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    m15x - Additional External Monitor

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by rambler38762, Apr 9, 2008.

  1. rambler38762

    rambler38762 Notebook Geek

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    I ordered my m15x with the 8000GTX card with a 1920x1200 display.

    Can anybody check and tell me how much resolution is left for an 2nd, external monitor? You will find that info under Display propoerties - Settings and then select the second display.

    On my current machine Compaq nw8240 (yes, old but still running 1920x1200 on 15,4") I have the same resolution, but for the external screen on 60x480 remains. Therefore I normally have to rezise the screen before using an external monitor/beamer.

    Rambler
     
    rambler38762, Apr 9, 2008
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  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    There's no limit to the resolution for an external monitor besides the hardware limitations of the output and external monitor itself.
     
    Lithus, Apr 9, 2008
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  3. rambler38762

    rambler38762 Notebook Geek

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    To be more precise:

    I want to see on Screen 1 (m15x, 1920x1200) a different picture then on Screen 2 (external).

    As the graphic cards has memory limitations (even the 8800GTX) I would like to know how much resolution is left for the 2nd display.

    Thanks

    Rambler
     
    rambler38762, Apr 9, 2008
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  4. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Memory limitations are only affected by large texture packs, most likely found in games.

    If you want to do some math, you can find out how much memory a screenshot would take up - though as a warning, this has nothing to do with VRAM:

    1920x1200 = 2304000 = 2.3 Megapixels.
    2.3 Megapixels x 16-bit color = 37 Megabits = 4.6 Megabytes.
    512 Megabytes - 4.6 Megabytes = 507.4 Megabytes = 4059.2 Megabits.
    4059.2 Megabits / 16-bit color = 253.7 Megapixels = 253700000 pixels
    Take the square root, and you have a conservative estimate of 15900x15900 left.
     
    Lithus, Apr 9, 2008
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  5. rambler38762

    rambler38762 Notebook Geek

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    Have a look at this ScreenShot from my Compaq nw8240.

    Screen 1 (the Compaq notebook) is @ 1920x1200

    For Screen 2 there is only a resolution of 640x480 left.

    If I move this slide to the right, the resolution for Screen 1 will be reduced accordingly.

    Maybe it is just the ATI driver, but there is now way I can see on Screen 2 1024x768 without lowering the resolution on Screen 1

    Rambler
     

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    rambler38762, Apr 9, 2008
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  6. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    No. You can increase the resolution of screen 2 without affecting the resolution of screen 1. The two boxes change size because the relative size of the two screens are now closer together. The V5000 supports a maximum resolution of 2048x1536 per display (dual DVI).

    http://ati.amd.com/products/workstation/techspecs.html
     
    Lithus, Apr 9, 2008
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  7. rambler38762

    rambler38762 Notebook Geek

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    You are the man!!!! :cool:

    I never noticed that. Thanks for the InDepth explanation.

    So I guess with the m15x I will also not have a problem with 2 screens.

    Last question:
    Will I be able to use office on Screen 1 and play for example Halflife on Screen 2?

    Rambler
     
    rambler38762, Apr 9, 2008
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  8. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    Yes, though you still have to alt-tab between the two programs since the mouse locks in FPS games.
     
    Lithus, Apr 9, 2008
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