Dell XPS 15 9550 + 144hz panel? (1440p)

Hello,

Just a baseline on what model I have, I have the XPS 15 i7/4K/512/16 config and was wondering if anybody else has an external monitor running at 120hz+?

I just purchased the MG279Q 1440p 144hz panel and I'm waiting for it to arrive as well as the thunderbolt 3 to displayport adapter. Wondering if anybody in this forum has tried using the adapter, has connected an external display, etc? In theory, the connection should have enough horsepower to power the display at 1440p 144hz with displayport no?

Thanks again!

 

I don't own a Dell XPS 15 (anymore). I can say that yes, that DisplayPort adapter from CableMatters should be fine. I've used many of their other adapters for other connector formats to connect laptops to external displays before, and they've all worked fine. And yes, with your configuration, you can run 1440p @ 144Hz using that adapter and monitor (both support DisplayPort 1.2, the minimum spec for that resolution & refresh).

However, I do want to say that you're definitely overbuying and paying too much for that monitor. Let's look at the specs:

Screen size: 27"
Resolution: 2560x1440
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Variable Refresh Rate tech: AMD FreeSync.
Other features: Game mode, low blue-light, blah blah blah.

For productivity, the 27" 2560x1440 will be great. However, 144Hz refresh rate does not make much difference over 60Hz. And the VRR, and other-features simply don't apply to desktop productivity use.

For gaming, the monitor is a total non-fit. Your laptop GPU isn't powerful enough to drive a 1440p resolution; and certainly not at 144Hz (it will struggle to consistantly hit 60fps in modern games even at 1080p). Your laptop also doesn't support any VRR tech (AMD FreeSync, or nVidia G-Sync). So if you game, you'd essentially be running 1080p on that monitor, and hoping you can get 60fps (144fps is a pipe dream for a GeForce 960m).

Unless you're doing something else with that monitor (such as primarily using it for a powerful desktop gaming PC, and using it on your laptop for secondary purposes), my opinion is that you're wasting money on features that you'll never use.

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Now, monitors tend to get upgraded the least frequently out of any computer component. You might upgrade a desktop GPU every 2-3 years, but you can keep a monitor for 10+ years (assuming the hardware doesn't die). So personally, I have two opinions whenever anyone asks me about monitors:

Option 1: Spend a little extra on a superb display, that you'd actually want to keep for the next 5-10 years.
This especially applies for monitors that are going to be used as a multi-input device (e.g. desktop computer, laptop, console, etc).

2560x1440 is a decent resolution that will stay relevant over the next several years. 144Hz is nice; but be aware that very few laptops currently support any kind of variable refresh rate for gaming; and it's unknown if that will change in the future, for both AMD and nVidia. Desktop GPUs do support VRR, but you'll need to stick with AMD Radeon desktop GPUs if you want to use FreeSync VRR.

However, if you're in this camp, I'd actually suggest you look into a 34" ultrawide. (34" 3440x1440 resolution; 21:9 aspect ratio). They've come down in price so much that they are competitive in the ~$600-$650 price range of the Asus MG279Q.

If you haven't seen ultrawide, I'd recommend doing some research on them. They are absolutely incredible for productivity, because of the massive screen real-estate and pixel count. The most common comment about ultrawide displays is that they are like a dual-monitor setup, without the bezel in the middle. You can easily put 3 windows (e.g. Chrome, MS Word, MS Outlook, etc) up comfortably; or an entire video editing timeline, with additional room on the sides for extra windows, apps, etc. They are a straight upgrade that completely supercedes 27" 1440p, and an upgrade over 16:9 4K monitors due to its wider aspect ratio (for productivity, and immersion in gaming).

Going 27" 1440p --> 34" ultrawide is a FAR bigger jump than going 27" 1440p --> 27" 4K. Every major reviewer or major forum (Anandtech, LinusTechTips, Toms Hardware, HardOCP, the crew at Overclock.net that have actually used both 4K and 34" ultrawide, bit-tech.net, to name a few) who has used 34" 1440p ultrawides swears by them, over 16:9 4K panels.

(just look at how much you can cram on a screen, and have it be usable. And this is a 29" 2560x1080 monitor on display. You get even more space on a 34" 3440x1440)​

For gaming, the biggest complaint is that not all games support 21:9 aspect ratios. Which is true. But even in that case, you'd play at 16:9 with black bars on the side. It's exactly the same screen size and pixel count as a 27" 2560x1440 monitor.

But the games that do support 21:9 (and there are many of them, and growing)? Whooooooah, boy. Let me tell you, you play a game on an ultrawide just once, and you're an instant convert. Pretty soon, you'll be going on the /r/ultrawidemasterrace sub-reddit, and posting about how you've ascended to the master race.




I mean, just look at this thing! It's be-you-ti-ful! Incredible image quality, screen size, blah blah blah. But the icing on the cake is that 34" ultrawides tend to use the most modern design language of monitors, which means super-thin bezels. Compare that to the blocky black plastic rectangle bezels of most 16:9 monitors.



The models I'd recommend in your price range are:

• LG 34UM95C for $600 shipped (Amazon). 34" 3440x1440 @ 60Hz
• Dell Ultrasharp U3415W for $700 shipped (Amazon) 34" 3440x1440 @ 60Hz.

Option 2: Buy an inexpensive, almost "disposable" monitor that you'll use, and possibly replace, or give away in a few years when it's time to upgrade

If you primarily plan on using an external monitor to game using your Dell XPS 15, I'd recommend you get a 24" 1080p IPS monitor, that just runs at 60Hz. There's practically zero chance your laptop's performance will ever exceed what the monitor can handle. You can easily find many high-quality monitors for ~$150. If you don't want to spend hours on research, and just want to buy one product that you know is universally praised, just get a Dell Ultrasharp, like the Dell Ultrasharp U2414H.

If you primarily plan on using an external monitor for productivity, get a 27" 1440p IPS monitor that runs at 60Hz. You can find lots of options at around ~$350. If you want a no-brainer recommendation for a bit more money, get a Dell Ultrasharp U2715H or a U2717D (very similar specs, except bezel size. The U2715H is the 2015 model, whereas the U2717D is the 2017 model).

 

Wow, thank you so much for your comprehensive response. Very well explained with my best interests in mind.

However, in terms of 144hz gaming, I am going to be using this monitor mainly for CS:GO which I can easily push around 120+Hz with high-ultra high settings. Aside from that, I am aware that I definitely cannot get 144hz+ in modern titles.

That said, I was extremely disappointed to find out there wasn't a 4K panel that could push a higher refresh rate at a lower resolution.

I also did look for an ultrawide and actually purchased one (it took 2 months to ship so I took it as God's sign and cancelled the order). I definitely wanted to get an ultrawide for productivity purposes as well.

That said, if the 144hz is underwhelming for CS:GO, I'd definitely look for an ultrawide first or the Lenovo Thinkvision x1 (which connects directly with a single usb-c cable)

Thanks again, I really appreciate your effort