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M17X Port Multiplier Capabilities?
I posted this in the general dell community, but I figure this would be a much better place to post my question.
I am buying an external hard drive dock and it requires esata to have port multiplier capabilities. So far as I have looked, there has been nothing said about this matter pretty much anywhere. I am wondering if the M17X has the capabilities.
So here are the specs on the one I just bought:
Item # item
317-3659 Intel core i7 920XM 2.0GHz
317-3665 8GB dual channel ddr3 at 1333MHz
320-8856 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED
320-8858 Dual 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 4870 in CrossfireX
342-0668 500GB 7200RPM SATA-II HDD
313-8570 \
421-1304 |-- Slot loading dual layer bluray burner
421-1305 /
430-3739 Intel ultimate n wifi link 6300 a/g/n 3x3 mimo technology
and Windows 7 ultimate
Thanks in advance for any help.
DELL-Chris M
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April 14th, 2010 11:00
It has an eSATA(x1) + USB2.0 Combo port (with USB charge Support).
SteveB334
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April 14th, 2010 18:00
Yes, i am aware of that, but the product i want to buy has two docks for hard drives, and the product description says
"For eSATA, the System Must Support Port Multiplier (PM) specifications."
And a review of the product from a third party also says "So unless your system supports Port Multiplier specifications, using two SATA connected hard drives in the dock at once cannot happen."
USB seems to natively support port multiplier, this is what usb hubs do. But apparently esata does not support this always. Some chipsets do, some don't. If it does, then i assume that the dual hard drive dock will act as a esata hub.
So that is what i was wondering.
If you want to know what it is, here is the link: http://www.vantecusa.com/en/product/view_detail/372
SteveB334
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April 24th, 2010 11:00
Well if someone could tell me what chipset the latest M17X's use, i could check that against a chart i found.
I've searched around and the latest in depth reviews that state what chipset it has are from early 2009, and i wonder if its changed.