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External monitor added to iMac 27 2020

On the iMac 27 2020, do the external monitors have to be at least 4K to be recognized? I tried an older HD monitor and could not even get an "arrangement" tab. It would not detect the other display when I clicked on detect display. I am curious as to whether the issue is the HD monitor or the iMac or the cable I used, but obviously don't want to go buy a 4K monitor for troubleshooting purposes.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Sep 29, 2020 7:53 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 29, 2020 7:56 AM

The Technical Specifications of the 2020 27" iMacs external display state:


  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and: 
    • One 6016-by-3384 (6K) external display at 60Hz with support for 1 billion colors (requires Radeon Pro 5700 or Radeon Pro 5700 XT), or
    • Two 6016-by-3384 (6K) external displays at 60Hz with support for 1 billion colors, or
    • One 5120‑by‑2880 (5K) external displays at 60Hz with support for billions of colors, or
    • Two 3840-by-2160 (4K UHD) external displays at 60Hz with support for 1 billion colors, or
    • Two 4096‑by‑2304 (4K) external displays at 60Hz with support for millions of colors


I believe these are maximum resolutions. Please verify you are using high quality cables and adapters, they do make a difference.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 29, 2020 7:56 AM in response to lawscholar

The Technical Specifications of the 2020 27" iMacs external display state:


  • Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and: 
    • One 6016-by-3384 (6K) external display at 60Hz with support for 1 billion colors (requires Radeon Pro 5700 or Radeon Pro 5700 XT), or
    • Two 6016-by-3384 (6K) external displays at 60Hz with support for 1 billion colors, or
    • One 5120‑by‑2880 (5K) external displays at 60Hz with support for billions of colors, or
    • Two 3840-by-2160 (4K UHD) external displays at 60Hz with support for 1 billion colors, or
    • Two 4096‑by‑2304 (4K) external displays at 60Hz with support for millions of colors


I believe these are maximum resolutions. Please verify you are using high quality cables and adapters, they do make a difference.

External monitor added to iMac 27 2020

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