Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock can use up to two 4K displays at the same time.
The number of displays you can use with Elgato Thunderbolt™ 3 Dock depends on the power of your computer’s graphics system, the type of displays you’re trying to use, and whether you're using a Mac or PC.
You have a few options when it comes to setup. The resolution and refresh rate available to your displays will be determined by whether you connect via Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), DisplayPort, or using an HDMI adapter.
DisplayPort Displays and 30 Hz Vs. 60 Hz
Some displays connected to the DisplayPort port may need to be set to 4K at 30 Hz, instead of 4K at 60 Hz. Typically that is done by switching the display from DisplayPort 1.2 to DisplayPort 1.1.
A currently known list of such displays includes:
ASUS PB287 Series
Dell P2415Q
Dell P2715Q
Dell S2817Q
LG 24UD58-B
LG 31MU97C-B
Philips 288P6LJEB/27
Viewsonic VX2475Smhl-4K
You may get better performance if such displays are connected to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock's USB-C port, using a USB-C to DisplayPort cable.
One DisplayPort Display
You can connect one DisplayPort display to either the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port, or the DisplayPort port.
The DisplayPort connection will be up to 4096 x 2160 pixels.
To establish the connection, you can use:
- A DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock's DisplayPort port, or
- A USB-C to DisplayPort cable, to one of the Thunderbolt 3 Dock's USB-C ports.
Please Note: If you have a problem with the DisplayPort connection, you can try:
- A shorter or higher quality DisplayPort cable
- Setting the display connected to DisplayPort to 4K at 30 Hz, instead of 4K at 60 Hz. Typically that is done by switching the display from DisplayPort 1.2 to DisplayPort 1.1.
Two DisplayPort Displays
You can connect two DisplayPort displays - one to the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port, and one to the DisplayPort port, at the same time.
Both DisplayPort connections will be up to 4096 x 2160 pixels.
To establish the connections, you can use:
- A DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock's DisplayPort port, and
- A USB-C to DisplayPort cable, to one of the Thunderbolt 3 Dock's USB-C ports.
Please Note: If you have a problem with the DisplayPort connection, you can try:
- A shorter or higher quality DisplayPort cable
- Setting the display connected to DisplayPort to 4K at 30 Hz, instead of 4K at 60 Hz. Typically that is done by switching the display from DisplayPort 1.2 to DisplayPort 1.1.
- Switching which display is connected to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock's USB-C port
One HDMI Display (Via Adapter)
You can connect one HDMI display, using an HDMI adapter with the DisplayPort port.
The HDMI 1.4b connection (via a passive adapter) will be up to:
• 4096 x 2160 pixels at 24 Hz
• 3840 x 2160 pixels at 30 Hz
• 2560 x 1600 pixels at 60 Hz
However, if you use an active HDMI 2.0 adapter via either USB-C or DisplayPort, you can receive 4096 x 2160 pixels.
To establish the connections, you can use:
• A DisplayPort, to HDMI cable or adapter (HDMI 1.4b, up to 4K/30)
• An active DisplayPort, to HDMI 2.0 adapter (HDMI 2.0, up to 4K/60)
• A dual Thunderbolt to HDMI 1.4 adapter (on the USB-C port)
• A dual Thunderbolt to HDMI 2.0 adapter (on the USB-C port)
One DisplayPort Display and One HDMI Display (Via Adapter)
You can connect one display to the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port, and then use a HDMI adapter with the DisplayPort port.
The DisplayPort connection will be up to 4096 x 2160 pixels.
The HDMI 1.4b connection (via a passive adapter) will be up to:
• 4096 x 2160 pixels at 24 Hz
• 3840 x 2160 pixels at 30 Hz
• 2560 x 1600 pixels at 60 Hz
However, if you use an active HDMI 2.0 adapter via both USB-C and DisplayPort, you can receive 4096 x 2160 pixels for each display.
One Apple Thunderbolt Display and One HDMI Display (Via Adapter)
You can connect an Apple Thunderbolt Display to the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port, and then use a HDMI adapter with the DisplayPort port.
The HDMI 1.4b connection (via a passive adapter) will be up to:
• 4096 x 2160 pixels at 24 Hz
• 3840 x 2160 pixels at 30 Hz
• 2560 x 1600 pixels at 60 Hz
In order to use an Apple Thunderbolt Display, you will need to use the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter sold by Apple.
One Apple Thunderbolt Display and One DisplayPort Display
You can connect an Apple Thunderbolt Display to the Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) port, and then one display to the DisplayPort port.
The DisplayPort connection will be up to 4096 x 2160 pixels.
To establish the connection, you can use:
- A DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable, to the Thunderbolt 3 Dock's DisplayPort port
Please Note: If you have a problem with the DisplayPort connection, you can try:
- A shorter or higher quality DisplayPort cable
- Setting the display connected to DisplayPort to 4K at 30 Hz, instead of 4K at 60 Hz. Typically that is done by switching the display from DisplayPort 1.2 to DisplayPort 1.1.
One 5K Display
You can connect a single 5K60 monitor to the downstream USB-C port.
If you connect a 5K display, you can only use one display in total. You can't connect another display to another port.