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Dell P2715Q and P2415Q 4K IPS Displays
- Thread starter VirtualRain
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You have to purchase a serial number in order to create/save/use custom resolutions.
You have to reboot the computer than go back into SwitchResX afterword and select the setting. If the program is over 10 days old, I believe you cannot set any new custom resolutions without registering it.
You're welcome. That's what I'm here for...and to get good advice myself. More than a few members here have done a stint in tech support or IT mgmt, including me, so it's tons of fun to help others. I love Apple's support and never hesitate to buy AppleCare, but when it comes to "unsupported" issues, or the cutting edge, this forum, bar none, is the place to be - if you can sift out the pure speculation, conjecture, and just plain dumb opinions here and there.
Along these lines, I'm considering a new MacBook Pro, Retina 15 inch, but can't decide whether to go for just the Iris Pro GPU or the dedicated GPU. I don't plan on editing 4K on it, just want to view on this Dell or a UHDTV for client presentations. These Dells are cheap enough that I can buy one and send it cross-country to a client so I don't have to drag mine along. Then I use it for the presentation, box it up, and either send it back to the office or give it to the client as a parting gift. However, I'm tired of dragging my nMP trash can around and explaining to T*S*A what it is. One guy swore it looked like some sort of thing one might drop from an airplane (can't use the B-word so as to avoid a call from the N*S*A).
Will the Iris Pro give a solid 60 Hz. without any glitches? I'll be playing back animations and vids I've rendered at 3840x2160, 30 FPS, probably MP4 or MOV at a fairly high bitrate, and footage from a 4K camera. Bitrates could be pretty high at 100 mbps raw, but after rendering I can likely bring it down to 40 or so without quality loss, or any noticeable loss for most eyes.
Anyone? All comments from those with actual experience welcome. Those who have downloaded a high quality 4K file (no YouTube junk) and played back to the P2415Q or 27", or a "4K" (UHD) TV via an rMBP 15, I'd love to hear from. I really don't want to drop an extra 400 bucks plus for the 750m if it isn't necessary.
I fought that battle myself for about a month - read reviews, read benchmarks, pulled my hair out !! I ended up getting the late-2013 rMBP, Iris Pro version.
Since then, I have become infatuated with external monitors. I now own the LG 34UM95 and the P2715Q. And I think now that I should have gone with the 750M version with the dedicated GPU.
My motto has always been, since my days in the USMC back in the 1980s, that "it's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." I should have listened to my inner self and gone with the ded-GPU version !!
Now, I have not had a TON of complaints with the video performance of my rMBP. But I have noticed some video choppiness at times when I don't think I should have expected to see it. Nothing major - but just here and there and in subtle ways.
So, my advice would be to get as much as you can afford. If you can work the extra $400 into your budget, IMHO it would be worth it to you.
Right now on the Mac Store "Refurbished" page, the machine you are considering with the 750M is available for $2099 with the Employee or Student pricing. Here is the page:
http://store.apple.com/us_epp_113486/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/macbook_pro/15
Can't stand skips and stuttering, especially when showing vids to new clients. Thanks a bunch for the tip. I doubt 30 Hz. to a UHDTV will be noticeable with animation and/or vids without fast action, but better safe than sorry.
Thanks for your quick response. I have purchased the full version of the software and I created a custom resolution, saved it and rebooted the system. However I still don't see the option to use that custom resolution within the preference pane for SwitchResX.
Is the problems when you're usuing dual monitors?
Is it smooth if you only use the p2715q?
I have used this setup with several monitors, both dual and single. Seems the most problems are with dual monitors. Has never really done anything "laggy" that I remember when just using a single monitor.
I think pushing one single monitor, even a 4K, is be fine without the dedicated graphics. But for driving multiple high-resolution monitors, I think the dedicated GPU is the best idea.
So I went ahead and hooked up my 13" retina macbook pro with HDMI to the Dell P2715Q display and boom, 1080P HiDPI works. I don't get the option for 1440P HiDPI option, but now I do see the 3840 x 1600 resolution. This looks beautiful in HiDPI, but it is running at 30Hz.
It looks like I am unable to achieve the same results with miniDP to DP that was provided by Dell. I believe others on this forum have been able to get it to work with miniDP to DP. If that is the case, could the problem be with the miniDP to DP cable? Do you folks have recommendations for a good third-party one to perhaps try? I was looking at the Monoprice ones since I have generally had good experience with Monoprice, but figured I would poll the audience here.
Thanks again for the assistance!
It looks like I am unable to achieve the same results with miniDP to DP that was provided by Dell. I believe others on this forum have been able to get it to work with miniDP to DP. If that is the case, could the problem be with the miniDP to DP cable? Do you folks have recommendations for a good third-party one to perhaps try? I was looking at the Monoprice ones since I have generally had good experience with Monoprice, but figured I would poll the audience here.
Thanks again for the assistance!
Thanks for putting together that list.
I've taken a look at the link you sent and have some doubt as to whether the results would be the same using the monitors being discussed in this thread. The poster in the thread over on the Apple support forums was using 2x UP2414Q monitors and those required MST for full 60hz operation so that would occupy 2x DP streams for one monitor. I believe the TB controller can only handle 2 streams, which is why the user in that thread said the second port shut off when using 60 hz on one monitor.
For confirmation of this, it looks as though larrysing1963 is using both of his monitors on DP connections and they are working as expected. I'm pleasantly surprised with his setup as it appears to be just over 20 gb/s of data for both of the monitors - 12.79 + 7.68 - for a total of 20.47 gb/s.
Since a 4k 30hz stream would use less bandwidth than larrysing1963's ultrawide monitor (6.40 vs 7.68) the two 4k display configuration I mentioned earlier should work no problem...and have a bit of bandwidth left over for other peripherals on a TB dock.
I have the mid-2014 rMBP 15" Iris Pro only model, and when using the P2415Q at the best for display scaled "like" 1920x1080 resolution, the UI is very responsive, and only with certain applications or animations are very slight jitters in the fluidness. I unfortunately do not have a real 4K video to test playback with, but YouTube 4K videos do play fine.
I do mostly project management, web development, Xcode and light Photoshop work. I also run a Windows 8.1 VM with VMWare Fusion open in the background most of the time.
I am baffled as to how to get 51 hz running at 1920x1080p on the 2415q.
I have a macbook pro retina 13 late 2013.
Can someone list the steps that have to be taken on the monitor and also in switchres x?
I can only get 1920x1080p at 30 hz, but I bought this monitor specifically for its compatibility with my macbook.
Thanks!
So far:
1. use the supplied Dell mini displayport to displayport and plug it into the 2415q.
2. Download switchres x and then what?
3. Do I need to change the MST settings of the monitor to "secondary"?
I have a macbook pro retina 13 late 2013.
Can someone list the steps that have to be taken on the monitor and also in switchres x?
I can only get 1920x1080p at 30 hz, but I bought this monitor specifically for its compatibility with my macbook.
Thanks!
So far:
1. use the supplied Dell mini displayport to displayport and plug it into the 2415q.
2. Download switchres x and then what?
3. Do I need to change the MST settings of the monitor to "secondary"?
I havent done it but I understand you need to activate DP1.2 on the monitor then in SwitchResx you have to choose a custom resolution with pixel clock 450hz and refresh at 51hz (and native resolution). Then reboot.
No, the MST setting should be off on the Dell 2415q. SST DP 1.2 is already the default DP setting. You cannot change that on the monitor.
Hey guys, thank you very much.
So here are the steps for a 2415q:
1. Use the Dell Cable (mini displayport to displayport). Might as well since it comes for free.
2. Make sure in the monitor's menu the MST setting is OFF. That is the default.
3. Download switchresx. Click onto the 2415q in the left tab. Don't mess with the display information tab. Go into the Custom resolution tab.
4. Hit + and add a custom resolution. Pixel clock is 450. Horizontal active is 3840, vertical lines is 2160. The vertical scan rate should automatically change to 51.113 Hz. Just hit OK.
5. Reboot.
6. Open switchresx and go to current resolutions and select 1920x1080, 51hz.
7. You will have other resolutions available but none of them look retina to me at all.
So here are the steps for a 2415q:
1. Use the Dell Cable (mini displayport to displayport). Might as well since it comes for free.
2. Make sure in the monitor's menu the MST setting is OFF. That is the default.
3. Download switchresx. Click onto the 2415q in the left tab. Don't mess with the display information tab. Go into the Custom resolution tab.
4. Hit + and add a custom resolution. Pixel clock is 450. Horizontal active is 3840, vertical lines is 2160. The vertical scan rate should automatically change to 51.113 Hz. Just hit OK.
5. Reboot.
6. Open switchresx and go to current resolutions and select 1920x1080, 51hz.
7. You will have other resolutions available but none of them look retina to me at all.
Thanks for your reply. Still undecided. However, since you get double the SSD space and the dedicated GPU, might be worth it especially if I can get an edu or biz discount. Alternatively Best Buy has it on sale and the USPS has a ten percent coupon for a single item in the movers kit they give out. Refurb from Apple also an option. I've bought a couple refurb items from them and really can't tell the difference between one of those and NIB. Unfortunately, all my local Apple store has is that stupid Sharp MST display to try it out on. I guess I could drag my P2415Q over there though to test it.
I bought mine as a refurb directly from Apple for $1,699 USD -- can't tell it was ever even opened or used before. Still, for ~$400-$500 more you get, as you said, double the SSD, powerful dedicated GPU and a 300 MHz faster per core processor..
I've had my P2715Q now for about a week running at "looks like 3008x1692." I has been running flawlessly on my mid-2014 15" rMBP base model with Iris Pro only. I will say that the UP2414q was sharper than this monitor but that's to be expected since it is smaller; however, I like that I can use a 2nd monitor since the P2715Q is SST. I had to use a display link via USB to run a 2nd 1080p monitor and the performance was less than optimal. (The iris pro model can only run a max of 2 external monitors unless you use a display link for a 3rd). Now I have this monitor plugged in a TB port with the UP2414q in the HDMI port at 30hz in vertical mode for PDF textbook reading.
I'm a medical student so I just use the monitor for reading productivity purposes; PDFs, looking at powerpoints, etc. (I've been spoiled by retina screens and refuse to read text that isn't smooth lol) So, for my purposes, I would buy this monitor a hundred times over. The only negative thing I have to say about it is that I wish it had a glossy screen because at the higher resolution I have it set at I can definitely notice the matte screen's effect on the text. It's still super clear and crisp but it could always be crisper. There isn't as much "grainy" effect on white as the UP2414q has though, which is a plus.
I'm a medical student so I just use the monitor for reading productivity purposes; PDFs, looking at powerpoints, etc. (I've been spoiled by retina screens and refuse to read text that isn't smooth lol) So, for my purposes, I would buy this monitor a hundred times over. The only negative thing I have to say about it is that I wish it had a glossy screen because at the higher resolution I have it set at I can definitely notice the matte screen's effect on the text. It's still super clear and crisp but it could always be crisper. There isn't as much "grainy" effect on white as the UP2414q has though, which is a plus.
I just received a P2715Q at work today. I'm already running a ($2,000) Samsung U32D970Q at home.
All I have to say is... I wish I would have waited for a P2715Q at home and saved $1,500!
The P2715Q is a stunner for the price (they were on sale for $560 last week). It's better than the Samsung in some ways.
All I have to say is... I wish I would have waited for a P2715Q at home and saved $1,500!
The P2715Q is a stunner for the price (they were on sale for $560 last week). It's better than the Samsung in some ways.
There is an extensive page which contains all sorts of video benchmarks for your video card and for the Iris Pro which I have in my late 2013 rMBP.
A cursory glance shows that your video card does as well or better than the Iris Pro which I use to drive the P2715Q and my LG 34UM95.
See these pages and "go to town" on comparisons, and I bet you have your answer!
http://www.notebookcheck.net/AMD-Radeon-HD-6750M.43958.0.html
http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Iris-Graphics-5100.91977.0.html
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I will say that driving two monitors at 60Hz puts a strain on the GPU in my late 2013 "Iris Pro only" rMBP in that it heats up the system more than just running one 3440x1440 monitor.
Before I bought my LG 34" 21:9 monitor, I drove two Dell U2412M monitors, and I noticed the same effect when the two Dells were attached at 1920x1200 each.
I use smcFanControl app to monitor and control fan speeds and system temperatures, and the fans run a LOT more with two monitors in use than when there is only one.
When I'm watching NetFlix in 4K on my P2715Q and have two browsers open on the LG, temps fluctuate between about 135F and 175F.
In fact, it's become such an issue that I ordered a "laptop cooling stand" for my rMBP which will get here later this week. I will report if that improves the heating situation.
Just a thought for those who have not used two monitors before. Thanks.
my report:
macbook retina 2014 with discrete graphics (the $2500 model)
I do not do:
Photography
Photoshop or graphic design (so i do not deal with color calibration etc.)
play games on mac
do Final cut like editing of video
I do:
Code in xcode (text test was VERY important to me)
browser, email
watch videos
after using it a few hours, I am very pleased. In fact I am sad that the macbook can't drive two of these displays. If it could, i would have ordered another one of these P2715Q this morning.
I used the included Mini Display port cable. I did not mess with the Dell control panel. The color profile was already set to Dell when I opened the display preferences.
My reading vision is starting to go. I do not own reading glasses but prob. will get some this year.
One of the goals of this monitor was to delay needed glasses a bit. Mission Accomplished.
The monitor was immediately recognized and showed up with my macbook.
It seemed to default to whatever the 24" resolution is. That's too small for me. (or big depending on your POV for resolution)
Text is key for me. I played around with other resolutions, including the highest and settled on 2560 x 1440. Which will in effect behave like a 27" retina screen.
As you know that is not a direct multiple of a 4K resolution so there is some chopping or condensing going on. That's the part I was worried about. Would this 1.5x rez for 27" retina mode look "blurry"
I can say that at least for me, the only text this that is in the ballpark of blurry if the apple menu and items in the upper left. prob. because i have transparency turned on and my background image is the default Yosemite mountain. (I am on the latest version of Yosemite)
Normal text is Very legible. Over all I would say, look at your macbook retina , small text is about 98% or 99% as good as it. You will be pleased if you are a picky text person i believe. And Big text? Fugghetabout it. Fantastic.
Text for coding. Awesome. Test passed. Everything is just so darn clear and while I was use to seeing "clear" screen, on my macbook, the 27" has the same affect and is kinda amazing in that sense. If you are thinking about a 24" but your mac can do 27" at 60hz (default i got. did not have to change anything) i would say BUY the 27". You don't think it will make a diff. but IMO, it does. Greatly.
Now that I am on a 27" again (I run the macbook open and as a second screen) I can feel my productivity roaring back. a notebook screen is just too constraining. Anyone that deals with Storyboards in Xcode or loves having multiple windows open will now this.
Thanks to all who answered all my questions in the run up to my purchase.
on a 1-5 scale. so far, a 5. will check in from time to time if something changes on it.
I bought mine last week during their price drop. $529 plus tax and shipping.
A freaking steal at that price IMO.
macbook retina 2014 with discrete graphics (the $2500 model)
I do not do:
Photography
Photoshop or graphic design (so i do not deal with color calibration etc.)
play games on mac
do Final cut like editing of video
I do:
Code in xcode (text test was VERY important to me)
browser, email
watch videos
after using it a few hours, I am very pleased. In fact I am sad that the macbook can't drive two of these displays. If it could, i would have ordered another one of these P2715Q this morning.
I used the included Mini Display port cable. I did not mess with the Dell control panel. The color profile was already set to Dell when I opened the display preferences.
My reading vision is starting to go. I do not own reading glasses but prob. will get some this year.
One of the goals of this monitor was to delay needed glasses a bit. Mission Accomplished.
The monitor was immediately recognized and showed up with my macbook.
It seemed to default to whatever the 24" resolution is. That's too small for me. (or big depending on your POV for resolution)
Text is key for me. I played around with other resolutions, including the highest and settled on 2560 x 1440. Which will in effect behave like a 27" retina screen.
As you know that is not a direct multiple of a 4K resolution so there is some chopping or condensing going on. That's the part I was worried about. Would this 1.5x rez for 27" retina mode look "blurry"
I can say that at least for me, the only text this that is in the ballpark of blurry if the apple menu and items in the upper left. prob. because i have transparency turned on and my background image is the default Yosemite mountain. (I am on the latest version of Yosemite)
Normal text is Very legible. Over all I would say, look at your macbook retina , small text is about 98% or 99% as good as it. You will be pleased if you are a picky text person i believe. And Big text? Fugghetabout it. Fantastic.
Text for coding. Awesome. Test passed. Everything is just so darn clear and while I was use to seeing "clear" screen, on my macbook, the 27" has the same affect and is kinda amazing in that sense. If you are thinking about a 24" but your mac can do 27" at 60hz (default i got. did not have to change anything) i would say BUY the 27". You don't think it will make a diff. but IMO, it does. Greatly.
Now that I am on a 27" again (I run the macbook open and as a second screen) I can feel my productivity roaring back. a notebook screen is just too constraining. Anyone that deals with Storyboards in Xcode or loves having multiple windows open will now this.
Thanks to all who answered all my questions in the run up to my purchase.
on a 1-5 scale. so far, a 5. will check in from time to time if something changes on it.
I bought mine last week during their price drop. $529 plus tax and shipping.
A freaking steal at that price IMO.