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Run your 4K monitor @ 60Hz alongside USB devices from a single USB-C laptop port

 3 years ago
source link: https://dancharblog.wordpress.com/2021/01/03/4k60-monitor-plus-usb-devices-from-single-usb-c-laptop-port/
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Introduction

Suppose you have a 4K monitor and a laptop with a single USB-C port supporting video output. What is the most straightforward and economical approach to get the full 60Hz monitor refresh rate while also being able to use USB devices like a mouse and thumbdrive?

On many laptops, USB-C port bandwidth is limited such that you can only use 4K @ 60Hz OR USB 3.x 5Gb/s+ speeds, not both. For such laptops, USB devices must be limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480Mb/s) in order to achieve 4K @ 60Hz via DisplayPort 1.2 alternate mode (DP 1.2). Most hubs on the market are dumb and run USB devices at 5Gb/+s which limits the monitor to 30Hz. For many users, this feels extremely slow/laggy. What’s worse is that marketing materials are not straight forward about monitor refresh rates. There are dozens of no-name hubs on ebay, amazon, and alibaba claiming 60Hz support (at least for 1080p) as well as 4K. But what they don’t mention is that 4K runs at 30Hz. Some of these devices have some intelligence built in such that a monitor will run at 4K60 as long as no USB devices are plugged in. But as soon as a USB device is plugged in, the 4K monitor drops to 30Hz.

Conversely, some recent laptops like Surface Pro 7, Pro X, Laptop 3, and Book 3, implement DisplayPort 1.4 alternate mode (DP 1.4) which can run both 4K60 AND USB device at 5Gb/s+ simultaneously on a USB-C port. But older hubs don’t take advantage of this capability and will still run monitors at 30Hz or limit USB speeds unnecessarily.

Below is a collection of USB-C hubs to extend your PC to run a 4K monitor at 60Hz alongside USB devices. The minimum feature set to be considered is:

  1. $100 USD or less
  2. one or more HDMI or DisplayPort video output
  3. one or more USB A-style port
  4. 60W+ power delivery for laptop charging

4K60 USB-C hubs for laptops with DP 1.2

These hubs limit USB peripheral speeds to USB 2.0 (480Mb/s) to ensure that a single monitor will run at 4K60 whether the system is DP1.4 OR DP1.2 capable. Unless indicated, external power supplies are sold separately

Device Brand/ModelUSB-C PD passthrough powerMonitor
portsOther
portsNotesCost ($USD)Cable Matters 201055-BLK60W2x DP 1.2
(2x 4K30 or 1x 4K60)2x USB 2.0
100Mb/s Ethernet~60Cable Matters 201056-BLK60W2x HDMI
(2x 4K30 or 1x 4K60)2x USB 2.0
100Mb/s Ethernet~60Cable Matters 201031-BLK60WDP 1.2
HDMI
VGA
(1x 4K60)USB 2.0
100Mb/s EthernetOnly 1 distinct video output~50

4K60 USB-C hubs for laptops with DP 1.4

These hubs are well-suited for newer laptops which support DP1.4 given their expanded video bandwidth. Certain devices limit USB peripheral speeds to USB 2.0 (480Mb/s) to ensure 4K60 support on DP 1.2 systems as well. Unless indicated, external power supplies are sold separately

Device Brand/ModelUSB-C PD passthrough powerMonitor
portsOther
portsNotesCost
($USD)Anker PowerExtreme A83800A1100W (~85W laptop charging)2x HDMI 2.0
(1x 4K60 or 2x 4K30)2x USB 3.x 10Gb/s
1Gb/s Ethernet
UHS-I smartcard reader ~50Anker PowerExtreme A83830A1100W (~85W laptop charging)HDMI 2.0
(4K60)1x USB-C 10Gb/s
2x USB 3.x 10Gb/s
1Gb/s Ethernet
UHS-I smartcard reader ~60Cable Matters 201046-BLK60WDP 1.4
(8K30 or 4K60 HDR)2x USB 2.0
100Mb/s Ethernet4K60 OK on DP 1.2~40Cable Matters 201355-BLK100W (~85W laptop charging)2x DP 1.4
(2x 4K60)2x USB 2.0
100Mb/s Ethernet4K60 OK on DP 1.2~60Cable Matters 201331-BLK100W (~85W laptop charging)3x DP 1.4
(1x 8K30, 2x4K60 or 3x4K30)USB-C 5Gb/s
2x USB 3.x 5Gb/s
1Gb/s Ethernet~75CalDigit SOHO100W (~85W laptop charging)DP 1.4
HDMI 2.0b
(4K60 HDR or 2x 4K30)USB-C 10Gb/s
USB 3.x 10Gb/s
UHS-II smartcard readerdetachable 0.5m USB-C cable~100Dockteck DT0008100W (~85W laptop charging)HDMI 2.0
(4K60)3x USB 3.x 5Gb/s~30Dockteck DT0009100W (~85W laptop charging)HDMI 2.0
(4K60)3x USB 3.x 5Gb/s
UHS-I smartcard reader
1Gb/s Ethernet~40HyperDrive Gen2 6-port100W (~85W laptop charging)HDMI 2.0
(4K60)USB 3.x 10Gb/s
UHS-II smartcard reader
3.5mm TRRS audioaudio~100Juiced NovaHub
UpTab UP-TCHUBG2
Rosewill RHUB-100W100W (~85W laptop charging)HDMI 2.0b
(4K60 HDR)USB-C 10Gb/s
2x USB 3.x 10Gb/s
1Gb/s Ethernet
UHS-I smartcard reader multiple re-brands of the same design~55-75

Why choose a portable hub vs a Desktop-class dock?

FeatureDesktop-class DockPortable HubPower supply includedyessold separatelyPD laptop charging100W (typical)60W or 85W (some power used by hub)Cabledetachable 3 foot cable (typical)integrated cable 6-9 inches long (typical)Travel weight2-3 pounds0.5-1 poundReliabilitygoodgood when external power supply attached;
fair when detached# distinct monitor outputs1-31-33.5mm AudioyesnoEthernetyessome# USB ports2-81-3Smartcard readersomesomeCost ($ USD)~$100-300~$50-125 (plus power adapter)

Please let me know of additional hubs you’ve had good results with 4K monitors at 60Hz.

References:


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