Sandybridge Intel HD graphics - has anybody used this to drive a WQXGA (2560x1600) display?

Since I bought my T520 in February I have been unable to drive a WQXGA display using the intel sandy bridge integrated graphics - I have only been able to drive WQXGA when setting the laptop to discrete graphics in the bios.

I have also been unable to find a record of anybody doing so; this is somewhat understandable as it is a fairly uncommon resolution.

So my question is - has anybody been able to successfully do this? Or know somebody who has? If so what is the system configuration (laptop model, pure integrated/optimus, operating system, display drivers)?

Related references:
Is a Intel HD 3000 Graphics on...: Intel Communities

 

It isn't possible.

 

The T520, T420, T420s with only integrated GPU is able to drive this resolution through the displayport. It seems that the optimus version are unable to drive this resolution when switched to the integrated GPU mode.

 

What I was looking for documented experiences (preferably first-hand) where this was the case, as I have not seen any; nor have I been able to achieve this myself.

 

This resolution is listed in the Tabook for intel only T520, T420s, T420.

 

The non Optimus Intel only machines work? Why?

Wow.

I know from experience you can't believe everything you read in the tabook.pdf

 

Intel IGPs have always been able to do 2560x1600 though haven't they? That was my impression...it's not that rare of a resolution...

 

My T410 with intel only gpu was able to drive a U2711 with no problem, and i am pretty sure that the later model intel only thinkpads are also able to do this.

 

Even if you could drive 2560x1600, it would probably be unusable (choppy video, artifacts even) plus your IGP would probably have to work overdrive and maybe overheat. So it maybe able to drive but there'd be no point.

 

is that a statement of fact or are you just guessing this?

what is the difference between driving a single monitor at 2560 x 1600 compared to driving two monitors at 1920 x 1200 (i can drive two U2410 with my T400 with its paltry Intel 4500 MHD GPU)? Pretty much the same in terms of GPU load.

Unless you are doing CAD or other GPU intensive programs, the Intel HD GPU should handle this resolution just fine. When i was using my T410 with one U2711 + U2410 it was working okay, and it handled most of my Office and web surfing just fine.

The new Intel HD 3000 is fairly capable in terms of its GPU processing given its an integrated GPU.

 

It doesn't take much processing power to display web pages or spreadsheets or simple videos, which is what most people do most of the time. And it's already established that the Intel IGP is pretty useless for intense graphics applications. So there is a point.

 

I have hooked up a 1680x1050 monitor to my t420 and both screens ran fine with no lag. If it can take a 1600x900 + 1680x1050, I don't see why it couldn't take a 2560x1600.

 

I meant in terms of running CAD or playing games at that resolution. Web browsing fine, but who buys a 30" monitor for browsing the web..

 

The only experience I have with that kind of monitor and display res led me to realize that if you want to game on 2560x1600 you will need some serious graphics hardware to do it. The one I saw demonstrated was running a crossfire HD5870 setup with a ridiculously overclocked i7 and 16(or 32, I can't remember)GB of RAM. The owner said that he could game, but it wasn't always a smooth experience and typically scaled back most of his stuff to medium settings. That may be improved with tweaking but it's definitely not a display most notebook GPUs would be able to game on.

I could, however, see lots of applications for this kind of display: Coding, Photoshop work, trading, medical field stuff... anything where resolution is king, really. I wouldn't mind having a panel like that for writing, artwork and Web work.. though I doubt I could run it off of my X200 or T500 and my G73's HDMI output won't really support that kind of resolution. :/

 

Any idea why you can drive the U2711 at 2560x1440 with your T410 but neither the T410s or T420s with Optimus will when set to integrated only? I tested with DisplayPort.

 

the T500 and X200 can support this resolution through the displayport.

There are quite a few people whom are using 27 inch and 30 inch IPS monitors from Dell. They may not necessary get it for games or CAD, lot of them use it for web browsing, Office suites, photo editing, etc.

Dell U2711 monitors are around 600 dollars during discounts, which is only slightly more than a U2410 on discount.

 

Productivity? I can see a use for 2560x1600. Makes 2 windows comfortably fit on one screen. You could argue that 2 separate screens is better for that but if you're swimming in cash a 30" isn't a bad idea. Besides lack of bezels makes viewing something big better. I'm using a 1920x1080 attached to my X220 right now, and I find splitting the 1080p screen into 2 windows isn't 100% comfortable as each window feels cut short. The 1366x768 screen is basically only good for like a video or monitoring email or something on the side in this application.

 

Stay tuned for more testing, folks. I just received my new Thinkpad X220 with a Sandy Bridge processor and was able to drive my Apple Cinema Display 30" 2560x1600 display, although it did flake out on me once. I'll test it some more over the weekend and post results, complete specs, and hardware used by the end of the weekend.

 

...with integrated graphics (I forgot to mention in the previous post)

 

that i am not too sure of, but someone did bring this question up with JameZ on forum.lenovo.com, so i guess we have to wait for an answer from Lenovo engineering team.

 

Do you have a link to the thread you are referring to?

Thanks

nevermind. found it See http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T5...tion-of-2560x1600-via-DisplayPort/td-p/461223

 

SandyBridge can drive external 2560x1600 (Dell 3008WFP via DisplayPort) and internal 1600x900 at the same time. Tested on my T420s:

See: http://myego.cz/tmp/thinkpad-2560x1600.jpg - running on battery with power saving features on

 

My main monitor is a apple cinema 30" that I use on a daily basis. x220 works fine at WQXGA via the displayport. Good framerate in starcraft 2 with low settings too...lol.

 

Try to go beyond two external monitors. That was the context in my case. AND we're talking about using Optimus or the Intel integrated GPU, not discrete only.

You didn't really say and your screenshot doesn't indicate the GPU in use.

 

Rather than start a new thread, any ideas why I get this message when I try to update X220's GPU to latest driver (.2361) direct from Intel:

"Product Detected Intel® Processor Graphics 3000 Current Driver Installed 8.15.10.2342 A customized computer manufacturer driver is installed on your computer. The Intel Driver Update Utility is not able to update the driver. Installing a generic Intel driver instead of the customized computer manufacturer driver may cause technical issues. Contact your computer manufacturer for the latest driver for your computer."

 

This message is accurate.

 

I'm not saying it isn't but someone here recommended updating to the 'lastest' driver. Just wondering how they could and I can't?

 

Original post was this one: "Since I bought my T520 in February I have been unable to drive a WQXGA display using the intel sandy bridge integrated graphics"

(my) T420s has only Intel HD 3000 GPU, and it works well.

 

He also goes on to say it works when he sets the BIOS to discrete. That was the original posters context. You don't have discrete because you are integrated only. There is a difference and apparently Optimus has a bug.

 

I miss the old switchable system.

 

Well, if you just can't get it to work the way you want, there's always the ViDock solution. All you need there is an ExpressCard slot + ViDock + video card =

 

Err...x220 only comes with Intel HD GPU...?

Well ya, it would be nice having a 30" monitor for browsing the web, I would love to get a Ferrari for the track, one for grocery shopping (I'm sure you are getting the analogy now. ). Again it was my belief that most people buy a 30" monitor for CAD, Photoshop or other applications and yes it leads to for web browsing also but I don't think most people buy it just for web browsing.

 

I think the purpose of this thread is whether a T420, T520, T420s laptop can support a WQXGA monitor, and not really how much it costs.

I guess if you can afford $2000 laptop or desktop, $1000 30 inch U3011 is not going to be an excessive investment.

 

That and if you look on Feebay or similar you can get one between $600-800, depending on how patient you are. The Dell 3008 series seem to be a little hard to find, but you can get some good deals on the older 3007WFP. Just saw some for around $650... considering that kind of monitor that's not that bad.

 

It amazes me how much people spend every year or two on upgrades yet stick with the same cheapo monitor for 5 years or more... (then combine it with the throwaway keyboard and mouse that was bundled with their OEM system last decade)

Its not like its the primary interface for every single thing you do on the computer or anything

 

especially since now with LED backlighting you dont have to worry about degradation too much. CCFL's used to become visibly dimmer after a couple of years

 

And SW development. Having IDE, specification in DOC/PDF, help files, and various tools opened on 30" screen and not overlapping is great. But web is great on 30" as well, due to 1600px height, you don't have to scroll that much.

 

am I the only one who thinks the laptop graphics regardless of integrated or dedicated have been stale in the external monitor department.

Lead_org:
sorry for off topic subject. Is it possible for you to do a test for me? can you connect your u2410 to a thinkpad via DP only, then put your thinkpad to sleep/hibernate or shutdown. Does your U2410 go to power saving mode or it says "no Display Port Cable"? My U2410 does not go to power saving mode when connected using DP but my U2711 does, I think I might have a faulty U2410.

 

@noob, sure i will give this a try for you tomorrow when i am at office.

 

thanks everybody who offered some input regarding the technical aspects of this issue, although it is not completely resolved I am a little wiser now.

thanks also to those who voiced in with their own subjective opinion on the suitability of a 30" monitor for various applications and then proceeding to apply it as a universal standard to others. It is good to get some perspective on the judgemental nature of some people out there.

 

Lead_org: did you get a chance to test the U2410 out? Thanks.

 

yes i have the same problem with the U2410 when on displayport, when using the dvi port it does not have this problem.

 

Thanks, seems like there is a bug universal to the U2410, shame none of the reviews picked this up.

 

this sort of thing is something you would pick up after couple of weeks. Most reviewers would go into that sort of detail and most would think it is some sort of minor glitch.

Right now i don't really use the displayport on the U2410, i only use the DVI to avoid the various quirky problems it have.

You said that you connected the PS3 to the U2711, so you are only running FHD resolution on the U2711?

 

I posted earlier and said I'd report back on my results using Sandy Bridge integrated graphics to drive a 2560x1600 display. I couldn't get it to work on my Thinkpad x220 without flickering problems. I updated to the latest graphics driver, uninstalled and reinstalled the driver, and turned everything up to maximum performance and maximum fan speeds. My display is a 30" Apple Cinema Display which has only one input: dual-link DVI. So I had to use a Circuit Assembly DisplayPort to mini DisplayPort adapter and then an Apple mini DisplayPort to dual-link DVI adapter. The problem is very likely with the Apple adapter, although it works fine using my Mac Mini. Apple says their adapter works only with Apple computers, but others have used it successfully with non-Apple 2560x1600 displays.

dreamwonder: if you still around, since you were successful using the same computer and display I have, can you please tell me what hardware you used to connect the computer to the display or what you did to make it work? I'd appreciate it very much.

 

"am I the only one who thinks the laptop graphics regardless of integrated or dedicated have been stale in the external monitor department. "

I've noticed it also...but they have nearly as far as they can go.

Renee

 

I hope not, especially on the desktop replacement laptops. To truly become a desktop replacement, they must be able to run multiple monitors.

 

2+? Well i guess that is why Optimus is offered for those whom want more screen real estate (but it does suck at the lack of 24 inch + support, unless you get the W520).

 

Come again? What does that mean?

 

24 inch + means 27 inch QHD and 30 inch WQXGA resolution monitors.