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What are the minimum PC requirements for Windows DisplayLink software?

DisplayLink software can be used any Ultrabooks, Windows Tablets, Notebooks/Laptops or Desktops.
The performance of the software is dependent upon the processing power available, as well as the operating system in use. More capable systems will provide better performance.
Recommended typical system requirements are:

Windows 10  Anniversary Update 2016

  • Processor: 1.2 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support SSE2
  • RAM: 2 gigabyte (GB) for 1 DisplayLink display. 4 GB or more recommended for 2 or more DisplayLink displays
  • USB: At least one USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port.
  • 30 megabytes (MB) of free disk space.
  • Computer screen for use with the DisplayLink device, if it is not integrated.
  • Network access for software downloads, or access to a CD-ROM drive.

Windows 8.1, Windows 10 (2015)

  • Processor: 1.2 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support SSE2
  • RAM: 2 gigabyte (GB) for 1 DisplayLink display. 4 GB or more recommended for 2 or more DisplayLink displays
  • Graphics processor: Intel, AMD or NVIDIA GPU supporting Microsoft DirectX 10 or later with a WDDM driver. Matrox or SiS graphics are not supported.
  • USB: At least one USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port.
  • 30 megabytes (MB) of free disk space.
  • Computer screen for use with the DisplayLink device, if it is not integrated.
  • Network access for software downloads, or access to a CD-ROM drive.

Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8


For Windows Vista – Windows 8, the Windows Experience Index (WEI) is a useful measure of hardware level. The WEI is accessible from Computer > Properties, or from Control Panel > System.

The following system specs are recommended minimum:
  • Windows Experience Index: WEI score of at least 3 in the "Graphics; Desktop performance for Windows Aero" category. Overall WEI score of at least 3 as recommended by Microsoft.
  • Processor: 1.2 gigahertz (GHz) or faster with support SSE2
  • RAM: 2 gigabyte (GB) for 1 DisplayLink display. 4 GB or more recommended for 2 or more DisplayLink displays
  • Graphics processor: Intel, AMD or NVIDIA GPU supporting Microsoft DirectX 9 or later with a WDDM driver. Matrox or SiS graphics are not supported.
  • USB: At least one USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port.
  • 30 megabytes (MB) of free disk space.
  • Computer screen for use with the DisplayLink device, if it is not integrated.
  • Network access for software downloads, or access to a CD-ROM drive.
  • On Windows 7, you need Service Pack 1 with at least KB3033929 installed to support SHA-2 driver hash from DisplayLink driver R8.0+.

Windows XP

  • Processor: 1.2GHz Single Core CPU or higher
  • RAM: 1GB memory for 1 DisplayLink display. 2 GB or more recommended for 2 or more DisplayLink displays
  • Graphics processor: Any primary graphics processor or card with XP drivers installed.
  • USB: At least one USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 port.
  • 30 megabytes (MB) of free disk space.
  • Computer screen for use with the DisplayLink device, if it is not integrated.
  • Network access for software downloads, or access to a CD-ROM drive.

Support for 4K (UHD) modes

4K resolutions are supported on DL-5xxx and DL-6950 products, on Windows 7 and later. Up to 2 4K displays, connected to one system using DisplayLink, are supported.
The system requirements for 4K are higher than the system specs above, due to the extra resources needed to process the high resolution. The recommended specs are below:

For Productivity:
  • Processor: Intel Core i5 2+GHz / AMD Trinity or better
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Graphics processor: Integrated or discreet Intel HD 4000, ATI Radeon HD7xxx, NVidia GeForce 5xxM graphics processors or better.
  • USB: USB 2.0 but USB 3.0 recommended
For Full screen video playback
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 2+GHz / AMD Richland A10-575x / AMD Kaveri A10-7400P or better
  • Memory: 8GB
  • Graphics processor: Integrated or discreet Intel HD 4000, ATI Radeon HD 8650, NVidia GeForce 7xxM graphics processors or better.
  • USB: USB 3.0
  • Disk: 7200RPM or SSD
  • If playing UHD content (4K), the system must be capable of decoding the 4K video in the graphics processor.
NB: 4K resolutions may work on computers with systems specs lower than these, however the performance may not be acceptable.

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