Configuration N3150 & 4K

Hello all,

Edited by hunter_69 - 11 Feb 2017 at 10:30pm

hunter_69 wrote: Hello all, I recently purchased a N3150 Barebone with OS (Win10 Home 64bit) and I can't watch 4K video. I upgraded the barebone with 2*4GB DDR3L Ram (HyperX Impact 8GB 1600MHz) and a 120GB m-sata (Kingston ms200). As 4K video I used few samples from a website (http://demo-uhd3d.com/) and tried to played it on VLC and on KODI... That doesn't goes well... even if i shutdown all background programe (except for antivirus and firewall). I also use an HDMI 2.0 cable to connect to the screen in 1920*1080. Any advice on how I can manage this barebone better ? Thank you :)

First, we assume you have a 4K monitor, since the only resolution your mentioned was standard HD, 1920 x 1080, and nothing about refresh rates. Does your monitor (which is??) have a DisplayPort input?

I don't have personal experience with this platform, but can ask some questions and offer some suggestions.

You have Windows 10 64bit installed, but have you installed the Intel graphics driver that is available on your PC's download page? That would be the VGA driver ver:15.40.6.64.4352 from the page below:

http://www.asrock.com/nettop/Intel/Beebox%20Series/?cat=Download&os=Win1064

If you are using an Intel graphics driver, did you run its Windows program and configure any settings for 4K playback? Such as selecting the resolution and refresh rate, 30Hz seems to be the only supported refresh rate. But as said above, this processor is a low power usage, lower performance device, I'm surprised Intel even includes 4K playback in its graphics specifications.

In the BIOS, I suggest setting the following options:

In the Advanced screen, CPU Configuration screen, find the Power Gear option, and set it to Sport for maximum performance.

Same screen, find the CPU C States Support option. Try setting it to C1, if it is set to C6 or C7 now. If you get 4K video working, you can try setting this option to C6, but that might cause 4K video to fail.

Setting these options as suggested will increase the CPU temperature, and the CPU coolers fan will become more audible, that is normal.

Along with the settings above, you will need to select a different Windows 10 Power Plan. Choose the High Performance plan if you are using Power Saver or Balanced now.

Continuing in the BIOS, in the Advanced, Chipset Configuration screen:

Refresh Rate 2X option, be sure it is Enabled.

Share Memory option, there should be a list of amounts of memory to allocate to the graphics, select the largest value.

In the Storage Configuration screen:

Be sure the SATA Mode Selection is set to AHCI. That is general advise when using any SSD, or HDD. That setting should be the default value.

That's it, be sure to Save and Exit on the Exit screen to save and apply all these settings.

I can't guarantee all this will fix a 4K display problem, but it about all that can be done. The Intel graphics driver installation and configuration MUST be the minimum thing done to improve your issue.