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Intel Iris XE graphics limits my external monitor to 120Hz

RazvanXO16
Novice
13,735 Views

Hi,

I got an Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15IHU6 with Intel Iris XE Graphics ( Intel® Core™ i5-11300H ) and Nvidia GeForce GTX1650 connected to an external monitor which is BenQ MOBIUZ EX240N which the refresh rate could go up to 165Hz but when I plugged the monitor using an HDMI 2.0 cable ( my laptop and also the monitor has HDMI 2.0 ) it got capped at 120Hz. Is it because the external monitor it's connected to the Intel Iris Graphics and not the GPU? 

 

Can you help me with a suggestion on how can I get at least 144Hz if not 165Hz? 

Also my laptop has an USB 3.2 Gen Type C, can I try to buy a Type C - Display Port cable? Will it work?

 

Bellow I will leave screenshots with my display properties and specs.

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1 Solution
RazvanXO16
Novice
13,563 Views

Hi,

 

Thanks for the prompt reply, I'm gonna look forward a new Premium High Speed HDMI cable and we can mark it as solved !

 

Thanks in regards.

View solution in original post

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7 Replies
MUC
Valued Contributor III
13,670 Views

Laptop: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15IHU6

 

MUC_0-1727109787705.png

 

You can only connect an external monitor via HDMI. The USB-C port does not transmit video.

HDMI 2.0: 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz RGB 8-bit TMDS = 18 Gbps

 

Monitor: BenQ MOBIUZ Gaming Monitor EX240N

 

  • 1920 x 1080 @ 165 Hz 8-bit CVT-RB = 12 Gbps
  • 1 x HDMI 2.0
  • 1 x DisplayPort 1.2
  • VESA AdaptiveSync

 

The video bandwidth is sufficient. Please use the graphics drivers that Lenovo offers for download:

  • Intel VGA Driver for Windows 10 (64-bit): 31.0.101.4502
  • Nvidia VGA Driver for Windows 10 (64-bit): 31.0.15.2904

 

If that doesn't help, then please create a Report for Intel Graphics Drivers and attach the output file here.

 

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RazvanXO16
Novice
13,636 Views

Hi,

 

I've installed the Intel VGA + Nvidia VGA driver, did a quick restart and tried to see if it's working, did not worked at all, I'm starting to question if I need to change to a new HDMI cable.

 

Here is the output of the report for Intel Graphics Driver, hope this helps. 

 

 

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MUC
Valued Contributor III
13,617 Views

The report shows that the monitor data is being received correctly.

 

MUC_0-1727128104066.png

 

The yellow parameters deviate from the VESA standard Coordinated Video Timing - Reduced Blanking (CVT-RB), but that shouldn't be a problem with the HDMI 2.0 bandwidth.

 

1080p @ 144 Hz = 325.08 MHz = 54% HDMI 2.0

1080p @ 165 Hz = 380.96 MHz = 64% HDMI 2.0

 

If you are currently using a "High Speed ​​HDMI Cable", which corresponds to version 1.4, then you can of course try an HDMI 2.0 cable ("Premium High Speed ​​HDMI Cable").

 

If that doesn't help either, you should ask Lenovo Support, referring to this thread, what this HDMI connector actually supports. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM = Lenovo in this case) has the final say in this regard, not the capabilities of the graphics integrated in the Intel processor.

 

RazvanXO16
Novice
13,564 Views

Hi,

 

Thanks for the prompt reply, I'm gonna look forward a new Premium High Speed HDMI cable and we can mark it as solved !

 

Thanks in regards.

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YureFr
Beginner
10,871 Views

Could you please confirm if the issue was actually resolved? I’m facing the same problem, but my monitor is an LG ULTRA GEAR 24' 180Hz 24GS60F-B. I’ve already purchased a premium high-speed cable, model ELG HS8K20. I’ve tested with both the manufacturer’s drivers and the latest reference drivers. I’d like to support at least 144Hz, but 165 or 180Hz would be great as well. Attached is the report. 

YureFr_0-1729179543873.pngYureFr_1-1729179565756.png

Note that the maximum that shows up is 120Hz.

I even tried checking through third-party software, and the resolution shows up.

YureFr_2-1729179622848.png

If possible, please provide me with a solution.

 

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MUC
Valued Contributor III
10,852 Views

Yes, the monitor's capabilities transmitted via the Display Data Channel (DDC) in the HDMI cable arrive in both the Intel driver and the Windows registry (in your case read with CRU).

 

HDMI 2.0 MAX = 600 MHz

 

MUC_0-1729182024603.png

 

This corresponds exactly to the video timing according to VESA CVT-RB. I can therefore only assume that the HDMI connector on this device is not capable of outputting resolutions and refresh rates that are not included in the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) standards. 1080p @ 120 Hz is the maximum in the CTA-861 timing table, Video Identification Code (VIC) = 63.

 

Since this monitor information is already carried in the base block of the EDID, I don't think you can achieve anything with CRU. To be sure, you have to contact the manufacturer of the device. The HDMI retimer (PS8409A) on the motherboard may be a limitation, since retimer devices are protocol-aware and -dependent. Such chips are basically required to bring the video signal from the processor integrated graphics to the physical connector by recovering the data, extracting the embedded clock and retransmitting a fresh copy of the data using a clean clock. As mentioned, however, It is just possible that in the case of HDMI only the CTA-861 formats are supported, which excludes 144 Hz and higher.

 

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MUC
Valued Contributor III
10,816 Views

Is your device even a Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15IHU6?

 

The laptops with Intel Core i7-11370H and GeForce GTX 1650 often have an USB Type-C port that can also output a video signal. Please provide the exact model number of your device or consult the manual.

 

In case of a video capable USB Type-C port, please use one of these cables to connect your LG UltraGear Full HD monitor with the DisplayPort protocol:

 

 

 

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