2560x1440 for 2011 MacMini

[brussell27]

Anybody have any suggestions for a 2560x1440 monitor for a 2011 MacMini?

I have a base 2011 MacMini with 8GB of Ram and a SSD. It has HD3000 graphics and I have increased the VRAM to 1024. I have been running a 24"1080P screen and a 22" 1080P Vizio TV that acts as a second screen when not in use as a TV. I purchased a Dell U2515H which is a very nice 25"1560x1440 screen with a USB 3.0 hub built in. This screen is perfect for my desk that sits in our kitchen.

Unfortunately, when I hook the screen up to the Mini (Dell supplied MiniDP to DP cable and Vizio through HDMI) I get intermittent, short blackouts on the Dell. When I tried using a MiniDP to HDMI adapter for the Dell I can't get 2560x1440. (I think this is a HDMI 1.3 vs 1.4 issue.)

I added the Caldigit Thunderbolt2 Station to give me USB 3.0 and eSata ports for my external drives. That also gave me HDMI 1.4 support so I could get the full 2560 over HDMI. That seemed to work for a while but eventually the Dell will either blackout and not wake from sleep while connected through the docking station with a MiniDP to DP cable or would give a garbled appearance with multiple vertical lines when connected with HDMI.

To confuse matters more, the Dell monitor seems to work fine if I run it solo. The problem behavior only seems to exhibit when the second (Vizio) screen is hooked up. The Vizio doesn't even need to be turned on just connected.

So I'm hopeful the a different screen will solve my problem but I'm concerned that the Mini really can't do 2560x1440 and 1080P at the same time. Or at least for more than a few hours before the graphics overheat.

Any suggestions for successfully running 2560X1440 and 1080P simultaneously would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[grcar]

I'm concerned that the Mini really can't do 2560x1440 and 1080P at the same time. Or at least for more than a few hours before the graphics overheat.

You have answered your question. If you need so many screens, buy a second mini to drive one of them.

 

[iPhil]

To use 2560*1080 + type of screen -- You need to use the ThunderBolt aka Mini Displayport since the HDMI on 2011 mini is capped @ 1920*1200.

Either buy a HDMI to TB cable or TB converter box to HDMI

Converter --http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5311

or

Cable style -- http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters...443981726&sr=1-6&keywords=thunderbolt+to+hdmi

 

[brussell27]

To use 2560*1080 + type of screen -- You need to use the ThunderBolt aka Mini Displayport since the HDMI on 2011 mini is capped @ 1920*1200.

Either buy a HDMI to TB cable or TB converter box to HDMI

Converter --http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=5311

or

Cable style -- http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters...443981726&sr=1-6&keywords=thunderbolt+to+hdmi

Sorry if I was not clear. I'm using the HDMI on the mini to do 1080P on the TV and it works fine.

For the Dell:
When I use the MiniDP (or TB) to HDMI out of the Mini you don't get 2560X1440. I believe this is a limitation of HDMI 1.3.

When I use a MiniDP(TB) to DP connector, I get 2560x1440 for a while but it is plagued by intermittent blackouts.

When I connect the Dell to the Thunderbolt Dock I get 2560X1440 for a while but eventually:

Using the MiniDP(TB) to DP cable = intermittent blackouts and wake from sleep issues.
Using HDMI (1.4) = Intermittent scrambled screen with vertical banding.

So I am able to get 2560X1440 for a while but it is not stable.

What I'm wondering is anyone able to get 1080 on one screen and 2560 on another?
It seems like the problem is with the Mini but I'm not convinced yet that it is not with the Dell screen.

Apple says it can.

From Everymac:

Display Support: Dual Displays Resolution Support: 1920x1200*
Details: *This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI display or a DVI display using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).

Thanks!