What do I need if I want to drive three 4K displays or two 4K and one 5K2K (all at 60Hz or above)?

[hajime]

Hi, what kind of computer and/or dock do I need if I want to drive three 4K displays or two 4K and one 5K2K displays all at 60Hz or above? It looks like even the latest Caldigit T4 dock can only drive dual displays. Am I correct that if I go for a computer with M1 Max such as the Mac Studio or MacBook Pro 16", I will need to have three USB-C/TB cables (one cable supplies both data and power to drive one display) running directly from the computer to the displays as no dock can do it by connecting to the computer with only one cable?

Can Windows PC do a better job in this case?

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

A PC with a fair or better graphics card.

An Intel Mac with an external GPU capable of what you want.

Apple says Mac Studio can “drive 4 Pro Displays plus one 4K monitor, for up to 90 million pixels” That shouldn’t require any hub unless you need more connections than those on the Studio itself for other devices. Here’s how.

If the first two, look up the graphics card and the descriptions should describe number of monitors, resolutions and refresh rates.

 

[Berries-A-Million]

The MBP M1 Max can run 3 5k displays I believe. The TS4 dock can run two, but you can run the 3rd off the other TB4 port on the computer.

 

[hwojtek]

Or just use two TS4 docks.

 

[hajime]

The MBP M1 Max can run 3 5k displays I believe. The TS4 dock can run two, but you can run the 3rd off the other TB4 port on the computer.

I think some users reported some limitations of the TS4.

 

[joevt]

I think some users reported some limitations of the TS4.

Any Thunderbolt 3 or 4 dock (including the TS4) should be able to connect two displays. I don't know if any behave better than others... You can start with the least expensive option: a simple Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort Adapter. Next up after that is a Thunderbolt 4 hub such as the CalDigit Element Hub. Then lastly, are the docks.

 

[Diablo360]

I’m running 4 x LG 49” monitors (5120 x 1440) on my maxed out spec 16” M1 Max. Two of the monitors are plugged into individual thunderbolt ports. The other two monitors are plugged into 1 Caldigit Element hub.

Btw, I was able to run 3 of my monitors with no dock (each plugged into their own thunderbolt port. In your case I think you could run 3 x 4K with no extra dock.