Actually, I take that back - I did some more searching using the GTX 960 and "Alienware Graphics Amplifier" and BOOM!  Seems like a lot of people are having issues with the graphics amplifier.  Hopefully I'll see a response from Alienware on here.  I'll probably put a ticket in just in case.

I expect I'll be asking for a refund for the Amp and the graphics card like other people have.

You hear anything back on this?  Is there a firmware update?  Same issue here with a gtx 980 ti.

Just wanted to share that I have a similar experience, but with a different rig.

I'm running a 2016 Alienware 15 R2 (i7-6820HK, Windows 10, 16GB RAM, GTX 980M onboard), hooked up to the Alienware Graphics Amplifier with a Gigabyte GTX 980 Ti Xtreme Gaming Windforce. The card doesn't fit as the Windforce fans have made it too thick and pushes the AGA lid to the side, so I run the AGA with the lid open.

Also, while I get the same "Unrecognized device in graphics amplifier" message, my system continues to run with the onboard GTX 980M, thankfully. Device Manager shows two display adapters: Intel HD, and the GTX 980M. The Command Center sees that the AGA is connected (so I can change the color of its lights), but it also says that External GPU is OFF. In the AGA, everything is lit up, and all the fans (the AGA fan and the card's Windforce fans) are running. My NVIDIA driver is updated to 361.75 WHQL (Notebook and Desktop versions work the same way).

I really hope this issue is resolved soon. :(

Im having the same issue with my Alienware X51 - Ge force GTX 960. Does anyone have a solution or explanation yet? Thanks.

I'm have same issue with X51 R3 and Geforce Titan X. Has anyone resolved?

Hey guys - FYI, I still haven't found a resolution to this issue.  I ended up just not using the Graphics Amplifier.  I'll probably put in a ticket at some point to see what's wrong, but currently have no resolution.

Here are some things I'm considering for this problem, especially since the Titan X is known to work:

• Driver Fault: The driver installed in the AW is faulty. It can be the wrong driver, or the correct driver but installed incorrectly. Maybe remove the driver altogether, power the AW down, hook up the GA, power the AW up, and re-install the driver. Use the latest stable driver.
• Hardware Fault: Either the GPU card is faulty, or the GA "daughterboard" is. Can be easily determined by testing the GA with a different card.
• Third-Party Product Mismatch: The manufacturer of the particular card made some change to the fundamental design of the reference card such that the GA doesn't recognize the card anymore (and I think the GA only recognizes the design of the reference cards). Can be easily determined by testing the GA with a basic reference card.

In my case, I think it was the 3rd-Party Mismatch. The Gigabyte GTX 980Ti Xtreme Gaming just wouldn't run on my GA, but the card ran on another desktop PC. My replacement EVGA GTX 980Ti SC+ ACX 2.0 Gaming runs on my GA like a charm. :)

Anyone else figured out this problem?

I was using my r3 tonight and suddenly screen went black and now amplifier won't even turn on. Wasn't updating driver or anything special. When I turn the computer on I now get the unrecognized caldera message. Any ideas?

In my case it was a power issue. I think what happened was a faulty socket meant the graphics amplifier couldn't draw enough power, meaning it had enough to boot but couldn't power up the card properly. Using an alternative power socket resolved.