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    G-Sync on Alienware 15 R2 (2016) and Alienware 17 R3

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by KockM, Jun 29, 2016.

  1. KockM

    KockM Notebook Evangelist

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    Does anyone know if this is possible over the Thunderbolt 3 / USB Type-C port? I know G-Sync requires DisplayPort 1.3 to work, but maybe with a Thunderbolt 3 or USB Type-C to DisplayPort adapter or even a Thunderbolt dock, it might work. The GTX 970m and 980m do support G-Sync, but not over HDMI 2.0.
     
    KockM, Jun 29, 2016
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  2. KockM

    KockM Notebook Evangelist

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    Never mind! I tried searching for a similar thread earlier, but didn't find one, however, there is a thread.

    http://bit.ly/292KPPP

    It's not possible.
     
    KockM, Jun 29, 2016
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  3. nzgeek

    nzgeek Notebook Evangelist

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    Yep, the lack of G-Sync is all down to the Optimus technology. The dGPU can be switched off at any time to save power, so all graphics ports on the laptop itself are connected to the iGPU. Output from the dGPU is piped to the iGPU's frame buffer. Everything is limited by what the iGPU can do, and the iGPU can't do G-Sync.

    If you want to use G-Sync, you're only bet right now is to get a graphics amp. If you attach the monitor directly to the desktop GPU, the iGPU is taken out of the equation and you should be able to use G-Sync. The only limiting factor will be the graphics drivers.
     
    nzgeek, Jun 29, 2016
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  4. cruisin5268d

    cruisin5268d Notebook Evangelist

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    That thread was mine. I still cannot believe Alienware screwed us by not including a DisplayPort connection on a gaming laptop. I bought a GA and am just waiting for reasonable prices on a GTX 1080
     
    cruisin5268d, Jul 11, 2016
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  5. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    It was a conscious choice. Dell wanted more of your money. The Graphics amplifier + maybe also a desktop card bring more money in!!
     
    Papusan, Jul 11, 2016
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  6. rinneh

    rinneh Notebook Prophet

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    The display port on the R1 also didnt provide any gsync functionality.
     
    rinneh, Jul 11, 2016
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  7. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    DeeX, Jul 11, 2016
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    Papusan and sirleeofroy like this.
  8. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    That's ok..., But do not steal my beast with G-sync :D
     
    Papusan, Jul 12, 2016
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  9. nzgeek

    nzgeek Notebook Evangelist

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    As @rinneh mentioned, a dedicated DisplayPort port wouldn't have helped. The built-in screen and all graphics ports in the laptop itself go through the iGPU, which means no G-Sync.

    Dell used to provide a mux switch, allowing users to pipe the dGPU output directly to the screen/ports. This is no longer available, and only a fairly small number of (very noisy) users seem to care. Most people either don't know or don't care that the mux switch is gone.
     
    nzgeek, Jul 12, 2016
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  10. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    If only you can stab the price gougers and their entire family, we can dream!
     
    Mobius 1, Jul 12, 2016
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  11. cruisin5268d

    cruisin5268d Notebook Evangelist

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    I got lucky and scored the Gigabyte G1 1080 on Amazon for list price. They had it listed as "Available (3 days down the road)" so I snagged it and it arrived today! Wasn't due until Wednesday so I am pleased. Just sucks that I can't use it because my AGA appears to be a piece of junk. I had picked up an Asus Strix 1080 at Frys for list price last week but a) I couldn't close the AGA and b) AGA is piece of junk and wouldn't work.
     
    cruisin5268d, Jul 18, 2016
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  12. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    Shouldn't 1070/1080 work without hassle in GA? I mean I have read that its plug and play.
     
    Papusan, Jul 19, 2016
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  13. rinneh

    rinneh Notebook Prophet

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    In general it does.
     
    rinneh, Jul 19, 2016
    #13