Are dual 4k 120hz external displays supported on the Macbook Pro with a M3 Pro chip?

Question

Level 1

4 points

Are dual 4k 120hz external displays supported on the Macbook Pro with a M3 Pro chip?

I'm reading conflicting things regarding dual external displays and being able to suport 120hz

The official specs mention that dual displays are supported via thunderbolt up to 60hz however I've read some people are able to get around this (e.g., via DSC)? I have not purchased monitors yet but was looking at the S2725QS with either HDMI/DisplayPort or with DisplayPort/USB-C and would like to make them work at full 120hz. The lid of my macbook would be closed.

I currently have a TB3 dock that has dual Display Port 1.4, USB-C® 3.1 Gen 2 port with DisplayPort™ 1.4, and thunderbolt ports but would be willing to upgrade if it would make sense.

Anyways is there a way to make this work or is that somehting only for the newer M4 Pro chips and TB5? Other recommended monitors? Wanting to stay in the 27" sub $250 range.

MacBook Pro (M3 Pro, 2023)

Posted on Oct 10, 2025 1:24 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Phil0124

Level 10

216,080 points

Oct 10, 2025 2:58 PM in response to GoodOmens

No.

Only one display is supported at 4K with 144mhz refresh rate over HDMI.

Displays connected to the Thunderbolt ports are limited to 60Hz.

click here ➜ MacBook Pro (14-inch, M3 Pro or M3 Max, Nov 2023) - Tech Specs - Apple Support

M3 Pro

Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display at 1 billion colors and:

Up to two external displays with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt, or one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz over Thunderbolt and one external display with up to 4K resolution at 144Hz over HDMI
One external display supported at 8K resolution at 60Hz or one external display at 4K resolution at 240Hz over HDMI

Reply

Answer 2

Oct 10, 2025 5:12 PM in response to GoodOmens

that Dell S2725QS is a 3840 by 2160 (4K) display, HDR 10 bits/color capable, with up to 120 Hz refresh rate.

Interfaces include:

DisplayPort 1.4

2x HDMI 2.1

cabling of up to ONE meter or shorter, labeled USB-20 or higher, or SuperSpeed PLUS, it might be able to attain up to 98 Hz refresh rate, possibly higher with compression. This is a limit imposed by DisplayPort 1.4 over USB-C with a regular adapter to DisplayPort, or an adapter/cable under ONE meter.

over modest length certified ULTRA HDMI cable, you can attain 120 Hz max that display supports, or up to 144 Hz without compression on a display that supports that refresh rate. That's from the Mac's HDMI port, no adapters are permitted at these data rates.

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 10, 2025 1:52 PM in response to GoodOmens

If you would like the official confirmation for the tech specs, check with Apple Support.

Reply