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    m17x R3 with 6870M, trouble with 2560x1440 resolution

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by ochrons, Aug 29, 2011.

  1. ochrons

    ochrons Newbie

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    I've got m17xR3 with AMD 6870M display adapter and have connected it to my Dell U2711 monitor using a Mini DP - DP cable (tried two different cables). Everything works just fine up to 1920x1200 resolution, but when I enable 2560x1440 resolution, the screen starts going black for a second every now and then. There are also some horizontal disturbances every few seconds.

    Now, the monitor works just fine with Thinkpad X220 over Displayport, and also using dual-link DVI with Nvidia GTX460 (desktop).

    Has anyone encountered similar trouble with high resolutions over Displayport on the m17xR3, or could this be a cable problem or a problem with the monitor?
     
    ochrons, Aug 29, 2011
    #1
  2. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    I have never attempted anything that high over display port. It should be fine over dual link dvi though.
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 29, 2011
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  3. DarkXeRoX

    DarkXeRoX Notebook Consultant

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    doesnt a displayport have more bandwith ?
     
    DarkXeRoX, Aug 29, 2011
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  4. Uliena

    Uliena Notebook Enthusiast

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    Displayport supports easily 2560x1440 resolution so it's not that.
     
    Uliena, Aug 30, 2011
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  5. aarpcard

    aarpcard Notebook Deity

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    Display port 1.1 supports up to 2560 by 1600. Does the R3 have display port 1.1 or something else?
     
    aarpcard, Aug 30, 2011
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  6. ochrons

    ochrons Newbie

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    I borrowed friend's MiniDP-DVI (dual-link) adapter by Apple and the symptoms were exactly the same. Although this time the blankouts happened even with lower resolutions. Looks quite clear that the problem is with the AW, not the monitor.

    Displayport works just fine at this high resolution, since it works ok with other machines. Same for the dual-link DVI. AW is the only one causing problems. I guess it's time to contact Dell support and see what can be done...
     
    ochrons, Aug 31, 2011
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  7. ochrons

    ochrons Newbie

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    I did some additional checking and noticed that 2560x1440 is not the only resolution affected by the same problem. Also following resolution settings cause horizontal flashing lines and screen blanks:

    1152x864
    1280x800
    1280x1024
    1680x1050

    I also tried with my old Dell 2408WFP monitor where all the resolutions worked just fine (up to the maximum 1920x1200).

    Just to make sure I went through all different resolutions with Thinkpad X220 and U2711 (using Displayport) with no issues whatsoever.

    So this seems to be a problem between Alienware (6870M) and the 27" Dell.
     
    ochrons, Sep 11, 2011
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  8. Nmanfred

    Nmanfred Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry to comment on your thread but I need a copy of 6870m vbios. I'm having problems with my card and hoping a vbios flash might fix it. I'd really appreciate it if you could help me out.
     
    Nmanfred, Sep 16, 2011
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  9. ochrons

    ochrons Newbie

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    I hacked a solution by clever use of EDID editing (Phoenix EDID Designer) and custom INF creation (Monitor Asset Manager). The solution was to create profile for 2560x1440@50Hz. I tried tweaking the settings on the 60Hz version but nothing seemed to help. Lowering the clock to get 50Hz immediately solved all blanking and tearing problems.

    If somebody ever has the same problem, my custom INF can be found below. Just update the driver of your monitor with this one to get 50Hz.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 7, 2015
    ochrons, Oct 9, 2011
    #9