A display pipe is configured to generate output frames for display. Additionally, the display pipe may be configured to compress an output frame and write the compressed frame back to memory responsive to detecting static content in successive output frames. The display pipe may also be configured to determine to selectively allow write-back logic to operate when doing so will not cause a pixel underrun to the display. If an underrun might occur, write-back logic is temporarily disabled. If write-back is successful, the display pipe may read the compressed frame from memory for display instead of reading the source frames for compositing and display.