Some Dell desktops don't support 4K monitors

Haydon · Sep 18, 2023

I was looking at 32" 4K monitors that have become quite reasonably priced these days and discovered that at least some Dell desktops, even high end models like Optiplex ones, don't support 4K monitors.

It is allegedly a motherboard issue, i.e. even if the on-chip integrated graphics supports 4K, what you get at the desktop ports may not support it, and you may need to get a GPU.

Buyer beware!

bobkn · Sep 18, 2023

Can you provide any examples?

Not demanding, just asking.

computer_user · Sep 18, 2023

Haydon said:
I was looking at 32" 4K monitors that have become quite reasonably priced these days and discovered that at least some Dell desktops, even high end models like Optiplex ones, don't support 4K monitors.

It is allegedly a motherboard issue, i.e. even if the on-chip integrated graphics supports 4K, what you get at the desktop ports may not support it, and you may need to get a GPU.

Buyer beware!

I may have to buy Dell ALIENWARE AURORA R15 GAMING DESKTOP with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 ($ 1299.00) to get 4K next time around ...

Haydon · Sep 18, 2023

bobkn said:
Can you provide any examples?

Not demanding, just asking.

Check out the specs of this one example

OptiPlex Small Form Factor | Dell USA

Small form factor desktop with highly expandable performance. Up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and 13th Gen Intel Core™ processors.

www.dell.com

pparks1 · Sep 18, 2023

Haydon said:
Check out the specs of this one example

OptiPlex Small Form Factor | Dell USA

Small form factor desktop with highly expandable performance. Up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and 13th Gen Intel Core™ processors.

www.dell.com

Display port 1.4a will do 4k+

bobkn · Sep 18, 2023

Haydon said:
Check out the specs of this one example

OptiPlex Small Form Factor | Dell USA

Small form factor desktop with highly expandable performance. Up to 128GB of DDR5 memory and 13th Gen Intel Core™ processors.

www.dell.com

The HDMI 1.4 port can't do 4k.

Its DisplayPort 1.4a is HBR2, which is specified to support 3840X2160 at 60Hz. That doesn't prove that resolution and refresh rate are actually available over DP, but I'd be disappointed if they were not.

It begs the question as to why the HDMI output is limited to 1.4, even though the CPU could do better. Maybe Dell saves 25¢ on the circuitry.

Haydon · Sep 18, 2023

Displayport 1.4a (HBR2) will not even do 4K according to the chart below that I got from DisplayPort - Wikipedia (or only with limited refresh rates)

Edit: @bobkn is correct, 4K at 60 Hz refresh rate is supported.

bobkn · Sep 19, 2023

I ran an old (2014) Samsung U28D590D at 38402160 @ 60Hz, which was only available through its DP 1.2 port. It even did 10 bit color (8+2 FRC), although no HDR.

Not bad for a TN display.

fireberd · Sep 19, 2023

The specs on any given Dell model can vary widely, depending on how it was ordered. Optiplex is the general business line and can have 3 or 4 different motherboards for a given model, again how it was ordered.

I would guess most business applications do not need 4K.

The Precision Workstation line is more likely to support high end video (if ordered).