External monitor for XPS l502x lags on Ubuntu 15.10

MySeaGateIsDown

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Jul 9, 2015
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I just purchased a Dell s2216H monitor, as my XPS l502x LCD broke. I'm using ubuntu 15.10 with default XOrg drivers on it. I connected the screen with HDMI and turned off the laptop display using the `Fn` + `F1` key and display settings respectively.

My issue:

At full HD resolution, the mouse lags (like a drop in frame rate). I tried playing HD videos (YouTube 60 FPS), but it still the same condition.

Is it the GPU (Nvidia GT 525M 1 GB)?

Should I try installing Windows 7 and Nvidia Drivers and check?
 


There is a chance your GPU just cannot keep up with the resolution of your screen. I've seen such things happen before. Was your previous screen in a lower resolution?
 


Default laptop LCD resolution - 1366 x 768 (16:9)

Current external monitor resolution - 1920 x 1080 (16:9)

My GPU - NVIDIA GT 525M 1GB

 


Yea, that's the issue. I litteraly had a laptop with the same GPU, and I just tried to add an extra screen. I recognise the issues you describe, I had them too. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's gonna work...
 
Yea, that's the issue. I litteraly had a laptop with the same GPU, and I just tried to add an extra screen. I recognise the issues you describe, I had them too. I'm sorry, but I don't think it's gonna work...

Is it worth trying the proprietary NVIDIA drivers from a windows environment? Or, is there a way I can eliminate the laptop display completely so that I can use the external as my main display?

 


Yeah. I will try that in a day and get back to you. Ubuntu might be using the onboard intel graphics (not sure if it supports HDMI). But searching previous threads suggests that Ubuntu has some issues with Optimus.
 

Ah, right. I wasn't aware your laptop used switchable graphics. Linux has a hit or miss history with it.