[SOLVED] Refresh rate capped at 30 hertz

[ebar3005]

I am connecting my thinkpad laptop (20JY0004US) to my external monitor (AW3821DW) which has a resolution of 3840 X 1600 @ 144 Hz but I am capped at 30 Hz instead.

I am connected via an HDMI cable because that is the only option available from what I can see.

Is there any way to at least reach 60 Hz refresh rate with this set up?

 

[siaan312]

Your laptop probably has HDMI 1.4 then, which is capped at 4k 30hz (3840X1600 is not 4k, but close enough.)

You need HDMI 2.0 for 4k 60, and Display port 1.4 for 144hz.

Not sure if you need DSC (a feature of display port) for 144, but you can definitely get 120.

 

[ebar3005]

Your laptop probably has HDMI 1.4 then, which is capped at 4k 30hz (3840X1600 is not 4k, but close enough.)

You need HDMI 2.0 for 4k 60, and Display port 1.4 for 144hz.

Not sure if you need DSC (a feature of display port) for 144, but you can definitely get 120.

Fair enough, figured that was the case. I do see a USB-C Gen 2 port wonder if that does 4k @ 60 Hz.

 

[siaan312]

Fair enough, figured that was the case. I do see a USB-C Gen 2 port wonder if that does 4k @ 60 Hz.

usb-c doesn't just run displayport.
USB-C can run anything from just power, to only displayport, to thunderbolt, usb 2, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.2x2, and usb 4, or all of them combined.
The normal USB protocol can run displays using software, but I think it is also capped to 4k 30hz for 3.1.
And also that is super jank.

Check if the USB-C on your laptop is also a displayport output, usually it will have a little DP on it, if not, check in the manual of said laptop.