Alienware M17RX3 using the mini-display-port to get 120HZ on external-displays

I would love to hear from ANYONE with a Alienware M17RX3 using the mini-display-port to get 120HZ on your external display.

Basically my story :

I contacted Alienware Tech Support, (which is very weak in my opinion) when it comes to knowledge on advanced hardware issues.

I contacted them before buying an Alienware AW2310 external 23' 120HZ monitor.

I told them I fully understand that I CANNOT USE 3D with the monitor because my laptop DOES NOT have NVIDIA graphic card and that my system has a Radeon HD6970M 2GB video-card.

I told them I am ONLY INTERESTED IN THIS MONITOR if it will do 1920x1080 120HZ on my setup.

I was told YES IT will.

I should have researched the topic myself, but I have been very busy with my own work, and I figured when you buy a $2800 machine the tech support should give you the right information.

I cannot run this monitor at 120HZ and the reason being is that 120HZ is ONLY supported through a DUAL-LINK-DVI-CONNECTION. The monitor has the port, the laptop does not.

HDMI out on the laptop cannot do 120HZ at 1920x1080 only 60HZ that is the max that HDMI can do.

After further reasearch on my own, I find that there is 1-possible-way to do it.

There are adapters on the market, 1 certified by ATI that may work.

A mini-DP-port (which my laptop has) Adapter. A mini-dp to DUAL-LINK-DVI passive adapter that requires additional power via the USB-port of the laptop.

Mixed reviews on the web about it, as far as stability.

Bottom-line I am AFRAID to use any sort of adapter. I don't want to risk the stability of my system, or worse damage any of my hardware.

This laptop was a major investment for me, something that I will be paying off for the next year of my life. I have no plans for any new computer purchase for a LONG LONG TIME.

If I would have known that I could only run this monitor at 60HZ I would never have purchased it.

I would have MAYBE purchased a cheaper 23 monitor with a max refresh of 60HZ, or perhaps stuck it out on the laptop's built in display.

Yes I can return the monitor, but now its hooked up on my desk, and even at 60HZ its still much nicer then the built in 17-inch display.

Do those adapters actually work? I see that a company called Accell sells a mini-dp to dual-link-dvi adapter but its goes for around $100 bux.

Please anyone comment on using these adapters, I know most of them say that they will NOT WORK with 3-D, and that is FINE with me, I just want to be able to run at 1920x1080 120HZ, the max my monitor can run.

Thanks for reading.

 

First and foremost, do NOT buy the passive adapters for an m17x. What you want to buy is the Mini DP to DVI-D Dual Link ACTIVE adapter. It's more expensive, but it works.

To make sure you are getting the right one, use this link to see the officially supported AMD adapters.

Good luck

 

The $99 apple one works, most anything should work as long as it is powered and DUAL LINK DVI

 

Please, please, please use monoprice.com and don't buy overpriced cables. It saddens me.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I am going to order one today and will post updates as soon as I get it setup.

Thanks again.

BTW last night for the first time I had a solid-red-pixel on my monitor that is less then 1-week old.

I started to FREAK, I gently tapped the screen near the red-pixel and it went away.

It was only visible when the background was black.

I am new LCD's flat-panels etc, I really have no idea what to think of it.

This morning I am to afraid to power on the system, (using the family house laptop to type this).

I don't want to power on my system this morning, if I see the red-pixel its going to ruin my already long and miserable day I have ahead of me at work.

Will wait until tonight to check it out again.

I HAVE to get this monitor to 120HZ, this screen is nice, but 60HZ I can see.

I have gamed on high-quality 21 CRT Monitors at 1600x1200 85HZ all my life, I am hoping the hop to 120HZ, will make this flat-panel screen look more like a CRT.

 

UPDATE : I just can't do it, way to many negative reviews of this product on amazon.com, most about stability, a lot of reviews that it works some times and some times it doesnt.

Guess I'm stuck at 60HZ

 

Did you actually do it and not happy with the results? I'd be tempted to buy something like the Apple adapter and give it a shot-- you can always return the product if it didn't work as advertised.

 

Can not compare hz lcd vs crt

 

Is an active mini display port adapter required to run a regular 60hz display on the M17X? I am trying to connect my 23" monitor to my R3 using a passibe mini displayport to hdmi cable. The display turns on and displays the desktop but it appears like it is only running at 5-10fps. Everything is laggy (including the mouse cursor) and programs take minutes to open. The processor also appears to be under load when the display is connected. It is almost as if the adapter is displaying at a "hardware level" as if it is missing some sort of driver. Is this because I am not using an active adapter or is there something else I am missing?

 

Never used a passive adapter myself. I love the apple one I bought, works great!