Dell 6K U3224KB Monitor

[MattieHolland]

Received the Dell 6K yesterday.
Just want to confirm it works perfectly with my 2021 14" Macbook Pro M1 Pro.
I get full resolution of 6144 x 3456 @60Hz, but obviously using it at 3072 x 1728 default res.
No flickering like someone mentioned earlier in this thread.

Everything is so crispy. Nice way to test the screen quality, crispness and vivid colours is to visit the Apple Website and scroll through some product pages like ipad air etc.

Glossy screen like Studio Display would be nicer, but still, this screen is exactly the eye candy I was hoping for.

If you're on macos, don't use other resolution than 3072 x 1728. You need it to be at exactly half the native resolution to get the best text rendering in MacOs.

All those ports are very nice too. I have connected 2 soundcards / amplifiers on usb-c, streamdeck on USB-A, Logitech dongle on USB-A and ethernet directly into the monitor.
And just one TB4 cable going to my macbook. 😊
Perfect.

 

[joevt]

Set up and use Apple Pro Display XDR - Apple Support

Learn about Pro Display XDR and how to set up and use it with your Mac.

support.apple.com

Does Apple have any comment on any of this?

Compatible Mac models​

Pro Display XDR supports a resolution of 6016 x 3384 with 10bpc on these Mac models:

• Mac Studio introduced in 2022
• Mac Pro introduced in 2019
• 16-inch MacBook Pro introduced in 2019 or later
• 15-inch MacBook Pro introduced in 2018 or later

The MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) has Titan Ridge Thunderbolt controllers and Radeon Pro 555X or Radeon Pro 560X GPU. They all support HBR3 but the GPU doesn't support DSC. Therefore, the Apple Pro Display XDR must use a dual link SST mode to support 6K60 10bpc.
https://support.apple.com/kb/SP776?locale=en_CA
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...displayport-1-4-isnt-truly-supported.2128501/

The Dell 6K display probably does not have a dual link SST mode and therefore requires DSC to achieve 6K60.

The Dell UP2715K and Dell UP3218K have dual link SST modes for 5K60 and 8K60 respectively.

 

[_01011970]

I was thinking the other day about getting the monitor, however, I couldn’t find a way to connect two M1 Max macbook pros to the monitor simultaneously and getting the full 6k 60hz output right?

I don’t think hdmi 2 would allow such bandwidth.

 

[joevt]

I was thinking the other day about getting the monitor, however, I couldn’t find a way to connect two M1 Max macbook pros to the monitor simultaneously and getting the full 6k 60hz output right?

I don’t think hdmi 2 would allow such bandwidth.

It has 3 inputs
- Mini DisplayPort 2.1
- HDMI 2.1
- Thunderbolt 4

Anyone one of those can do 6K60 from your M1 Max MacBook Pro with appropriate cable or adapter.

The best option for M1 Macs after Thunderbolt 4 is Mini DisplayPort 2.1.

The manual says HDMI 2.0 hosts are limited to 4K60 but I wonder if a custom timing can do any of these modes for 6K:
22Hz bpc10
27Hz bpc8
32Hz bpc10_422
41Hz bpc8_422
43Hz bpc10_420
54Hz bpc8_420

The manual says the display supports YCbCr color but it doesn't say if it supports 4:2:2 and 4:2:0.
A USB-C to HDMI 2.1 adapter might allow 6K60 depending on whether macOS will enable DSC through the adapter.

Someone please post AllRez or AGDCDiagnose or SwitchResX output from Intel Mac for the three different inputs so we can see what kind of info is in the EDID. I expect the EDID for Mini DisplayPort 2.1 and Thunderbolt 4 to be the same. The manual says there's an option to change the EDID for HDMI between a two block 4K EDID and a 4 block 6K EDID.

 

[_01011970]

It has 3 inputs
- Mini DisplayPort 2.1
- HDMI 2.1
- Thunderbolt 4

Anyone one of those can do 6K60 from your M1 Max MacBook Pro with appropriate cable or adapter.

The best option for M1 Macs after Thunderbolt 4 is Mini DisplayPort 2.1.

The manual says HDMI 2.0 hosts are limited to 4K60 but I wonder if a custom timing can do any of these modes for 6K:
22Hz bpc10
27Hz bpc8
32Hz bpc10_422
41Hz bpc8_422
43Hz bpc10_420
54Hz bpc8_420

The manual says the display supports YCbCr color but it doesn't say if it supports 4:2:2 and 4:2:0.
A USB-C to HDMI 2.1 adapter might allow 6K60 depending on whether macOS will enable DSC through the adapter.

Someone please post AllRez or AGDCDiagnose or SwitchResX output from Intel Mac for the three different inputs so we can see what kind of info is in the EDID. I expect the EDID for Mini DisplayPort 2.1 and Thunderbolt 4 to be the same. The manual says there's an option to change the EDID for HDMI between a two block 4K EDID and a 4 block 6K EDID.

exactly, after TB4, which only one of them could be used for Display Stream (if I’m not mistaken), is Mini Displayport, which honestly is non existence. I couldn’t find any mini dp 2.1 cable to Usb c or TB4.

So I’m not sure, how can I connect both my private and work M1 Max macbook pros to the monitor simultaneously and switching between them using kvm, instead of connecting the TB4 to each laptop every time I want to use it

Edit: yeah, you are right, hdmi 2.1 to USB c would be also an option. Haven’t thought of that. but not sure if it would gibe full 6k 60hz bandwidth

 

[dbrewood]

Also, if you're willing to endulge me -- and I expect the monitor does, as several of the higher-end Dell 4K displays already do -- can you confirm the display will do a picture-by-picture mode splitting the screen in half down the middle using two inputs? My 1 year old 32" Dell 4K Ultrasharp at the office does, which comes in very handy for my particular applications at work, especially since it reports to the host computer that the resolution is 1920x2160 for each half.

I managed to set up an alternate source using my old Intel i7 Mac Mini and used PBP to get two screens displayed side by side:

How does the auto kvm feature work? There are no details in the link you posted. For example, is there a button on the monitor for KVM flips? Can you also use a key (scroll-lock / scroll-lock / shift or something?) to flip KVM sources, without touching the monitor? Etc… ?

I'm unable to test this alas as it looks like it only works with Windows PC's and not Macs.

If you're on macos, don't use other resolution than 3072 x 1728. You need it to be at exactly half the native resolution to get the best text rendering in MacOs.

Interesting for me I'm using it at 3360 x 1890, the rendering seems pretty good to me and if I drop to 3072 x 1728 then the text looks way way too big. Plus at that resolution I'd feel I was losing out coming from my old 3440 x 1440 34" UW display.

 

[joevt]

I couldn’t find any mini dp 2.1 cable to Usb c or TB4.

A USB-C to Mini DisplayPort 1.4 cable should be sufficient.
Since the display uses DSC and therefore gets 6K60 using just HBR2 x4, a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort 1.2 cable supporting 4K60 should also be sufficient.

The DisplayPort 2.1 link rates won't be necessary unless you have a DisplayPort 2.1 source and want 6K60 without DSC. In that case, the display and GPU would need to support UHBR13.5 (though UHBR10 could get up to ≈58Hz).

 

[joevt]

I'm unable to test this alas as it looks like it only works with Windows PC's and not Macs.

There's no difference between Mac and PC in regards to Auto KVM.
The keyboard is connected to the display's USB port. The display sees the Input shortcut key is being pressed, then switches the input.
https://www.dell.com/support/conten...-and-auto-kvm-for-dell-monitors/6323644810112

 

[dbrewood]

There's no difference between Mac and PC in regards to Auto KVM.
The keyboard is connected to the display's USB port. The display sees the Input shortcut key is being pressed, then switches the input.
https://www.dell.com/support/conten...-and-auto-kvm-for-dell-monitors/6323644810112

Right understood I've added this to my 'check out' list as I'll need to do some cable management to try it. That link does fail for me though... [Edit - link now working]..

 

[dbrewood]

Okay a bit of advise needed here guys. I've got the 'TB4 upstream (140W)' connected to my Mac Mini M2 Pro and it's working fine. I have a few questions though:

1) I've got my old Mac Mini Intel i7 connected via HDMI - when I first booted it up at a resolution of 3840 x 2160. I then installed the latest Ventura update and now the display comes up as horizontal lines. Any ideas? [Edit: Fixed - all that ws needed was a reboot]
2) Ref the old Intel Mini I'm thinking I'd get a better display connection using mDP so in that case I'd need a TB3 to mDP adaptor lead. Are there any such leads that cab be recommended?
3) I want the option to connect my iPads (iPad Pro 10.5" & iPad Mini) to the monitor via USB C. The manual states:


So am I correct in thinking that 'USB C port 6' can be used for connecting the iPads so I can see their screens on the monitor? I don't want to get it wrong and damage the monitor of the iPads

 

[dbrewood]

There's no difference between Mac and PC in regards to Auto KVM.
The keyboard is connected to the display's USB port. The display sees the Input shortcut key is being pressed, then switches the input.
https://www.dell.com/support/conten...-and-auto-kvm-for-dell-monitors/6323644810112

I've now recabled everything so that the Magic Keyboard and Glide Pad go through the monitor instead of connecting directly to the M2 Mini. I had to add a USB-C cable link to the old Mini and install the Dell Software and it's now working wonderfully. The KVM is indeed awesome!

Thanks for pushing me to try it out

 

[joevt]

1) I've got my old Mac Mini Intel i7 connected via HDMI - when I first booted it up at a resolution of 3840 x 2160. I then installed the latest Ventura update and now the display comes up as horizontal lines. Any ideas?

Which old Mac mini Intel i7? What macOS version was it running before the latest Ventura update? What non-scaled modes does it support (as listed in SwitchResX)? If you have a 2018 Mac mini, then it might be possible to do 5K 37Hz 10bpc using a custom timing. 47Hz should be possible using 8bpc but macOS might not add a 8bpc mode. Otherwise you're limited to 4K60.

When testing displays and display modes, it may be useful to use screen sharing from another Mac when you select a mode that doesn't provide a usable image. Then you can change the current mode to a different mode that works.

2) Ref the old Intel Mini I'm thinking I'd get a better display connection using mDP so in that case I'd need a TB3 to mDP adaptor lead. Are there any such leads that cab be recommended?

You need a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort 1.2 cable.

3) I want the option to connect my iPads (iPad Pro 10.5" & iPad Mini) to the monitor via USB C. The manual states:

View attachment 2204711View attachment 2204712
So am I correct in thinking that 'USB C port 6' can be used for connecting the iPads so I can see their screens on the monitor? I don't want to get it wrong and damage the monitor of the iPads

The USB-C upstream port is only for USB data.
The display only has 3 inputs that can be used for video:
- Thunderbolt 4
- Mini DisplayPort 2.0
- HDMI 2.1

Connecting the wrong cable should not cause damage because USB-C is smart. The USB-C controller (Thunderbolt or normal USB-C) starts in USB mode and negotiates with the device at the other end of the cable to decide if it can switch to Thunderbolt or DisplayPort Alt mode. Just use the Thunderbolt 4 cable with iPad if your iPad has a Thunderbolt or USB-C port.

 

[dbrewood]

Which old Mac mini Intel i7? What macOS version was it running before the latest Ventura update? What non-scaled modes does it support (as listed in SwitchResX)? If you have a 2018 Mac mini, then it might be possible to do 5K 37Hz 10bpc using a custom timing. 47Hz should be possible using 8bpc but macOS might not add a 8bpc mode. Otherwise you're limited to 4K60.

When testing displays and display modes, it may be useful to use screen sharing from another Mac when you select a mode that doesn't provide a usable image. Then you can change the current mode to a different mode that works.


You need a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort 1.2 cable.


The USB-C upstream port is only for USB data.
The display only has 3 inputs that can be used for video:
- Thunderbolt 4
- Mini DisplayPort 2.0
- HDMI 2.1

Connecting the wrong cable should not cause damage because USB-C is smart. The USB-C controller (Thunderbolt or normal USB-C) starts in USB mode and negotiates with the device at the other end of the cable to decide if it can switch to Thunderbolt or DisplayPort Alt mode. Just use the Thunderbolt 4 cable with iPad if your iPad has a Thunderbolt or USB-C port.

Okay here we go.....

1) See edited post above, a simple reboot resolved the issue and it gives a resolution of 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz. So all good Understood over the screen sharing, a useful thought!

2) Great I'll have a look on Amazon

3) Ahhh that is a pity. I'll leave the upstream TB4 port for the M2 Mini. Looking to connect the iPads via USB-C was something of technical interest I'd likely never have a real world use for it

4) I am wondering if I need to use a different USB-C port to link to the old Mini as the port I'm using now only carries the USB signal needed for the keyboard / glide Pad - I'm not getting any network pass through?

 

[foo2]

I've now recabled everything so that the Magic Keyboard and Glide Pad go through the monitor instead of connecting directly to the M2 Mini. I had to add a USB-C cable link to the old Mini and install the Dell Software and it's now working wonderfully. The KVM is indeed awesome!

Thanks for pushing me to try it out

Glad it is working! Can you now share how KVM and “autoKVM” work with Dell? Alas, the previous Dell link takes me to share link.com or something, and fails. Can you please just type a few words about how it works? I see lots of press material on “autoKVM” but no details on what it is or how it works.

My main question again: must you press a button on the monitor, or can you flip inputs via pressing special keys on the keyboard?

And a few other questions: Once you flip to the other computer, how fast does it sync and lock in both picture and keyboard onto the second PC/Mac? Is it lightning fast, or is there a delay? One second? Four seconds? More?

 

[joevt]

3) Ahhh that is a pity. I'll leave the upstream TB4 port for the M2 Mini. Looking to connect the iPads via USB-C was something of technical interest I'd likely never have a real world use for it

If the iPad has a USB-C or Thunderbolt port, than a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort 1.2 cable should work. There also exist USB-C to HDMI 2.1 adapters.

 

[Freida]

When you pick 3072 x 1728 does that mean that its retina (just like on MacOS from Apple)?

So scale wise you see 3072 x 1728 but quality wise you see 6144 x 3456, right?

Received the Dell 6K yesterday.
Just want to confirm it works perfectly with my 2021 14" Macbook Pro M1 Pro.
I get full resolution of 6144 x 3456 @60Hz, but obviously using it at 3072 x 1728 default res.
No flickering like someone mentioned earlier in this thread.

Everything is so crispy. Nice way to test the screen quality, crispness and vivid colours is to visit the Apple Website and scroll through some product pages like ipad air etc.

Glossy screen like Studio Display would be nicer, but still, this screen is exactly the eye candy I was hoping for.

If you're on macos, don't use other resolution than 3072 x 1728. You need it to be at exactly half the native resolution to get the best text rendering in MacOs.

All those ports are very nice too. I have connected 2 soundcards / amplifiers on usb-c, streamdeck on USB-A, Logitech dongle on USB-A and ethernet directly into the monitor.
And just one TB4 cable going to my macbook. 😊
Perfect.

 

[MattieHolland]

When you pick 3072 x 1728 does that mean that its retina (just like on MacOS from Apple)?

So scale wise you see 3072 x 1728 but quality wise you see 6144 x 3456, right?

Yes!

 

[Dark-Signature]

When you pick 3072 x 1728 does that mean that its retina (just like on MacOS from Apple)?

So scale wise you see 3072 x 1728 but quality wise you see 6144 x 3456, right?

I would say that the macOS setting of 3072 x 1728 is exactly the same as setting the scaling to 200% in Windows 10/11. All physical pixels of the monitor are always used, the physical 4 pixels (at 200%) are merged into one logical pixel.

With my 5K Dell and the Apple Studio Display, it's more or less exactly the same.

 

[xraydoc]

It's looking from the comments that this monitor is the real deal.
That's good to hear. Choice is excellent.

I'd like one, but probably won't be buying. I've got two Studio Displays on my home Mac and two LG DualUps on my work from home PC (along with two 24" side displays), so I'm set for high-quality displays for now. Potentially next year I'd consider one for the office to replace my 32" 4K when my work spending allotment is replenished.

 

[theorist9]

Can you adjust the brightness from your keyboard, like one can do with the iMac/ASD/LG Ultrafines? And if yes, will the brightness adjust even if the Dell is designated as an "Extended Display"

The AMA guy on Reddit (outcoldman) has two of these connected to an MBP. He says he can adjust the brightness on all three screens from the keyboard, but can only do on at a time. He says it's only the screen with the focus on whose brightness is changed.

Is that the way it works if you have an all-Apple system, e.g., an ASD connected to an MBP, or multiple ASD's?

With my setup (iMac with two older Dells), it's only the iMac whose brightness is keyboard-adjustable, and it adjusts regardless of where the focus is. But that's perhaps because the Dells aren't keyboard adjustable, so the keyboard brightness focus is effectively always on the iMac.

 

[dbrewood]

Glad it is working! Can you now share how KVM and “autoKVM” work with Dell? Alas, the previous Dell link takes me to share link.com or something, and fails. Can you please just type a few words about how it works? I see lots of press material on “autoKVM” but no details on what it is or how it works.

My main question again: must you press a button on the monitor, or can you flip inputs via pressing special keys on the keyboard?

And a few other questions: Once you flip to the other computer, how fast does it sync and lock in both picture and keyboard onto the second PC/Mac? Is it lightning fast, or is there a delay? One second? Four seconds? More?

Okay how I'm connected - primary machine is the M2 Mini pro connected to the monitor with upstream (140W) Thunderbolt 4 cable. I've now connected the Magic Keyboard and Magic Glidepad used with that machine to the monitor using USB-A / Lightning cables.

The old Intel i7 Mac Mini (2018) is connected to the monitor via HDMI and I've linked a USB-C cable from one of its Thunderbolt 3 ports to the monitor (maybe the wrong one).

The network cable was removed from the M2 Mac and plugged into the monitor.

Both Macs have the Dell DDPMv1.1.1.0017 software installed. I went through the KVM Wizard and configured it to link two machines, one with TB4 input, the other HDMI.

I then configured the 'change input' setting in the DDPM software to only switch between TB4 and HDMI when I hit 'my Mac keybord shortcut' of SHFT-CMD-D (D for display). There may be a dedicated default key combo but I didn't notice one.

Switching over between displays - when I tested earlier it switched pretty instantly and took a maybe a second for the displays to be active.

You may be able to set it to switch if a machine 'goes' active, but if so I didn't see mention of that, and the key combo works for me.

Oh..... nothing to do with KVM but one feature I'm loving is that you can set the video mode to change dependant of the app being used. So if I go to watch a film or TV show in IINA or VLC the monitor switches into Movie mode - totally awesome!

If the iPad has a USB-C or Thunderbolt port, than a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort 1.2 cable should work. There also exist USB-C to HDMI 2.1 adapters.

Brilliant, I'll be off to Amazon later

 

[hevaKmaI]

The MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) has Titan Ridge Thunderbolt controllers and Radeon Pro 555X or Radeon Pro 560X GPU. They all support HBR3 but the GPU doesn't support DSC. Therefore, the Apple Pro Display XDR must use a dual link SST mode to support 6K60 10bpc.
https://support.apple.com/kb/SP776?locale=en_CA
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...displayport-1-4-isnt-truly-supported.2128501/

The Dell 6K display probably does not have a dual link SST mode and therefore requires DSC to achieve 6K60.

The Dell UP2715K and Dell UP3218K have dual link SST modes for 5K60 and 8K60 respectively.

Yeah, but the 2019 16” Macbook Pro uses the Radeon Pro 5300M or better, which do support DSC. It seems that Apple just broke it in Big Sur and never bothered to fix it again, which is super frustrating as it means we can’t effectively use this monitor at 60Hz with the last Intel Macbook Pro they ever offered.

 

[enc0re]

My launch day order is now delayed to May 29.

 

[Supacon]

I have reservations about the matte coating.

Older Dell monitors had a “sparkle” or “snowfield” effect on uniform white/gray areas (which is likely more noticeable at high resolutions). This could also impact contrast. I had a 30” (U3011) from which I removed this film and it noticeably improved the clarity of the screen (at the cost of making it quite reflective).

Is such an effect is noticeable on this display?

 

[dbrewood]

The matte coating is working well for me. My desk is located in the dining room, with patio doors to my right which are fitted with louvred blinds. With my prior 'glossy' Samsung monitor, the screen was nigh on unreadable without the blinds closed. With this monitor I've hardly had to close the blinds at all - it's working very well indeed.