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    M18x-R2 external monitor questions

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by jjohnston12385, Dec 1, 2013.

  1. jjohnston12385

    jjohnston12385 Notebook Guru

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    I'm going to be acquiring an M17x-R4 that will be my secondary rig/portable rig. I'm thinking of setting up my 18 as my desktop replacement (since my current desktop is pretty much dead). I have a question about setting up an external monitor on the 18. I have a Dell 2407 monitor with DVI/VGA/Component. I was thinking of getting a miniDP to DVI adapter, but I was reading a few places that the DP port on the 18 doesn't output from the nVidia chipset. Is that true?If that's the case, do I need to go HDMI-DVI in order to get the output from the 680s to my external?

    Thanks in advance for all replies!
     
    jjohnston12385, Dec 1, 2013
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  2. KingSmoth

    KingSmoth Notebook Guru

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    I don't know why the mini-DP wouldn't work with an nVidia GPU, maybe someone else can chime in on that (I don't have any DP monitors and couldn't find anything about this in a quick Google search). If you're just running a single 1920x1200 monitor it wouldn't matter - I'm using an HDMI / DVI converter into my Samsung 24.
     
    KingSmoth, Dec 1, 2013
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  3. jjohnston12385

    jjohnston12385 Notebook Guru

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    Yea, plan on just running that one external. Will be my primary and may not even use the built in screen since it'll be sitting further away and won't be of much use. I may just get an HDMI-DVI cable and be done with it. Thanks for the input but if anyone else knows if the mini-DP, that would be good to know for future endeavors.
     
    jjohnston12385, Dec 1, 2013
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  4. tetsussaiga

    tetsussaiga Notebook Evangelist

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    I use a mini-DP to HDMI cable to connect my 580s to a TV without a problem. Not sure if this can be applied to the 680s though.
     
    tetsussaiga, Dec 2, 2013
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  5. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    I think it will work regardless of GPU. I have never connected anything to the mini-DP port even once, so I can't say based on personal experience.
     
    Mr. Fox, Dec 2, 2013
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  6. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    Unless there's a specific reason you want to use the display port, I would get an HDMI-to-DVI cord. The Alienware 18 has HDMI 1.4.
     
    TurbodTalon, Dec 2, 2013
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  7. Optimistic Prime

    Optimistic Prime Notebook Evangelist

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    I use mini-DP to connect to my u2410. No problems here.

    Sent from my Galaxy Note II
     
    Optimistic Prime, Dec 2, 2013
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  8. Irakandji

    Irakandji Notebook Consultant

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    I routinely use the mini-DP to DP, or mini-DP to HDMI to connect external displays. I also have a 2407 and it works fine. Using both the mini-DP and HDMI you can get 3 displays running in extended mode with the m18x display as one.

    The only limitations are:
    1) No nVidia Surround since nVidia disables it on the mobile GPU's,
    2) Only television grade 3D meaning HDMI 1.4 resolutions 1080 at 24 or 30 Hz. or 720p at 60 Hz. You cannot use nVidia 3D vision at 1080p 60Hz.
     
    Irakandji, Dec 2, 2013
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  9. woodzstack

    woodzstack Alezka Computers , Official Clevo reseller.

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    I use a mini-Display port to DVI-I adapter, one that gives me 2560x1600, and needs a usb for power. Worked with the 660, 675, 680, 770, and the 780m's Ive had. Hope that awnsers your question.
     
    woodzstack, Dec 2, 2013
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  10. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    It works through the discrete card.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Dec 4, 2013
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  11. Juang1985

    Juang1985 Notebook Deity

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    I am currently trying to run my 980m SLI on my 30 " Monitor @ 2560x1600 resolution. Does this works for gaming without any kind of input lag??? also does this only works with integrated graphics or does this works with Nvidia GPUS too?
     
    Juang1985, Jun 3, 2015
    #11