Can SP3 (i7-4650U & HD5000 graphics) output 4K UHD @ 60Hz to a single monitor?

Anonymous
2014-06-25T08:50:54+00:00

I know the i7 version hasn't been released yet but it'd be nice to know so I can decide between a 34" Ultrawide 3440x1440 or a 32" 4K UHD (3840x2160) @ 60Hz monitor.

EDIT 7-21-14: Went to Microcenter & confirmed their demo SP3 (i5-4300U with HD 4400 graphics) works on an LG 34UM95 monitor (3440 x 1440 @ 60Hz).

EDIT 1-15-15: Did some more research & FINALLY found a solution for the SP3 to support 4K UHD @ 60Hz!! Credit goes to Reddit users to confirm 4K MST works on the SP3 (not sure how I missed this link on Google previously, LOL!):

http://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/2916ge/surface\_pro\_3\_4k\_support/

Short version: I can confirm the only 4K UHD @ 60Hz monitor (that I've tried) supported by the SP3 (I7) is the Dell UP3214Q. Enable DisplayPort v1.2 in the monitor's OSD menu. If you want the latest version of the graphics driver then read on. If you don't want to read the rest of this long post then just update to the latest system firmware (1-15-15) because it includes a newer graphics driver although it's not the latest version.

In addition to myself, a few people on Reddit have confirmed this works (see link above). For reasons unknown (not enough testing for these drivers?!?), Microsoft hasn't updated the graphics drivers on the SP3 ever since it's been released (originally came with v3496; dated 3-7-14). I updated it yesterday morning to v3960 (dated 10-3-14) but didn't have time to go to the local computer store (Microcenter) to confirm it works until today. Coincidentally, Intel actually released a newer version the other day (v4080; dated 1-12-15) but wasn't on their website until yesterday afternoon.

After I updated to v4080, I went to Microcenter & brought along my SP3 along with 2 different DisplayPort 1.2 cables (Startech & Cables To Go). Connected it to a Dell UP3214Q monitor & confirmed in 3 different area's (in the OS resolution settings menu, Intel graphics software & Dell monitor's OSD menu) it's running 4K UHD @ 60Hz! Mouse cursor & 4K YouTube video's ran smooth unlike when I tested it a few months ago (running on the original graphics drivers @ the max 30Hz on an Asus 4K UHD @ 60Hz monitor).

A couple of notes:

  1. I can only confirm 4K UHD @ 60Hz works on the i7 version of the SP3 since that's what I have. It's been working since v3907 (8-14 timeframe). If you have the i3 or i5 version please confirm if the new graphics drivers supports 4K UHD @ 60Hz so I can update the first post to help others.
  2. Microsoft released a new system firmware update today & ironically, they finally included an updated graphics driver (v4029; dated 11-18-14). Since I did the system firmware update after I updated to v4080, the SP3 reverted back to the older v4029 driver so I just re-installed the newer v4080 driver.
  3. If you're more comfortable using the older graphics driver Microsoft released today then skip this note & also # 4. Here are links for the latest graphics drivers directly from Intel's website. Even though there are different links for each Intel CPU, they all share the same graphics drivers (as of this posting):
  • For the i3-4020Y HD 4200 version:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProdId=3718

  • For the i5-4300U HD 4400 version:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProdId=3719

  • For the i7-4650U HD 5000 version:

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProdId=3721

  • Link to confirm these are the proper CPU's:

http://www.zdnet.com/article/which-cpus-will-you-find-in-the-surface-pro-3/

  1. If this is your first time updating to a newer version of the graphics drivers then you have to do it manually (instead of using the .exe method). Make sure you download & extract the zip (compressed) file in one of the links below then (in your desktop) right click anywhere on the background->Click "Screen resolution"->"Advanced settings" (blue fonts)->Under the "Adapter" tab click on "Properties"->"Driver" tab->"Update Driver"->"Browse my computer for driver software"->"Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer"->"Have Disk"->"Browse" then wherever you originally extracted the folder->Click on the "Graphics" folder & it should find the only .inf file in that folder. If you've already updated it manually in the past then you can just download the .exe file after that point.

**Update (6/12/15) for step 4: For some reason, it won't let me update to v4222 using the .exe method despite the fact I already have the previous v4170 (maybe because latest MS firmware update included v4170?!?) so had to manually install with the zip file. Will update this post once the next driver version's released directly from Intel.

  1. To confirm you have the proper driver, just go in your desktop & right click anywhere on the background->Click "Screen resolution"->"Advanced settings"->Under the "Adapter" tab click on "Properties"->"Driver" tab & it should say which version (last 4-digits) you have for the "Driver Version".
  2. No need for an MST hub on the Dell UP3214Q. Just use the included miniDP-to-DP v1.2 cable.
  3. I'm planning on buying a 32" Dell UP3214Q (3840x2160 @ 60Hz) if I can't find another comparable 32" 4K monitor anytime soon. FWIW, this specific Dell monitor had the infamous revision A00 (manufactured in 11-13) with all the previous issues (not waking from sleep, etc.) the AMD/Nvidia owners were having. It didn't exhibit any of these issues when I used it at Microcenter.

EDIT: 1-17-15: Went back to MIcrocenter (& Fry's Electronics) to make sure the SP3 (i7) is compatible with other 4K @ 60Hz monitors before I plunk down $1K+ on a new monitor. Here's what I found out:

  • Acer B286HK: Supports 4K UHD but only @ 30Hz.
  • Asus PB287Q: Supports 4K UHD but only @ 30Hz.
  • LG 31MU97: Suports 4K UHD but only @ 30Hz. With this resolution, you'll end up with a 1-inch wide vertical bar on each side of the screen unless you choose the stretch option in the monitor's OSD menu. Won't do the full 4096x2160 despite the fact LG's website stating it'll work with Intel HD 4600+ graphics (Intel i7-4650U has HD 5000 graphics).
  • Samsung U28D590D: Supports 2560x1440 @ 60Hz. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to 4K UHD resolution.
  • Samsung U32D970Q: Supports 2560x1440 @ 60Hz. No matter what I did, I couldn't get it to 4K UHD resolution.

I made sure to turn on DisplayPort v1.2 in the monitor's OSD menu if the option was there. Just to make sure the system firmware update (1-15-15) that was released the other day didn't mess with anything, I also tried the Dell UP3214Q again & it still does suport 4K UHD @ 60Hz. Not sure what to make of all this other than the only option for 4K UHD @ 60Hz (using the DisplayPort) is the Dell UP3214Q. Well, out of all the 4K monitors I've tried. I'd like to try these 32" 4K UHD monitors whenever/hopefully the local stores receive them:

  • Acer B326HK
  • Asus PA328Q
  • BenQ BL3201PT
  • Eizo EV3237FX

As of this post, all have been released except for the Asus. I'll update this thread if I can confirm their status with the SP3.

Surface | Surface Pro | Display and screen

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2015-08-20T21:08:19+00:00

Many thanks for the update. Ordered two of them with a dock and some Lindy DP 1.2 cables for use with an SP3 i5. Based on below expecting dual 3440x1440 at 50hz, looks like a chipset bandwidth problem but will confirm when receive it all.

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/music-photos-and-video/connect-surface-to-a-tv-display-or-projector?os=windows-10

The number of external screens that your Surface Pro 2, Surface Pro 3, Surface 3, Surface Pro 4, or Surface Book will support depends on your settings for refresh rate and resolution and on whether the display on your Surface is on or off. For Surface Pro 3, it also depends on which processor you have (i7, i5, or i3)....

Was this answer helpful?

0 comments

127 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-07-12T09:27:08+00:00

    i'm actually going out to buy md>dp cable tonight to see if it works, but as much as possible i don't wanna use that port coz it is for my desktop :( 

    about HDMIs i watched lots of video and seems that they are all the same, well' i'm kind of convinced that they are all same because that was my initial setup md>hdmi the display was there but not good at all.

    Is your HDMI cable version 1.4? If so then try lowering the refresh rate to 30Hz and let us know if you're still having the same screen flickering issues.

    Was this answer helpful?

    2 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2017-04-21T23:53:04+00:00

    The driver I am using with SP3 i7 is downloaded from here:

    https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26682/Graphics-Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-40-?product=81495

    Make sure to download the 64bit .zip version NOT the .exe version, this is the file I used:

    https://downloadcenter.intel.com/downloads/eula/26682/Intel-Graphics-Driver-for-Windows-15-40-?httpDown=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloadmirror.intel.com%2F26682%2Feng%2Fwin64\_154034.4624.zip

    I have the Samsung D28U590, not the ASUS, I could only get 50Hz to work with this method.  You need to install the driver using "Have disk..." and you need the .zip version of the driver.  Here are the full instructions:

    1. Unpack (Extract all) the .zip file and save it
    2. Open Device Manager, find the Intel display adapter, right click and choose 'Update Driver', then:

    Select 'Browse my computer for driver software.'

    Select 'Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer' (note: if you 'Browse' from here it will not work)

    Click 'Have Disk...'  then browse to find the Intel driver you unpacked in the first step (for me this was igdlh64.inf in the 'Graphics' folder of the unpacked files)

    1. Restart your Surface
    2. Connect the monitor with a good quality Mini DP to DisplayPort cable - I have found that only a few HDMI cables support 4K (at 30Hz), but DisplayPort seems to be fine at 4K / 50Hz
    3. Right click on the desktop and then follow (the new) 'Graphics properties' menu option => click 'Display' in the new window, => click 'Custom Resolutions', => click 'Yes' at the dialogue box asking if you want to continue.
    4. Create a new, custom resolution: 3840 x 2160 @ 50Hz with CVT-RB timing and save it.
    5. Restart the system
    6. Right click the desktop, go to 'Display Settings' => select your 4K monitor => click 'Advanced Display Settings' => select the custom resolution that you created in step 6 (mine showed as native). 

    You should now have 4K at 50Hz on your monitor.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-04-25T11:32:21+00:00

    hello all i just bough an aocu2868pwu 4k monitor for my surface pro 3 and i am using a startech md to dp cable with dp1.2 enabled on monitor and i am only getting 3840 x 2160 @30 hz im using the i7 256 gb sp3 how do i go about getting it to work at either the 50 hz or 60 hz people say they are getting? 

    As per my previous post, what worked for me and seems to helped a few other people was this:

    • Install the latest Intel graphics driver - you need to do this as follows because install is blocked by default on the SP3 if you try using the .exe version.
    1. Download the .zip version of the Intel driver from:  https://downloadcenter.intel.com/SearchResult.aspx?lang=eng&ProdId=3721
    2. Unpack the .zip file and save it
    3. Open Device Manager, find the Intel display adapter, right click and choose 'Update Driver'
    4. Select 'Browse my computer for driver software.'
    5. Select 'Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer' (note: if you 'Browse' from here it will not work, you need to follow the next two steps)
    6. Click the 'Have Disk...' button
    7. Then browse to find the Intel driver you unpacked in step 2 (for me this was igdlh64.inf, look in the 'Graphics' folder of the unpacked files)
    • Restart the system
    • Connect the monitor with a good quality Mini DP to DisplayPort cable
    • Right click on the desktop and then follow (the new) 'Graphics properties' menu option => click 'Display' in the new window.
    • In the 'Display' window, click on the word 'Display' (top left) and scroll down to 'Custom Resolutions', click 'Yes' at the dialogue box asking if you want to continue.
    • Create a new, custom resolution (I used 3840 x 2160 @ 50Hz with timing mode set to CVT-RB for my U28D590) and save it.
    • Restart the system
    • Right click the desktop, go to screen resolution => select the new resolution (mine showed as native).  If you still don't see the new resolution, click on 'Advanced', click on the 'Monitor' tab and uncheck the 'Hide modes this monitor cannot display' option.
    • You should now be up and running - good luck!

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2014-06-26T23:50:19+00:00

    Hello Jimmy,

    I understand that you have questions about screen resolution for external monitors with the Surface Pro 3. I'll do what I can to clarify.

    According to the available information on Surface Pro 3 specifications, the highest supported resolution is 2160 x 1440. You can see the specification sheet here.

    As such, I'm assuming that you will choose to stick with the lower monitor. Thanks for reaching out to us with this question. We're here to help with any other questions you have, anytime!

    Best Wishes,

    Zack_T

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments