I, like most people, buy and use handhelds to play on the go. Whether inside my house laying on the couch or when traveling around. But sometimes as a gamer there an itch to push the boundaries of what can be done with a handheld.
In my case, I always wanted to test if it is possible to connect a 4K monitor with the Legion Go.
While the native resolution of the Legion Go is capped at 1440p, the handheld’s built-in USB-C port supports DisplayPort 1.4. What does that mean? It means that specific port can output 8K 60Hz or 4K 120Hz.
| Resolution | Refresh Rate | Color Depth | Compression | Additional Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8K (7680×4320) | 60Hz | 10-bit | Display Stream Compression (DSC) 1.2 | HDR10 |
| 4K (3840×2160) | 120Hz | 10-bit | None | HDR10, AMD FreeSync, NVIDIA G-Sync |
| 5K (5120×2880) | 60Hz | 10-bit | None | HDR10 |
Things You Need to Make this Work
| Device/Accessory | Requirement/Description |
|---|---|
| Lenovo Legion Go | Ensure your device is updated with the latest BIOS and drivers. |
| 4K 120Hz Monitor | Make sure your monitor supports 4K resolution at 120Hz. |
| USB-C to HDMI Adapter/Dock | Use a high-quality adapter or dock that supports HDMI 2.1 to achieve 4K at 120Hz. |
| Thunderbolt 4 Dock | Essential for high bandwidth. |
| CalDigit TS4 Dock | Supports dual 4K outputs and is highly rated. |
| Plugable USB4 Dual Monitor Docking Station | Offers HDMI outputs that support 120Hz. |
Once you have everything you need to adjust settings in your Windows and Legion Go menus. In the Windows settings, change the display settings for your external monitor to make it the primary monitor and set the display resolution to 4K 120Hz.
Meanwhile, in the Legion Go settings, adjust the performance modes to the handheld can handle running your games.
Windows Settings
- Open the Settings app on your Legion Go.
- Navigate to System > Display.
- In the Multiple Displays section, select Show only on 2 (this will prioritize the external monitor).
- Scroll down and click on Advanced Display Settings.
- Select your external display and set the refresh rate to 120Hz.
Legion Go Settings
Press the Settings button (the right function button) next to the screen on the Legion Go. You need to be in Performance Mode so change the performance mode to Performance.
Next you need to change the Thermal Mode to Custom 30W. Lastly, scroll down to OS Power Mode and switch it to Efficiency.
You may need to adjust in-game graphics settings to maintain smooth performance at higher resolutions.
The Legion Go has a native resolution limitation (2560×1600), so while it can output to a 4K monitor, be prepared to adjust settings based on the game’s demands. For demanding AAA titles, consider lowering graphics settings or frame rates.
If you encounter issues with getting a 120Hz output, double-check that your monitor’s settings are configured correctly and that you are using the right ports on both the dock and the monitor.
