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    Lenovo T420 issue with external monitor

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by ThinkHP, Dec 8, 2011.

  1. ThinkHP

    ThinkHP Newbie

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    Hi there,

    Have the proper display drivers installed. I'm using a 1080p 23" external monitor while using the original 1600x900 screen.

    It's connected with a DVI Cable to a Display port adapter.

    The problem I'm experiencing is choppy lag while watching "Hulu" on the external at full screen, and browsing the web on the T420 monitor. I've had the santa rosa, montevina, and older platforms with discrete graphics and I don't recall having any issues.

    Any comment/suggestions/advice appreciated, thanks in advance.
     
    ThinkHP, Dec 8, 2011
    #1
  2. ComputerNewb

    ComputerNewb Notebook Consultant

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    I think the reason is because your browsing the web on the T420 monitor. You should not experience any choppy lag is you don't select anything outside the video player (ie, don't use the other monitor). I don't really know how to explain it but your thinkpad is not allocating the proper resources to watch the video--it is prioritizing the webpage.

    You maybe able to change this if you change the priority of the hulu video to high or something.
     
    ComputerNewb, Dec 9, 2011
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  3. receph

    receph Notebook Evangelist

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    When I use a second monitor (dvi), I also experience a lag. Not while playing video, but in other, graphics intensive apps. This happens in extended desktop, not if the monitor is the only display.
     
    receph, Dec 9, 2011
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  4. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    What GPU is being used for these reports?
     
    Thors.Hammer, Dec 9, 2011
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  5. ComputerNewb

    ComputerNewb Notebook Consultant

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    What kind of apps? games?
     
    ComputerNewb, Dec 9, 2011
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  6. receph

    receph Notebook Evangelist

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    in my case it's Halo2 on Optimus (NVS 4200M)
    running in a window on the extended display (DVI)
     
    receph, Dec 9, 2011
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  7. ComputerNewb

    ComputerNewb Notebook Consultant

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    The GPU simply does not have the power to drive 2 monitors while running a game. Just turn off the monitor on the laptop and turn it back on when you use it.

    You could reduce the settings of the game and try running on extended desktop, thou I doubt it will help much.
     
    ComputerNewb, Dec 9, 2011
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  8. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    Or you could turn off Optimus and run Discrete only and see how that works. I can tell you though, Halo 2 isn't exactly a good game to judge performance with. It's a bit of a dog with fleas.
     
    Thors.Hammer, Dec 9, 2011
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  9. receph

    receph Notebook Evangelist

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    the op never complained about halo2 and I only reported the issue.

    so how's that for a defensive retort? haha
    anyway, thanks for the comments. there is an issue, and they've yet to fix it.

    although:
    1) the gpu does have the power, as it only needs to render what's inside the window.
    2) it is running on extended desktop
    3) run discrete? lol
     
    receph, Dec 9, 2011
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  10. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    yea, it's hilarious.
     
    Thors.Hammer, Dec 9, 2011
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  11. ThinkHP

    ThinkHP Newbie

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    Ummm, guess that went off topic fast.

    Thanks for the input.

    It seems to only do it when I'm full screen in Hulu. If I run a movie full screen with WMP on 1080 res, I'm fine.
     
    ThinkHP, Dec 9, 2011
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  12. receph

    receph Notebook Evangelist

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    did you try playing with monitor 1 vs 2 (on the external display)
    apparently WMP requires less than Hulu
     
    receph, Dec 9, 2011
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  13. ThinkHP

    ThinkHP Newbie

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    It wouldn't be good for my purpose since my wife watches it on the external on the couch while I work. If it was on the integrated monitor it would be too small for her.
     
    ThinkHP, Dec 10, 2011
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  14. receph

    receph Notebook Evangelist

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    no, I meant, does it also exhibit the same behavior on the EXTERNAL display when the external monitor is "Display 1" ?
     
    receph, Dec 10, 2011
    #14