What Specs Do I Need to Run 3x 4k Screens at 60hz

wau2 on 28/01/2025 - 21:19
Last edited 29/01/2025 - 12:05 by 1 other user

Hi all, I made a noob error. I purchased 2 x U2723QE (on top of my 31" Lenovo L32P-30) hoping to daisy chain them together at 4k@60hz but I think my laptop is way too old (Dell G7 15 7588).

My setup right now is Dell G7 15 7588 laptop TB3 —> U2723QE —> Daisy chain —-> U2723QE
One monitor is at 4k@60hz, unfortunately the other is only at FHD. I tried to put both back down to QHD but they still can't match, so I'm presuming my laptop cannot push the output. I also have a 31" Lenovo L32P-30 I'm hoping to throw in there and make a triple monitor setup (probably way overkill).

I'm unsure what to look for in terms of specs for a new laptop to ensure I can output 2 monitors at 4k@60hz (or potentially 3). Can anyone assist?

FYI - my usbc cable from laptop to first monitor is 40ghz so I don't think that's the issue.
FYI 2 - I purely use it for work purposes. No gaming at all.

Thanks for your help in advance.

EDIT: I managed to get both on 4k but only 30hz. Abit laggy but doable.

Computing Monitor

Comments

  • askbargain on 28/01/2025 - 21:27

    check the monitor setting is set to prioritise high resolution and not bandwidth. assuming you are using DP cables in-between monitors?

    also what does it say on first monitor under Display Info and Link Rate?

    • wau2 on 29/01/2025 - 00:46

      Yep DP cables

      For the life of me I can’t find the link rate. It just doesn’t show in display info. I will keep looking lol

      • askbargain on 29/01/2025 - 10:12

        Just send a pic of the display info

  • CyberMurning on 28/01/2025 - 21:27
    -1

    https://amzn.asia/d/dfjv2hm

    Out of stock but just giving example

    • smartialarts on 28/01/2025 - 21:37

      This is display link chip, essentially an external gpu (v slow one)

      • CyberMurning on 28/01/2025 - 21:39

        I heard for office works, display link is okay.

        • smartialarts on 28/01/2025 - 21:40

          Yeah that should be fine, at least for some time.

          I am yet to see a docking station that doesn't die eventually.

    • wau2 on 28/01/2025 - 21:51

      Thank I was hoping that I could do without dock since I’m daisy chaining and using the monitor usb hubs

  • plmko on 28/01/2025 - 23:05

    You need TB4. TB3 caps out at 2 x 4k@60hz and only if your dock works.

    • Trance N Dance on 28/01/2025 - 23:06

      Some TB3 devices support 2 x 4k60

      • plmko on 28/01/2025 - 23:07

        That's what I said :)

        • Trance N Dance on 28/01/2025 - 23:39

          Sorry, could've sworn I read 1 x 4k@60hz whoops lol

  • Trance N Dance on 28/01/2025 - 23:06

    Check the link rate, if it needs to be High Bit Rate 3 (HBR3) for 4k60 to work on both monitors. You can check it by looking under Display info on the OSD. The solution from the manual if it's only HBR2 is to use a USB-C to DP cable to enable MST.

    • wau2 on 29/01/2025 - 00:47

      Thanks I tried looking at display info on the monitor but it doesn’t reveal whether it’s hbr2 or 3. Will keep looking

  • Brotality on 28/01/2025 - 23:19

    A single displayport 1.4 can't carry the signal of 3 x 4k60hz monitors. Simply impossible.

    Yes type C has a lot of bandwidth, but the monitor would be using DP alt mode, so again you're down to a single DP 1.4.

    Thunderbolt docks mostly will do two 4k60 displays. For 3 displays, there are some universal docks that use DisplayLink that can do 3 x 4k60 (example: https://www.scorptec.com.au/product/laptops-&-notebooks/dock…) (My DisplayLink experience hasn't been great in terms of latency and reliability, but ymmv)

    Another out of the box solution would be an eGPU, if you're already committing a few hundreds dollars to enable the three screens, might be worth considering/researching

    • askbargain on 28/01/2025 - 23:33

      DSC

      • CyberMurning on 29/01/2025 - 08:04

        ???

        • askbargain on 29/01/2025 - 10:12

          With display stream compression, it’s possible to push 3x 4k@60

  • SlickMick on 29/01/2025 - 09:57

    I've got 3x4k@60hz from a G7 + dock. TB > Dock for 2, 3rd direct to laptop. Only way I could get it to work.
    Not daisy-chained though.

    edit: I exaggerated, I have 3 monitors + the laptop.

    • wau2 on 29/01/2025 - 12:06

      how did you connect them

      • CyberMurning on 29/01/2025 - 14:15
        +1

        Dock

      • SlickMick on 29/01/2025 - 14:36

        WD19TB dock: 2x DP; 3rd monitor direct to laptop

    • The Hawk on 29/01/2025 - 14:41

      Pretty much this, your problem is somewhere between the dock and the laptop chip.

      For example, I have three 1440 monitors that run fine from my Dell D6000, the old Dell WD15 dock wouldn't do more than 2 x 1080 monitors so I couldn't even do two 1440 monitors. But then if I plug in my Wifes M1 Mac it only supports a single monitor (and annoyingly I don't know how to pick which of the three… not that I've spent any time trying to fix it given how infrequently I need to do something for her).

      Sometimes plugging in the second (or third) monitor via the laptops onboard HDMI port can get around limitations, but it's a pain to plug in an extra cable.

      The real downside is that 3 x 4k and or extra features tend to be more expensive since they are kinda niche.

  • McEels on 29/01/2025 - 11:07

    When I read the title, I first thought https://www.specsavers.com.au/

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