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XPS 8960, connecting two monitors?
Please help! For my XPS 8960, How on earth do I connect two monitors to this PC? Can you try to explain it simply? Is it possible? I also have an XPS 8950 and I can connect two monitors. Why can't I do it with this one?
RoHe
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January 29th, 2024 00:23
@MHud12 - Using 2 monitors, only the first one has to support daisy chaining. So if you decide to buy another monitor, to use with one of those you already have, get one that supports daisy chaining. Connect that monitor to the PC's onboard DP++ port and connect the monitor's DP-out port to the second monitor's DP-in with a suitable DP cable.
Otherwise get an MST DP hub with the right ports for the two monitors you already have...
(edited)
RoHe
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January 19th, 2024 23:31
Depends...
If you have an add-in video card (NVidia or AMD), #2 in back panel picture , you should be able to connect at least two (possibly three) monitors to the add-in video card. Or, you could connect one monitor to the add-in video card and one to the onboard Intel DP port.
The onboard Intel DP port is DP++, so you should be able to use a passive DP 1.4 adapter to connect the onboard port DP++>HDMI or DP++>DVI, if the monitor doesn't accept DP input.
If you only have the onboard Intel DP++ port (no add-in video card), you can get a DisplayPort 1.4 MST hub, some of which let you connect 2, 3 or 4 monitors. Just make sure the hub has the right output ports for your monitors and supports their resolution, eg 4K.
(edited)
MHud12
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January 22nd, 2024 15:50
Would this work?
RoHe
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January 22nd, 2024 21:03
Are you saying you don't have any add-in (NVidia or AMD) video card, only the onboard Intel Graphics?
If you have an add-in video card, at least one monitor should be connected to that card first. The 2nd one could be connected to the video card or to the onboard DP++ port.
The MST hub you posted only has 3 DP output ports. So if one or more of your monitors needs an HDMI input, you're going to need a DP>HDMI adapter too. Or maybe look for a MST hub with HDMI output ports or one with both HDMI and DP outputs (assuming they're available).
CAVEAT: I have no personal experience with any MST hub, so -in theory- this one should work, but YRMV...!
MHud12
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January 26th, 2024 04:14
@RoHe Right. I do not have any add in graphics card just the Intel graphics card so is it possible somehow?
RoHe
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January 26th, 2024 20:58
Yes, but you need to get an MST hub that's compatible with DP++ 1.4, with the right output ports for your 2 monitors.
After the hub is installed, you'll have to configure Win 11 to select which monitor is primary and which is secondary, and how you want them to be used, eg show same screen, an extended screen, or different screens.
You might want to search this forum to see if anyone has posted about MST hubs working with the XPS 8960.
As a cheaper alternative, you could get a USB3>video dongle, eg, USB3>DP or USB3>HDMI, for the second monitor. NOTE: Neither USB-C port on the XPS 8960 supports video/audio output, so don't get a USB-C>video dongle.
Chino de Oro
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January 26th, 2024 21:40
Or you can get monitors that support daisy chaining, with both displayport in and out.
MHud12
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January 28th, 2024 16:26
@Chino de Oro Thank you. Do you, by chance, know which monitors would support this? I have to Dell S2721HS monitors. Will these work?
MHud12
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January 28th, 2024 16:27
@RoHe Thank you. I will get that and see. I appreciate your help. After I purchase, I still may have questions...lol
Chino de Oro
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January 28th, 2024 17:06
@MHud12, I may have looked into daisy chaining monitors at some points, but I don't keep note. So, I do not have any specific monitor model to suggest at this instant.
Unfortunately, your S2721HS monitor does not support MST. Also, my suggestion was only valuable if you were still in planning phase and it would help with picking the right type of monitor that suited your needs. However, you can review this article and use it as reference if planning to look for a displayport MST capable monitor.
MHud12
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February 13th, 2024 17:29
@RoHe Just wanted to come back and say thank you. I bought the mst hub 1.4 and now have my 2 monitors up and running which is a lifesaver. Thought I was going to have to buy a whole new computer! Thank you for your help.
RoHe
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February 13th, 2024 20:13
Glad your 2 monitors are up and running with the MST hub.
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