Two externals monitors on my laptop Swift SF314-52G

franciscoferreira34
franciscoferreira34 Member Posts: 3 New User
edited December 2021 in Swift and Spin Series
Hi, long story short: I use my laptop Swift SF314-52 with an external monitor connected to HMDI. I want to add a second external monitor (3rd monitor if counting with laptop monitor). But i don't want to mirror the first external monitor. I want to extend it, so in the end I can use (independently) my laptop monitor, my first external monitor and my second external monitor.

Now, I have read a lot about this and about the USB-C on this computer not having visual output. Still I'm very confused. What's the best, most affordable way to add a independent third monitor (second external) to this laptop?

Thank you in advance

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,932 Trailblazer
    Your SF314-52G has a USB 3.1 gen 1 USB-C port, which does not support DP Alt Mode. So you can't use one of the cheap adapters to plug a monitor in directly to the USB-C. That means in order to add a monitor to a USB port you will need a dock, not just an adapter. The dock will generate the appropriate video signal and it will be in addition to the video you are using through your HDMI and the built-in display. For instance, this one will not work because it require DP Alt Mode, this one should work, because it doesn't say it requires that mode.
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  • franciscoferreira34
    franciscoferreira34 Member Posts: 3 New User
    edited December 2021
    Hi billsey, many thanks for you reply. I think this will suit for me :) In terms of speed, I was told that this could slow down the computer very bad. Is it true? I would not mind spending a little extra if that's what it takes to have a better device.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,932 Trailblazer
    It shouldn't slow things down except for running games on the external monitor. To do that you you either need a gaming laptop, with a higher end GPU built in, or a TBT port that can host an eGPU along with the eGPU case and GPU card. Not for the faint of heart since that direction takes you well above a grand just for the addon. If you aren't trying to game, or are gaming with low impact games, the dock will be plenty fast enough.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • franciscoferreira34
    franciscoferreira34 Member Posts: 3 New User
    Thank you billsey! In fact, a cousin borrowed me a Razor Core X with a very high end AMD GPU. Then I realised it worked with thunderbolt 3, which is not available in my laptop :( Is there any way to use the Razor Core X in my computer?
  • padgett
    padgett ACE Posts: 4,532 Pathfinder
     If your computer does not support type C Displayport Alt Mode then you might want a dock with a conventional USB type A connector.
  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,932 Trailblazer
    Unfortunately, the USB-C ports, even the newer gen 2, aren't quite fast enough for an eGPU. As suggested you can up the number of monitors by putting a dock on, but that's not going to be very good for gaming. For gaming stick with the single display, for all else use the dock.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.

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