LG UltraFine 4K and 5K: Yes you can connect it to Windows computers via DP!!!

[joevt]

My 'Wacom Link Plus' arrived today and works with the RTX2070 card . It looks stunning but need to sort the brightness driver out.

Only issue I have is that I have no sound

View attachment 2034426

Is there a specific driver I'm missing? I've tried windows update and looking for drivers under device manager but still no joy 😢

Do any USB devices connected to the display work?

I think you need Boot Camp drivers for brightness control.

 

[GlynJones]

I'll have to check. I'll give it another go at the weekend.

 

[Clowrief]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been stalking this thread since about 1.5 years ago when I was about to build a PC for gaming and had a 5K 27MD5KL-B monitor for work.

Fast forward to now, I have built a PC but found it impossible to get the Asus ThunderEx4 Card to register on my Asus TUF Gaming 690 Plus motherboard despite updating drivers and the whole nine yards.

So driven by frustration and desperation, I was thinking that the best option is of replacing the Asus motherboard with a built-in Thunderbolt version instead like the Asus Intel® Z690 LGA 1700 ATX.

Would love any/all advice on whether this is a good option or is there something I’m missing?

 

[Amethyst1]

So driven by frustration and desperation, I was thinking that the best option is of replacing the Asus motherboard with a built-in Thunderbolt version instead like the Asus Intel® Z690 LGA 1700 ATX.

What specific mainboard are you looking at? That term brings up multiple models.

 

[Clowrief]

What specific mainboard are you looking at? That term brings up multiple models.

This one!

ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi 6E LGA 1700(Intel 12th Gen) ATX content creator motherboard(PCIe 5.0,DDR5,2X Thunderbolt 4,10G&2.5G LAN,4xM.2,front panel USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C ports)

The ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi 6E perfects the art of performance, empowering creativity and maximizing the computing power of the latest 12th Generation Intel Core processors with powerful hardware and software, efficient cooling and lightning-fast connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4, 10 Gb...

www.amazon.com

 

[joevt]

This one!

ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi 6E LGA 1700(Intel 12th Gen) ATX content creator motherboard(PCIe 5.0,DDR5,2X Thunderbolt 4,10G&2.5G LAN,4xM.2,front panel USB 3.2 Gen2x2 Type-C ports)

The ASUS ProArt Z690-Creator WiFi 6E perfects the art of performance, empowering creativity and maximizing the computing power of the latest 12th Generation Intel Core processors with powerful hardware and software, efficient cooling and lightning-fast connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4, 10 Gb...

www.amazon.com

Very nice that it has two DisplayPort inputs.

But the Asus TUF Gaming Z690 Plus should have worked. Exactly which Asus TUF Gaming 690 Plus do you have? You should link the manufacturer's product page for the motherboard instead of Amazon if possible.
Did you connect the Thunderbolt Ex4 to the Thunderbolt header on the motherboard?
Did you connect USB to the USB header of the Thunderbolt Ex4?
Did you check that Thunderbolt was enabled in the BIOS settings?
Did you check the manual to make sure the PCIe slot used for the Thunderbolt Ex4 is the correct one? And that no other devices such as M.2 was blocking the PCIe slot?

 

[Clowrief]

Very nice that it has two DisplayPort inputs.

But the Asus TUF Gaming Z690 Plus should have worked. Exactly which Asus TUF Gaming 690 Plus do you have? You should link the manufacturer's product page for the motherboard instead of Amazon if possible.
Did you connect the Thunderbolt Ex4 to the Thunderbolt header on the motherboard?
Did you connect USB to the USB header of the Thunderbolt Ex4?
Did you check that Thunderbolt was enabled in the BIOS settings?
Did you check the manual to make sure the PCIe slot used for the Thunderbolt Ex4 is the correct one? And that no other devices such as M.2 was blocking the PCIe slot?

You hit the nail on the head. When it was installed, we left out connecting the mini dp.
Long story short, IT WORKS!!!!

 

[GlynJones]

Do any USB devices connected to the display work?

I think you need Boot Camp drivers for brightness control.

Nope it wasn't the USB connection but the Display Port cable.

As my PC has a full size Display Port connection on the graphics card then I was using one I already had. I had a brainwave moment in that maybe the cable wasn't bi-directional so I replaced it with one of them and the sound started working automatically.

Also managed to get brightness control using an app in the Microsoft store for LG Ultrafine monitors so I'm all setup.

Thanks everyone for your help

 

[Amethyst1]

As my PC has a full size Display Port connection on the graphics card then I was using one I already had. I had a brainwave moment in that maybe the cable wasn't bi-directional so I replaced it with one of them and the sound started working automatically.

All DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cables are bidirectional though.

 

[GlynJones]

All DisplayPort-to-DisplayPort cables are bidirectional though.

Original cable must have been dodgy then

 

[EvryDayImShufln]

Hi everyone,

As with many I've been scouring the web (and this thread) for ways to get my Ultrafine 5k (unfortunately, the 27MD5KA) to work with my new work laptop, a ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 running Windows 10 (tech specs here).

I expected the laptop to drive it as it has Thunderbolt 4, but it doesn't. Nothing happens besides a warning message. My assumption is that the monitor truly requires a Thunderbolt 3 output, and TB4 will not do. Tried several cables (the stock TB3 that came with the monitor as well as another one, and a TB4, but no difference).

I assume I'm out of luck at this point but if anyone has any suggestions I'd be extremely grateful. Thank you!

 

[joevt]

Hi everyone,

As with many I've been scouring the web (and this thread) for ways to get my Ultrafine 5k (unfortunately, the 27MD5KA) to work with my new work laptop, a ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 running Windows 10 (tech specs here).

I expected the laptop to drive it as it has Thunderbolt 4, but it doesn't. Nothing happens besides a warning message. My assumption is that the monitor truly requires a Thunderbolt 3 output, and TB4 will not do. Tried several cables (the stock TB3 that came with the monitor as well as another one, and a TB4, but no difference).

I assume I'm out of luck at this point but if anyone has any suggestions I'd be extremely grateful. Thank you!

What does the warning message say?

Have you tried connecting any normal displays to the Thunderbolt 4 port?
Have you tried connecting a Thunderbolt 3 dock to the Thunderbolt 4 port? Can you connect two normal displays to a Thunderbolt 3 dock? Instead of a Thunderbolt 3 dock, which are expensive, you can try a Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter.

Basically, the 27MD5KA is a Thunderbolt 3 dock with two displays. So you need to know if Thunderbolt 3 docks or adapters with two displays can work with your laptop before you try the 27MD5KA.

If the display requires a Thunderbolt 3 output, then a Thunderbolt 3 dock might be useful.

 

[EvryDayImShufln]

What does the warning message say?

Have you tried connecting any normal displays to the Thunderbolt 4 port?
Have you tried connecting a Thunderbolt 3 dock to the Thunderbolt 4 port? Can you connect two normal displays to a Thunderbolt 3 dock? Instead of a Thunderbolt 3 dock, which are expensive, you can try a Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter.

Basically, the 27MD5KA is a Thunderbolt 3 dock with two displays. So you need to know if Thunderbolt 3 docks or adapters with two displays can work with your laptop before you try the 27MD5KA.

If the display requires a Thunderbolt 3 output, then a Thunderbolt 3 dock might be useful.

Hey joevt,

Thanks for the rapid reply!

The warning says that thunderbolt functionality may be limited.

I have tried a Dell 4K UltraSharp display on both the X1's thunderbolt ports and it works fine.

I've also tried OWC's Thunderbolt 3 dock, but hadn't tried it with another monitor before your suggestion. Just tried it with the Dell 4K and unfortunately it did not work either.

A Thunderbolt 3 dock is a great idea - I'll try to find one that's reasonably priced and explicitly states compatibility with Windows. Thank you again!

 

[joevt]

The warning says that thunderbolt functionality may be limited.

I have tried a Dell 4K UltraSharp display on both the X1's thunderbolt ports and it works fine.

I've also tried OWC's Thunderbolt 3 dock, but hadn't tried it with another monitor before your suggestion. Just tried it with the Dell 4K and unfortunately it did not work either.

Which OWC Thunderbolt 3 Dock? They made a few...

Does the OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock work with one display either from DisplayPort or from Thunderbolt port? Remember to disconnect all other displays.

Did you try connecting just the LG to the Thunderbolt port of the Thunderbolt 3 dock?

What CPU / GPU does the ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 have? Shouldn't matter since it claims Thunderbolt 4 - which means it must support two displays from a single Thunderbolt port. If you can't get two displays from a single Thunderbolt port, then there's an issue.

Do you have one or two Dell 4K displays?

Did you check if there's any Thunderbolt BIOS settings?

A Thunderbolt 3 dock is a great idea - I'll try to find one that's reasonably priced and explicitly states compatibility with Windows. Thank you again!

Every Thunderbolt 3 dock should be compatible with Windows already.

 

[joevt]

I don't think there are any HDMI to DisplayPort converters yet that can do > 4096 width so the 5K39 idea probably won't work.
https://insights.club-3d.com/thread/hdmi-2-1-to-usb-c-displayport-1-4-alt-mode/
In that case you need a DisplayPort KVM if you want to try 5K39.

CAC-1335 and CAC-1336 are out. Maybe they can do 5K/6K from HDMI to DisplayPort?

 

[tomislavf]

CAC-1335 and CAC-1336 are out. Maybe they can do 5K/6K from HDMI to DisplayPort.

Anyone find them for sale?

 

[joevt]

Anyone find them for sale?

google might not have searched all the stores yet, in which case you need to go to each store such as amazon and search from there.

 

[paolomos]

Hello everyone,

I have owned the LG Ultrafine 4k for a few days, since the COVID-19 pandemic made work from home mandatory for most Canadians. I love the display, but was struggling to connect it to my work laptop (which doesn’t have USB-C).
After hours of research, 7 different adapters, I finally found the one.

The Wacom Link Plus for Cintiq Pro 13/16 (ACK42819) takes the Mini Display Port signal from your Windows computer and convert it to a USB-C DP-Alt mode signal that your LG UltraFine will recognize.
This adapter even has a supplemental USB Micro-B to USB-A cable that you can connect to your Windows computer so that the speaker work.
The brightness controls also do show up in the Device Manager, so there might be a way of making it work, but unfortunately I cannot tinker with that since I do not have the admin privileges of my work laptop.
The display controls such as brightness can be controlled by this Windows app. It doesn't require that the Micro-B USB cable be plugged to the Wacom, as it uses the DCC protocol over DisplayPort.
The LG Display remembers the brightness from your Mac so you can control it from there by disconnecting the Windows laptop and connecting it to your Mac if like me you cannot install the app on your work computer.

Below is a picture of how you need to plug the Wacom!
View attachment 901388
Note that the HDMI port will not work. Also the UltraFine 4K will work at full resolution, but the UltraFine 5K (2019 and later) will max out at 4K.

Cheers!

Thanks for your help!! I connect my Lg 5k Ultrafine to My Hp Z2 work Station. But have a question about Microphone and Webcam. I read that with microusb-B to Usb-A connect port for speackers (Brightness control is ok with Win App) but this permit to use Webcam-Microphone (Google Meet or others)? On manual said:
Camera: Built-in USB Camera
Microphone: Built-in USB Microphone
Paolo

 

[etc]

CAC-1335 and CAC-1336 are out. Maybe they can do 5K/6K from HDMI to DisplayPort?

I don't think it will work at 5K. UltraFine 5K uses two DP 1.2 streams to display 5K (so it's actually two 2.5K screens)

 

[joevt]

I don't think it will work at 5K. UltraFine 5K uses two DP 1.2 streams to display 5K (so it's actually two 2.5K screens)

LG UltraFine 5K can do 5K 39Hz with a single DisplayPort 1.2 connection and a custom resolution.

The CAC-1336 can do 5K 39Hz from HDMI 2.0 to my DisplayPort 1.4 display. I also tried 6K but I don't think the Radeon RX 580 can do that from its HDMI 2.0 ports? I'm going to try Linux but I have to add the custom resolutions to a custom EDID manually - someone needs to make a SwitchResX for Linux. I have a script to do that programatically.

The CAC-1336 doesn't seem to work with USB-C to DisplayPort cables or USB-C to DisplayPort adapters but I was able to get it to work by connecting a CalDigit Element Hub to the CAC-1336. The CAC-1336 can pass USB 2.0 data through the USB-C connection. I can use a mouse/keyboard connected to the CalDigit USB-C ports while the CalDigit is connected upstream to the CAC-1336.

The setup:
Radeon RX 580 -> CAC-1336 -> Element Hub -> USB-C to DisplayPort cable -> DisplayPort Display

It wasn't very stable in macOS. Many modes work but the display goes black after a few seconds.

It seems more stable in Linux and Windows.

 

[Ohananhan]

Hi everyone,

I received a 27MD5KL from work, and I am trying to follow some of the suggestions here so that I can use the monitor with my old personal PC to clear up some desk space. I've been trying to fit two monitors and a stand for the MBP and it's just a disaster.

The PC has a GTX670 with dual link DVI-I, DVI-D, Hdmi and displayport. I bought the Amazon Basics bi-directional displayport to usb-c cable, but I get nothing on the LG when I turn the PC on. Tried new/different nvidia drivers on the PC and it is not able to detect the monitor.

Should I be trying other bi-directional cables, or is the Wacom adapter the only way to go? If I get the Wacom, should I try to use the HDMI connection or get another displayport to mini-displayport cable?

Thanks!

 

[joevt]

I received a 27MD5KL from work, and I am trying to follow some of the suggestions here so that I can use the monitor with my old personal PC to clear up some desk space.

You sure it's the 27MD5KL and not the 27MD5KA? Did you test the 27MD5KL with any other computer?

The PC has a GTX670 with dual link DVI-I, DVI-D, Hdmi and displayport. I bought the Amazon Basics bi-directional displayport to usb-c cable, but I get nothing on the LG when I turn the PC on. Tried new/different nvidia drivers on the PC and it is not able to detect the monitor.

Did you test the DisplayPort output of the GTX670 with any other display?

Should I be trying other bi-directional cables, or is the Wacom adapter the only way to go? If I get the Wacom, should I try to use the HDMI connection or get another displayport to mini-displayport cable?

Wacom HDMI input is only HDMI 1.4.
Alternative to Wacom Link is Belkin Charge and Sync Cable.

 

[Ohananhan]

You sure it's the 27MD5KL and not the 27MD5KA? Did you test the 27MD5KL with any other computer?

Positive about the model number. It works great with my MBP and my wife's MBA using the included TB cable.

Did you test the DisplayPort output of the GTX670 with any other display?

Unfortunately don't have a regular displayport cable lying around. DVI and HDMI both work though.

Wacom HDMI input is only HDMI 1.4.
Alternative to Wacom Link is Belkin Charge and Sync Cable.

Wacom link plus accepts either minidisplay or HDMI correct?

 

[joevt]

Positive about the model number. It works great with my MBP and my wife's MBA using the included TB cable.

A true test of 27MD5KL would be without a Thunderbolt port output since both 27MD5KA and 27MD5KL can do TB. Only 27MD5KL can work without TB.

Wacom link plus accepts either minidisplay or HDMI correct?

Yes, but the HDMI input of Wacom Link Plus is limited to HDMI 1.4 bandwidth which allows 4K30 or 1440p60 and the output is probably limited to < 4096 width.
You would need a CAC-1335 or CAC-1336 for > 4096 width from HDMI (if the HDMI port allows > 4096 width) if you wanted to try 5K from HDMI.

I have a CAC-1336 and when I connect it to HDMI port of Nvidia GTX 680 Mac Edition in macOS Monterey, it detects the display and shows custom 5K modes up to 5K22. 4K30 works fine. 5K22 also works (CVT-RB but not CVT-RB2). The GTX 680 doesn't have a HDMI 2.0 port but it does support width > 5K.

The display I'm using is an Acer XV273K which can accept timings to it's DisplayPort inputs up to 4K120, 5K60, 6K50, 8K30.

The CAC-1336 doesn't allow connection using a USB-C to DisplayPort cable or a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter but can connect to a Thunderbolt 4 hub (CalDigit Element Hub with Thunderbolt 4 cable) which has the display connected to it using a USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter or a USB-C to DisplayPort cable. And the TB 4 hub can have USB 2.0 devices connected to it (but only to the USB-C ports) which will also work through the CAC-1336.

An 27MD5KL is like a Thunderbolt hub with a DisplayPort display connected to it and some USB devices (for audio, camera, USB ports,...) but I don't know if it will work connected directly to a CAC-1336 with a Thunderbolt 4 cable or a USB-C cable. If it doesn't work, then connecting the 27MD5KL to a Thunderbolt 4 hub which is connected to the CAC-1336 which is connected to the HDMI port might work (but that is some expensive adapter chaining...)

 

[heychazza]

Hey all,

I’ve got the 27MD5KA-B model of the LG UltraFine 5K and I’m looking to set it up with a desktop windows PC.

Are there any alternatives to the Wacom connector linked above that would work? I’m from the U.K. and that adapter isn’t available on my store.

My graphics card I believe only has display ports, no mini one (I have an RTX 2070 SUPER).

Thank you.