Intel UHD Graphics wont detect the HDMI correctly and wont allow refresh rates above 60hz

[Greg0v]

Hello,

I have a Lenovo Thinkpad t14 Gen1 with an i5 10210u. I try to connect an external 2k 144hz monitor directly with an 2.0 HDMI cable. Windows wont display any refresh rate above 60hz on either 2K or 1080p resolution.

Also under the Intel Graphics Command Center the connector type is displaying the connection as Displayport instead of HDMI.

I unistalled the UHD drivers and re install the latest ones 31.0.101.2114.

The laptop's hdmi out is rated at 4k 24hz max so 2k 144hz shouldnt be an issue.

I have tested both the monitor and the cable with another Lenovo yoga laptop with UHD graphics and they work perfectly at 2k 144hz.

  

 

[MUC · Accepted solution]

The HDMI port on this platform is connected internally via a DisplayPort source demultiplexer, which is why the driver shows "DisplayPort" as connector type.

This port corresponds to HDMI version 1.4. This basically enables Transition-Minimized Differential Signaling (TMDS) at up to 300 MHz. Unfortunately, that's not even enough for 1080p @ 120 Hz. According to the associated HDMI specification, a refresh rate higher than 60 Hz is not provided anyway.

Your monitor appears to be the KTC H32S17. I would recommend to connect the laptop via an USB-C > DisplayPort cable. You can plug such a cable to either the USB-C port [1] or the Thunderbolt port [3].

[Greg0v]

Hello!

Indeed I can confirm that using a Displayport to Type C cable and plugged it on either port 1 or 3 as seen above unlocked the 2K 165hz resolution!

Thanks a lot!

[TeZetHa]

Hello, 

I have a similar problem. I have a Thinkpad t15 gen1 with an i7-10510U. I would like to Output to my 4k TV at 30Hz and to my 1440p Monitor at 120Hz. My TV will only run at 30Hz while my 1440p Monitor is fine. I tried Connecting to my TV directly with a HDMI 2.1 cable or through my Thinkpad USB-C Docking Station Gen 2 and from there with a DP 1.4 Cable. It will only output 4k 30Hz. Would it be possible to take a USB-C to HDMI Cable to get 4k 60Hz?

[n_scott_pearson]

You have a 10th gen processor. Its HDMI 1.4 protocol output was incapable of supporting 4K@60Hz; 4K@30Hz was the max. possible.
Most good PCs get around this limitation by taking its output in DisplayPort 1.2 protocol and converting it to HDMI 2.0 protocol using a protocol converter (LSPcon) IC, which can then support 4K@60Hz.

Your Laptop doesn't have an LSPcon IC - but it does support a USB-C output, and this output contains a DisplayPort 1.2 stream that can be accessed via Thunderbolt or USB (DisplayPort Alt Mode) protocols. You can purchase a USB-C-to-HDMI 2.0 cable or adapter that will get you the 4K@60Hz output that you desire.

With your 10th gen processor, you are not going to be able to get 4K@60Hz via your Thinkpad USB-C dock. Your dock, because it is also actively supporting USB devices (including an internal USB Hub), can only use half the bandwidth of the (in your laptop's case, USB 3.x) connection to support graphics and thus only 4K@30Hz can be supported. No, you must use a dedicated USB-C-to-HDMI 2.0 cable or adapter if you want the full 4K@60Hz output capability.

Hope this helps,
...S

[MUC]

Yes, Scott is right.

Please try this cable: Cable Matters 201362-A

It contains a chip that converts the DisplayPort signal from the USB-C or Thunderbolt port to HDMI. It should allow you 4K @ 60 Hz with your laptop on the TV. It is future proof and I have it running with Intel hardware. You can also perform a firmware update on the integrated chip yourself if the cable does not work as expected.

[ItsTheMonitor]

Hi, I am trying to connect the very KTC H32S17 monitor to my Lenovo T540p.

The screen stays black. I would use above mentioned solution, but my laptop only offers VGA port or USB 2.0.

Is there any chance to get my Intel HD Graphics 4600 to work with the monitor? I only need 60 hz refresh rate for office use.

Cheers and best regards,

Thomas

[MUC]

KTC H32S17:

• 1x HDMI 2.0 (2560 x 1440 @ 144 Hz)
• 2x DisplayPort 1.2 (2560 x 1440 @ 165 Hz)

Lenovo ThinkPad T540p:

(2) Mini DisplayPort (optional): If your device is equipped with it you can try this: CAC-2163 (max. 2560 x 1440 @ 60 Hz)

(3) VGA: You can try this: CAC-1720 (max. 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz)

[ItsTheMonitor]

Wow, so quick and presenting me with 2 possible solutions!

Also, now I know what this dusty port is for xD

Many thanks, I will try and give feedback!

Cheers,

Thomas

[ItsTheMonitor]

Hi MUC,

solution (2) works like a charm!

Who knew that my old laptop had such power in it 🙂

Many thanks again!

Cheers,

Thomas

[TeZetHa]

Thank you very much for your quick help!   We don't really have Amazon in Switzerland, so I bought this cable:

https://www.digitec.ch/de/s1/product/purelink-kabel-is2200-020-usb-type-c-hdmi-2-m-weiss-2-m-usb-typ-c-video-kabel-20833902?supplier=406802

It's my work Laptop and I will plug it in with 2 cables, that's fine.

[n_scott_pearson]

Looks like an ok choice to me. Let us know what happens once you have it,

...S

[TeZetHa]

Got the cable and it works like a charm. I get 4k 60Hz.
Thank you very much for your help!

[n_scott_pearson]

Good to hear!
...S