HTPC&Gaming Barebone&Others - Configuration N3150 & 4K

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Configuration N3150 & 4K

Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: HTPC&Gaming Barebone&Others
Forum Description: Question about HTPC&Gaming Barebone&Others
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4399
Printed Date: 25 Nov 2024 at 3:25pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Configuration N3150 & 4K

Posted By: hunter_69
Subject: Configuration N3150 & 4K
Date Posted: 11 Feb 2017 at 8:47pm

" rel="nofollow - 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 :)

Replies:

Posted By: Stefan75
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 6:42am

The N3150 has a Gen 8 GPU, they couldn't hardware decode video as well as the 9th generation.

http://www.cpu-monkey.com/en/compare_cpu-intel_celeron_j3455-662-vs-intel_celeron_n3150-511" rel="nofollow - http://www.cpu-monkey.com/en/compare_cpu-intel_celeron_j3455-662-vs-intel_celeron_n3150-511

Decoding UHD is hard work without a hardware decoder, an the Celerons are basically weak.

I have the Gen9 J3455, but even there I get frame drops.

Maybe the next CPU generation (Celerons) will offer enough power to perfectly decode/display UHD video.

Sorry

Stefan

Posted By: parsec
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 11:10am

hunter_69 wrote:

" rel="nofollow - 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).

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.

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http://valid.x86.fr/48rujh" rel="nofollow">

Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 15 Feb 2017 at 3:44pm

If I remember correctly, the Braswell SoC systems require some codec tweaks to smooth out 4k playback.

Kitguru's review on the Beebox N3000 mentions the tweak needed as well as the player they used.

http://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/asrock-n3000-beebox-review/" rel="nofollow - http://www.kitguru.net/desktop-pc/leo-waldock/asrock-n3000-beebox-review/

Media Player Classic with a specific setting enabled (Internal Filters> Video Decoder> HEVC UHD4K and then go to Playback> Repeat forever to ensure the setting is fixed for every video) and found we could indeed watch 4K video.

When I did my review on the ASRock N3150M, this is how I tested 4k. Unfortunately I don't have a 4k display so was unable to definitively verify 4k playback. Downsampling to 1080p creates additional overhead and was maxing out my cores at 100%. Most reviews on brasswell products seem to have managed acceptable 4k @30fps though so I don't see why it shouldn't work.

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