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User profile for user: enapos
enapos Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Can I run 4K at 60Hz on my early 2015 MacBook Pro?

Hi everyone,


I just purchased a Samsung u28e590d 4K monitor. I want to connect it to my early 2015 MBP.

I now realise, that running the monitor at 60Hz is quite a hassle. Officialy Mac states that ... starting at 2015 MBP models can run it with a usb-c to hdmi converter/cable etc. Now, my early 2015 doesn't even have usb-c. It has 2 thunderbold ports and normal usb.


Am I doomed?? 😟


My monitor also has displayport-in. I've read here that someone managed to get 60Hz over display-port Early 2015 Macbook Pro - 4k @ 60hz awesome - Except? | MacRumors Forums. Can this be verified? Should I just go and buy a display-port cable. Or are the specs of the early 2015 MBP just not sufficient to run at 60Hz?


I would like some clarification on this issue. Thanks!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, macOS High Sierra (10.13.1)

Posted on Nov 19, 2017 3:34 AM

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User profile for user: tjk
tjk
User level: Level 9
51,154 points

Posted on Nov 20, 2017 1:10 AM

enapos wrote:


So what you are saying is, HDMI (which I connect via my thunderbolt connection) can only go up to 30Hz, but I'm guessing Display port (connected via thunderbolt) can go up to 60Hz ? for my particular MBP model?


Exactly correct. 🙂

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User profile for user: tjk
tjk
User level: Level 9
51,154 points

Nov 20, 2017 1:10 AM in response to enapos

enapos wrote:


So what you are saying is, HDMI (which I connect via my thunderbolt connection) can only go up to 30Hz, but I'm guessing Display port (connected via thunderbolt) can go up to 60Hz ? for my particular MBP model?


Exactly correct. 🙂

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User profile for user: tjk
tjk
User level: Level 9
51,154 points

Nov 19, 2017 8:55 AM in response to enapos

Hi,


Where did you read an Early 2015 MBP has USB-C ports? It doesn't.


I don't know about the MacRumors experience, but the 13" (which is what you must have if you have an Early 2015) MBP can handle the following resolutions at the following refresh rates using the following connections: Up to 3840 by 2160 pixels at 30Hz or 4096 by 2160 pixels at 24Hz (HDMI) Up to 3840 by 2160 pixels at 60Hz (Thunderbolt)

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User profile for user: enapos
enapos Author
User level: Level 1
10 points

Nov 19, 2017 9:01 AM in response to tjk

Hi thanks for the quick answer!


I know it doesn't have a usb-c port. But all I see online is people talking about how they need to buy a usb-c to hdmi adaptor. But I didn't found a lot of info about earlier MBP models like mine, that's why I mentioned that.


So what you are saying is, HDMI (which I connect via my thunderbolt connection) can only go up to 30Hz, but I'm guessing Display port (connected via thunderbolt) can go up to 60Hz ? for my particular MBP model?


Thanks

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
135,163 points

Nov 20, 2017 1:10 AM in response to enapos

HDMI was originally designed for 1920 by 1080p. Using it at higher resolutions can be complicated at best, sometimes impossible.


A Mini Displayport cable can be plugged directly into a ThunderBolt port on your 2015 MacBook Pro, and work immediately, at 4k resolution, with no adapter. It is cheap.


The articles you are reading online are confusing because the authors have far different constraints than you do. Yours is really simple: Plug in a Mini DisplayPort to [Full Size] DisplayPort cable and live happily ever after.

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Can I run 4K at 60Hz on my early 2015 MacBook Pro?

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