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Supported display modes and resolutions

Intel® graphics drivers (production versions 14.x & 15.x) dynamically support a wide range of display modes depending upon the monitor and computer configurations.

A display mode is a set of data for providing a viewable image on a given display. This data includes the active pixel resolution (width and height such as 800x600), corresponding refresh rate (such as 60Hz), and color depth (such as 16-bit).

Specifically, the Intel graphics drivers support:

  • Display modes described within a monitor Extended Display Information Data (EDID). EDID information describes the display modes that are supported by the monitor. Only plug and play monitors can provide EDID information to a computer.

  • Custom display modes defined within the Video BIOS Table (VBT) by the computer manufacturer.

  • Static modes for non Plug and Play monitors that have no EDID.
    The set of basic static display modes (at 60Hz and up to 32bpp colors) include 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, and 1600x1200.

Questions & Answers:


I cannot select a larger display mode (resolution, refresh rate, or colors setting). How do I resolve this issue?
Your computer and/or monitor may not support the full range of display modes (resolutions, refresh rates, or color settings) that are supported by the Intel® integrated graphics chipset and drivers. By default, the Windows* operating system excludes display modes that are not supported by both the graphics controller and the monitor. If you are unable to select the desired display mode, try each of the following suggestions in the order listed:

  • Install the latest Intel® Graphics Driver.

  • Install the latest INF for your monitor.
    Check with your monitor manufacturer to see if an INF update available.

  • Install the latest System BIOS for your computer model.
    The latest System BIOS may contain a newer Video BIOS update which may add support for the larger display mode. Contact your computer manufacturer for the latest System BIOS and update instruction. A Video BIOS cannot be updated by itself, but must be done via a System BIOS update.

  • If you are using an external display such as an LCD panel, check your video cable connection.
    Your display device must have one of the following connector types: DVI, HDMI, or VGA. Your computer must be connected to one of these connector types. EDID information is not passed through other connector types such as S-video, composite, or component (YPbPr).

  • If set to Intel® Dual Display Clone mode, switch to Single Display mode.
    In Dual Display Clone mode, the available display modes will be reduced to only those display modes supported by both monitors.
    For example: Suppose you have a laptop that contains the Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset and has two displays: the internal flat panel display (also referred to as Local Flat Panel or LFP) and an external widescreen flat panel monitor that is connected to the laptop's VGA connector. If the laptop's LFP only supports 800x600@60Hz and 1024x768@60Hz and the external flat panel monitor only supports 800x600@60Hz, 1024x768@60Hz, 1152x864@60Hz, and 1440x900@60Hz, then the only display modes available in Dual Display Clone mode will be 800x600@60Hz and 1024x768@60Hz.

    To switch to Single Display mode, follow these steps:
    1. Open the Intel Graphics Drivers Properties window. Below are some of the methods to open the Graphics Properties window:

      Hot Key Method:
      Press the Ctrl+Alt+F12 keys.

      Desktop Menu Method:
      Right-click on the Windows* desktop and select Graphics Properties.

    2. On the Display Devices tab, for Single Display mode, select the appropriate monitor or display device.
    3. Click the Display Settings tab.
      The monitor or display's supported video modes (resolutions) should be selectable on this tab.
    4. Select the desired display settings (Color Quality, Screen Resolution, Refresh Rate).
    5. Click OK or Apply.

  • If your monitor supports the mode or resolution you desire, uncheck the Windows* “Hide modes that this monitor cannot display” setting. Unchecking this setting may allow the desired mode or resolution to be selectable.
    CAUTION: Unchecking the “Hide modes that this monitor cannot display” setting and then selecting a display mode your monitor is unable to handle may cause damage to your monitor and/or cause the monitor display to become unreadable. Intel is not responsible for damage resulting from use of this setting. Be sure to verify with the monitor manufacturer that the display mode you desire is supported by the monitor. It is also recommended to check with your computer manufacturer regarding the use of this setting. Some computer manufacturers do not support the unchecking of this setting.
    To change this setting, click Start, Control Panel, double-click Display, click Settings tab, Advanced button, and Monitor tab.

    Afterwards, if the desired mode or resolution is still not selectable, click Start, Control Panel, Display, Settings, Advanced, Adapter, List all modes button, select the desired mode from the list that appears and then click OK. Note: If your monitor display becomes unreadable after selecting a display mode, you may be able to recover by doing one of the following:
    • Press the Esc key shortly after selecting the new display mode to undo the selection. Windows may give you about 15 seconds to choose whether to keep the new monitor settings or allow you to revert to the original settings.
    • Power down the computer. Connect a different monitor or television and reboot up the computer.
    • Power down the computer. Power on the computer and boot into Windows* Safe Mode by pressing F8 as Windows starts. Uninstall the Intel graphics driver by removing the driver via Windows Add/Remove Programs control panel or by uninstalling the driver via Windows Device Manager under the Display adapters section. Reboot the computer and let Windows start normally. Then, reinstall the Intel graphics driver.
  • If the above suggestions do not help:
    Contact your computer manufacturer for more information and further assistance. Your specific computer configuration may not support the maximum display modes or resolutions supported by the Intel integrated graphics and/or may be customized by your manufacturer to exclude certain display modes or resolutions from being available.

I cannot use my display's native resolution (e.g. 1680x1050, 1440x900). How do I resolve this problem?
In some cases, the displays EDID is not properly read when connecting to some digital flat panel displays. Intel has released a driver to specifically address this issue for the integrated graphics controller of the Intel® 945 Express Chipsets and later chipsets. Click here to obtain this driver.


What is the maximum display mode or resolution of my Intel® integrated graphics controller or chipset?
The maximum display mode or resolution of your Intel® integrated graphics controller is dependent upon your specific Intel® chipset and your specific computer configuration. Some computer configurations may have a maximum display mode or resolution lower than the chipset’s maximum display mode or resolution.

For the Intel integrated graphics chipset maximum display mode or resolution, see the datasheet below for your specific Intel chipset. Note: These maximum amounts are not applicable to third-party graphics controllers or cards used in a system based on these Intel chipsets.

If you are unable to select the Intel chipset’s maximum display mode or resolution on your computer, please check with your computer manufacturer for information on the maximum display mode or resolution for your monitor.


Related Topics:

This applies to:
Intel® 3 Series Chipsets
Intel® 4 Series Chipset
Intel® 82852/82855 Graphics Controller Family
Intel® 82865G Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 82915G/82910GL Express Chipset Family
Intel® 82945G Express Chipset
Intel® 82G965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 82Q963 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® 82Q965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH)
Intel® Centrino® Processor Technology
Intel® Centrino® with vPro™ Technology
Intel® G31 Express Chipset
Intel® G33 Express Chipset
Intel® G43 Express Chipset
Intel® G45 Express Chipset
Mobile Intel® 910GML Express Chipset
Mobile Intel® 915 Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 915GM/GMS, 910GML Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 945 Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 945GM Express Chipset Family
Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family

Solution ID: CS-022544
Date Created: 16-Apr-2006
Last Modified: 06-Jun-2008
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