I have an XPS 15 9550 working with a Razer Core. AMA

I would like to ask, if you have the core connected to the external monitor, will the internal one still work (via internal graphics), or will the internal monitor be off when the external monitor is connected? I am looking to buy the new XPS 15 9560, and will look for a setup with the core, although the TB3 16Gbps bandwidth issue is bothering me a bit...

 

IKR, but there are no other laptops with TB3 that are so competitive in design or specs. Lenovo's T470p doesn't even have TB3 for some ungodly reason.
The internal monitor can be on in mirrored or extended. IIRC when you're using the core's GPU to play a game, it doesn't show on the internal screen. Remember that the iGPU can still show stuff on the laptop's screen, but it *cannot* show things on the external monitor.

 

Yeah, the appealing thing about the XPS 15 is the design. I currently use a mid-2014 MBP, and I find XPS 15 having somewhat similar quality (didn't spend too much time with one) and the new MBP being too expensive for me. The main issue with the XPS 15 is that the TB3 isn't full speed or as TB3 was supposed to be intended... The TB3 is supposed to be a selling point, but the TB3 port is just TB2 if its not running at the speed its intended.

So in a game, I can have an external monitor playing the game and the internal monitor on a browser window at the same time? Will that be taxing on the computer? Thanks

 

Yeah you'll be able to do that no problem.

 

Maybe because they wanted docks that work and have guessed that TB3 would not be in a proper production stage a year ago?

 

So it looks like Intel sold varying flavours of Thunderbolt 3 controllers. Maybe 5 main controllers.

It looks like the 9550 has the Intel JHL6240 with a slightly lower TDP and cost. Apparently that is the only PCIe 3.0 x2 link. The others seem to be x4 but I can't find source data so can't directly confirm anything.

http://ark.intel.com/compare/94031,94032,94030,87402,87401
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunderbolt_(interface)#Thunderbolt_3

There was a presentation with more details but that seems to have disappeared

https://thunderbolttechnology.net/s...ripheral Device Training_Q4_15_Final_v1_0.pdf

 

Any idea what the new 9560 is using? It'd be nice to get a Core to use at the desk without having to use an external monitor. The Core packs away in a checked bag just fine, but an external monitor won't.

 

So with PCIe3 x2 link via TB3, there is a lot of spare TB3 bandwidth available only to DP. Typically that could be additional external displays, which don't make much sense in the eGPU contex.
Any chance to make the backwards link to the internal panel, mentioned earlier causing a slowdown, through DP via TB3, using the spare bandwidth? TB3 is supposedly bidirectional, but no idea if such DP connection is possible.

 

This is something that's beyond my expertise. I would recommend asking nando4 on egpu.io

 

Im am interested in setting up my XPS15 (9560) with a core.

As far as I can see it was all working on the 9550? Hoping it the 9560 wont be any different.

Does the ethernet work on the core through to the XPS?

Plan is to keep the core connected to my mouse, keyboard, ethernet cable and monitors to the core and just plug the XPS into power and core.

 

It works through the core, just make sure the external monitor is used.

 

With the core powering an external monitor for a game. Could you use the laptop screen for other programs? Like netflix?

 

I gather you are often bored when gaming?

 

If you add up all the time you're spending waiting to respawn in Dota 2 and Overwatch, you could easily finish a 30 minute episode of archer in an hour or so of gaming!

 

Haha exactly. While waiting in queues in WoW i get some netflix in!

So will that be possible?

Game on monitor through core and chrome/netflix on laptop screen at same time??

 

I believe so, yes. I definitely had monitors extended before, but I think I didn't do it because the short cable that the core comes with limits the position of the laptop and the core.

On the bright side, you can buy an active 2m 20gbps TB3 cable for cheaper than a useless 40gbps one! Thanks for saving us money, Dell!

 

Good news.

Thanks mate. Now the next challenge is getting a hands on a Core in Australia without it costing me $1000..

 

Usgobuy freight forwarders

 

A quick video comparing MSI gaming laptops' internal video cards to ROG XG Station 2. Using laptop screen, TB3 box performance was disappointing...

 

Kind of an apples to oranges comparison. Would like to see laptop 1060 vs desktop 1060.

edit: I'm an idiot who should have waited for the video to finish. The big question is did he run it on an external monitor or not? It looks like they were run on the internal

 

It is a quick informal video. But directionally interesting as he was so disappointed. It is a bit unfair to test the box in most "extreme" situation only.

He should have mentioned he was using internal montior but probably just assumed there was more than enough TB3 bandwidth and low TB3 overhead.

 

By popular demand, he ran some more tests with an external monitor...

 

Hi, I have a XPS 15 9550 + Razer Core + 1080. It works fine. But fire strike score is only 7416.
Is it because the core is connected to the internal monitor?
And by the way, u said install razer blade 14 2016 intel drive?
Can u specify the version of drive u stalled?
Many thanks. It feels really bad to have an underperforming system.....

 

If you got 7416 on the internal that's pretty good. And yes.

 

theres someone got 14 823 with xps15 + 1070. The drop from internal monitor can be that drastic?

 

If you got 7416 on the internal that's pretty good. And yes.

It's because the XPS 15 has only 16Gbps of bandwidth. This is exactly where the TB3 bottleneck affects it.

 

This thread will provide you more color.

https://egpu.io/forums/pc-setup/xps-15-9550-not-able-to-reach-40gbps-over-tb3/

 

I had a GTX 970 that scored 9500 on an external and 3300 on the internal

 

Thread starter Eason just published a good summary on external GPU price-performance (specifically concentrating on the Razer Core).

This is relevant for anyone considering any TB3 accessories . . .

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Razer-Core-External-GPU-and-Razer-Blade-Laptop-Review.213526.0.html