MacBook Pro Mid 2012 MiniDisplay Port to HDMI refresh rate with Samsung U28D590D

[richardgill]

I currently run a Cinema display which has reached the end of it's useful life and I've waited for Apple to launch a new display for too long and unwilling to pay a huge premium for a very old Thunderbolt display. I would like to use a Samsung 28"U28D590D which will only take a MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adaptor connection. The monitor has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 and Samsung say that it should display this resolution with this adaptor in my MacBook Pro Mid 2012 but everywhere I look I see users saying that it will not run at an acceptable refresh rate or that I need a specific version of the adaptor or that I need to use 3rd party software to increase the resolution. The Cinema Display runs at 60Hz and it looks like the Samsung will only run at 30Hz or perhaps only 24Hz. I do not intend to use this for anything other than general office work, architectural design using VectorWorks and Sketchup, Photoshop and Office and the occasional YouTube video but I'm not sure if 30Hz will be acceptable. I am happy to accept a lower resolution at a higher refresh rate or another monitor but clearly need at least 2560 x 1440 resolution which is the equivalent of the 27" iMac I also have. Can anyone advise please.

 

[wwohl]

The far right connection is Display port on the back of that monitor. Use a mini display port to display port cable. Display port 1.2 will support the resolution that you want

Assuming that your macbook pro mid 2012 has TB1 and not TB2, its likely not up to Displayport 1.2 standard. Your might not be able to display the max resolution of that monitor at all

HDMI is for 1080 viewing and no higher. There are some premium HDMI cables ports. However, most computers don't have the output port for the newest HDMI capabilities... And they likely won't. Display port is much better for high resolution

Do some research on this forum reading up on 4k capabilities with TB1 and TB2 and the corresponding Display port standards before you buy anything.. In addition, that may stress the GPU quite a bit during heavy use.

Also, do a bit of reading about TN panels vs IPS. Theres a large price difference and for good reason. Your goals and usage will decide which is right

 

[richardgill]

Thank you wwohl.

It is TB1 and I'm not bothered about it displaying the maximum resolution but just want to make sure I can get 2560 x 1440 and that I don't get screen flicker or other image problems. So you recomend MiniDisplay Port to Display Port adaptor but not sure if my machine will support Displayport 1.2 standard but this may not be a problem as I still my achieve the resolution I need. I'll look at TN panels v IPS and 4k capabilities with TB1.

 

[reclipse]

Almost 1 year and a half later I have the same need of richardgill. I have a MacBookPro mid 2012 (non retina) and I'm willing to get a Dell P2715Q, or in general an IPS 4k capable. I am aware I won't be able to use the max resolution of 3840x2160 at 60hz. What I wanted to ask you is if with my specs - Intel HD Graphics 4000 and Thunderbolt 1, I can get a 2560x1440 at 60hz refresh rate over just 30hz.