4K Displays are coming down - can we use them? (Apple note)

[SixStringGeek]

For me, the most compelling reason to consider upgrading my MacPro to the new one is to get 4K capability. It seems there are a couple cards available for Mac Pro5,1 and up that will also do 4K video. The amount of screen real estate in 4k looks awfully attractive. Anyhow, I dug this info up and thought other looking down the road might be interested.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT6008?view ... cale=en_US

MacBook Pro (Retina, Late 2013) and Mac Pro (Late 2013) computers can use 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs with OS X or Windows (via Boot Camp).

4K support on the Mac Pro (Late 2013)
Mac Pro supports 4K displays over both HDMI and Thunderbolt display outputs ports. The following resolutions and refresh rates are supported with the built-in HDMI port:

3840 x 2160 at 30 Hz refresh rate
4096 x 2160 at 24 Hz refresh rate (mirroring is not supported at this resolution)
Mac Pro supports the following DisplayPort displays in 60 Hz operation:

Sharp PN-K321
ASUS PQ321Q
These displays default to 30 Hz (instead of 60 Hz) and need to be manually configured to support 60 Hz using the display's built-in controls by enabling MST (multi-stream) mode.
For the Sharp PN-K321, you can modify this under Settings > DisplayPort STREAM
For the ASUS PQ321Q, you can modify this under OSD menu > Setup > DisplayPort Stream
Note: If your specific DisplayPort display is not listed above, check with the display’s manufacturer for compatibility information.


4K support on the MacBook Pro (Retina, Late 2013)
MacBook Pro supports 4K displays and Ultra HD TVs at the following resolutions and refresh rates with the built-in HDMI port:
3840 x 2160 at 30 Hz refresh rate
4096 x 2160 at 24 Hz refresh rate (mirroring is not supported at this resolution)

[mikehalloran]

One of the reasons I am thinking that an nMP might be for me later this year is all of the real estate I use on my twin monitor setup right now. Going to a larger screen would free up some needed desk space. The price of 4K screens needs to drop a bit more to hit my price point, however.

[billf]

4K support on the Mac Pro (Late 2013)
Mac Pro supports 4K displays over both HDMI and Thunderbolt display outputs ports. The following resolutions and refresh rates are supported with the built-in HDMI port:

3840 x 2160 at 30 Hz refresh rate
4096 x 2160 at 24 Hz refresh rate (mirroring is not supported at this resolution)

Thanks for the info. I bought a late 2013 Mac Pro in October, just before they were being phased out, and it's good to know it will support a 4k display when I'm ready to go down that road.

[HCMarkus]

I bought a late 2013 Mac Pro in October, just before they were being phased out, and it's good to know it will support a 4k display when I'm ready to go down that road.

FYI, I'm pretty sure you bought a 2012 Mac ("5,1"). The "Late 2013" is the New Mac Pro, (trash can version). But don't worry; with the right video card, it should support 4k, too.

[billf]

Probably, though it's not like it matters much because it will be quite some time before I'm ready to even look at 4k.