M17x R4 Connecting Multiple Monitors

Hi all,

I've got a new m17 r4 hopefully arriving sometime next week. I've also got a couple of external monitors I'll be wanting to connect it to when it comes and just wondered if you could offer some advice as to the best connection and configuration setup?

Monitor

2x Benq 2420HD (which say is 1920 x 1080)

HDMI / Dvi / VGA

Laptop

I7-3610qm / 6gb ram

17.3 inch widehd+ (1600 x 900) wled lcd

2Gb Gddr5 nvidia GeForce gtx 660m

1) can anyone tell me the best connections to use on the laptop for both of these monitors? Would it be hdmi, then dvi, then VGA in order of better quality? Would I have to use one on hdmi and one on dvi, or is there some sort of splitter that would be better?

2) does the laptop come with any of these cables, or will I have to source from elsewhere? If so, can anyone recommend a good one to get at a good price?

3) in regards to resolution, I assume I'll be able to run at 1920x1080 on the monitors even though my laptop screen is 1600x800?

4) Can I only have the 2 external screens working at the same time, or would it be possible (or indeed worth) to have my laptop screen as a 3rd display?

5) Are there any particular configurations / settings on the laptop that anyone can recommend to get the best performance / picture out of this setup?

6) Will having the laptop on 2 external monitors prove 'taxing' for the laptop, and cause any heating issues?

Sorry for being a bit of a novice here, but your advice would very much be appreciated!

Thanks,

Cisco

 

1) I think it goes DVI, HDMI, then VGA- but at 1920x1080, you shouldn't see a difference between HDMI and DVI.

2) You can buy them seperately- amazon.com generally has good prices. DO NOT buy from Best Buy or any of those.

3) Yes- but PLEASE just spend the extra $100 on the better laptop screen. You will regret the poorer screen later, and it is pretty much the only thing you can't upgrade later.

4) You can have both externals running at the same time, but i'm not sure if it will run 3 displays at once. Sorry

5) Not really- just have it plugged in, and make sure Optimus recognises the game/application you are trying to play.

6) Not at all, unless you are planning on Surround gaming. Seriously, the intel HD 4000 (the igp in your laptop) can run 3 displays concurrently on the desktop, so the 660m will easily. Again, that all goes out the window with gaming though.

 

Thanks for the replies..

I got the system from the Dell outlet, so not really able to change the configuration.

I got the whole thing for £899 so thought it was a pretty good deal?

In regards to the screen, I kind of figured I was going to be connecting it to the external monitors so didn't think it would be a big thing?

In regards to games, I've mainly bought it to play online poker (multi table and HUD software), so not sure it will massively need mega fps like some people talk on here about some games. Anyone else use Alienware on here for poker?

Will the HD4000 and 660m run together then, or will be there be some autoswitching depending on what's needed? or will it be some sort of manual switchover that might be needed?

Thanks again!