I just bought a new monitor (an Asus XG35VQ), but when I try to use my MacBook (Pro 13", mid-2014) with it, I can only get 30Hz on the native 3440×1440 resolution.
At first I thought there was something wrong either with the monitor or with macOS (running Big Sur), but then I realized the issue is probably with the connection.
I want to avoid using the DisplayPort on the monitor to connect to the Mac because there is only one of them in the monitor and it's being used to connect to a different machine. All I have left is an HDMI 2.0 port. I'm using the cable that was supplied with the monitor.
Would it help me get a better refresh rate if I used a Thunderbolt->HDMI cable instead of an HDMI->HDMI cable? Or would it not make any difference?
And what about a Thunderbolt->DisplayPort? Or a HDMI->DisplayPort?
My monitor supports up to 100Hz, but if I can get it to 60Hz I'll be super happy already.
Thanks!
Best Answer
For this connection you could have four bottlenecks:
4k@60fps
.3840x2160@30fps
output over the HDMI port. This may be at least one of the reasons you are not getting the higher refresh rate.What this means for you
You will not be able to get a higher refresh rate, since you are using an older HDMI port and the MBPs video output is too limited. So even if you would get a
Mini-DP
→HDMI 2.x
cable, you shouldn't be able to get a higher refresh rate.Note: On your machine the
Thunderbolt 2
connector can act as aMini-DP
connector, which is capable of higher resolution/refresh rates than some older HDMI ports. Yet, this depends on the exact comparison. Have a look at the Wikipedia page about the different HDMI specifications and Display Port connections.Double check which MacBooks support what monitor resolutions and refresh rates on Everymac.