Vostro 5415 - What DisplayPort version is installed and does the USB-C port support 4K UHD @ 60Hz?

@StardustOne  Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the details of AMD platforms, but the oldest DisplayPort revision that was approved for use over USB-C was 1.2, which supports 4K 60 Hz (but not HDR).  So you will at least be able to do that. However, if the port supports 1.2 rather than anything newer, then in order to run 4K 60 Hz you would need a connection that allocated all four high speed lanes in the connector to video output, which means USB data speed would have to be limited to USB 2.0 or not be used at all.  A USB-C to DisplayPort cable or a USB-C to HDMI 2.0 cable would of course work for this purpose.  (If your display has both types of inputs, use USB-C to DP, but if you want HDR, your display may require you to use HDMI.)  Otherwise, some USB-C displays support being configured to limit USB data speeds to 2.0 in order to increase video bandwidth.  But some many docks and devices will configure the USB-C link to run video and USB 3.x.  The problem there is that running USB 3.x requires two high speed lanes, so although running video and USB 3.x simultaneously is possible, it also cuts video bandwidth in half.  And on a DP 1.2 system, that would limit you to 1440p 60 Hz or 4K 30 Hz.

If your system supports DP 1.4, however, you would be able to run 4K 60 Hz even with HDR and USB 3.x data all simultaneously, as long as the dock/multi-purpose adapter you were using also supported that.  I have personally done this with a system that supports DP 1.4 over USB-C and a multi-purpose adapter that did as well.

Ethernet when running through a USB-C port is just regular USB data because essentially the dock or multi-purpose adapter just has a USB Ethernet adapter built into it.  So yes you would be able to run Ethernet and USB data alongside video.

If you're not sure what your system supports, then given that Dell's documentation isn't clear and that Dell Support reps are often unreliable when they try to answer technical questions like this, your best option might be to just try it for yourself.  Get a USB-C to DP or USB-C to HDMI 2.0 cable and see what happens.  Or if you would only be happy if you could use your USB-C port for 4K 60 Hz HDR and Ethernet/USB simultaneously, then try a dock or multi-purpose adapter, and then return whatever you buy if it doesn't work out.  That's a relatively simple test if the alternative is returning the laptop.

Hi thanks for the quick reply.

I was a bit worried to hear that support is also a bit unaware what this notebook really can deliver over the USB-C port. If this description of Dell is then true, this could then mean that it indeed would only do DisplayPort and Charging. Hmm. My sole problem is with the online retailer where I ordered the computer. I cannot try it out and return it, in case, without a restocking fee. It is 20% for open box.

What I really do not understand is that Dell is manufacturing such a cool device without any future proofing. USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 is really not that fast anymore and the HDMI 1.4b port, well it barely future proof either.

From the great possibilites to upgrade for future use back to stone age connectivity. Not the best combo for a new system to buy in 2021.

I already own two of those USB-C docking solutions that have 3 x USB 3.0, HDMI and Ethernet and both cannot do 4K 60Hz. A third one is on it's way and that one has 2 x HDMI ports, with only one connected it is promised to do 4K 60Hz.

I also own a really cheap Bmax Y11 notebook with an N4100 CPU from Intel and this device has a micro HDMI port that is doing 4K 60Hz with ease plus it also has a full featured USB-C port. And that little computer was less than 400 when I bought it 2 years ago. Processing power is not great therefore I ordered this Vostro 5415 (never heard of this model line before, I only found it at a very good price online).

It would be sad to let it go, since it comes with so many great features. The strange thing is that if I look at other specs from others, they always mention, this USB-C port is doing Data, Charging and DisplayPort but on the Vostro 5415 and 5515 (I suspect this to be exactly the same, only larger in size), Dell only mentions charging and DisplayPort support. And what I also found out, the USB-C port on this Vostro has the DP Logo right next to the port but it is only a DP logo, nothing else.

I also suspect the Inspiron 14 5415 to be exactly the same as the Vostro 5415, the Inspiron is only missing the LAN port. I found the specs on the India Dell page and guess what? It i mentioned there that this model Inspiron 14 5415 is doing this over the USB-C Port:

• One USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-C) port with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery

If these 3 models are indeed all alike, this could indicate that the Vostro 5415 indeed would also have DisplayPort 1.4 but again, I do not have proof and opening it up and finding out it does not, will cost me 100 USD in restocking fee :(.

Yes, it appears that I've been caught out by this as well: a new Inspiron 5415 laptop that only supports an HDMI specification released in 2009. As I can't use a monitor at 30Hz without getting headaches I might have ended up with an expensive paperweight. So if anyone has succeeded in getting 50Hz+ out of this laptop I'd be delighted to know!

@andrewlavens  If you’re just running a 4K 60 Hz SDR (meaning non-HDR) display, then try a USB-C to HDMI 2.0 cable. Or if your display has a DisplayPort cable, then use a USB-C to DP cable since the USB-C port uses DisplayPort natively, so that’s a simpler and therefore sometimes more surefire setup. Either way, the USB-C port would support at least DP 1.2, which would allow 4K 60 Hz even if the signal was converted to HDMI 2.0.

Hi all, in the meantime I have ordered a Dell USB-C dock model DA310 and I can confirm that the Dell 5415 is able to do 60Hz over the HDMI port that is in the DA310. So this indeed must convert the DisplayPort 1.4 signal that is also coming out of the 5415 to HDMI 2.0. 

I am pretty sure that DisplayPort would also work with 3840 x 2160 pixels at 60Hz. But HDR this did not work (I have a HDR capable 4K display).

You could also use a less expensive USB-C to HDMI 2.0 dongle but it must be capable of doing HDMI 2.0 or alternatively use a USB-C to DisplayPort 1.4 capable dongle, this should also give you 60Hz at 3840 x 2160 pixels.

Update from my side, I have now also tried a USB-C to DisplayPort connector. 4K 60Hz also works with this connector. Plus I also noticed one additional feature: I now can also see Windows 11 is recognizing the monitor as 10bit. That never worked with these USB-C docking solutions. Nice.

I still do not have HDR, that is still missing but 10bit, 4K UHD and 60Hz, that is a good start :).

Thanks very much for all of the information. Sorry for the delay in saying thanks: it's taken time to order a cable. I bought a 'Cables Direct' branded USB-C to DisplayPort cable that that was stated to do 8K at 60Hz. My 4K monitor is now running at 60Hz no problem and HDR also works.