !

Thanks for reply and I'm sorry for late response.

Yes refresh rate limitation issue happen with HDMI 2.0.

I'm connecting it through provided cable from monitor box - it's simple HDMI wire with no adapters.

There you got:

1. SSU report

2. Intel Graphics Command Center report

[MUC]

1.  The Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) from the monitor shows:

• Detailed Timing Descriptor:
  • Resolution: 3440 × 1440
  • Refresh Rate: 99.981604 Hz
  • Aspect Ratio: 43:18
  • Horizontal Frequency: 150.972 kHz
  • Pixel Clock: 543.5 MHz
• Maximum Refresh Rate: 100 Hz

This is OK.

2.  SSU shows "Output Type: HDMI" and that the port is driven by Intel Iris Xe. The Report for Intel Graphics Drivers lists 3440 × 1440 @ 100 Hz as supported mode. This is OK.

3.  HDMI 2.0 bandwidth and your verified cable are suitable for 3440 × 1440 @ 100 Hz RGB 4:4:4 8 bpc TMDS (91% usage). This is OK.

4.  Graphics Driver: 31.0.101.3301, A04. Dell "strongly recommends" applying this update as soon as possible. You did that. This is OK.

Well, unfortunately, I have no idea what the problem is here. Since the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM = Dell) has the final say on their product's capabilities, I'd recommend to contact the Dell Support.

However, you can of course try the current generic Intel Iris Xe Graphics Driver: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/726609/intel-arc-iris-xe-graphics-whql-windows.html?

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @EinarsL  

Thank you for the information provided so far. 

As @MUC mentioned, everything in the reports indicates it should be supported. 

You can try the latest graphics driver but, if the issue persists, you need to contact your System Manufacturer to check this issue and see if there are limitations on their part. 

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician. 

[raidboy]

Go into the Intel Graphics Command Center (IGCC) and check whether the pixel depth is set to 8 bpp, e.g.: RGB444 or YUV444, and if not, then reduce it to 8 bit.  Afterwards you should be able to set the higher refresh rate.

If it is set to a higher pixel depth, such as to 10 or 12 bits, both IGCC and windows settings will only offer you the resolutions/refresh rates that work for that higher pixel depth.

[EinarsL]

Hi @raidboy !

It's set to BPC_8. Tried to switch over different modes and configuration but did not achieve result.

Anyway thanks for recommendations, I will contact Dell support.

[EinarsL]

Thanks @Jocelyn_Intel four your time and support!

I tried to install latest drivers (uninstalling previous - clean) but unfortunately it did not help.

I have to mention that I purchased Type-C -> DP and that for now is the solution. But anyway thanks, I will contact Dell support why HDMI 2.0 does not support this.

Have a nice weekend!

Regards,

Einars.

[Jocelyn_Intel]

Hello, @EinarsL  

Thank you for letting us know.

We will no longer monitor this thread since you are going to contact them, we really hope they can help you to figure it out.

Best regards,  

Jocelyn M.   

Intel Customer Support Technician.