You will need either an Intel discrete GPU or NVidia GPU if you want to use HDMI 2.1 to render at 8k@60. The Intel discrete GPUs have physical hardware that convert to HDMI and Nvidia uses proprietary drivers. If you can use displayport, any GPU (AMD, Intel, Nvidia) supporting displayport 1.4 is suitable for up to 8k@31 (limited to 8bpc). A displayport 2.0-capable card with a cable suitable for UHBR 13.5 should be able to handle 60 hz (8bpc) or a UHBR 20-rated cable capable of 60 hz at 10bpc.
this post was submitted on 04 Mar 2025
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The above is the cheapest card from my local store that has DisplayPort 2.1 (the rest have 1.4). It's $469 compared to $199 for a RX 6400 or RX 6500. I can probably find somewhere cheaper to buy these things but I'm working on the assumption that the ratios of prices are going to be about the same.
From the Wikipedia page it looks like DSC is needed to do 8K@60Hz on DisplayPort 1.4. I think that is bad for text though.
DSC is lossless compression.
That card has DisplayPort 1.4 which means that if HDMI doesn't work then it's limited to HBR3 which gives 24bpp@31Hz, which is barely adequate.
Also how do you set the bpp rates? The DisplayPort wikipedia page says that 24bpp and 30bpp are supported, but how do I even know which is in use?
Ah yes, did mess up looking at the specs table for bitrate modes. Correcting root comment for anyone else who views this thread.
Based on your comment, I understand that AMD GPUs aren't capable of 8k@60 over HDMI. Is that the case? If so, why?
Only on Linux, because the HDMI forum didn't allow AMD to write an open source driver with HDMI 2.1 features
AMD made an open source driver for HDMI 2.1 but HDMI forum won't approve. They locked down the specification for 2.1 and say the driver would reveal it.
https://www.howtogeek.com/hdmi-forum-open-source-drivers-hdmi-2-1/
I don't know if an earlier version can do 8k@60HD.
This is the correct answer. Using my 6900XT, I can't run a 4k120hz display over HDMI without subsampling.
This hopefully will change with the new AMD GPUs, but that's wishful thinking.
As a 6700XT owner, I use 4k@60Hz (my screens can't do better anyway). Does that mean I would need to use DisplayPort for better output in the future?
You can go higher that 4k@60 but youll be using chroma subsampling. Which can make text look really bad.
It's a bad combo in my opinion. The HDMI forum hates Linux so we mostly use display port. If you need HDMI 2.1 or higher for 8k I don't know if it will work. It might end up with a really low frame rate. It is a crazy low end graphics card for 8k. That's a low end 1080p card as far as games go. DRM is a problem with crappy companies like Netflix, so you will probably be watching upscaled standard def pictures. They must want us to pirate.
The TV has built in NetFlix and YouTube so I don't have much need for playing video from Linux. Currently YouTube is the only source of 8K video that I'm aware of.
I know it's low end, I just don't want to spend much money. It seems likely that one way or another I'll find some problem with whatever card I get and want to replace it in a couple of years so I don't want to spend much.
The card is documented as having HDMI 2.1.
For reference, I have a 6700XT on a 4k videoprojector, and it's fluid for 4k video and games (but it's a gaming card). The drivers are excellent and the card is stable. Thus said, I read some web videos through mpv, which is more optimized. On Youtube 4k, it works as well. I've tried 8k downsized and it was bit laggy, so I don't think a 6400 is enough for 8k video. I also had to buy a HDMI cable with more throughput! Videos aside, I think it's okay for the display only (texts and images), but wait for another reviewer because the 6400 is less powerful, so I can't confirm. However, if it works on Windows, it will work on Linux.
Seems the card supports it, so shouldn't be a problem. I'd be more concerned about which refresh modes the TV handles that are also compatible with the card at 8k.