can you help before I buy any more monitor cables!

tafelmoneysaver

Hi, 

I recently replaced a monitor but struggling to work out how to get the best set for the maximum resolution:

Monitor:
1 x MSI MAG341CQ with DisplayPort / HDMI / DVI input
and
1 x ASUS VS299 with HDMI / DVI / VGA input

I want connect:
1 x Dell 3100 dock which has DisplayPort and 2xHDMI outputs (laptop connects to this by Thunderbolt)
and
1 x Ubuntu PC which has a PCI Geforce graphics card (I could probably find the model number if really, really needed) with DisplayPort, HDMI and DVI output

I have tried a few different connection combinations but the MSI monitor only gets to the max resolution and 21:9 when connected with DisplayPort, to either output. When connected by HDMI or DVI, the MSI monitor is slightly strectched and not as crisp as with DisplayPort. So at the moment I'm moving the DisplayPort cable between computers - Not ideal. 

Is there a set-up you'd suggest to configure the connections to get the best set-up, given the MSI monitor only has one DisplayPort input? 

One option is of course to route the desktop through the Dell 3100 dock, but I'd rather fix with a cable rather than a new graphics card. 

Many thanks

[Deleted User]

Your dock is USB 3.0 not Thunderbolt, although not root cause of the problem, it is related because the higher bandwidth Thunderbolt dock will be capable of higher resolution output.

The key problems you have - 

1. The dock is only capable of 2560x1440 50Hz on HDMI and 3840x2160 30Hz on Display port. Your monitor is 3440x40 100Hz refresh so you will never be able to drive that monitor at full capability from the dock from either DP or HDMI.

Best you can do is run it on the DP but you will be limited to a rather poor 30Hz refresh rate.

See page 3 of your instruction manual for the above data:

https://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_electronics/esuprt_docking_stations/dell-usb3-dock-3100_user's guide_en-us.pdf

2. Without knowing your GeForce GPU model it is hard to say but mostly likely same problem as above - it would need to be HDMI 2.0 minimum to support your 1440p / 100Hz, guessing it isn't.

3. DVI - don't bother, won't touch the side for that monitor. A dual link DVI might get the resolution but won't get anywhere need to the refresh rates - will be limited to 30Hz - again the GPU model would be helpful.

EDIT: Laptop model / spec would be useful as well as the GPU might not be capable of what you are trying to do.

tafelmoneysaver

Many thanks for the walk through of all the numbers! 

So it sounds like I'd need to replace both the dock and the output from my desktop? 

Are you aware of any device that would take the USB3 output from my laptop (and desktop if I added the right PCI card) and deliver the better refresh rate? 

Edit: Looks like the D6000 might cut it: https://downloads.dell.com/Manuals/all-products/esuprt_electronics_accessories/esuprt_electronics_accessories_pc_tablet/dell-universal-dock-d6000_User's-Guide_en-us.pdf

Thanks

[Deleted User]

I'd need to know the spec of your laptop really to confirm anything, it might not be just the dock that is the bottleneck, it could be the GPU in the laptop, same for desktop PC.

You've invested a bit extra in a 100Hz freesync gaming monitor so I'm a bit puzzled about your use case here when neither the laptop or PC appears to be capable of driving it at 100Hz and you aren't going to get the most out of it.

tafelmoneysaver

it is a dell latitude 5400