How to connect Mac Pro to dell 2715k 5k monitor

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Level 1

5 points

How to connect Mac Pro to dell 2715k 5k monitor

I have the dell 2715k 5k monitor. The monitor has two displayport 1.2 inputs (both apparently needed for 5k) and a single mini displayport input. There is no HDMI input. I am looking to get a Mac Pro (probably when new one eventually releases) but do not know how it will hook up to the monitor. The monitor comes with two displayport 1.2 cables (displayport 1.2 attachments at each end on 2 different cables). From what the monitor says, this hookup will allow 5k; however, can I plug these displayport 1.2 attachments into the Mac Pro? Otherwise, it seems like you would need connect a thunderbolt 2 to mini displayport (on the monitor) to get 4k? I haven't seen this cable listed on the apple website, but not sure that I just can't find it. Will a mini displayport to mini displayport cable also work? Would this transmit at the same speed though and still allow 4k resolution? I would definitely like to get 5k, but want to ensure can at least get 4k.

Thanks for help.

Posted on Dec 25, 2014 1:49 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Dec 25, 2014 2:02 PM in response to IUMan

You can get a mini displayport to display port cable. Apple does not have those. I would get one that support DP 1.2.

However, besides with the new iMac with its 5K screen, Apple does not say anything about using a 5K display with any Mac.

Using 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs with Mac computers - Apple Support

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Answer 2

IUMan Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 25, 2014 4:51 PM in response to lllaass

Thanks for help.

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Answer 3

Dec 25, 2014 5:08 PM in response to IUMan

A ThunderBolt port accepts a Mini DisplayPort cable, which is a subset of the full ThunderBolt signals, to run most displays.

HDMI can run up to 1920 by 1080p easily. Wider displays with HDMI is difficult. It can typically do 30Hz, and it is hard to get refresh rates you would be happy with.

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Answer 4

TFannon

Level 1

0 points

Dec 25, 2014 5:35 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi. I also have the Dell 2715k monitor, but I use it with my PC.

My PC has a Geforce GTX 980 with 3 displayport outputs. To enable 5k, you must plug 2 of them into the card and back of monitor. The drivers will take care of binding the two outputs into a single signal. I was pleasantly surprised that the Geforce drivers worked right 'out of the box'. I know AMD's recently released Omega drivers are also supposed to enable this functionality. All of this, of course, does not pertain specifically to you since you are using a Mac. However, it is a good sign that AMD has released PC drivers that support this. Presumably, they could do the same for your Mac Pro. However, the driver release will have to come from Apple, which may delay things.

Apple did work with AMD to enable 5k on the Retina iMac ( i have this as well ) so all parties are at least aware of the capability and needs.

I'd be interested to hear if you get it working.

-Tommy

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Answer 5

Dec 26, 2014 1:46 PM in response to TFannon

I Purchased the Dell UP2715K to use with an older Mac Pro and GTX980. Did not work. Please see this post on Dell's community website about what they are testing and plan to support. I returned mine.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/peripherals/f/3529/t/19609535

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Answer 6

Mar 2, 2015 1:44 AM in response to IUMan

I brought one yesterday, and it works well with my MBP (late 2011) by its mDP-mDP cable under WIN7. When I switched to Yoesmite, it just shows the black screen. When Apple will release the AMD driver for this issue?

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Answer 7

DPArt

Level 3

604 points

Mar 4, 2015 4:50 PM in response to captainjs

As noted by barefeats.com, there is now an OS X driver for GTX980

On the MBP in Win, is it running full 5K at 60Hz? That seems impossible.

More likely 4K or 30Hz or both.

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Answer 8

DPArt

Level 3

604 points

Apr 10, 2015 9:43 PM in response to IUMan

Hey Guys, just wanted to report that as of 10.10.3 the nMP (2013 Cylinder model) now has 5K support.

No boot screens but you can run a Dell UP2715K in full 5K mode in OS X now.

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Answer 9

TFannon

Level 1

0 points

Apr 24, 2015 6:15 PM in response to IUMan

I just hooked up my Dell 2715k to my iMac Retina. It has the latest 10.10.3 update and it also supports driving the Dell @ 5k.

However: it is having problems resuming from sleep mode. The monitor either goes blank or it comes back in 4k mode all stretched out without the ability to switch it back.

Interestingly, my Dell also has issues resuming from sleep on my PC. It comes back but it takes forever ( sometimes > 1 min). It is honestly a pain because i may as well just reboot in that time.

Anyway, I have the A00 model and I see no firmware updates. I will be bugging Dell support Monday.

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Answer 10

DPArt

Level 3

604 points

Apr 24, 2015 6:25 PM in response to TFannon

When it comes in that strange stretched out form where left side of screen is missing, power cycle it.

if power Switch doesn't do it, yank the plug and wait 20 seconds before plugging back in. Disabling display sleep in OSD helps too. They are quirky, I too hope a firmware update comes out

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Answer 11

TFannon

Level 1

0 points

Apr 24, 2015 6:48 PM in response to TFannon

Lol. Same crap, different Dell 1.0 product. The power switch is software controlled so when it locks up it does nothing. Yanking the power cord on a 2000 monitor is just not acceptable.

I went through that nonsense with the Dell 2414q series, even getting Dell to swap out one for updated firmware. Did not fix issues.

The Dell 2715q and 2415q seem to have resolved the issues on both PC and Apple. Probably the stitching together of the two DP 1.2 signals is finnicky.

Since the 2715k is an UltraSharp series, I am hoping support is more accommodating. They pretty much denied all problems outright with the 2414q and the support staff for that was not premiere and completely unhelpful.

-T

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