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    M17X R3 + 2x 24in Monitors.. possible ?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by DocBurN, Nov 22, 2011.

  1. DocBurN

    DocBurN Notebook Consultant

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    is there a way to use 3 screens.. (2x24in monitors + the alien monitor) at the same time (not in clone mode).. like extending to multiple display

    2 monitors dont have hdmi (only vga and dvi) i can convert anything to anything with adaptors

    doable ?

    once again, thank you very much for your time and help!
     
    DocBurN, Nov 22, 2011
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  2. Iceforge

    Iceforge Notebook Guru

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    HDMI is pretty much dvi + audio + copyright, you should be able to find some some dvi <-> adaptors.
     
    Iceforge, Nov 23, 2011
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  3. DocBurN

    DocBurN Notebook Consultant

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    But.. I mean output wise on the m17x.. Is there 2 hdmi output.. / 1hdmi+1dvi / at least 2 ?
     
    DocBurN, Nov 23, 2011
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  4. DocBurN

    DocBurN Notebook Consultant

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    Had to bump.. I would really appreciate someone confirming they use 2 external monitors on a M17X R3 .. i just heard it was impossible with a single video card setup..

    in a dream world.. i would use the laptop screen + both monitors in a 3 screen windows setup
     
    DocBurN, Nov 27, 2011
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  5. ceta

    ceta Notebook Enthusiast

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    ceta, Nov 28, 2011
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  6. DocBurN

    DocBurN Notebook Consultant

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    DocBurN, Nov 28, 2011
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  7. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    nvidia limits to 3 I believe, ati limits to 6 ( I run 4 + LCD with a fire pro ) but theoretically it should work as many laptops i have had would use the vga port + hdmi and the onboard screen at once
     
    KCETech1, Nov 28, 2011
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  8. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    sorry Doc, I am just using a single HDMI monitor, m17x-r3 has 1 hdmi input 1 hdmi output, 1 VGA, so I think you can use the hdmi output and VGA to connect to 2 monitors, never tried it though, but I guess it should work after some minor tweak?
     
    maxheap, Nov 28, 2011
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  9. catacylsm

    catacylsm Notebook Prophet

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    With the AW screen down, 2 monitors should be possible, that iirc was the limitations placed on single GPU hw.
     
    catacylsm, Nov 28, 2011
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  10. KCETech1

    KCETech1 Notebook Prophet

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    has nothing to do with the GPU. but how its implemented.

    eg. i run 4 external monitors plus laptop lcd ( using advanced dock) on one portable workstation with an m7820 ( radeon 5870m) and another drives the onboard plus 2 with a quadro 2000
     
    KCETech1, Nov 28, 2011
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  11. weinstein888

    weinstein888 Notebook Evangelist

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    weinstein888, Nov 28, 2011
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  12. Tapakidney

    Tapakidney Notebook Evangelist

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    I think you've almost got it there, but based on my work with Eyefinity and desktop PCs, you will need an active Displayport adapter for that DVI monitor. I think the non-active ones don't allow for an Eyefinity setup.

    Now, this is all based off my knowledge of desktop AMD cards.

    Newegg has some good prices on the active adapters - which is good, considering the active ones used to be $100ish.
     
    Tapakidney, Nov 28, 2011
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  13. DocBurN

    DocBurN Notebook Consultant

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    when i searched for Eyefinity.. i end up with AMD stuff all over the place. Having an nvidia 580m wont change anything unless there is something i should know..

    First, thank you for pointing out that i should focus on getting an "active" mini DP adapter.. i didn't knew there was a difference and the one i originaly wanted was indeed passive. I don't know all the difference between both but my local store carry active one since 2 days ago... talk about syncro with my M17x who was shipped yesterday..

    If it matter, between those 3.. what would you pick..

    Manufacturer : SAPPHIRE (36$)
    Manufacturer : Blue Diamond (36$)
    Manufacturer : ACCELL (46$) ??

    Probably more expensive than usual but its available like RIGHT NOW :)
     
    DocBurN, Dec 15, 2011
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  14. teksavvy1

    teksavvy1 Notebook Geek

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    i run 3x27 inch with DP+DVI+VGA no issue.
     
    teksavvy1, Dec 15, 2011
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  15. DocBurN

    DocBurN Notebook Consultant

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    im guessing your DP is an active one ? to save 10$ i could try a passive one but i'll take no chance and go for an active one to be sure.

    The original objective was to use the 2 monitors AND the laptop monitors for a triple display.. some user as mentionned that i would have to close the lid for it to work.. can't wait to try it out!
     
    DocBurN, Dec 15, 2011
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  16. teksavvy1

    teksavvy1 Notebook Geek

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    yes, i also tried DP2DVI, DP2VGA adapters which work well. but DP2HDMI seems not work.
     
    teksavvy1, Dec 15, 2011
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  17. teksavvy1

    teksavvy1 Notebook Geek

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    you can get a HDMI2DVI cable and use HDMI and VGA ports for two external monitors, and at same time use laptop screen as well. i have tried this before with no issue.
     
    teksavvy1, Dec 15, 2011
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  18. DocBurN

    DocBurN Notebook Consultant

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    in my case, the 2 monitors are VGA & DVI only.. no hdmi option on them. I was already planning on using the hdmi on 1 monitor -> DVI and that leave me with the mini and big displayport.. or the VGA that i was trying to avoid for reduced image quality.

    but i still got my answer.. its possible to run 2 monitors + laptop 3D screen.. :D
     
    DocBurN, Dec 15, 2011
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