5120x1440 display with 2018 mac mini

[goto]

Hi,

Unfortunately, I'm not able to get my new Philips 499P display working with native 5120x1440 resolution on my late 2014 iMac 5K. I'm seriously considering buying maxed out 2018 mac mini, as my new workstation. Does anyone successfully connected 5120x1440 display to 2018 mac mini? I don't really want to go through the whole return process if it won't work.

Thanks!

 

[macdos]

It'll work, as the specs say so:

• Up to two displays:
• One display with 5120-by-2880 resolution at 60Hz connected via Thunderbolt 3 plus one display with 4096-by-2160 resolution at 60Hz connected via HDMI 2.0

Your Imac can't do it: https://support.apple.com/kb/SP707?locale=en_US

• Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 3840 by 2160 pixels on an external display

Hi,

Unfortunately, I'm not able to get my new Philips 499P display working with native 5120x1440 resolution on my late 2014 iMac 5K. I'm seriously considering buying maxed out 2018 mac mini, as my new workstation. Does anyone successfully connected 5120x1440 display to 2018 mac mini? I don't really want to go through the whole return process if it won't work.

Thanks!

 

[cruisin]

The 2014 iMac limits output to 3840x2160 pixels so the raw pixels should support 5120x1440 with room to spare. In Bootcamp almost all devices that can output 4K can output 5120x1440 so this is likely a software issue. Apparently only the LG 5K displays they sold in store are supported under Mac.

In this post (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8641919?answerId=250851537022#250851537022) the Mac Mini doesn't support it but some have had success with a USB-C to DisplayPort cable.

In this post (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8641919?answerId=250482121022#250482121022) someone managed 5120x1140 70Hz with SwitchResX on a 499P9 and a MacBook Pro.

It looks like you need discrete graphics for this so your existing iMac has a better chance than the new Mac Mini that only has integrated graphics. Some people have also managed picture-by-picture with two cables, so you can also try that.

You can try Retina Display Menu: https://github.com/avibrazil/RDM or SwitchResX: https://www.madrau.com to see if you can get it to use a custom resolution.

 

[goto]

You can try Retina Display Menu: https://github.com/avibrazil/RDM or SwitchResX: https://www.madrau.com to see if you can get it to use a custom resolution.

Both lead to same effect:

 

[COTraderxyz]

I have a 2018 mac mini with a 499P and it doesn't support 5120x1440 resolution. Also tried SwitchResX to no avail.
It's not the hardware, because when I boot it up with windows it does run at that res.

 

[strwrsfrk]

Does anyone successfully connected 5120x1440 display to 2018 mac mini?

I use a 2018 Mac Mini with the Dell U4919DW. I cannot speak to the native 5120x1440 via Thunderbolt (can test later this evening). Instead, I actually prefer the method of connecting two separate HDMI and/or DisplayPort inputs and using the monitor ODS to "trick" the Mac into treating the single display as two displays side-by-side. Works seamlessly and is much better for window management, IMO.

Small image attached (sorry for the small pic - there is mildly sensitive data on the screen and I'm not at my home office to take a new one).

 

[goto]

Instead, I actually prefer the method of connecting two separate HDMI and/or DisplayPort inputs and using the monitor ODS to "trick" the Mac into treating the single display as two displays side-by-side.

Yes, that is a solution, but I like my desk full of displays, so using all outputs to drive one display is not really for me.

This may actually drive me to switch back to windows after 5 years with macs.

Thanks!

 

[strwrsfrk]

Yes, that is a solution, but I like my desk full of displays, so using all outputs to drive one display is not really for me.

Ah, gotcha. I never did test the USB-C cable, but now that I know this thread is still alive I'll try to get you an actual answer this weekend.

 

[gimbalboy]

Hi,

Unfortunately, I'm not able to get my new Philips 499P display working with native 5120x1440 resolution on my late 2014 iMac 5K. I'm seriously considering buying maxed out 2018 mac mini, as my new workstation. Does anyone successfully connected 5120x1440 display to 2018 mac mini? I don't really want to go through the whole return process if it won't work.

Thanks!

I just purchased the refreshed LG 5K display to be directly connected to my 2018 Mac Mini (i7 w/ 64GB RAM) with the included Thunderbolt cable. Running at the Retina 2560x1440 equivalent resolution. No issues whatsoever, even at boot. Lag is no worse than with my previous 3440x1440 Dell widescreen QHD display.

 

[goto]

I just purchased the refreshed LG 5K display to be directly connected to my 2018 Mac Mini (i7 w/ 64GB RAM) with the included Thunderbolt cable. Running at the Retina 2560x1440 equivalent resolution. No issues whatsoever, even at boot. Lag is no worse than with my previous 3440x1440 Dell widescreen QHD display.

Seems that even tho it can run 5K display it fails (all macs) to output half 5K resolution. Best guess right now is that is a software issue because the same hardware can output such resolution under boot camp.

Anyway, thanks for your input!

 

[strwrsfrk]

Can confirm even over USB-C the resolution maxes out at something like 3440x1080, not 5120x1440 on the 2018 Mac Mini with a Dell U4919DW. Sorry, man.

 

[goto]

Can confirm even over USB-C the resolution maxes out at something like 3440x1080, not 5120x1440 on the 2018 Mac Mini with a Dell U4919DW. Sorry, man.

Thanks!

 

[DJmbp12]

Come on, how evil is this of crApple? I can get 5120*1440 on my 2018 13" MBP when I boot to windows 10, but I cannot get that resultion under Mojave. This is *CLEARLY* an apple driver issue and Apple will do nothing to resolve it. I'm certain this will *NOT* be fixed in Catalina, because hey, let's force people to purchase an eGPU. F*ck Apple, I've about had it!

 

[0x21h]

Has there been any update on this?

 

[joevt]

2018 Mac Mini has Intel graphics which cannot output resolution width greater than 4096 using macOS driver. It can in Windows. I guess Apple was lazy with the Mac driver. It is able to do 5120x2880 on displays that use a dual DisplayPort 1.2 HBR2 connections (LG UltraFine 5K, Dell UP2715K).
You can use the AGDCDiagnose command to see the connection(s) to a display. Each port of a display may have a different EDID. Some display settings can modify the EDID.

The new MacBook Air 2020 with Intel Gen11 graphics does support resolution widths higher than 4K. It also supports DisplayPort 1.4 and DSC. I wonder if this update (10.15.4) affects older Intel graphics? Probably not.

AMD should be able to do single connection 5120 wide. I think 10.15.4 made a change for that. Before 10.15.4, you could fix the problem by going into SwitchResX and selecting Scaled Resolution Base to 5120x1440. AMD on Mac Pro 2013 might have a problem though.

 

[Fishrrman]

joevt wrote:
"You can use the AGDCDiagnose command to see the connection(s) to a display."

Interesting.
Could you elaborate just a bit on HOW to do this?

 

[joevt]

joevt wrote:
"You can use the AGDCDiagnose command to see the connection(s) to a display."

Interesting.
Could you elaborate just a bit on HOW to do this?

The command is /System/Library/Extensions/AppleGraphicsControl.kext/Contents/MacOS/AGDCDiagnose -a > AGDCDiagnose_a.txt 2>&1

It lists each GPU, each port of a GPU, each connection to a display, one EDID per connection (I don't think it handles MST since macOS doesn't support MST for multiple displays).

For DisplayPort displays, it lists many DisplayPort registers (DPCD). The registers show the DisplayPort link rate (HBR2) and number of lanes (usually 4) that is supported (there's a separate section for DisplayPort 1.4 - HBR3) and the actual setting that is used. It shows if DSC is supported and if it's used.

At the end of the output is similar information as used by the graphics drivers. It shows framebuffer and output resolution sizes and timings and pixel formats being used. My edidutil.sh script has a command agdcdevicedump that can make that slightly more readable by adding indenting (but it's not perfect because a DICT may have an element count that is greater than the number of elements included in the output).

 

[pkalhan]

Sorry I am no expert but I wanted to ask because I am also looking to get a Mac Mini with the Dell 49" monitor. If you connected an eGPU (lets say the Black Magic Pro as an example) to the Mac Mini, would that help?

I also know that Samsung makes a 49" monitors...it is 3480x1080 so not 5120x1440. I am sure the Mac Mini would be able to handle this, right? I have heard people on Youtube say that the font on the 1080p model is not that sharp, but maybe and eGPU can help with that?

Sorry, just throwing some things on the wall to see what sticks.

 

[COlliff]

I have a 2018 Mac Mini connected to an AMD Radeon Vega RX 64 (8GB RAM) in an external Thunderbolt 3 enclosure. That adaptor is directly connected to the Dell 49" (Dell U4919DW) monitor. I have it set for a single desktop display at 5120*1440 at 60hz over Display Port Cable. The monitor works. You will need to have SwitchResX to enable the resolution as OS X supports the graphics card with built in drivers, but not the available resolution. So far no issues and I am on the latest version of OS X Catalina (10.5.4). The display works flawlessly and have no drops in frame rate when playing large videos. I tend to use it to have 3 full size windows open for work along with several virtual desktops. I can highly recommend the configuration. The only issue I have run into is my own impatience. When you go to boot the mac mini the first time (especially during software updates) the screen will remain black for a very long time. Once all of the drivers start up, the screen comes on.

 

[frou]

Something I noticed with 10.15.4 is that the System Information and About this Mac windows finally agree on what resolution my monitor is. The latter used to show (3840 x 2160) while the former always has showed 5120x2880. System Information was the accurate one, as confirmed using the monitor's own OSD.

 

[joevt]

I also know that Samsung makes a 49" monitors...it is 3480x1080 so not 5120x1440. I am sure the Mac Mini would be able to handle this, right? I have heard people on Youtube say that the font on the 1080p model is not that sharp, but maybe and eGPU can help with that?

3840x1080 should be fine with the Mac mini without an eGPU. An eGPU won't help with the font because the display is not a retina display. Neither is the 5120x1440 display. They are larger than a LG UltraFine 5K display but have fewer pixels. Think of them like my old Apple 30" Cinema Display (2560x1600).

5120x2160 displays might be considered retina. They are like 4K except wider. You might use a 3413x1440 HiDPI mode for that like how you would use a 2560x1440 HiDPI mode with a 4K display.

Something I noticed with 10.15.4 is that the System Information and About this Mac windows finally agree on what resolution my monitor is. The latter used to show (3840 x 2160) while the former always has showed 5120x2880. System Information was the accurate one, as confirmed using the monitor's own OSD.

I think that's true. I believe the About this Mac used to report the max resolution in the base block of the EDID which can't include resolutions wider than 4096. Also in 10.15.4 Apple may have removed the need to set DisplayPixelDimensions for 5120x1440 displays in the override files (Apple removed some of theirs that did that for some displays).

Do you like the Prolite 5K display? They use a single cable DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 link to get 5K but that limits them to 8 bpc color because HBR3 is only 75% the bandwidth of dual HBR2 used by LG UltraFine 5K or Dell UP2715K or HP z27q.

I wish Apple would add output information (output timing/resolution, output pixel format/depth, connection link rate, and lanes). Most of that you can get from the AGDCDiagnose command. I haven't seen AGDCDiagnose output from a Prolite display yet.

 

[frou]

Do you like the Prolite 5K display? They use a single cable DisplayPort 1.4 HBR3 link to get 5K but that limits them to 8 bpc color because HBR3 is only 75% the bandwidth of dual HBR2 used by LG UltraFine 5K or Dell UP2715K or HP z27q.

I wish Apple would add output information (output timing/resolution, output pixel format/depth, connection link rate, and lanes). Most of that you can get from the AGDCDiagnose command. I haven't seen AGDCDiagnose output from a Prolite display yet.

For my purposes, it's an ideal product. Terrific value-for-money (snagged some new for less than half the cost of LG-5K). My reason for having this type of monitor is an addiction to Retina-grade text rendering for reading and programming, so ultimate colour fidelity isn't a requirement. The colour actually looks the best of any monitor I've ever had, but I'm sure a discerning photographer or videographer could find fault.

Here's the output from that command in case it's of interest http://fsrv.holm.scot/stdin 11UVlD.txt

 

[joevt]

For my purposes, it's an ideal product. Terrific value-for-money (snagged some new for less than half the cost of LG-5K). My reason for having this type of monitor is an addiction to Retina-grade text rendering for reading and programming, so ultimate colour fidelity isn't a requirement. The colour actually looks the best of any monitor I've ever had, but I'm sure a discerning photographer or videographer could find fault.

Here's the output from that command in case it's of interest http://fsrv.holm.scot/stdin 11UVlD.txt

Thanks for that. The output only shows one display but you have three? Including just one makes the output smaller and easier to read.

As expected, it shows display output is 5120 x 2880, 967.01 MHz, 8 bpc, 24 bpp, RGB 4:4:4, SDR, HBR3, four lanes.

The EDID has a couple strange things: a 1920x2160 timing and a 2560x2880 timing (like a single tile of a LG UltraFine 5K display or an iMac 5K display). It supports YCbCr 4:2:2 so it could probably support 5K using a single DisplayPort 1.2 HBR2 connection (with reduced horizontal color information which shouldn't effect grayscale text rendering).

I have a Dell UP2715K 5K display. It's really nice but I continue to use my 2560x1600 Apple 30" Cinema Display connected to an old Mac Pro (It's larger and attached to a really convenient and expensive monitor arm). I should probably switch one day... Even a 4K display doing retina would be better (I have a couple of those connected to a Mac mini).

 

[RobotDot]

The good news is that Big Sur beta now supports 49 inch 5120*1440 displays with the intel graphics card natively without any hacks or what not(I have a 2018 Mac mini)! better late than never, even after I just got the lower end black magic design external ....

 

[joevt]

The good news is that Big Sur beta now supports 49 inch 5120*1440 displays with the intel graphics card natively without any hacks or what not(I have a 2018 Mac mini)! better late than never, even after I just got the lower end black magic design external ....

I have a Mac mini (2018) ant it doesn't work for me. If it works for you then please post the info and photo or screenshot at https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/intel-graphics-and-5120x1440-testing-in-big-sur.2244174/