17R3 with ASUS Rog Swift - No G-Sync ???

Folks,

I give up. I surrender. I'm stumped.

In my Nvidia Control Panel the only menu is "3d Settings" I don't have any of the other sections. What's going wrong here? I've uninstall, and reinstalled the Nvidia drivers countless times since I received this in November. I'd really love to be able to use G-sync and the other Nvidia options since I dropped all this money on a G-sync monitor.

Also - I cannot get the monitor to run at 144hz. I try to configure it in display properties but the screen goes dark and the setting times out and reverts to 60hz

It's connected with a Thunderbolt 3 to Display Port adapter. Any ideas?

Screenshot attached.

 

I'm pretty sure that's because the monitor of your laptop is NOT connected directly to the nvidia GPU, but instead to the intel HD graphics GPU.
So almost any other option you want should be available on the intel HD graphics options.

 

I hate to say it but you cant. The Intel DGPU controls all display outputs on the laptop.

 

Yeap it's normal. If you connect a monitor directly into laptop via hdmi you'll see the missing options in nvidia control panel.

 

Both of you are right, that is why. It's a hardware limitation.

 

Hold on you three.

Spoiler: Image

This is from my GTX 960m connected to an external monitor I have. I'm going to be in doubt that Alienware made only the 13 R2 have the dGPU connected to the HDMI port.
The TB3 port is connected to the iGPU, that is true. But the HDMI port, I'll have to ask for a screenshot.
It was true the that all display ports in the Haswell/Broadwell models were connected to the iGPU, though.

I don't see how it wouldn't. The desktop GPU is separate from the iGPU, and if it supports G-Sync, then connecting the monitor to the desktop GPU should be fine.
But this all depends on if the OP has a Graphics Amplifier and a desktop Nvidia GPU that supports G-Sync.

 

I don't see why the DP is not connected to the dGPU.

Most gamers usually use DP to drive 120+hz displays where HDMI doesn't have enough bandwidth. Routing DP to the iGPU seems unwise imo.


And we don't have the FN+F7 like the old models.

 

It is absolutely stupid that one cannot use TB3/DP to drive a G-sync display. The ROG Swift (original model) only has Display Port.

AW rep assured me the R3 supported G-sync - with the 4k screen and with a monitor connected via display port. I'm really disappointed - I wasted a ton of money here.

I have a GA but no GPU for it yet - waiting for the new Nvidia cards to come out. Does any know if G-sync will work if I go use the HDMI port and from there go through an HDMI to Display Port adapter so I can us my monitor?

 

According to this, an adapter won't work.

 

Thanks, great find. I didn't want to drop the big money on an active adapter and it not work.

Why, why oh why does a top of the line gaming laptop that is marketed as supporting G-Sync not actually support G-sync? I don't understand why these don't have a dedicated display port...port. By piggy backing off of the TB3 port you end up losing all the awesome TB3/ USB 3.1 capability just to connect a monitor...and even then you don't get full DP functionality as we see here.

/end rant

I was on the verge of dropping $400 for the Dell Thunderbolt 3 Dock to see if that would help my situation - but that does not appear to be the case as others have reported it won't even work with the new Alienware laptops. Looks like my only options are 1) Buy 980ti now (have 980m model) or 2) wait another few months for new GPUs to be released and price gouging to subside.

 

I don't have a GPU for the GA.

 

I don't have a GPU for the GA.

 

It was never advertised to support G-Sync

 

Gsync will only work through DIsplay Port connections, HDMI is not supported. Sucks AW ties the DP to the iGPU instead of the dedicated gpu.

 

my alienware 15 R1 had the mini displayport

 

Right. But not the 15 R2 / 17 R3

 

This is one more reason not to buy AW BGA junk... Should have got a Clevo P750/770/870DM which would have easily worked with the ROG Swift..

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

Wait what? They removed the mDP that's connected to the dGPU from the R2 models? So only the R1 have direct to dGPU capability? (aside from HDMI)

 

The 17 R3 / 15 R2 do not have the mDP. They do, however, have a Type-C USB3.1 / Thunderbolt 3 port. Unfortunately this is tied to the Intel GPU as I have learned so using it for a display is not G-sync compatible. Incredibly stupid. This should have dual display ports.

 

rip in peace

 

The mini DP was routed to the iGPU, not the dGPU.

 

LOL, And this is a laptop mostly intended for gaming. Yeah DELLIENWARE have improved their <gaming> laptop models every year. The G/A was an fantastic idea

 

Yeah because Gsync is everything for gaming.......

 

You don't need to use it But it's nice to have if you want to use it

 

THats true. To be honest I dont get the hype around gsync. Because I rather have a 60fps locked with no dips than a variable framerate. But that might be just me.

But variance in frame times is horrible in competitive shooters for example.

 

But do not forget why the thread was created... 17R3 with ASUS Rog Swift - No G-Sync ???
This is another mistake with the new Aw models among many more... If you or I am for or against the G-Sync is not relevant in this thread. G-Sync has been/should be a mandatory feature on a gaming laptop from all OEM's. Most brand provide laptops with G-sync on both internal and external monitor. No G-Sync support for external displays are a big big scandal. If OEM claims that their laptop models is a gaming machine and can not be delivered with such mandatory support so says this itself. What do you think desktop gamers had said, if their gaming rig had no G-Sync support? Something to think about .

 

Only select laptops support gsync and those are gaming laptops without using optimus, which arent a lot. Only Clevo has on 2 models a nice solution. To offer a switch. But IN the end there are far more non gsync able laptops that gsync able laptops. Nvidia should rethink the optimus system though that HDMI/displayport pass trough can become a problem in the future. But to see it as a big scandal? I dont think so.

 

Sell a gaming laptop designed for sale late 2015/16 without support for G-sync is pretty special or I would rather call this a scandal such as in the previous post. Some have not followed through new tech and have rather fell asleep. But this is my opinion and definitely also others.

 

It doesnt have anything to do with new tech. But with offering optimus or not.

Razer, Gigabyte, MSI, Asus, Clevo (Within the same category) with Optimus all DONT offer ANY Gsync functionality. EVGA is doing it now and had to create a separate display port next to the original one just to make it happen externally with their Optimus equipped laptop. It comes pretty much to this. All portable gaming laptops dont offer any Gsync functionality to this day.

Calling it a big scandal is way out of proportions.

 

All big OEM's like Msi, Clevo and Asus offer G-sync in their best top of the line gaming models. DELLIENWARE None... Do I need to spell this better? I know my English is not so good, but what I write should be understood very well. Forget it. You should rather try Google.

 

I said in the same category.

THe laptops that do offer it are DTR's where Optimus has no place. There are pretty much no optimus enabled laptops that do support it.

 

Yeah.. I should know that newer 17 inches AW model isn't in the same category like the best one from Asus, Msi and Clevo. Sorry... This mean that DELLINWARE aka AW are a special brand. Because they are Not like the others.

 

I was the number Alienware fanboy a few years ago and have owned 3 different Alienware Machines back then they were the enthusiast desktop replacement machines.

Unfortunately, now they are just there to make money, hence why the BGA non socketed route to force customers to upgrade the entire laptop when they want something better. Cripple it with throttling CPUs that don't run at the advertised speeds, optimus (battery saving junk) no G-SYNC, lesser RAM ports 2 vs 4 before.....the list goes on......

For an enthusiast desktop replacement machine, the best is Clevo, nothing even comes close....

the new Alienwares are just high performance Chrome Books IMHO, with Intel Graphics?? Who uses this in a high performance machine! Hence, no Gsync

Just look at this....

a user on MDL forums saw my sig and thought it's a desktop due to the superb specs....he's like......

I then replied telling him it's a 17 inch screen because it's a laptop

socketed components FTW! Keeps them wondering

 

Not going to have this disucssion again. I refuted a lot of your points. Feel free to send me a PM though.

And the machien in your sig is just a mid to high end system compared to desktops not an actual desktop (980TI/Fury X, X99 based Intel CPU etc). Not that it isnt a fine machine for something you can take with you in a backpack ofcourse.

 

I know it's not top tier compared to a desktop, what I meant to say is for a laptop, this is the best you can get at this time

PS: I ordered a 64GB 3000 MHz G.Skill Ripjaws DDR4 RAM kit as an upgrade from my current 2800 MHz. Kit just to get a few more points in the memory benchmarks.

 

Who can be clocked up to faster speed in the bios

 

Yeah, it sucks that the Alienwares don't have G-sync, hopefully they'll incorporate that for the next refresh. That being said, if you have money to blow on 64 gb of ram and delidded cpus, or spend all of your time benchmark racing, I'm not sure why you would ever be looking at an Alienware anyway, they're not for you. To be honest, I'm not sure why you're even in this thread.

 

First of all, I'm sorry to barge in this thread but I tried to DM you but it didn't go through. My apologies for the inconveniences caused to all.

I read in one of the threads in this forum that you reside in Dubai and so do I, so I am asking you for some guidance I hope you don't mind. I am looking to replace my old M17xR3 with the current gen laptop but I've noticed that the price here is too much considering their price in the US. How did you get that beast if yours and where?

What laptop do you suggest I should buy for a budget of 2500$ and where is the best place to get it from in Dubai?

Thanks for any feedback mate.

Cheers.

 

I will PM you

 

There is NO reason alienware could have not connected the TB3/TypeC port to the dGPU. They clearly did this on purpose to increase sales on the graphics amplifier. I don't care what dGPU an OEM chooses to use, any dedicated nvidia card in a notebook can have AT LEAST, one HDMI, and one DP. Very disappointing.

 

+ ZERO fee to Nvidia for verification/use of G-sync. This means more money to Dell's shareholders. More important than providing a much better product to buyers of their top of the line <Gaming> laptops... Dell was not interested in cooperation with Nvidia about G-sync functionality, such like Asus, MSI and Clevo did. Dell would rather make much more money for their sharehloders, than paying unnecessary expense to partnerships / those who build their products... The future does not look so bright.

 

Thanks Mate.

 

Alienware will be fine. They just don't cater to the hardcore person who has unlimited funds to spend on a gaming laptop anymore. If Asus spent more money dealing with their service depots rather then worrying about G-sync, I'm sure they would have a lot more happy customers.

 

You portray it like all Clevo's, MSI's and Asus laptops have it. Only the non optimus laptop shave it. Which are DTR's at a pricepoint above what Alienware is offering......

You also portray it as if the Alienware laptops are not gaming laptops. While they are excellent for this task. If you need gsync then it is already struggling for gaming because you cant keep the framerate at a steady 60fps....It onyl work swell within a certain sweet spot. If you framerate movies too much up and down, it will become quite the drag.

I rather see Clevo and Asus work on their keyboard for once. Only MSI is getting this next to Alienware. Keyboards that do perform for longer gamer sessions. WIth good tactive feedback, good travel and durabilty.

 

The one reason why they did not Do TB3 was the the Graphics Amplifier came out before Skylake. TB3 was not available when the Alienware 13/15/17R2 were released last year.

 

THat and there seems to be a larger performance loss. The AGA port is nothing more than an actually PCI express slot trough a cable. THunderbolt has to translate the PCI express signal to thunderbolt and back which causes even more of a performance loss unfortunately.

 

Wait.. what? Umm does that apply to the m18x r2? I hope not.

 

So no nice, 21:9 curved G-Sync ROG Swift 100hz as an external monitor then?

 

Only to the laptops with Optimus.