10 bpc for Intel Graphics 4600

When I read the Intel literature it claims that for a i7 4770 that the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 is capable of 12 bits per channel. However when I use NEC's test for 10 bpc it tells me that it is either not supported or not enabled.

Does anyone know if the integrated graphics processor can truly do up to 12 bpc, and if it can how to enable it?

I don't know, but what's the point of 10-bit or 12-bit displays?

Tony-S wrote in post #16208305
I don't know, but what's the point of 10-bit or 12-bit displays?

1024 values for each color for 10 bpc versus 256 for 8 bpc leads to zero noticeable banding. I already have a NEC PA series monitor that supports 10 bpc, so if the built in Intel Graphics 4600 processor can be enabled for 10 bpc it's a bonus.

A NEC representative provides a good explanation of the advantages of 10 bpc here: http://www.ronmartblog​.com …tanding-10-bit-color.html

What I don't understand is since the human eye is capable of less than 8-bit color, what benefit is there to having a 10-bit or 12-bit display?

Tony-S wrote in post #16209334
What I don't understand is since the human eye is capable of less than 8-bit color, what benefit is there to having a 10-bit or 12-bit display?

I think you're confusing mathematics with the real world. A ten bit display can calculate and display 1.07 billion discrete colors as opposed to 16.7M with an 8 bit display. So fas as I know, no one ever said "at the same time," nor has anyone ever said "and they will be the same exact colors as everyone else sees."

Nor is there any real-world consensus on what the human eye actually can see, or even, in fact, that people can see the same range of colors. If we assume that our eyes are similar to our ears, then there will be different vision ranges for different people - just as with hearing.

It's highly unlikely that any human can perceive much more than 8-bit color. It would require an unusual biochemical (genetic) event to get even close to 9-bit, let alone 10-bit.

Tony-S wrote in post #16210830
It's highly unlikely that any human can perceive much more than 8-bit color. It would require an unusual biochemical (genetic) event to get even close to 9-bit, let alone 10-bit.

Did you read the article that I linked to and view the test file he provided in Photoshop? You absolutely can see banding with 8 bpc files.

Is it terribly important for photography? ... well no, not for what I do. It's a nice to have (to have a video card that can support 10 bpc if your monitor is already capable of it).

Tony-S wrote in post #16210830
It's highly unlikely that any human can perceive much more than 8-bit color. It would require an unusual biochemical (genetic) event to get even close to 9-bit, let alone 10-bit.

Well, considering the fact that probably the human race is itself an "unusual biochemical (genetic) event," it doesn't really seem that far-fetched. But I'm not saying that we have 10 bit eyes, just that the range of human vision is variable among humans. And of course, both our eyes and brains are analog devices, not digital.