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    Connecting a L502X to a 120Hz monitor

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by FlipBack, Jul 7, 2012.

  1. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    Is it possible to connect an L502x to a 120Hz monitor (and actually get 120Hz). I know it can't be done over HDMI but how about the mini display port or whatever it is.

    Thanks!
     
    FlipBack, Jul 7, 2012
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  2. daver160

    daver160 Notebook Deity

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    Can't say for certain, but a quick Google search came up with this from Tom's Hardware:
    "Dual link DVI supports 120MHz"

    So my best guess is that you could do it, with a mDP -> dual link DVI adapter, and of course a monitor/TV that supports 120Hz
     
    daver160, Jul 7, 2012
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  3. peidekun

    peidekun Notebook Guru

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    It is probably the most straight forward to get a mini display port to display port cable if your monitor supports it. IIRC, the displayport signal comes off the nvidia card directly on an XPS 15. Display port can support up to 2560x1600@120Hz at 10 bits per channel.
     
    peidekun, Jul 12, 2012
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  4. exaltare

    exaltare Notebook Enthusiast

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    @ peidekun. I'm not sure on this. I'm using mDP -> DP for a U2312HM and the Intel HD 3000 is listed as the display adapter. I know the HD 3000 can't render frame-sequential 3D or 30-bit color depth, but not sure if it can do 120 hz.
     
    exaltare, Jul 12, 2012
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  5. peidekun

    peidekun Notebook Guru

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    That's my concern too. If the DP signal passes through the HD 3000, 120 Hz is not possible.
     
    peidekun, Jul 12, 2012
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  6. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    Hmm...well I'm not about to drop $350+ on a 120Hz monitor without knowing for certain. Hopefully somebody has already tried this!

    Unfortunately, after some digging around it does indeed seem like the mini display port is through the IGP, not the nvidia card. Bummer.
     
    FlipBack, Jul 13, 2012
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  7. NeoMesal

    NeoMesal Notebook Consultant

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    Running a program on the Nvidia GPU (Optimus) in full-screen might run 120Hz.

    So long as the IGP only passes the signal on from the Nvidia to the DisplayPort, and doesn't scale down the frame-rate in the process.

    I doubt this is the case however
     
    NeoMesal, Jul 13, 2012
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  8. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah, it could be a possibility. It'd be great if somebody could test it but 120hz monitors aren't the most popular thing in the world so it may be hard to find someone.
     
    FlipBack, Jul 13, 2012
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  9. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    Found this quote from nvidia in a thread about the Alienware M17X.

    This makes it seem almost certain that it is not possible.
     
    FlipBack, Jul 13, 2012
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