Photoshop 2024 lagging with Dell Universal Dock D600

[PxC_Michael]

I have a Dell XPS-15 9500

Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-10750H CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.59 GHz

RAM: 32GB

Display: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti

*All drivers up-to-date, Windows OS up-to-date

OS: Windows 11 Home, 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor

The problem: Photoshop 2024 works perfectly fine when I'm using my laptop on its own. However, whenever I plug into my Dell Universal Dock D6000 Photoshop 2024 starts acting incredibly slow and stuttering. I also have Photoshop 2023 installed, and that has zero problems when I'm plugged into my dock.

Things I have tried: optimizing my performance in Preferences; Rebooting, Reinstalling Photoshop 2024; Making sure I have the latest updates; Altering various settings in my NVIDIA Control Panel. Nothing works.

I have learned that this particular dock isn't meant for graphics-heavy performance, and that I need a dock that utilizes the onboard GPU, but I'm hoping that since Photoshop 2023 works fine somebody else may know of a solution to get Photoshop 2024 to also work without me having to spend hundreds of $ on another dock. Thanks in advance!

[Kevin Stohlmeyer · Accepted solution]

@PxC_Michael "I have learned that this particular dock isn't meant for graphics-heavy performance" that is the definition of Photohsop "graphics-heavy performance". As you continue to upgrade, requirements also change.

It seems that you have successfully isolated the issue, I would focus on troubleshooting the hardware lag. Are there new drivers, etc? The Dell Universal Dock is $126 not hundreds of dollars...

[PxC_Michael]

Thanks for responding! I did go through and update the firmware and all drivers for the dock and for the graphics processer, and the issue is still the same. The Universal Dock is not as expensive, but other forums mentioned needing specific docks that were way more expensive, so I just want to make sure that I'm doing my due dilligance in looking for other possible solutions first before making a purchase. My hope was that Photoshop 2024 isn't that much of a leap from Photoshop 2023, but it's looking like I will need to buy a new dock after all.

[Lumigraphics]

A lot of the Dell docks are total junk. Try a third-party dock. I have a little Satechi dock that cost US$70 and it works great on my Mac mini.

https://www.pcworld.com/article/402858/the-best-usb-c-hubs-for-your-laptop-tablet-or-2-in-1.html

https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-laptop-docking-station/

https://www.wired.com/gallery/best-usb-hubs-and-docks/

https://www.macworld.com/article/668894/best-thunderbolt-3-4-and-usb-c-docking-stations-for-macbook-...

[PxC_Michael]

Thank you for this! I'll take a look through these.

[Lumigraphics]

Dell docks are a common topic on Spiceworks.

https://community.spiceworks.com/t/looking-for-some-great-thunderbolt-docks-options-for-dell-laptops...

https://community.spiceworks.com/t/what-docking-station-dilemmas-do-you-generally-face/1019337/5

https://community.spiceworks.com/t/what-is-the-best-dell-docking-station-sept-2020/775071/6

If you are updating, run the Dell Command utility with the dock connected so hopefully you'll get the latest firmware.