Maximum display refresh and resolutions possible with Surface Dock

When connecting through Surface Dock there’s a maximum display refresh or resolution possible, even if some Surface model capabilities exceed this. The following table specifies the max refresh rate and display resolution for Surface Dock that are using either one or two external displays. 

Connected to one external monitor

Surface Dock model Max refresh rate Max display resolution
Surface Dock 60 Hz 4096 x 2304
Surface Dock 2 30 Hz 7680 x 4320
Surface Dock 2 120 Hz 3840 x 2160
Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock 60 Hz 3840 x 2160 (USB4/Thunderbolt™ 4)*
Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock 60 Hz (8 bit color) 3840 x 2160 (USB-C, DisplayPort 1.3 or later - HBR3)*
Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock 30 Hz (10 bit color) 3840 x 2160 (USB-C, DisplayPort 1.2 or later - HBR2)*
Surface USB4 Dock 60 Hz 3840 x 2160 (USB-C, HDMI)
Surface USB4 Dock 60 Hz (8 bit color) 3840 x 2160 (USB-C, DisplayPort 1.3 or later - HBR3)*
Surface USB4 Dock 60 Hz (10 bit color) 3840 x 2160 (USB-C, DisplayPort 1.2 or later - HBR2)*

* Both the host device and the external display need to support the Thunderbolt™, DisplayPort, High Bit Rate (HBR) standards.

**Both the host device and the external display need to support the DisplayPort, High Bit Rate (HBR) standards.

Connected to two external monitors

Surface Dock model Max refresh rate Max display resolution
Surface Dock 30 Hz 4096 x 2304
Surface Dock 60 Hz 2560 x 1600
Surface Dock 2 60Hz 3840 x 2160
Surface USB4 Dock 60 Hz 3840 x 2160 (USB-C, HDMI)
Surface USB4 Dock 30Hz 8K (USB-C via USB4/TBT3/TBT4)
Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock 60 Hz 3840 x 2160 (USB4/Thunderbolt™ 4)*

*Microsoft Surface Thunderbolt™ 4 Dock only supports one 4k external display when using a USB-C connection instead of a USB4/ Thunderbolt™ 4 connection to the host device.

When you use two external displays, you may be able to achieve a higher refresh or display resolution on one display by lowering the refresh or display resolution used on the other. 

For more help on connecting your external display, see Connect Surface to a TV, monitor, or projector