Alienware M18xR1/R2/18 External Monitor Discussion Thread - Ask Questions/Find Solutions Here

it is because there is only 2 timers on the video cards... it would give you the timer needed for the third timer... I am running 2 external and the internal using the adapter one page back...

It works for me and I have 560m sli...

 

Thanks, I will have to give it a go.

 

Hey guys I have duel 7970 how can I run an eyefinity setup? Do I need an active display adapter? If so any recommendations? I would search but using my mobile and its not working correctly.

Thanks.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9900 using Tapatalk

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004071ZXA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Should work with the 7970's fine. Someone else posted this is what they used.

 

So I am trying to get 2 externals and the internal to work on my Malibal P150EM. I, however, have displayport capable monitors. I want to be able to use my 2 Dell U2410 with the laptops internal display. Currently I cant get it to work even though they have native display port functionality. I have tried all the combinations possible with HDMI DVI and DP on either monitor with the internal. All 2 screen options work great. Is this adapter going to solve my problem as well?

 

So I got the active display port adapter and I am trying to run one monitor off that and another monitor off the VGA output. I am still unable to display to both screens and the internal. I tried the activate all screens in the Nvidia control panel and the screen resolution settings in Windows. What am I missing to get all screens going? Thanks

 

I hope I didnt waste money on the adapter. So please help. Thanks

 

I have the same problem as killaz05. Bought the cable, no luck. P150EM and 7970m. Tried running off the DP adapter and HDMI as well as the adapter and DVI with no luck. Is there a setting somewhere I am blind to or a configuration that I am missing? Also hoping I did not waste money on the adapter. Thanks in advance!

 

What active display adaptor are you guys using? There are a few online that say they are active display ports, but are not and will not work. Sorry I haven't been available to help you guys sooner. Just started a new job and it has been crazy.

 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004071ZX0/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3C_SC_dp_1

This is the one I got. Seems pretty legit with good reviews and ATI certified... No luck though.

 

I'm pretty sure that's the same one I purchased. The way it was explained to me is that I need to use that and and HDMI connection.

 

That is the some one I have. I did not have any problem with it though. I'm using it and the VGA out. I will check my setting and a couple other things when I get off today.

 

Hey guys when i run Cs Global or any full screen game the MX18 Screen goes black and i just play off montior anyway to make it so the MX18 Screen stays on? So i could possibly game and watcha movie at same time?

Any help would be greatly appricated.

 

I haven't tried that so I'm not sure it's possible, but I do know that If you want to try using both monitors for those 2 different things at the same time, that will kill the performance since they would be both video and power consumption, and if you want to be able to play the game on full screen and still have the other monitor working, you have to play on the laptop's monitor.

 

2 7970's couldn't handle it?

 

Not a matter of "handling it" as much as limitations in how you are able to configure the hardware connections.

Before creating a new thread, please take a few minutes do a quick search using Google or click back 2 or 3 pages (or more) in the forum to look for an existing thread by looking at the titles. (I frequently edit the thread titles to help it be a little more obvious at first glance, without opening the thread, as to what the content should be.) I merged your new thread with one already established. You may was to review the content starting with post #1 for additional information that will be useful setting up your external monitor(s).

HOW TO: Use Google to Search the forum - *PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING*

An index of potentially useful threads can be found here: [ LINK]

 

I noticed you had the AMD GPUs. I don't know if there is going to be a difference between our settings but another person with Nvidia cards had success using the HDMI-out and the adapter. I haven't confirmed this yet. The monitors that I want to get working are older monitors and only have a VGA and DVI connection. I am having no luck with the adapter and a VGA-out.

 

Hi guys,

Sorry for bringing up old thread. But did anyone managed to make it work on M18x?
Mind to tell me how?
Really appreciate any help here.

 

Take a look through the previous post. I have posted that it works and what I use with pictures. I can only vouch for AMD cards though. I have laptop monitor as main and the other 2 as extended. The first time you plug in a monitor you have to go through the setting and apply them, then if you change the spot that it's plugged in to the setting will need to be set and applied again.

 

Care to post screenshots of your settings on the laptop?

 

As My original Screen shot showed (back on page 7 I think), the ATI cards a FULLY capable of running 3 external screen, or 2 external PLUS the internal, without any extra adapters (USB or otherwise) being required. It is just a matter of setting up the Catalyst correctly IMO. I have now been running 3 screen setup for over 6 months. Not 1 issue!

 

Thanks for all the AMD confirmation. Should I start another one just for NVidia though?

Ice

 

I must be blind I cant find the screenshot. I also cant find where those settings are in CCC. I am only able to control different screens with whats built into windows.

 

Here are screen shots of my settings for each monitor.

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

As for the CCC setting I have no clue. I couldn't find it anywhere and when I called AMD, they said it couldn't be done with out a active display adaptor. That's what I got mine working with.

 

Well I am sad to say that I just had the opportunity to try HDMI and the mini Displayport to DVI and it did not work for my GTX 580m SLI setup. I tried with SLI enabled and disabled. I am beginning to think I wasted my money :-/

 

So here is a thought. Do all the displays have to be the same resolution? My U2410s are 1920x1200 not 1080 like the laptops main display.

 

I tried all displays at 1080 because it was the max settings for all displays. No luck for me. I hope I am missing a setting that someone can tell me. I really want to purchase two screens for Christmas and have all three running.

 

Just as I suspected. Those on nvidia cant run more than 2 screens at any one time. Glad I'm using a matrox triplehead2go on my m18x r2.

I knew that anyone who claimed otherwise are outright dishonest.

 

Well I don't know about dishonest. I am still hoping someone points out a setting that I was missing or something. I am sad if I wasted $30.00 on an adapter. I wish I could afford a triplehead2go but I am still paying off this M18x. I don't even have screens yet, I just borrowed my friend's screen to test and was hoping that I could run old monitors at work for work purposes. I remember when I had 6990s that I could use eyefinity with two screens, don't know about three but I wish Nvidia allowed these extra features for those that would want to use them.

 

No they do not all need to be the same resolution. 1 of my 3 is 1680x1050 and the other 2 are 1920x1080.

 

My Setup - http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...-imageuploadedbytapatalk1338423925.220488.jpg
(from my post originally on page 7).

(Left to Right)
30" @ 2560 x 1600 - Mini Display port to D-Link DVI adapter -> D-Link DVI cable to monitor
27" @ 1920 x 1080 - HDMI
24" @ 1920 x 1200 - VGA

So all different resolutions, but do note, you cannot run 3 external PLUS the internal screen on the laptop. (4 total)
I suggest plugging in one screen, set as default/main display. (display1)
Diable the internal monitor.
Add another monitor, set up to extend onto. (display2)
Add the final Monitor, set up to extend onto. (display3).

I actually managed to do this via the display properties in Windows with no assistance from Catalyst.
Again, no external USB graphics adapters needed.

 

Hi there,

Can anyone help -

I just wanted to clarify the following regarding the multi-monitor setup

1_) 7970M can extend display to 3 different monitors via the ports available on the MX18 R2 and via AMD/ATI software?

2_) GTX 680M not possible to extend multi-monitor like the 7970M unless you buy additional peripherals/cables/boxes?

If you can not extend the GTX 680M to 3 different monitors -

3_) What additional hardware/software can you use and which is the best

4_) Any experience in this would be whole lot of useful for me and others.

Much appreciated for any help

Thanks

 

I think this is a weak spot in with the Nvidia video cards for sure. I wonder if the performance is better with the USB 3.0? What I am not getting is the spec at the beginning of this thread shows that there are two hdmi's and two mini display port and a VGA so there are physically 4 video outputs. So does that mean the drivers do not allow for 3 monitors when gaming?

 

Hey guys,

I have searched for hours and i may just be over looking the answer. I have an m18x with dual radeon 6990m, i am lookng into buying an external 120hz monitor (asus VG248QE)

I AM NOT GOING TO BE RUNNING 3D. This upgrade is purely for FPS games


My questions are:

A) Is it possible to get 120hz out of the dual radeon 6990m
B) What is the best and cheapest way, Mini Display port to Display port (StarTech Model MDP2DPMM6 - Newegg.com) OR Mini Display port to Dual Link DVI (powered) (StarTech MDP2DVID Mini DisplayPort to DVI Dual-Link Active Adapter - USB Powered - Newegg.com)

EDIT****

120+ Hz IS possible with the r1/r2

I am running 144hz at 1080 with this monitor - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236313&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3640576&SID=skim525X832X2697a19308e716dd78c942a8b8695fec

And its hooked up with this cable - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200602

Save your money and buy the Mini DP to DP cable and not the powered DVI cable.


If you have any questions feel free to PM me

Thanks

 

I don't see why you wouldn't be able to run 120Hz with dual graphics, period. No matter what generation they are.

Can't answer the second question as I've never done this before.

 

I'm pretty sure you will need the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Dual-Link DVI adapter.
This is what I used for my 580m sli connected to a 2560x1440 monitor.

I did a lot of research at that time and they were the cheapest and they work perfectly.
However, I have no experience with either 6990m or 120hz monitors.

 

Well heres where im coming from:

I read that some users with a single radeon 6990m couldnt get 120hz BUT they werent using alienware and they only had DVI or HDMI ports on their comps, after hooking up a DVI cable they found out that it was not dual link and could not support 120hz.

I feel that my case is different because i have dual 6990m and a Mini Display Port which can fully support 120hz, i just want to hear from the experts here before i order 300 bucks in new gear

 

I don't think having dual 6990m makes a difference on whether it supports 120Hz or not.
But I'm 99% sure that you need that adapter for resolutions higher than 1080p (or 1200p) or 60Hz.
Like you said, I would wait for the experts' suggestions but be prepared to spend another $70 or so for the adapter.
After searching a bit on google, there seems to be a lot of issues with 120Hz on 6990m though.

 

I am fine with sticking with 1080, i have no desire to go higher than that, the important part to me is 120hz since i play counter-strike competitively.

So no one here has done this with their 6990m m18x?

 

Hey... i left my AW at work, but in about 4 hrs i will get back home with it and i will try it out with my 3D monitor which i use with desktop machine with GFX 580.

PS: I had no trouble runing 3D movies with TV - didnt try games though.

Ok i have ran of time.. didnt work through HDMI. Will try Displayport active cable reduction to DVI later on (my monitor doesnt have displayport) when i come back.

 

I appreciate you trying it out. Not all 3d monitors are 120hz i dont think but yours may be. The cable i was going to use is the mini display port to display port cable, the only other option is mini display port to dual link DVI (powered) which is the 100 dollar adapter, if you dont have either of those i would not be surprised if it doesnt work. I have spoken with a guy on the alienware forums who says what i am trying to do WILL work. The cards support 120hz and the cable does as well.

 

Ok i will give it a rest - i dont have the active reduction at work anyway. Let us know when you try it out just so that we r 100% sure next time

PS: I managed to sell the GF 580 to co-worker so tomorrow i will have PC little more powerfull than AW - as it should be

 

Yeah man, i appreciate you trying anyway. I think im just going to order it and try it out, worse case scenario i have to return it. I will keep you guys posted.

 

Yes, you will be able to get 120Hz from the dual 6990 and I would recommend you to get an HDMI 1.4 cable.

Alienware M18X: Compatibility of HDMI output with 3D

 

I thought you couldn't get 120hz @ 1080p unless you used display port? HDMI doesn't have enough bandwidth.

 

I talked to a guy recently that tried the HDMI and it didnt work, Not sure why/how but the mini-DP to DP cable has enough bandwith to do 120hz, the radeon 6990m can support 120hz and the monitor can to, one would think this would work fine. Anyway they are on the way, i should know by early next week if they work or if i have to return them.

 

you wont be able to get 120hz through hdmi. whatever the specs may be, in reality it doesnt work. ive tried this with nvidia many times with several diff hdmi cables and no dice. havent tried with ati, but that shouldnt matter. i also wouldnt recommend the powered displayport to dual link dvi adapter either. they are like 100 dollars. if you can get a monitor that has displayport in and use a mini display port to displayport cable. this will be the more trouble free setup that you can have. i have a aw2310 and regret buying it. if i had it to do again i would look into the ben q monitors.

 

Yeah i bought the ASUS here Newegg.com - ASUS VG248QE Black 24" 144Hz 1ms (GTG) HDMI Widescreen LED Backlight LCD 3D Monitor Height&pivot adjustable 350 cd/m2 80,000,000:1 Built-in Speakers

Ive heard the colors are bad but you can do a quick fix on it and they will be fine, 100 bucks cheaper than BenQ but if its not a good monitor i will send it back and grab a benq

 

Ok quick update. monitor came in today. Display port cable wont be here til monday. I hooked the monitor up via HDMI (not 1.4) just to check the monitor out.

Color is off a tiny bit but not as bad as people make it out to be, max res right now is 1080 and max hz is 60 but again im using an old HDMI cable i had laying around. I expect to get higher res and 120hz when my DP cable gets here.

 

Well let us know how it goes, HDMI should work but it does seem to be VERY picky while DP seems to mostly just work.