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Samsung 57" Dual UHD Monitor & Mac Compatibility
- Thread starter JayKay514
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Silvestru Hosszu what HDMI cable are you using? is it HDMI to HDMI?
Replying to myself since I finally got this display at a price I was willing to pay.
- Over a single input at 7680x2160, the maximum scaling option is "looks like 3840x1080". There seems to be no way to go any higher over a single input with M2/M3 Max due to hardware or software limitations. Not sure if M4 changes anything.
- Over two inputs, you can do:
- 3840x2160 * 2 @ 120 Hz.
- All regular 4K scaling options are available are available for both sides.
- 21:9 + 11:9 split for 5120x2160 + 2560x2160. Both at 120 Hz.
- The 5120x2160 side works fine, and allows a comfortable scaling level of "looks like 3840x1620". Cable quality does matter though or you might get random blank screens. It's best to use the HDMI cable that comes with the display.
- The only way I can get the 2560x2160 side working properly is if it's connected via USB-C -> Displayport and I'm using BetterDisplay to activate HiDPI mode with "looks like 1920x1620" scaling. Otherwise when waking up from sleep Mac can do weird things that don't happen in the 2x 4K mode. It's like MacOS does not understand what to do with this.
- 3840x2160 * 2 @ 120 Hz.
For the record, Windows 11 can do literally any scaling level on a single input with a miserable Nvidia 3050 GPU I saw setup at a store with this display.
MacOS external display support and scaling functionality is just a big freakin' turd!
FWIW I see some chatter that the TB ports on the new Mac Mini (at least with the M4 Pro, not sure about M4 base) are TB5. So I do wonder whether that will be capable of more in this regard.
It depends on the capabilities of the M4 Pro/Max hardware. Apparently the M1-3 Pro/Max are limited to 8K horizontal framebuffers which limits scaling options.
Of coures, Apple could just improve their scaling system but fat chance of that happening because they have 5K and 6K screens to sell...
Makes sense...for now! Rumors that Apple is going to release an 8k monitor to go with the T5 have started percolating.
I just checked what Apple says about my M2 Max Macbook Pro 16" specs, and the display support reads exactly the same except for TB5. So I have very low hopes of anything changing unless Apple has improved the M4 GPU to allow for larger framebuffers.
Seems I never posted an update here. I'm still using my 57"!
What worked for the 2018 i9 macbook pro that I have for work, is one of these adapters:
I did have to install a special firmware update (from a windows machine). I think it may have been this one: https://kb.cablematters.com/index.php?View=entry&EntryID=147&ajax=1
Once I installed that, it worked great. I get the full 7680x2160 at 60hz from my work macbook pro.
Unfortunately even with that firmware update, my m2 macbook air doesn't drive it any higher than 5140x1440 (iirc at 120hz though). But also I can't force it into clamshell mode.... which sucks.
I also found that using this monitor with my pc (7800x3d, 3080ti) works MUCH better with HDMI. My motherboard doesn't show the bios screen on displayport unless I set it at dp1.2, which i'd then have to switch back to dp1.4/2.0 when windows/linux boots to get full res. And that's hella annoying! With HDMI it just works perfectly.
What worked for the 2018 i9 macbook pro that I have for work, is one of these adapters:
Cable Matters 48Gbps USB C to HDMI 2.1 Adapter with 100W Charging, 4K 240Hz /8K 60Hz HDR (DSC Required) - Thunderbolt 4 Compatible with iPhone 16/15 Pro Max (Max Resolution on Any MacBook is 4K@60Hz)
Upgrade to HDMI 2.1 or future-proof your setup with the Cable Matters USB C to HDMI 2.1 Adapter; HDMI to USB C adapter combines the latest HDMI 2.1 standard with the versatility of USB-C; The HDMI USB C adapter supports up to 8K 60Hz resolution (DSC support required on both host and display) on c...
www.amazon.com
I did have to install a special firmware update (from a windows machine). I think it may have been this one: https://kb.cablematters.com/index.php?View=entry&EntryID=147&ajax=1
Once I installed that, it worked great. I get the full 7680x2160 at 60hz from my work macbook pro.
Unfortunately even with that firmware update, my m2 macbook air doesn't drive it any higher than 5140x1440 (iirc at 120hz though). But also I can't force it into clamshell mode.... which sucks.
I also found that using this monitor with my pc (7800x3d, 3080ti) works MUCH better with HDMI. My motherboard doesn't show the bios screen on displayport unless I set it at dp1.2, which i'd then have to switch back to dp1.4/2.0 when windows/linux boots to get full res. And that's hella annoying! With HDMI it just works perfectly.
Honestly, I sometimes have similar issues with my 34" monitors LOL. Power cycling the monitor always fixes those. Luckily they're rare. And yes I use good cables.
So far, yes, power cycling the monitor always brings it back. It has 3 HDMI connectors. I have all three wired, as it's nearly impossible to get behind my desk and undo the cover. So if one goes flaky, I grab another one and plug it into my dock.