Missing high refresh rate options on 4K display

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Missing high refresh rate options on 4K display

I have a 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro and an Asus VG28UQL1A monitor which supports 3840x2160@144hz. I am using a DisplayPort 1.4 cable between them. My understanding is that I should be able to get 3840x2160@120hz with this setup but MacOS won't let me go above 100hz with that resolution. I can get the full 144hz on lower resolutions. Am I missing something? Does this computer not support 3840x2160@120hz?

[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Serial Number]

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 12.4

Posted on Nov 13, 2022 2:22 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

140,801 points

Nov 18, 2022 9:47 AM in response to sam1119

Everymac.com reports the 16-in MacBook Pro 2019 model second display capabilities thus:

2nd Display Support: Dual/Mirroring* 2nd Max. Resolution: 6016x3384 x2*

Details:* In addition to simultaneous support of the internal display, this model supports a maximum resolution up to 6016x3384 at 60 Hz at over a billion colors on up to two external displays or up to 4096x2304 resolution at 60 Hz at over a billion colors on up to four external displays via Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C).

https://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i7-2.6-six-core-16-2019-scissor-specs.html

AppleSpec shows:

Video Support

Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at millions of colors and:

Up to two displays with 6016‑by‑3384 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors

Up to four displays with 4096‑by‑2304 resolution at 60Hz at over a billion colors

Thunderbolt 3 digital video output

Native DisplayPort output over USB‑C

VGA, HDMI, DVI, and Thunderbolt 2 output supported using adapters (sold separately)

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) - Technical Specifications

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>> There is no promise of support of 4K displays above 60Hz.

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Answer 2

Nov 13, 2022 5:12 PM in response to sam1119

MacBook Pro 16-in 2019 does not have a DIRECT DisplayPort output.

EXACTLY what cables, adapters, docks are you using to make the connection? please mention every item.

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Answer 3

sam1119 Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 18, 2022 7:59 AM in response to sam1119

When I boot into Windows with bootcamp, I am able to get the full 3840x2160@144hz. Same cable, same monitor, same 2019 16-inch MacBook Pro. Is this a known problem with MacOS?

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Answer 4

Nov 18, 2022 9:04 AM in response to sam1119

Windows uses a "whatever you set it to manually" method for setting resolutions. There are no checks. 'Whether anything is appropriate or working correctly' is left as an exercise for the User.

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The Mac uses a system that reminds me of “Plug and play” to determine what display is connected, and what its capabilities are.

To get a Mac display to become active, you need the Mac to query the display, and the display to answer with its name and capabilities. Otherwise, the display will not be shown as present, and no data will be sent to the display. "No signal detected" is generated by the DISPLAY, not by the Mac.

This query is only sent at certain times:

• at startup

• at wake from sleep — so momentarily sleeping and waking your Mac may work

• at insertion of the Mac-end of the display-cable, provided everything on that cable is ready-to-go

• hold the Option key while you click on the (Detect Display) button that will appear in Displays preferences (from another display)

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Answer 5

sam1119 Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 18, 2022 10:12 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I get that there is no explicit promise. But when the hardware appears to support it (as it works in Windows bootcamp) I feel that it's fair to open this support case and try to get to the bottom of why it is not supported in MacOS. The fact that Mac owners using Windows bootcamp get this support and Mac owners using MacOS don't makes me concerned about owning a Mac long-term.

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Answer 6

Nov 18, 2022 1:58 PM in response to sam1119

Readers here are other users like you. There is no one here tracking or opening cases when posting here.

If you want to open a case, you need to contact Apple support, work with a first responder until their suggestions are exhausted, the ask for specialist to create a Bug Report/Open a Case:

Support

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Answer 7

sam1119 Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 18, 2022 9:33 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you again for the reply but I'm not sure what you're getting at. The monitor, cable, and port support 3840x2160@144hz; the monitor's on-screen settings display confirms the full 3840x2160@144hz when I select it in Windows. Everything is working at this resolution and refresh rate in Windows. It's pretty obvious that the higher refresh rate is being used when I scroll or move windows around quickly. I can take a video if you don't believe me.

Are there any other checks I should perform to confirm/deny that 3840x2160@144hz is working with this hardware in Windows? And are there any differences in MacOS which could be causing this difference? I've read in a few places that DisplayPort DSC isn't supported on Intel Macs anymore. Is this true?

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Answer 8

sam1119 Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 13, 2022 6:49 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thank you for the reply. It is a USB-C to DisplayPort 1.4 cable. I am not using any adapters or docks. Here is a link to the cable: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XTZZYKX

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Missing high refresh rate options on 4K display

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