[SOLVED] 4K monitor on 2K computer ?

[Maria2008]

Hello,

I have a Windows 10 PC running in 2K monitor and I can see in settings that maximum resolution that my computer can run is 2K.

I'm getting a good deal on a 4K Samsung monitor. In future I have plans to upgrade my PC to run 4K but for time being I'll be using 2K PC

I understand that I'll be able to use maximum 2K resolution on new 4K monitor but other than this, is there any other disadvantage or discomfort in usage?

I don't play games and most of my usage is text editors and browsing.

 

[boju]

I have Windows 10 PC running in 2K monitor and I can see in settings that maximum resolution that my computer can run is 2K

Can't determine max resolution based on your current display because Windows or graphics card drivers won't allow surpassing maximum supported resolution your monitor supports, so you wouldn't actually know. What's your hardware specs?

If you were limited to 1440p, which i doubt you are, for arguments sake, won't look too bad as a place holder.

 

[geofelt]

Please supply more info to get a reasonable answer...

How well you can run higher resolution monitors is determined, in part, by the graphics card or adapter.
If you are using integrated graphics, what is the make/model of your motherboard?
If you are using a discrete graphics card, what is that make/model?

What is the model if the Samsung 4k unit you are looking at?
What inputs does it support?
A TV type will use hdmi which can be restrictive as to speed.
Displayport connections are better.

All things being equal, I am firmly in support of larger 4k monitors.

 

[Endre]

Hello,

I have Windows 10 PC running in 2K monitor and I can see in settings that maximum resolution that my computer can run is 2K

I'm getting a good deal in 4K Samsung monitor, in future I have plan to upgrade my PC to run 4K but for time being I'll be using 2K PC

I understand that I'll be able to use maximum 2K resolution in new 4K monitor but except than this, is there any other disadvantage or discomfort in usage?

I don't play games and most of my usage are text editors and browsing

Hello!

Yes. There is a huge disconfort if your video card, or iGPU can't deliver 4K resolution on a 4K display.
The image will look blurry.
(I own a 27" 4K display & I did some tests at lower resolutions).

My suggestion:
Buy a used low-end video card (example: nVidia GTX 1050 Ti).

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

All things being equal, I am firmly in support of larger 4k monitors.

As am I. I see we share the same taste in 4K displays.

I will never go back.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I understand that I'll be able to use maximum 2K resolution in new 4K monitor

Not necessarily. You might be able to run your monitor at 4k just fine.
This depends on your graphics card (or motherboard, if you're using integrated video) and video cable used.

but except than this, is there any other disadvantage or discomfort in usage?

2k image on 4k monitor - might look slightly blurry.
Actually 1080p image on 4k screen would look better. One pixel from 1080p translates to exactly 2x2 pixels on 4k screen.

 

[hotaru.hino]

Hello,

I have Windows 10 PC running in 2K monitor and I can see in settings that maximum resolution that my computer can run is 2K

I'm getting a good deal in 4K Samsung monitor, in future I have plan to upgrade my PC to run 4K but for time being I'll be using 2K PC

I understand that I'll be able to use maximum 2K resolution in new 4K monitor but except than this, is there any other disadvantage or discomfort in usage?

I don't play games and most of my usage are text editors and browsing

Monitor resolution depends on what the GPU is capable of. The only reason why your computer is reporting a maximum resolution of 2K is because that's what the monitor says its maximum resolution is.

Unless your computer was built before 2016, it'll drive a 4K resolution monitor. Though it might be able to anyway if there's a video card with DisplayPort or HDMI 2.0 on it.

 

[Maria2008]

Thanks for all replies

I think I didn't explain my query correctly as it's not as general question as I thought at first

My current PC-
Mainboard - Asus H170 Pro
CPU - Intel i3-6100 @ 3.70GHz
RAM - 16 GB DDR4
Graphics - Intel HD 530 (integrated)
Monitor - ViewSonic VX3276-2K-MHD (32 Inch)

Monitor I'm thinking to get-
Samsung 4K LS32B800PXWXXL, DCI-P3 98%, HDR600 and USB type-C, 1 HDMI, 1 Display Port

In my mainboard manual it says-
Supports HDMI with maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24Hz

-------------------------------------------------------------------
So my modified questions are-

1. Can I run new 4K monitor properly in my system?
2. If answer to above question is no, can I use new 4K monitor as a 2K monitor without any discomfort in usage?

Thanks & regards.....

 

[boju]

Since monitor will be used for work purposes, 60Hz would be recommended, less than that would be headache inducing. Running 1440p 60Hz from igpu is probably possible but not sure. Seeing what 1440p looks like on 4k panel will be up to you.

A graphics card not requiring a lot of power like Rtx 3050 is probably what you should do for 4k.

 

[SkyNetRising]

So my modified questions are-

1. Can I run new 4K monitor properly in my system?
2. If answer to above question is no, can I use new 4K monitor as a 2K monitor without any discomfort in usage?

You can run on integrated GPU

4k@24Hz via HDMI and​

4k@60Hz via Display Port.​

So - discrete GPU is not really necessary.

One problem though. Your motherboard doesn't have Display Port output. You're limited to HDMI connectivity.

• Max Resolution (HDMI) 4096x2304@24Hz
• Max Resolution (DP) 4096x2304@60Hz

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/u...-core-i36100-processor-3m-cache-3-70-ghz.html

 

[Endre]

Thanks for all replies

I think I didn't explain my query correctly as it's not as general question as I thought at first

My current PC-
Mainboard - Asus H170 Pro
CPU - Intel i3-6100 @ 3.70GHz
RAM - 16 GB DDR4
Graphics - Intel HD 530 (integrated)
Monitor - ViewSonic VX3276-2K-MHD (32 Inch)

Monitor I'm thinking to get-
Samsung 4K LS32B800PXWXXL, DCI-P3 98%, HDR600 and USB type-C, 1 HDMI, 1 Display Port

In my mainboard manual it says-
Supports HDMI with maximum resolution of 4096 x 2160 @ 24Hz

-------------------------------------------------------------------
So my modified questions are-

1. Can I run new 4K monitor properly in my system?
2. If answer to above question is no, can I use new 4K monitor as a 2K monitor without any discomfort in usage?

Thanks & regards.....

Hello!

You can run a 4K monitor at 4K resolution @24Hz natively, through your HDMI port.
But 24Hz is very annoying (You need 60Hz at least).
You could buy a PCIe to DisplayPort adapter card, or easier, you could buy a cheap, used, video card that has DisplayPort.

I hope this helps...

 

[geofelt]

As above, 4k@24hz is no good.
I have tried it.
A dp connection would be fine@60hz.
Verify the motherboard you have.
I think the Asus H170 PRO (gaming) does have dp output.
My solution was to buy a used EVGA GTX750 which did just fine.

 

[Maria2008]

Thanks all for your replies!
So it concludes that I'll not be able to run 4K monitor properly without a video card
Now please suggest me about my second query!

Can I still use 4K monitor just as a 2K monitor? Or is there anything considerable?

(By 'using as a 2K monitor' I mean just forget that's actually a 4K monitor and just treating it as a 2K monitor)

In future I'll upgrade my system to run 4K monitor properly

 

[SkyNetRising]

So it concludes that I'll not be able to run 4K monitor properly without a video card

Refresh rate matters for gaming. For browsing and office apps - not so much.
You can still use your 4k monitor in 4k mode.

Can I still use 4K monitor just as a 2K monitor? Or is there anything considerable?
(By 'using as a 2K monitor' I mean just forget that's actually a 4K monitor and just treating it as a 2K monitor)

Yes, you can use 4k (3840 x 2160) monitor in 2k (2560x1440 ) resolution mode.
Image may look slightly blurry.

 

[Maria2008]

Refresh rate matters for gaming. For browsing and office apps - not so much.
You can still use your 4k monitor in 4k mode.

Yes, you can use 4k (3840 x 2160) monitor in 2k (2560x1440 ) resolution mode.
Image may look slightly blurry.

Thanks for your reply!
All my doubts are cleared now!