XPS 8950, graphics add-on

@merkelck I don't understand why your XPS 8950 should not support 2560 x 1440. Even if your CPU is an i3-12100, according to the specs of the integrated graphics, it can support 4096 x 2160 @ 60 Hz (HDMI). See the specs: https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/134584/intel-core-i312100-processor-12m-cache-up-to-4-30-ghz.html

@merkelck  - Do you only have onboard Intel Graphics which just has a single DisplayPort output on the XPS 8950 or do you also have an add-in video card?

Does your "primary" monitor support 2560 x 1440?

What's the "recommended" (AKA: "native" or "optimum") resolution for your secondary monitor, and where is it connected?

And if you have an add-in video card, is your "primary" monitor connected to that card, not to the onboard DP?

I only have the onboard single DPort on the 8950. The specs for the intel 770 say the resolution is only 1920 by 1080. The Win10 says the same thing for the highest resolution. So I would like to buy an add on card. I just don't need a card that costs more than the computer. Right now I am using a single DP to hdmi adaptor. It works great with the secondary (1920/1080) . But I need better resolution on the bigger monitor.

Kent

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@merkelck wrote:

1. I only have the onboard single DisplayPort port on the XPS-8950.

2. The specs for the intel 770 say the resolution is only 1920 by 1080.

3. The Win10 says the same thing for the highest resolution.

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1. That is fine. It will do  2560 x 1440 easy.

2. No

3. Once you connect a different monitor, those resolutions you see listed will change to match it.

Is this your Samsung SD850? If yes, it has a DP in port.

Why not connect directly without converting to HDMI?

XPS 8950 onboard DP out port --> DP to DP cable --> Samsung SD850 DP in port

I tried connecting my Samsung SD850 to the computer using a DP adapter to HDMI. The secondary monitor was fine but when I moved that cable to the primary monitor the resolution remained at 1920/1080. 

I will try it all again later

Thank you

Hi There,

Thank you for the confirmation, we are glad to know your query is resolved, do revert in case of any other queries or concerns.

Regards,

Paventhan M

Here is the latest in my monitor adventure. I purchased a "Cable Matters mini display port MST hub with triple output". I powered it from an unused usb port on the back. Then attached the input cable to the DP port on the 8950. I then connected the primary monitor to output 1 and a DP to hdmi adaptor to output 2. After making the correct settings in the Win10 settings, I started to get a mess on the primary monitor. The secondary monitor never wavered. The mess on the primary would come and go. I reseated all the connectors go no avail. This is not a steady thing but rather flashes on/off. Sometimes it will be good for several minutes but then starts again. The system specifies which output connector goes to which resolution monitor. I think I have a correct but will put more time into it later. 

Is it just me, or does it seem a bit counterintuitive that there is only one output on the MB for the integrated GPU on the 8950 as opposed to duals on the 8940 and 8930?  This may be the design of this new chipset by Intel and not a Dell thing, but either way it sure seems like a step backwards.

@srpawski  - I guess the logic is most users will order the XPS 8950 with an add-in video card. So in most cases, an onboard Intel Graphics port(s) is never used.

The XPS 8950 has a Dual-Mode DisplayPort 1.4 port for Intel Graphics so it works either directly with a DP monitor or via an inexpensive "passive" DP(PC)>HDMI(monitor) adapter plug with an HDMI monitor. So you don't need a separate onboard HDMI port.

But, if you want to use multiple monitors with the onboard Intel DP, you will need a DP hub...

I tried two different hubs. The first was the DP to three hdmi outputs. The monitors all worked but not the way I wanted. The secondary monitor is an HP24" with only hdmi input that I had set to 1920/1080.

The primary monitor is a Samsung S32D850 and with hdmi input it would only run on the same resolution.

Then I tried a DP to three DP outputs using a DP to hdmi adapter to the second monitor which worked fine. I connected one of the outputs to the primary monitor and it worked fine as well. However, it started losing sync which rendered it useless. It would work for a few minutes and then go crazy. So I am back to a single monitor situation. My six year old Acer ran these two monitors fine but with a separate VGA cable to the secondary and an hdmi to the primary. 

I am now searching for an add on card that provides multiple outputs for the monitors. I'm just not willing to pay for a display card that costs more than the computer. Any suggestions?

@merkelck  - Is each monitor set for its own "recommended" (aka: "native" or "optimum") resolution? Did you go to the Windows Display screen and click the Detect button to use multiple monitors ?

Is the Multi-Display option enabled or disabled in BIOS setup?

How is the Primary Display option set in BIOS setup?

You need to know the wattage of the PSU in your PC, which is either 460W or 750W. And when looking at GPU cards, check to see what size PSU is recommended for any specific card you may want.

And, obviously, it should support the number of monitors you need and have the right combination of output ports for those monitors.