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2016 Macbook Pro and Dell UP2715K 5K Display MST
- Thread starter Cobratom
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Gave up and Returned the Dell UP2715k and got 2 LG 5K for 15in MBP late 2016. True plug and play with a single Thunderblt 3 cable (each). Wow, a photo editing dream.
I’m a bit late to the party, but the following information might still be useful for some people:
I had the chance to connect a Dell UP2715K and an HP Z27q to my 13″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (running macOS 10.12.4) today. Both worked without any problems at the full resolution of 5,120 × 2,880 pixels at 60 Hz, using two USB-C to (Mini) DisplayPort adapters. (Admittedly, my test lasted only several minutes.) No issues, no need to fiddle with SwitchResX, no matter whether I used the ports on the MacBook Pro’s left or right side.
I had the chance to connect a Dell UP2715K and an HP Z27q to my 13″ MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (running macOS 10.12.4) today. Both worked without any problems at the full resolution of 5,120 × 2,880 pixels at 60 Hz, using two USB-C to (Mini) DisplayPort adapters. (Admittedly, my test lasted only several minutes.) No issues, no need to fiddle with SwitchResX, no matter whether I used the ports on the MacBook Pro’s left or right side.
I can't wait to try this! I have a 2016 Touchbar 15" MacBook Pro with a Radeon 455 GPU. I have the Dell 5K monitor that used to be use on a nMP.
I was going to just run in 4K off one USB-C to DP cable into the first DP port on the Dell that is marked blue (assuming that works? I haven't yet tested)
But if this works this will be even better.
My home office dock situation has me running a HooToo USB-C Hub for USB-A connection to a couple of hubs for stuff like keyboards, printing, and charging & a card reader, Thunderbolt adapter to my Pegasus RAID, and two ports for the 5K monitor. OR one port for 4K and the 5th for USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 SSD/other TB device.
So I'm very curious if it works with the Dell in 4K with only one cable (and how it looks), as well as now the two cables which you say works. Thanks for this info!
The Dell UP2715K comes equipped with three ports: two full-size DisplayPorts and one Mini DisplayPort. For 5K, you need to use both full-size DisplayPorts, while for 4K you need to use the single Mini DisplayPort. (See the user manual, p. 11.)
Using only one of the full-size DisplayPorts will work, too, but the resolution will max out at 2,560 × 1,440 pixels, in my experience.
4K looks fine, I would say, but—due to the interpolation involved—nowhere as razor-sharp as 5K.
In addition, you have to tell the screen via the on-screen menu which input(s) to use. The screen is “too dumb” to detect by itself which input(s) is (are) are being used.
Regarding the USB-C to (Mini) DisplayPort adapters or cables, make sure that they support 4K at 60 Hz. Some support 4K only at 30 Hz.
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Thanks! Good to know. Much appreciated. Very helpful!!
I have two "Plugable" USB-C to DP cables that I will try tonight. They explicitly state they support 4K at 60Hz. I will update after the test.
Well I just tested and it works with no issue. Two Plugable USB-C to DP cables run to the Dell do in fact run a stable 5K display. Thanks Holger!
PS I am on macOS Sierra 10.12.4, and the fans run somewhat hard even while doing nothing. Not sure if that is because of monitor or something else.
EDIT weeks later - still no issues. Works great in 5K MST. I ended up attaching a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 dock (the Lite) to the third port to get USB-A at 5Gbit, Thunderbolt 2/3, and sound, and the 4th port is just power (as no hubs pass through yet the full 87W which you will need if you hit the machine hard.)
It all works well now though. I have all my legacy USB 3.0 stuff plugged in via two daisy chained hubs through the TB3 hub (and they run at full superspeed), the 5K MST screen, and power.
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Cheers for the info anticipate!
I've got a similar setup with a MBP 15" 2016 and I'm considering to buy a used Dell UP2715Q. However, your comment on the MBP fans running hard while doing nothing does not sound too good.
How much do the fans spin up to? What are the corresponding temps? (Can be checked with monitoring apps like e.g. https://www.crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control/download.).
Do you find the fan noise disturbing in "normal to moderate" use, such as simultaneously using office + browsing + light photoshop + spotify/itunes? Fan noise is not a problem with occasional temporary high intensity editing work, but if it constantly spinning loudly I might have to consider a 4k monitor instead.
Any input from you or other mac users reading this thread highly appreciated.
Thanks!
I've got a similar setup with a MBP 15" 2016 and I'm considering to buy a used Dell UP2715Q. However, your comment on the MBP fans running hard while doing nothing does not sound too good.
How much do the fans spin up to? What are the corresponding temps? (Can be checked with monitoring apps like e.g. https://www.crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control/download.).
Do you find the fan noise disturbing in "normal to moderate" use, such as simultaneously using office + browsing + light photoshop + spotify/itunes? Fan noise is not a problem with occasional temporary high intensity editing work, but if it constantly spinning loudly I might have to consider a 4k monitor instead.
Any input from you or other mac users reading this thread highly appreciated.
Thanks!
Hi all in the thread... I'm especially interested in Holger G. and Anticipate's posts because...
I have a Dell UP2715K.
I'm considering buying a brand new 13″ MacBook Pro (2017) with Touch Bar (top end spec). I need to run the monitor at the full resolution of 5,120 × 2,880 pixels at 60 Hz.
According to Holger's post, he achieved this using two USB-C to (Mini) DisplayPort adapters.
So....
(1) Could it be confirmed this config is sustainable and works well for the 13" Macbook Pro?
(2) If so, which specific USB-C to DP cables / adaptors were used?
I'd rather buy a 13" Macbook Pro if possible, but might need to upgrade to a 15" if necessary?
Thanks for your help - its my first post here!
Wodge
I have a Dell UP2715K.
I'm considering buying a brand new 13″ MacBook Pro (2017) with Touch Bar (top end spec). I need to run the monitor at the full resolution of 5,120 × 2,880 pixels at 60 Hz.
According to Holger's post, he achieved this using two USB-C to (Mini) DisplayPort adapters.
So....
(1) Could it be confirmed this config is sustainable and works well for the 13" Macbook Pro?
(2) If so, which specific USB-C to DP cables / adaptors were used?
I'd rather buy a 13" Macbook Pro if possible, but might need to upgrade to a 15" if necessary?
Thanks for your help - its my first post here!
Wodge
Hi all in the thread... I'm especially interested in Holger G. and Anticipate's posts because...
I have a Dell UP2715K.
I'm considering buying a brand new 13″ MacBook Pro (2017) with Touch Bar (top end spec). I need to run the monitor at the full resolution of 5,120 × 2,880 pixels at 60 Hz.
According to Holger's post, he achieved this using two USB-C to (Mini) DisplayPort adapters.
So....
(1) Could it be confirmed this config is sustainable and works well for the 13" Macbook Pro?
(2) If so, which specific USB-C to DP cables / adaptors were used?
I'd rather buy a 13" Macbook Pro if possible, but might need to upgrade to a 15" if necessary?
Thanks for your help - its my first post here!
Wodge
(1) Yes. That’s why I posted the image in my post.
I also tested my (late-2016) 13″ MacBook Pro with an HP Z27q display, and it worked equally well.
On my MBP, the two Thunderbolt 3 ports closer to the front have a noticeably tighter fit than the two closer to the back. This is why I use the ones closer to the back almost exclusively for power supply. When using the ports closer to the back, I could produce a flickering image with the adapters mentioned below by moving them slightly inside the ports—which didn’t happen with the two ports closer to the front. This means, of course, that you have to use ports on both sides of your MBP simultaneously.
(2) I bought one USB-C–to–DisplayPort adapter (from Club 3D) and one USB-C–to–Mini-DisplayPort adapter (from Benfei). I used these adapters with one of the DP-DP cables and one of the mDP-DP cables that were included with the UP2715K. In your case, I would probably go with two black USB-C–to–DisplayPort adapters (from Club 3D) for aesthetic reasons.
As I mentioned previously, you have to make sure that the adapters support 4K at 60 Hz. If you keep that in mind, I’m sure that also a direct USB-C–to–DisplayPort cable (like https://store.google.com/product/usb_type_c_to_displayport_cable) would work.
By the way, if you’d like to occupy only one of your MBP’s Thunderbolt 3 ports instead of two, have a look at https://www.sonnettech.com/product/thunderbolt3-dual-displayport-adapter.html and https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/thunderbolt-3-to-dual-displayport~TB32DP2T (for a Mac, it has to be the TB32DP2T model—not TB32DP2).
Some great information there Holger. Thank you for taking your valuable time and consideration to respond to me on here.
I have been able to get the Dell UP2715K monitor working well at full 5K resolution / 60Hz with my new
MacBook Pro 15 2017 ... HOWEVER... IMPORTANT CABLE SELECTION:
I originally bought the USB-C <> DisplayPort adapters suggested (The Club 3D ones, model CAC-1507). When I attempted to use these, I got NO RESPONSE from the Dell monitor except it reporting "Entering Powersave mode", and reporting there was no signal coming from my computer... Then entering powersave mode... I tried different variations of ports (including one cable only) but could achieve nothing
.I wondered if it was a cable issue, as I have read there is variation with the 2017 models of the MacBook Pro, and most cables will not work. Therefore, I decided to take a chance and buy two of the following USB-C <> DisplayPort cables (not adapters) from ChoeTech:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0744GWJ8X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They arrived Today. I plugged them in (both in rear USB-C ports). Straight away, they were detected and I am able to use the monitor as an external Retina display at 5K / 60Hz. No other config or SwitchResX required. The cables are well built, and in the UK (Amazon) are currently reduced from £29.99 to £11.99!
The UP2715K has been working seamlessly for hours now, and looks fantastic. I am using it now. Fingers crossed, this continues!
Also, I deselected the system preferences > Energy Saver > Automatic graphics switching option. This is because I read on another post that this may help. N.B. I had done this with the original cables too, but it had no effect.
For reference, MacBook pro 2017 is the touchbar version, with Radeon Pro 560 4GB graphics card (16GB RAM).
I hope this helps others who are trying to get their MacBook Pros working...
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Some great information there Holger. Thank you for taking your valuable time and consideration to respond to me on here.
I have been able to get the Dell UP2715K monitor working well at full 5K resolution / 60Hz with my new
HOWEVER... IMPORTANT CABLE SELECTION:
I originally bought the USB-C <> DisplayPort adapters suggested (The Club 3D ones, model CAC-1507). When I attempted to use these, I got NO RESPONSE from the Dell monitor except it reporting "Entering Powersave mode", and reporting there was no signal coming from my computer... Then entering powersave mode... I tried different variations of ports (including one cable only) but could achieve nothing
I wondered if it was a cable issue, as I have read there is variation with the 2017 models of the MacBook Pro, and most cables will not work. Therefore, I decided to take a chance and buy two of the following USB-C <> DisplayPort cables (not adapters) from ChoeTech:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0744GWJ8X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
They arrived Today. I plugged them in (both in rear USB-C ports). Straight away, they were detected and I am able to use the monitor as an external Retina display at 5K / 60Hz. No other config or SwitchResX required. The cables are well built, and in the UK (Amazon) are currently reduced from £29.99 to £11.99!
The UP2715K has been working seamlessly for hours now, and looks fantastic. I am using it now. Fingers crossed, this continues!
Also, I deselected the system preferences > Energy Saver > Automatic graphics switching option. This is because I read on another post that this may help. N.B. I had done this with the original cables too, but it had no effect.
For reference, MacBook pro 2017 is the touchbar version, with Radeon Pro 560 4GB graphics card (16GB RAM).
I hope this helps others who are trying to get their MacBook Pros working...
Just as an FYI - for me the latest couple of betas of High Sierra have broken 5K on this screen via two USB-C to DP cables. It worked before...
EDIT - I left everything off and rebooted in AM. Voila... all works again. 5K on High Sierra beta 9 using two Pluggable USB-C to DP cables.
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Many thanks for keeping us in the picture on this Anticipate... It's a bit worrying if High Sierra has broken things!
It would be great if you could you keep us updated with any further info on this if possible? Probably best not to upgrade until it get fixed!
...EDIT! ---- Just seen your update that it is working in High Sierra beta... Phew!
Thank you again for the updates
It would be great if you could you keep us updated with any further info on this if possible? Probably best not to upgrade until it get fixed!
...EDIT! ---- Just seen your update that it is working in High Sierra beta... Phew!
Thank you again for the updates
Many thanks for keeping us in the picture on this Anticipate... It's a bit worrying if High Sierra has broken things!
It would be great if you could you keep us updated with any further info on this if possible? Probably best not to upgrade until it get fixed!
...EDIT! ---- Just seen your update that it is working in High Sierra beta... Phew!
Thank you again for the updates
Yes and works fine with the released version too. There were some hiccups but the beta solved them. Ironically the whole monitor ended up breaking for me; Dell had to replace. It was an overnight swap for free.
Hi all --
Wanted to throw in my $.02. I purchased the monitor today and was able to run full 5k on the display with my 2017 MBP 15". I connected two DP cables from the monitor to a Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter, then wired that to a single Thunderbolt 3 port on the laptop. The display is gorgeous and works flawlessly. You'll need to have the power adapter plugged in to the laptop to get the monitor to stay on while the computer is in "closed-lid" mode.
Cheers.
Hi all --
Wanted to throw in my $.02. I purchased the monitor today and was able to run full 5k on the display with my 2017 MBP 15". I connected two DP cables from the monitor to a Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter, then wired that to a single Thunderbolt 3 port on the laptop. The display is gorgeous and works flawlessly. You'll need to have the power adapter plugged in to the laptop to get the monitor to stay on while the computer is in "closed-lid" mode.
Cheers.
Hello arijon and others, who have tried to solve the 5k-problem with the Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter!
I think about buying this adapter, because I have already tried the solution of wodge with the ChoeTech cables. I only get 4k (60 Hz) with one cable. The second cable has no effect, no matter which port I use (MacBook 15" 2017, Radeon Pro 560 4GB graphics card (16GB RAM)).
My question: Is it possible to scale to larger text, like in the screenshot of Holger with his solution? If it's not possible, the Sonnet isn't a choice for me, because it's too hard to read the letters. I already have some problems with the size of the letters in 4K and can't scale it.
Who have tried the Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter on a new MacBook and is able to scale the text?
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
timo_k82
Hi timo, I am not running a MBP 2016 or later, so I can not provide detailed answers for your specific setup. Although I have a Dell UP 2715k connected to a Mac Pro 6,1 and sometimes a MBP Mid 2015 (Radeon M370X) - When connected via Dual cable I get native 5120*2880 resolution on both machines. Scaled HiDPI Resolutions (for bigger text) are always available. This is even, when monitor would be running in 3840*2160 only. So there is no direct relation between full resolution support and text scaling in the first plays. Anyhow both should be provided und supported with your combination.
Hi timo_k82,
Yes you can absolutely scale up and down with this arrangement. And an important point to note though is that on a Retina 5K screen you will have a 5120x2880 native resolution, but by default run "pixel doubled" at a setting that looks like 2560x1440, it just has four times the detail of a "traditional" display.
Cheers~
[doublepost=1518811056][/doublepost]Hi Timo,
Sorry you’re not getting the monitor working with the two cables in 5K. I have exactly the same MacBook as you, and it is working with the two CheoTech cables - it has been working for about 6 months now, and after the upgrade to High Sierra.
I’m wondering if one of the cables is causing an issue?
Also, just to say in your question - when it is in 5K, the Mac sees the screen as a Retina display so you will get the option to change the text smaller or larger - same as for the laptop screen.
I really hope you get it setup and working.
Cheers,
Wodge
Hello arijon, wodge, Halbertus and the others!
I would like to thank all of you for your fast help with my problem. Today, my Sonnettech Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter arrived. I think my test was successful!
In the display monitor of the Dell I have a native 5120x2880, 60 Hz resolution and the symbol for two DisplayPort cables. By clicking "About the Mac" and "System report", I was surprised, that the Mac OS shows the resolution "2560x1440", which is suggested for the monitor. I am able to switch into 5120x2880, but the letters are too small. I am also able to scale the letters, but it returns automatically into smaller resolutions (in the system report).
Is it the same with your Mac? What about using a iMac 5k? Is the resolution in the System report smaller than the native resolution of the monitor? If yes, I am fine now. If no, I think the Sonnettech is not full supported. But at the end I tested something: I compared the resolution in Lightroom with the One-cable-solution of the Choetech-cable. With the Sonnettech the resolution is much sharper, both tested in 2560x1440 (System report).
Maybe anyone can help me to find out, if it's normal that the resolution in the System report is smaller than the native resolution of the monitor.
Thank you!
Regards,
Timo
PS: You are right, that the monitor turns off in closed lid mode. But isn't it normal? I have read, that Apple does it like this to prevent damage on the MacBook Pro because of the heat. So I think, it has to be the same with fully supported displays like the LG. Am I right? See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201834
I would like to thank all of you for your fast help with my problem. Today, my Sonnettech Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter arrived. I think my test was successful!
In the display monitor of the Dell I have a native 5120x2880, 60 Hz resolution and the symbol for two DisplayPort cables. By clicking "About the Mac" and "System report", I was surprised, that the Mac OS shows the resolution "2560x1440", which is suggested for the monitor. I am able to switch into 5120x2880, but the letters are too small. I am also able to scale the letters, but it returns automatically into smaller resolutions (in the system report).
Is it the same with your Mac? What about using a iMac 5k? Is the resolution in the System report smaller than the native resolution of the monitor? If yes, I am fine now. If no, I think the Sonnettech is not full supported. But at the end I tested something: I compared the resolution in Lightroom with the One-cable-solution of the Choetech-cable. With the Sonnettech the resolution is much sharper, both tested in 2560x1440 (System report).
Maybe anyone can help me to find out, if it's normal that the resolution in the System report is smaller than the native resolution of the monitor.
Thank you!
Regards,
Timo
PS: You are right, that the monitor turns off in closed lid mode. But isn't it normal? I have read, that Apple does it like this to prevent damage on the MacBook Pro because of the heat. So I think, it has to be the same with fully supported displays like the LG. Am I right? See: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201834
Hi timo_k82,
Yes you can absolutely scale up and down with this arrangement. And an important point to note though is that on a Retina 5K screen you will have a 5120x2880 native resolution, but by default run "pixel doubled" at a setting that looks like 2560x1440, it just has four times the detail of a "traditional" display.
Cheers~
Hi everyone,
Quick question, I have the Monitor already (Dell UP2715K) and I'm thinking of purchasing the latest 15" MBP, (late 2017 model) and another 5k Dell UP2715K Monitor. Do you think that the 15" MBP will run DUAL 5k Dell UP2715K Monitors at the same time, using 2 Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter plugged in two TB3 ports?
was also thinking will it work if I daisy chain it with a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 dock?
Quick question, I have the Monitor already (Dell UP2715K) and I'm thinking of purchasing the latest 15" MBP, (late 2017 model) and another 5k Dell UP2715K Monitor. Do you think that the 15" MBP will run DUAL 5k Dell UP2715K Monitors at the same time, using 2 Sonnet Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter plugged in two TB3 ports?
was also thinking will it work if I daisy chain it with a CalDigit Thunderbolt 3 dock?
I can not think of a reasoning why this should not work by specifications. Thunderbolt 3 chipset of the MBP is capable of Dual DP 1.2 on each Port.
Although my guess is that your GPU might not be capable of computing graphically challenging tasks when driving that many pixels.
This is such a joke. In 30+ years of using Macs I've NEVER seen such a ridiculous situation as the 5K/Thunderbolt 3 situation. Adapters, software hacks, multiple cables, plugging/unplugging, hardware firmware updates (on the LGs), jiggling cables, switching ports. This isn't just the MacBook Pro—people using desktop Macs are having the same problems.
This is Apple's fault, and it really kind of ticks me off that they're just ignoring it. The fact that they've said they're going to make a "pro display" some day in the future (that will likely cost $2K) is no consolation. In fact, it's quite an insult.
Perhaps people born in the 80s and 90s are more willing to accept this as the price of getting what you want in tech. But those of us who had this situation, then Apple came along and made "Plug & Play commonplace, find it completely unacceptable.
I'm in the market for a new MacBook Pro, but I want to make it my sole computer—which means having an external display—and this situation has completely turned me off on doing so. So I'm making due with my current aging iMac 27" and rMBP 15" models.
This is Apple's fault, and it really kind of ticks me off that they're just ignoring it. The fact that they've said they're going to make a "pro display" some day in the future (that will likely cost $2K) is no consolation. In fact, it's quite an insult.
Perhaps people born in the 80s and 90s are more willing to accept this as the price of getting what you want in tech. But those of us who had this situation, then Apple came along and made "Plug & Play commonplace, find it completely unacceptable.
I'm in the market for a new MacBook Pro, but I want to make it my sole computer—which means having an external display—and this situation has completely turned me off on doing so. So I'm making due with my current aging iMac 27" and rMBP 15" models.