Cable solution for Dell 5K screen with TB3?

[phil-o-soph]

Hello there,

Is there any possible solution to connect a Dell UP2715K to the new MBP via TB3?
Are the any adapters to convert one TB3 into two Display Ports for example? Or is there any other possibility? Thanks in advance!

 

[JTToft]

There you go: https://www.startech.com/AV/Converters/Video/thunderbolt-3-to-dual-displayport~TB32DP2

Else, just use two USB-C to DisplayPort cables.

 

[rdav]

There you go...

Thanks.
(Looks like the Us price just went up from $76 to $99).

Perhaps someone can post here if/when they get 2x UP2715k monitors running Ok from the latest MBPr/15(2016).

 

[rdav]

Plugable Thunderbolt-3 Dual-DisplayPort Adaptor.
There is another similar device [ http://plugable.com/products/tbt3-dp2x ] - "Supports a single 5120×2880@60 (5K) display if both DisplayPort outputs are connected to a 5K-capable display".

But... "Windows based PCs only." And the site specifically states that the Plugable adaptor does not work with the Apple MacBook Pro (Late 2016).

There seems to be no mention (that I can find) of the referenced Startech adaptor working with Mac systems, so that remains unresolved. Until they state clearly that it will work - or someone runs a test I guess.

*Update. Startech now specify Windows-only too.

 

[rdav]

Henge just announced some docks with 2x mDP output ports off just one TB3. Perhaps this setup will work?? https://hengedocks.com/pages/tethered-docks

 

[ElCidRo]

Sorry for resurrecting this old thread. But I really need to know. I have an M1 MBP and order a M1 Max.
How can I connect this monitor and get the 5k 60Hz?
Can I use two cables (Thunderbolt 3 - DisplayPort)?

 

[Amethyst1]

Can I use two cables (Thunderbolt 3 - DisplayPort)?

Not from the M1 MBP AFAIK as it only supports one "normal" external screen via Thunderbolt. The M1 Max will do it though.

However, this type of adapter (also made by other manufacturers) does work with M1 Macs and allows full 5K at 60 Hz. The HP Z27q works the same way as the Dell UP2715K, so if this one works, the other should too.

 

[ElCidRo]

Thanks @Amethyst1!
I also have an OWC Thunderbolt dock.
What if I connect the M1 MBP to the OWC dock and then run two TB3-DisplayPort cables to the UP2715K? Would that work?

 

[Amethyst1]

What if I connect the M1 MBP to the OWC dock and then run two TB3-DisplayPort cables to the UP2715K? Would that work?

The dock should behave identically to these adapters (they are basically a heavily stripped-down TB dock).

 

[ElCidRo]

Thanks again @Amethyst1 - one more question and I will shut up

There are no more new 5k displays for sale in Romania (probably has something to do with chip shortages).
So my only option is a used one which I found for sale for $700.

Another option is the LG 34WK95U (5k2k display). Smaller ppi though.
Also not available new anymore - but refurbished for $1200.

No other good options right now. There were more options 5 years ago than today. Crazy!

My first choice is the Dell UP2715K - even with all the headache of setting it up. The reason being the higher ppi mostly. What's your opinion?


I fully expect Apple to step in with an external display sometimes next year, after they launch the bigger iMac.

 

[Amethyst1]

My first choice is the Dell UP2715K - even with all the headache of setting it up. The reason being the higher ppi mostly. What's your opinion?

Well, I have an UP2715K and like it a lot.

 

[ElCidRo]

Thanks man! You were very helpful for me. I'll go get it on Saturday!

 

[ElCidRo]

The plan is to get 2 of these: https://www.emag.ro/adaptor-type-c-displayport-4k-2k-60hz-aluminiu-asmucdpf01/pd/D8H1G2MBM
And use the OWC Thunderbolt Dock. Fingers crossed I'll get 5k 60Hz on the M1 MBP.

 

[Amethyst1]

And use the OWC Thunderbolt Dock.

Which dock is it? Does it have two USB-C ports with DisplayPort Alternate Mode?

 

[ElCidRo]

I have this one: https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt-dock
It has 3 additional TB4 ports

 

[Amethyst1]

I have this one: https://www.owcdigital.com/products/thunderbolt-dock
It has 3 additional TB4 ports

Says you can hook up two Thunderbolt or USB-C displays, so its TB4/USB-C ports should support DisplayPort Alternate Mode.

 

[ElCidRo]

Phew - thanks for confirming! ?

 

[ElCidRo]

I got the monitor but I can't get it to work at 5k60Hz. It's very weird.
I was able to get it at 5k30Hz at most. But the monitor is very, VERY flakey for some reason.
- sometimes it doesn't show an image at all (even though MacOS shows it is connected)
- sometimes it starts in a weird stretched resolution 2560x2880. Only the right side panel is working - but the image is stretched across the entire display.

Question: When I get the monitor menu to show 5k30Hz - I don't have the 2560x1440 HiDPI @ 60 Hz option in SwitchResX anymore (see screenshot number 3). When the monitor menu is at 4K60Hz, SwitchResX has all the options, including 2560x1440 HiDPI @ 60 Hz. How can I get the 60Hz?

I also got the Plugable adaptor tbt3-dp2x-83 - it's easier to get 5k30Hz with it than the other way.

 

[ElCidRo]

I wonder if one of these would fix the issues: https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-dock-wd19s-130w/apd/210-azbg/pc-accessories
But I am a bit reluctant to keep throwing money at this and risk not having it work properly in the end.

 

[Amethyst1]

I was able to get it at 5k30Hz at most. But the monitor is very, VERY flakey for some reason.

That means dual-link SST is working (at 2× 2560×2880 at 30 Hz). Does the situation change when you close the MBP, i.e. switch to clamshell mode?

Question: When I get the monitor menu to show 5k30Hz - I don't have the 2560x1440 HiDPI @ 60 Hz option in SwitchResX anymore (see screenshot number 3). When the monitor menu is at 4K60Hz, SwitchResX has all the options, including 2560x1440 HiDPI @ 60 Hz. How can I get the 60Hz?

When the monitor is running at 5K at 30 Hz, all HiDPI options will also be at 30 Hz, since they all use the 30 Hz timing as a base. When you switch to 4K at 60 Hz, all HiDPI options use that as a base, resulting in 60 Hz. However, the 2560×1440 HiDPI option you get then is "fake 5K", since it downscales a 5120×2880 framebuffer to 3840×2160 before outputting it to the monitor, resulting in a (slightly) blurry image.

Can you double-click on the 2560×1440 30 Hz HiDPI option and SwitchResX and post a screenshot of the timing details that pop up?

I also got the Plugable adaptor tbt3-dp2x-83 - it's easier to get 5k30Hz with it than the other way.

Is this using the DisplayPort cables that came with the monitor?

 

[ElCidRo]

- In clamshell mode the same 30Hz frequencies are available. No 60Hz. The monitor also stays at 5k30Hz
- Yes - the 5k30Hz I can get more reliably using the Plugable adaptor & the orginal DisplayPort cable (pair) which came with the monitor.

 

[Amethyst1]

That's odd. The LG UltraFine 5K uses the same dual-link SST "trick" and works at 60 Hz from an M1 MBP. Just to be sure - the monitor's input is set to "DP (5K3K)"? (FWIW, I've never seen the UP2715K doing 5K at 30 Hz on macOS.)

@joevt - Can you chime in?

 

[ElCidRo]

Oh snap, maybe I have a faulty unit.
Yep - input is indeed the DP (5K3K) option.
I've also followed the steps here: https://goykhman.ca/gene/blog/2021/2021-01-30-dell-up2715k-on-m1.html
I'll try to remove that config file as I also have SwitchResX - maybe there's some sort of conflict.

 

[ElCidRo]

These are the Current Resolutions in SwitchResX. There is one 60Hz option there.

 

[Amethyst1]

There is one 60Hz option there.

Yeah, that useless 848x480. Just for kicks - did you try turning the monitor off and on (or power-cycling it) while the MBA was running?