Intel Arc Graphics – 8K Video Playback Stutter Persists

[Deepakbalu]

Dear Intel Arc Driver Team,

I am writing to report a persistent issue with 8K video playback on my Intel Arc-based system, even after updating to the latest 32.0.101.6913 WHQL driver.

My Setup:
Laptop: Lenovo Yoga 7 (Intel Core Ultra 5 125H with Intel Arc Graphics)

OS: Windows 11 Home Single Language (24H2)

Displays:
Direct playback in Laptop and Projector via HDMI from laptop

Browser/Player Tested: Chrome, Edge

Driver Version: 32.0.101.6913 (latest)

Previously Resolved (Thanks!):
Before this update, On the 6556 version I faced heavy frame drops and slow-motion playback even with 4K videos when Direct playback in Laptop and connecting to my projector. 

However, after updating to 6913 and re-enabling hardware acceleration, 4K playback now works smoothly, including in browsers like Chrome and Edge. So, thank you for resolving this in the latest release!

New / Remaining Issue: 8K Video Playback
While 4K is now smooth, I’m still seeing major stuttering, frame drops, and playback issues with 8K YouTube videos

Happens even with direct HDMI → projector

CPU usage spikes to 90–100%

GPU decode usage is inconsistent (VP9/AV1 decode may not trigger properly)

Issue appears across Chrome, Edge

Additional Notes:
1080p and 4K playback are stable after update

Kindly Consider:
Improved support for 8K VP9/AV1 decoding on Arc and Core Ultra chips

Optimization for dual-output setups (separate audio/video via different outputs)

More robust handling of fullscreen playback on extended displays

I’d be happy to provide logs or debug data if needed. Thank you again for the progress in recent driver versions — I look forward to further improvements.

[Mike_Intel]

Hello Deepakbalu,

Thank you for posting in Intel community Forum.

For me to better understand and diagnose the issue further, let me ask you to provide detailed responses to the following questions. This information will help me isolate the problem and determine the most appropriate course of action moving forward.

1. Was the 8k video playback working fine before?
2. How did you update the Graphics driver?
3. Were you able to achieve 8k resolution using a different monitor before?
4. Please help generate the SSU logs of your system. Kindly refer to the link below on how to generate the logs:

How to get the Intel® System Support Utility Logs on Windows*

If you have questions, please let us know. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Deepakbalu]

Was the 8k video playback working fine before? No, including 4k it had stutter, now after 6913 update 4k is working fine.
How did you update the Graphics driver? Intel® Driver & Support Assistant
Were you able to achieve 8k resolution using a different monitor before? I have tried in laptop monitor, 4k tv and projector every monitor had same issue.
Please help generate the SSU logs of your system. Kindly refer to the link below on how to generate the logs: PFA

[VonM_Intel]

Hello Deepakbalu,

Thank you for the clarification and detailed responses. It's great to hear that the recent 31.0.101.6913 driver update has improved 4K playback performance. Regarding the 8K video playback, I understand it has consistently shown stuttering across multiple displays, including your laptop monitor, 4K TV, and projector, even prior to the update.

I attempted to open the file you provided (Intel log.txt), but unfortunately, I encountered an error on my end. Would you mind re-uploading the file here? I apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Best regards,

Von M.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Deepakbalu]

Reuploading the file. Hope this one works.

[Mike_Intel]

Hello Deepakbalu,

Thank you for the update.

Before we proceed, let me check. Based on the link below, to achieve 7680 × 4320, the cable that you should use is HDMI2.1 FRL or Display Port.

Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 Processor 125H

Can you confirm the cable that you are using?

As additional information, let me share this link for more information on different cables and its bandwidth which translate to higher display resolution if you are using a high bandwidth cable.

How to use Bandwidth to Determine the Best Video Output

If you have questions, please let us know. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Mike_Intel]

Hello Deepakbalu,

I hope this message finds you well. 

Were you able to check the previous post?

Please let us know if you still need assistance.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Deepakbalu]

Let’s set aside the cables and external monitor for now. The video is jittering on the laptop screen itself, so it's clear the issue isn’t related to external factors. I’ve noticed the focus keeps shifting to other possibilities, but I’d like us to concentrate on resolving the problem with the laptop display first.

Could you please let me know how this will be addressed and what the resolution plan is?

[Mike_Intel]

Hello Deepakbalu,

Thank you for the update.

Let me check, are you having this issue if you use an external monitor?

If not, there is a possibility that the issue is with the monitor itself of the laptop.

To further diagnose the issue, you may contact Lenovo. This is to provide the best settings and configuration and also to avoid Warranty issues.

If you have questions, please let us know. Thank you.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Deepakbalu]

Oh very funny. So now the laptop monitor is the problem?

Let’s stop wasting time pointing fingers at everything else. I’d appreciate it if we could avoid shifting the blame to external factors and instead focus on investigating the root cause—specifically on the Intel side. Let’s work toward a proper resolution.

May I know would you able to find anything from the log file?

There is nothing to do with the laptop screen. It's perfect and everything else is working fine.
Even the external monitors TV and projector also causing same issue when connected to laptop via HDMI. Cables are 2.1 version only.

Earlier Playing 4k video had the same issue. After intel graphics update that has been resolved now. Try to fix 8k as well.

[Mike_Intel]

Hello Deepakbalu,

I hope this message finds you well.

I sent an email in the email address indicated in your profile here in the communities. This is regarding the update for this thread. Please check your inbox.

Thank you and have a great day.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Mike_Intel]

Hello Deepakbalu,

I hope this message finds you well. 

Were you able to check the previous post?

Please let us know if you still need assistance.

Best regards,

Michael L.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Deepakbalu]

Hi,

I have replied to the email with details.

Thanks!

[jiax]

Hi,

Is the problem solved? I also recently experienced a stuttering issue with the U5 125H 8k playback.

Is the update driver good?

Thanks!

[MichaelMc]

You might also want to do a completely clean driver reset — either through Intel’s Driver & Support Assistant or with DDU. A fresh install sometimes makes AV1 decoding kick in properly again.
And if the issue persists, sending the Intel team your DxDiag and an Intel GPA capture really helps. They can usually pinpoint what’s going wrong much faster, especially when it involves dual-display setups.