Intel HD4000 with 4k HDMI output on Linux

Question

I wonder if I can output 4k resolution (3840 × 2160) @ 30Hz with a Intel HD4000 graphics using Linux and a single HDMI output.

I have a Thinkpad Edge E330 with HDMI 1.4. The CPU is an i5-3210M.

I know that there is a problem with the pixel clock (which is limited to 165MHz) which limits the output maximal output power. Now I know, that there are patches for Mac OS X.

Where is the pixel clock limited? In the kernel? In the graphics driver? Can it be removed/fixed in general?

Is the HD4000 powerful enough to be able to drive 4k @ 30Hz in general?

Solution 1

4K output with Intel HD 4000 graphics via HDMI 1.4 works for me. Both under Win10, as well as Ubuntu 15.

In Win 10 you have to force the graphics to use the stock Microsoft driver (graphic card settings - update driver - choose from disk - Microsoft) NOT the Intel driver which gets enabled by default. Intel Corp. is capping the max resolution, forcing you to buy new hardware. That is unnecessary for the usual web browsing / text / pic editing jobs. The stock MS driver has poor performance though, be warned.

In Ubuntu 15 the 4k output via HDMI works beautifully, both with the stock driver and the proprietary Intel driver. I strongly recommend installing Ubuntu system to use Intel HD graphics and UHD / 4K monitor.

Solution 2

I also have intel HD4000, and I am running 3840x2160 at 24p Hz on windows, not sure about 30p Hz.

The tv I'm using as a monitor supports 4k@60hz, but I haven't been able to achieve that with this display card, I'm not sure if it is possible, and according to this guide (search for 2160), if it is possible looks like it might have to be done somehow through display port and not hdmi.

For windows users: user283110 said you need to force the graphics to use the Microsoft driver because you cant use the Intel driver. But you can actually use the intel driver by setting a custom resolution, click on your "search windows" and type: "CustomModeApp". Here are the full instructions

Solution 3

The HDMI 1.4 standards supports pixel clocks up to 340 MHz, and this is what allows it to display resolutions like 2560x1600@60Hz (268 MHz pixel clock) or 3840×2160@30Hz (297 MHz pixel clock). For 4k@60Hz, HDMI 2.0 and a 600 MHz clock is required.

The ThinkPad Edge 300's HDMI port, however seems to be limited to a 165 MHz (HDMI 1.0-1.1) pixel clock, while still offering the other HDMI 1.4 features according to Lenovo. This limits it to 1920x1200@60Hz.

Since HD4000 supports full HDMI 1.4 pixel clocks, the limit is typically caused by the TMDS bus driver chip used by the notebook or board manufacturer for the HDMI port. This information is then stored in the BIOS and used by the graphics driver to limit the resolutions available. In some cases, however, the BIOS limit is arbitrarily set to a low safe speed to avoid trouble with badly wired projectors in conference rooms and similar. People have some luck overriding the limit by using custom videomodes. YMMV.

Comments

[Andon M. Coleman]

Regarding whether it is powerful enough to "drive" a 4K display @ 30 Hz... it has enough memory bandwidth to blit the screen at well above that frequency. RAMDAC is not a factor in this case, since you are using HDMI... and an HDMI 1.4 TMDS is capable of supporting 4K at 30 Hz However, if you are doing anything complicated like rendering a 3D scene with overdraw the story could be very different.

[kernelpanic]

Of course the HD4000 is not capable of doing "serious" stuff at 4k resolution. I want the 4k for general purpose mostly (programming and watching video(s) in parallel, so nothing too fancy! For more heavy stuff I can always downsize the resolution to Full HD or so. But thank you, it is good to know the HD4000 is suitable in general!

[Dmitry Grigoryev]

How can this answer help the OP who is using Linux?

[aljgom]

@DmitryGrigoryev He also asked if the graphics card is powerful enough to drive 4k in general. I'm sharing the results I've gotten using the graphics card he's asking about

[Dmitry Grigoryev]

Ok then. Just keep in mind that answers like this one can easily get deleted by reviewers or mods if those happen to be in the cleaning mood.

[DavidPostill]

This is really a comment and not an answer to the original question. You can always comment on your own posts, and once you have sufficient reputation you will be able to comment on any post. Please read Why do I need 50 reputation to comment? What can I do instead?