@Ender1618 Just to add to my reply above in case you weren't aware of this, the WD19TB will not be able to power the Alienware m17 R3, at least not adequately. Some users seem not to realize this, but the Alienware m17 is designed for far more power than the WD19TB can provide. The USB PD spec currently maxes out at 100W. Dell did something proprietary on some of their systems and docks, including the WD19TB, to stretch that to 130W, but even that isn't enough for that system.
@Ender1618 It depends on which GPU is controlling the USB-C/TB3 video output. If it's the NVIDIA GPU, then then displays connected to a WD19TB attached to that port will be directly controlled by the NVIDIA GPU. If it's the Intel GPU, then those displays on the WD19TB will be driven by the Intel GPU with the NVIDIA GPU only running through Optimus. If you want to test which output controls any port, connect a display to the port you want to test, then open NVIDIA Control Panel and go to the PhysX/Surround section. In there you'll see a diagram showing all of your active displays and which GPU controls each one.
How can I tell without having to buy the WD19TB, and trying it out?
You say the displays can run through Optimus, even if the T3 port is wired to the Intel GPU? Meaning the displays connected to the WD19TB could be driven from the Nvidia? What is the difference from running through Optimus and not running thru Optimus, when it comes to performance?
I know I can not charge the laptop through the T3, but right now there are a mess of connections coming out of my laptop. If i want to use it as a laptop i have to disconnected everything and then reconnect. As opposed to only having to disconnect the T3 and power.
If i could get the displays running thru the WD19TB to use the Nvidia, that would be optimal. Plus I could run more that 2 external displays using the WD19TB, which is my limit now if i don't use a DP1.4 MST hub.
Also the miniDP port on the back of the laptop does not hold my miniDP to DP cable very well, a slight adjustment of the laptop's orientation, and the miniDP comes loose.
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
March 2nd, 2021 08:00
@Ender1618 Just to add to my reply above in case you weren't aware of this, the WD19TB will not be able to power the Alienware m17 R3, at least not adequately. Some users seem not to realize this, but the Alienware m17 is designed for far more power than the WD19TB can provide. The USB PD spec currently maxes out at 100W. Dell did something proprietary on some of their systems and docks, including the WD19TB, to stretch that to 130W, but even that isn't enough for that system.
jphughan
9 Legend
•
14K Posts
0
March 2nd, 2021 08:00
@Ender1618 It depends on which GPU is controlling the USB-C/TB3 video output. If it's the NVIDIA GPU, then then displays connected to a WD19TB attached to that port will be directly controlled by the NVIDIA GPU. If it's the Intel GPU, then those displays on the WD19TB will be driven by the Intel GPU with the NVIDIA GPU only running through Optimus. If you want to test which output controls any port, connect a display to the port you want to test, then open NVIDIA Control Panel and go to the PhysX/Surround section. In there you'll see a diagram showing all of your active displays and which GPU controls each one.
Ender1618
2 Posts
0
March 2nd, 2021 09:00
How can I tell without having to buy the WD19TB, and trying it out?
You say the displays can run through Optimus, even if the T3 port is wired to the Intel GPU? Meaning the displays connected to the WD19TB could be driven from the Nvidia? What is the difference from running through Optimus and not running thru Optimus, when it comes to performance?
I know I can not charge the laptop through the T3, but right now there are a mess of connections coming out of my laptop. If i want to use it as a laptop i have to disconnected everything and then reconnect. As opposed to only having to disconnect the T3 and power.
If i could get the displays running thru the WD19TB to use the Nvidia, that would be optimal. Plus I could run more that 2 external displays using the WD19TB, which is my limit now if i don't use a DP1.4 MST hub.
Also the miniDP port on the back of the laptop does not hold my miniDP to DP cable very well, a slight adjustment of the laptop's orientation, and the miniDP comes loose.