The Plugable USBC-MSTH3 is a USB-C to Triple HDMI video adapter that uses DisplayPort Alternate Mode with Multi-Stream Transport (MST) to drive up to three extended displays from a single USB-C port. Designed for Windows and ChromeOS systems that support MST, it provides flexible multi-monitor configurations based on the host system’s DisplayPort version and available bandwidth, and operates without requiring any driver installation on compatible systems.
Display Configuration Capabilities
The number and resolution of displays supported depend on the host system's DisplayPort version and bandwidth. The adapter divides available bandwidth across connected monitors.
| Configuration | Max Resolution & Refresh Rate | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Single Display | Up to 8K @ 60Hz | HDMI 2.1 monitor and cable required |
| Dual Displays | Up to 4K @ 144Hz | HDMI 2.1 monitors and cables required |
| Triple Displays | Up to 4K @ 60Hz | HDMI 2.0 or newer monitors and cables required |
System Requirements
To reach these resolutions and refresh rates, your system must support DisplayPort Alt Mode with MST and meet minimum bandwidth thresholds.
Full Compatibility
DisplayPort 2.1
Supports up to 8K @ 60Hz, dual 4K @ 144Hz, or triple 4K @ 60Hz natively.
Limited Compatibility
DisplayPort 1.4 with Display Stream Compression (DSC)
Supports up to 8K @ 30Hz, dual 4K @ 120Hz, or triple 4K @ 60Hz.
DisplayPort 1.4 without DSC
Limited to dual 4K @ 60Hz or triple 1080p @ 60Hz due to bandwidth constraints.
Basic Compatibility
DisplayPort 1.2
Supports up to dual 1080p @ 60Hz or single 4K @ 30Hz.
**Not recommended for triple display use.
Operating System Compatibility
| Operating System | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 or newer | ✅ Full support |
| ChromeOS 100 or newer | ✅ Full support |
| macOS | ❌ Not supported – macOS does not support MST for extended displays |
| Linux | ⚠️ Mixed results – not officially supported due to driver inconsistencies |
USB-C Port Requirements
To function properly, the host USB-C port must support DisplayPort Alt Mode and MST. Data-only USB-C ports are not compatible.
Look for system specs mentioning:
- USB-C with DisplayPort Alternate Mode
- USB4 with DisplayPort support
- Thunderbolt 3 or 4
Tip: If a simple USB-C to HDMI adapter doesn’t work with your system, the USBC-MSTH3 likely won’t either.
Before You Buy Checklist
FAQ
Q: Can I use this with a MacBook?
A: No. macOS does not support MST, so the USBC-MSTH3 will only mirror displays, not extend them.
Q: Will this adapter charge my laptop?
A: No. The USBC-MSTH3 is a video-only adapter and does not support power delivery.
Q: How do I know if my system supports MST?
A: Look for support for DisplayPort 1.2 or higher with MST or USB-C Alt Mode. You can also check with the system manufacturer or reach out to Plugable support with your laptop model.
Q: What happens if my system doesn’t support enough bandwidth?
A: The displays will automatically scale down to lower resolutions or refresh rates based on available bandwidth.
If you have any questions or need help determining compatibility with your system, please reach out to our support team at support@plugable.com.
