Max resolution on docked W520 with external monitor?

[jlitvak]

I just got a new W520 with the Quadro 2000M video adapter. I have it connected to a 30-inch Dell monitor. With my W500, no problems driving the Dell at 2560x1600 resolution but with the W520, the best I can get is 1920.

Can it really be that the W500 was able to drive a higher resolution than the W520?

I'm connected via the DVI port. Will I get the higher resolution via the DisplayPort?

Any assistance would be very much appreciated.

[AMATX]

The W520 PSREF doc is very specific in listing -max- external resolutions. Cut/paste from the PSREF:


Maximum external resolution: 2560x1600 (DisplayPort)@60Hz;
2048x1536 (VGA)@85Hz; 1920x1200@60Hz (single-link DVI-D via cable 45J7915)



So, looks like you'll need to connect through the DP port...

I vaguely recall(I think) reading on this board that the max DVI resolution was dumbed down when either the W510 or W520 came out, but I don't recall details. I don't have a W5x0 to check any of this first hand.

[jlitvak]

Thanks for the information.

After spending a good bit of time with Lenovo phone support, I found out that 2560x1600 resolution is indeed supported but can only be accessed through the docking station via a DisplayPort cable. You can't use a converter to DVI -- you have to have DisplayPort connections on both ends of the cable. I picked one up this morning and I'm back in business again at 2560. Fortunately, I have a good computer store nearby -- don't count on BestBuy to have the cable.

This is interesting because I have the same Dell 30-inch monitor on my home desktop machine (not a Lenovo) and it's perfectly content to run 2560x1600 through a DVI cable.

[AMATX]

What about using the DP port on the laptop and skipping the dock ?

[jlitvak]

I've not tried it since all's well through the docking station. That said, I have a feeling it would work so long as you're using the right cable -- all goes through the same GPU, doesn't it?

[AMATX]

Oh, Ok. You're original post didn't mention the dock, so I thought I'd point this out, in case you thought you had to go through the dock to drive the 30" monitor.