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    Alienware 17 with two external monitors.

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Biohazard8051, Jul 4, 2014.

  1. Biohazard8051

    Biohazard8051 Newbie

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    I am looking to set up two external monitors along with my built in, all mirroring the built in, but I only have one HDMI Port, with no VGA, I got a USB 3.0 to HDMI Adapter, but I cant seem to get it to display games on the monitor. What kind of adapter am i looking for, maybe a splitter cable or a different kind of adapter, I need some help! I dont want to hear I wasted $150 on a monitor I cant use.
    (Sorry if i put this in the wrong section..)
     
  2. steviejones133

    steviejones133 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Does one of your external monitors have a DisplayPort? - if so, just use HDMI to one, MiniDisplayport to DisplayPort to the other monitor...

    Depending on the resolutions of your monitors, and if neither have a DisplayPort, you could always use a MiniDisplayport to HDMI adapter, like this one: Mini DisplayPort HDMI - Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter Converter | StarTech.com United Kingdom

    That adapter supports resolutions up to 1920x1200 - if your monitors have a higher resolution, you would need an active converter, similar to this one: Mini DisplayPort to DVI Dual-Link - Active Converter | USB Powered | StarTech.com United Kingdom - this one supports up to 2560x1600 over dual link DVI
     
  3. Biohazard8051

    Biohazard8051 Newbie

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    I do not have display prort on my Alienware 17 Laptop, I have this though: Amazon.com: StarTech.com USB 3.0 to HDMI/DVI External Video Card Multi Monitor Adapter with 1920x1080 Graphics Cards USB32HDE (Black): Computers & Accessories , However, i cannot seem to get my display, which i know that this is an external video card, when I load up one of my games, such as Arma 3, the display sort of fizzes out and then turns off, then when I close out the game, I am pretty sure it is because the external graphics card that is in the adapter, but all I am looking for is a USB to HDMI direct adapter, or something I was thinking this might work: http://www.amazon.com/Multiple-2048...86&sr=8-4&keywords=USB+to+HDMI+direct+adapter
     
  4. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    It won't work with games since its driven by software. USB displays should be considered 2d only.
     
  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    This is true, it won't work for gaming.
     
  6. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Also the 17 should have a display port on it, do you have an older M17X instead?