GPU Confusion Blues

gop

Hi folks, I'm looking to upgrade my GPU (AMD Radeon R7 360), which is somewhat antiquated. I need a card that can be utilised to work with a 4k HDR 10 plus 55 inch TV. This is where I'm getting confused with refresh rates, HDMI 2.0b etc.

My set up is as follows:
R7 360
Windows 8.1 (64 bit),
GDDR5 16 gig ram,
CPU Type - AMD FX(tm)-6350 Six-Core Processor,
MB Asus M5A97 Evo R2.0
PSU 550 Watts

My GPU is connected with HDMI 2.0 via an active display adapter, running into a denon x2300w AVR, then to TV (Samsung 55 inch 4k HDR10  1900 pqi).

As it's an old GPU, with 1.4 ports, I can only get 4k @30fps, terrestrial digital TV will play fine at 60hertz, however the TV will NOT turn on the HDR, unless the frame rate is dropped at least 25hertz, making it very choppy. This is the same with web streaming, I have to use 25 hertz in order for the HDR to come on (which vastly improves the quality).

So am I right in saying that upgrading the GPU which supports HDR 10, I won't have to drop to 25 hertz?(30 hertz will not turn on the HDR, it has to be 25 at least, TV  came out 1 year ago, it's well up to date).

I've been looking at Radeon RX Vega 56, which claims HDR support.

Any suggestions, or corrections if my thinking is misinformed, would greatly be appreciated.

G

EndlessWaves

You're using an active adapter so the HDMI output on your card being version 1.4 is irrelevant as it's not being used. Assuming it's a DisplayPort to HDMI converter the DP output on your card will support sufficient bandwidth for [email protected] so if you're only getting 30hz out of the other end it's likely your active adapter only supports HDMI 1.4 rather than 2.0.

You imply that you're already able to turn HDR on and see a different on the TV so your card likely supports whatever differentiates an HDR signal from a normal 10-bit wide gamut output (I'd guess it's purely a driver thing). It sounds like your limitation is probably the output bandwidth of the active adapter rather than anything on the card side.

It might be worth risking £25 on a new adapter before spending £250 on a new card.

gop

Thanks for your reply Endlesswaves. The adapter I got was this:
Plugable Active DisplayPort to HDMI 2.0 Adapter (Supports displays up to 4K / UHD / [email protected]) It was shy of £18. Should this not do the job?

GMC79

I tried that one and despite it saying [email protected] it didn't work for me with my tv so sent it back.

Try one from cable matters or csl from amazon and should do the trick.

gop

Thanks for the advice, I'm not finding any active Displayport adapters, by cls or cable matters. Can you send me a link of the one you bought that worked for you? , please.
If this works, does this mean I won't have to lower the hertz to 25, in order for the HDR, to turn on in the TV??

GMC79

Cable Matters DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable (DP to DP Cable) 2 Metres - 4K Resolution Ready https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005H3Q59U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5dGXCbCSXCAF7

This one worked for me at 60hz 4k.  Cant say about hdr sorry as never tried it. I will say tho that adaptors seem to be kinda hit and miss I was lucky with this one on 2nd try but when I went to hdmi and tried this with my rift for vr it didn't work and went thru trying another 2 before got one that works.

I'd be confident this one would work also as is the one I use for my rift altho not tried it on tv. Some that work for some people not work for others despite reviews saying so. Bit annoying. And hdr may be another thing altogether.

CSL - 4K Ultra HD Displayport to HDMI adapter with audio transmission | DP plug to HDMI socket | Compatible with Apple products/PC graphic cards | black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015FM3SRE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_DjGXCb1Y8P5NR
Any reason not using hdmi directly? Edit. Just notice about the older HDMI 1.4 so ignore that.
If have no luck with adaptors may be good  and less hassle to get other gpu and use HDMI. I have a 970 sitting in the cupboard that would let go for 100quid or so.

gop

Thanks for the link. I was using hdmi with old cables  then got 2.0 cables, made no difference  so folks on here, suggested the adapter. It's the HDR that I'm more interested in, in that it's on all the time with a frame rate/hertz that allows smooth playback. I think hdr requires a 2.0b capable port and cable. So ideally my question is  a gpu that supports this, so I don't have to lower the hertz to 25,with choppy playback from my pc tuner. My card is old so it can't support [email protected] 60. Then I start asking is it codes, is it Windows 8.1,is it because I'm using mce!

gop

What's the full description of the 970? I am just thinking about upgrading the gpu.

Bigfingers

The adapter you need has to be hdmi 2a for HDR IIRC.

GMC79

Yeah the cable will make no difference as the hdmi standard is with the hardware. It's a MSI gaming 970.
This one.. Just been in cupboard as backup since I got my 2080. Fantastic gpu served me well.
GeForce GTX 970 GAMING 4G | Graphics card - The world leader in display performance | MSI Global