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    AW18 2015 - does it have displayport 1.3?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by ColaMonster, Oct 29, 2018.

  1. ColaMonster

    ColaMonster Notebook Consultant

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    Ive got the 2013 Alienware 18, came with dual m290x's, and at that point in time Displayport 1.2 was the top displayport. it caps out at bandwidth for 144hz max.

    The alienware 18 was re released in 2014 and 2015 with newer graphics cards, so im cuious if it was updated with the Displayport 1.3 standard that was announced in 2014.

    Displayport 1.3 would allow me to do 240hz output for my 240hz Alienware monitor (was the best deal for a 240hz at the time)

    Unfortunately since mine is 1.2, i can only do 144hz.

    I know its not that big a deal, I do have a main rig that can take advantage of the full 240hz normally, but it would be nice to be able to use is at its best speeds if all i needed to do was swap the motherboard out for the newer one.
     
  2. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    no. same mainboard as original a18, just updated BIOS and added 980M as an option.
     
  3. ColaMonster

    ColaMonster Notebook Consultant

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    Awe thats disappointing. :(
     
  4. Lumlx

    Lumlx Notebook Consultant

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  5. ColaMonster

    ColaMonster Notebook Consultant

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    So assuming that the AW18 is running displayport 1.2- there is a few possible culprits for me maxing out at 144hz.

    1. The minidisplayport to displayport adapter im using is of the 1.1 standard.
    2. Me being in nvidia optimus mode is making it so i can only do 144hz?
    3. does intel hd support 240hz?

    because my main rig with the same Displayport cable does 240hz. hmm.
     
  6. Lumlx

    Lumlx Notebook Consultant

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    It could be that's just an adapters fault which supports only dp 1.1
     
  7. imest

    imest Notebook Consultant

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    I had asked if the Alienware 18 (2014) model was DisplayPort 1.2, it was confirmed by a Dell representative:

    09/17/2014 07:47:57PM Agent (TIP_Grace Ma): "Welcome to Dell US Chat! My name is Grace and I will be your Home System Sales Chat Expert. I can be reached at [email protected] . How may I help you?"
    09/17/2014 07:51:23PM ISW: "I have a question about the Alienware 18 laptop"
    09/17/2014 07:51:40PM ISW: "is the mini-display port a DisplayPort 1.2"
    09/17/2014 07:52:59PM Agent (TIP_Grace Ma): "Thank you for chatting gin, May I know the base price of the system please so that we'll be on the same page?"
    09/17/2014 07:53:23PM ISW: "$3,603.00"
    09/17/2014 07:59:44PM Agent (TIP_Grace Ma): "Thank you for patiently waiting, upon checking with the tools I have here yes it is the Mini-Display Port 1.2"


    -imest
     
  8. ColaMonster

    ColaMonster Notebook Consultant

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    thank you! ill have to find a adapter that supports what i need. hmm. its hard because most arent labeled