RTX 3080 in M18xR2? Should I do it? lol

[SuperMG]

3 hours ago, FrancoTecno said:

and about ZRT??? 

They are offline for weeks

[janepa]

On 9/8/2025 at 8:38 PM, SuperMG said:

Hello

 

 

I did this and it's in production 

 

 

Yes for the 3 pins, the reverse side will have some very thin layer of double-sided tape.

 

I added some shapes to the extremities so we can stick with some tape.

 

Won't short-circuit, can handle over 230C of ambient temperature.

 

That´s very good idea .Awesome. Maybe will be v2 version in future. 

[janepa]

On 9/10/2025 at 4:04 AM, TruenoG7 said:

Interesting contribution, could you describe what you actually did to convert your M18xR2 from LVDS to EDP? I would also like to know if that could also be done on the Alienware 18 (2015)?

 

Hi
Nothing special ,bad news of course is that my solution require some soldering expiriences. Basically add new lines from mxm connector where have Gpu DP-out pins to mux switch instead of old LVDS lines . Most important is known on which pins of Gpu is simply DP not advanced DP+ or DP++ ,because in this case the lcd have issue to catch up the high frequency signal as well. For example my chinese Gpu cards (RTX4090 X-VSION and RTX3070 16Gb PELADN) have both DP++ on DP_A,B and simply DP on DP_D, but my Adlink Quadro RTX5000 have DP++ on all DP ports. In this case is necesesary to add between mxm and lcd (retimer, repeater) . You can recognize it that lcd normally work untill install Gpu drivers. After that is black screen. This is not of EDID issues! Maybe ask for help user SuperMG to developing the flex cable to bridge lines from LVDS to DP_D right on MXM conn. for non soldering solutions.

I think that will working on Alienware 18 too.

[SuperMG]

1 hour ago, janepa said:

 

Hi
Nothing special ,bad news of course is that my solution require some soldering expiriences. Basically add new lines from mxm connector where have Gpu DP-out pins to mux switch instead of old LVDS lines . Most important is known on which pins of Gpu is simply DP not advanced DP+ or DP++ ,because in this case the lcd have issue to catch up the high frequency signal as well. For example my chinese Gpu cards (RTX4090 X-VSION and RTX3070 16Gb PELADN) have both DP++ on DP_A,B and simply DP on DP_D, but my Adlink Quadro RTX5000 have DP++ on all DP ports. In this case is necesesary to add between mxm and lcd (retimer, repeater) . You can recognize it that lcd normally work untill install Gpu drivers. After that is black screen. This is not of EDID issues! Maybe ask for help user SuperMG to developing the flex cable to bridge lines from LVDS to DP_D right on MXM conn. for non soldering solutions.

I think that will working on Alienware 18 too.

Hello.

 

Do you know where the eDP is on the X-VSION 4080/4090? I see eDP port on NVIDIA's control panel but I don't get it.

 

 

I don't get it on which port the EDP is? On port DP_E??? does that even make sense? Please let me know, X-VSION's datasheet shows eDP on DP_B...

 

My flex cable is just to enable the backlight pins back so we can have a display at the end. Most Turing to Ada are lacking the pins. Most of them have DP and eDP on DP_D

 

 

The picture I sent clearly shows how it works. I see no LVDS conversion. It just 3.3V to power the backlight pins, that's it.

[SuperMG]

@janepa

 

If you have an eDP laptop (DP_D eDP) with a MXM slot,

please try the mod by soldering pins 278/280 to pins 23,25 and 27 for the backlighting.

 

You'll see that your 4090, 3070 and RTX 5000 will work with the main screen. Try it please.

[janepa]

On 9/16/2025 at 7:56 PM, SuperMG said:

Hello.

 

Do you know where the eDP is on the X-VSION 4080/4090? I see eDP port on NVIDIA's control panel but I don't get it.

 

 

I don't get it on which port the EDP is? On port DP_E??? does that even make sense? Please let me know, X-VSION's datasheet shows eDP on DP_B...

 

My flex cable is just to enable the backlight pins back so we can have a display at the end. Most Turing to Ada are lacking the pins. Most of them have DP and eDP on DP_D

 

 

The picture I sent clearly shows how it works. I see no LVDS conversion. It just 3.3V to power the backlight pins, that's it.

 

Yes, i can test all output of mxm Gpu card now. As I wrote not long ago here my mini pc have mxm connector but not any DP-out directly only SG (HG) out thru HDMI. Ok, but i want fully working DP now. First i must unlock the AMI APTIO V bios. Bingo after a lot of attempts i was sucess and now i see many many settings including the developments settings too. Then i was add lines of all DP_ A,B,C,D outs and now I can see which ones I use via AMI Aptio BIOS in the dev table.

 

 

Forget on NVIDIA's control panel ,there is not DP clearly displayed. There is physically four outputs on modern Gpus ,but on advanced DP out can work HDMI too. (one port = two outs like HDMI and DP on the same four lines)

 

 

Btw, i was means that you could to try to develop a new flex bridge board from LVDS to eDP for all people who wants upgrade theirs old laptops to eDP for non soldering solution. It was be the same principle like yours the flex cable for powering backlight lcd displ. I can tell you what pins are necesesary to connect together. However, if you want to help other users of this forum with this problem.

 

 

 

[janepa]

On 9/16/2025 at 8:25 PM, SuperMG said:

@janepa

 

If you have an eDP laptop (DP_D eDP) with a MXM slot,

please try the mod by soldering pins 278/280 to pins 23,25 and 27 for the backlighting.

 

You'll see that your 4090, 3070 and RTX 5000 will work with the main screen. Try it please.

 

I don't have any eDP laptop , but i have converted my M18XR2 to eDP
(not finished yet , but main components are working together now).
The backlight pins i was testing like a first step almost half year ago 
if will work ,because if was not working it would not make sense to continue with the converting. 
 

Actually these backlight pins is possible 
to switch by modyfing DSDT the PCH setup in bios on laptops who have igfx or optimus settings. This is reason why i don´t publishing my upgraded unlocked A14 bios yet. I´am working on this modification right now. In future will not need connect these 23,25, 27 pins at all.

[SuperMG]

19 minutes ago, janepa said:

 

I don't have any eDP laptop , but i have converted my M18XR2 to eDP
(not finished yet , but main components are working together now).
The backlight pins i was testing like a first step almost half year ago 
if will work ,because if was not working it would not make sense to continue with the converting. 
 

Actually these backlight pins is possible 
to switch by modyfing DSDT the PCH setup in bios on laptops who have igfx or optimus settings. This is reason why i don´t publishing my upgraded unlocked A14 bios yet. I´am working on this modification right now. In future will not need connect these 23,25, 27 pins at all.

Hello. For the BIOS mod, I mean it depends on your laptop because you have Optimus, it's an LVDS based system and it's an old Alienware afterall.

 

For the eDP laptops: For our use case, we need to power the BACKLIGHT pins because the modern cards are lacking it simply! The GPU core doesn't even power its own backlight pins and that's why the internal eDP screen isn't even displaying anything!

 

After looking at a various of MXM slot diagrams (from multiple laptops), I see that the 23, 25 and 27 are "one-way signals", meaning it's only going to the display connector and not going back to the MXM GPU. 

[janepa]

On 9/17/2025 at 9:09 PM, SuperMG said:

Hello. For the BIOS mod, I mean it depends on your laptop because you have Optimus, it's an LVDS based system and it's an old Alienware afterall.

 

For the eDP laptops: For our use case, we need to power the BACKLIGHT pins because the modern cards are lacking it simply! The GPU core doesn't even power its own backlight pins and that's why the internal eDP screen isn't even displaying anything!

 

After looking at a various of MXM slot diagrams (from multiple laptops), I see that the 23, 25 and 27 are "one-way signals", meaning it's only going to the display connector and not going back to the MXM GPU. 

 

 

Hi, thanks for your contribution.
Yes, LVDS vs eDP are different technologies ,but lcd panels backlight powering are working basically on the same principle in both cases . No matter if laptop is new or old ,or if have optimus mode. My 2024 G14 zephyrus have eDP panel with optimus too. 

 

For better understanding what I am currently working on, allow me to ask a small question here. Yes now we known now ,that on PEG mode the backlight are powering on via signal came from dGPU thru these pins on OEM cards. Non OEMs GPUs doesn´t have these pins . Okay ,but what powering on the backlight in iGFX mode or optimus (SG) mode with non OEM GPU ? From where goes signal to lcd powering on came from in these modes? 

 

As i wrote in previous post this is only on laptops with iGFX, SG and PEG mode ofcourse. But these laptops no matter what manufacturer is have most of people on this forum..

 

[SuperMG]

1 hour ago, janepa said:

 

 

Hi, thanks for your contribution.
Yes, LVDS vs eDP are different technologies ,but lcd panels backlight powering are working basically on the same principle in both cases . No matter if laptop is new or old ,or if have optimus mode. My 2024 G14 zephyrus have eDP panel with optimus too. 

 

For better understanding what I am currently working on, allow me to ask a small question here. Yes now we known now ,that on PEG mode the backlight are powering on via signal came from dGPU thru these pins on OEM cards. Non OEMs GPUs doesn´t have these pins . Okay ,but what powering on the backlight in iGFX mode or optimus (SG) mode with non OEM GPU ? From where goes signal to lcd powering on came from in these modes? 

 

As i wrote in previous post this is only on laptops with iGFX, SG and PEG mode ofcourse. But these laptops no matter what manufacturer is have most of people on this forum..

 

When there's an iGPU + dGPU in a MXM system, it usually have a MUX switch between IGPU, dGPU and the LCD connector.

 

I think when it's on iGPU, it'll disable everything that's related to internal display for the dGPU.

 

Again, needs testing on this part. People who wants to use the newest non-OEM RTX GPUs, they don't really care about iGPU. They want dGPU performance 100% and display capabilities (internal and out). Some MXM laptops are lacking iGPUs capabilities too.

 

My flex cable is version 1.

 

Once more people will buy it and test it, I'll have some feedback and I can maybe make a version 2 with advanced PWM control? I heard some motherboard can't control the PWM.

 

For example Clevo laptops have BRIGHTNESS_R and PANEL_PWM for the LCD connector. I assume it's connected to the motherboard for the brightness control.

[janepa]

19 hours ago, SuperMG said:

When there's an iGPU + dGPU in a MXM system, it usually have a MUX switch between IGPU, dGPU and the LCD connector.

 

I think when it's on iGPU, it'll disable everything that's related to internal display for the dGPU.

 

Again, needs testing on this part. People who wants to use the newest non-OEM RTX GPUs, they don't really care about iGPU. They want dGPU performance 100% and display capabilities (internal and out). Some MXM laptops are lacking iGPUs capabilities too.

 

My flex cable is version 1.

 

Once more people will buy it and test it, I'll have some feedback and I can maybe make a version 2 with advanced PWM control? I heard some motherboard can't control the PWM.

 

For example Clevo laptops have BRIGHTNESS_R and PANEL_PWM for the LCD connector. I assume it's connected to the motherboard for the brightness control.

 

Thanks for your answer ,but you are mixing two different things to one still. This is the problem. My question was only about lcd backlighting and not about with the video signal where going thru muxeses whatever are (iGFX or SG) . These things are on mobo absolutely on different places and they are meeting up to at a single point at the end, which is the LCD connector.

 

Ofcourse i known about the :
- non dimming issue (Dimming maybe will be solved by a third-party app thru aux lanes , but it is not ideal.)

- non goes off lcd when close lid issue
- non power saving lcd settings issue
and mabye other problems with your jumper wire solutions.
Sorry ,but it doesn´t not enough to me honesly and for my 12-year old notebook too.

 

It was clear to me ,that when you are presenting this own solution, it will needs to be improved. That's why I mentioned that version 2 of this solution needs to be developed because is unfinished yet. Maybe will be better tell the people here still in progress and it needs more testing when they are spend money for this. 

 

But as i wrote like it very much that flex board idea. 
Good luck.

 

As a @ssj92 wrote: Never give up 😁

 

[SuperMG]

6 minutes ago, janepa said:

non goes off lcd when close lid issue
- non power saving lcd settings issue

Hello, thanks for replying.

 

The sleep mode works when the lid is closed, the screen goes black then goes on when the lid is open.

 

Power saving, needs testing, but it should work.

 

For the brightness PWM control, as said, some motherboard have it integrated, some not.

 

9 minutes ago, janepa said:

it will needs to be improved. That's why I mentioned that version 2

Yes, from now, I'm manufacturing 30 pcs of the solder-less mod, with the funds, I can make a v2 if people needs it. It'll be cheap too.

[janepa]

A little question about TDP 40,50,60....Watt issue on RTX  and maybe Pascal gpus. Does anybody solved this issue ? Is it still actually theme? The point is ,that maybe i have some usefully informations about this issue. I was remember now on this.

[ssj92]

4 hours ago, janepa said:

A little question about TDP 40,50,60....Watt issue on RTX  and maybe Pascal gpus. Does anybody solved this issue ? Is it still actually theme? The point is ,that maybe i have some usefully informations about this issue. I was remember now on this.

The TDP issue affects Alienware 18 (M18xR3) and Alienware 17 R1 (M17xR5). 

 

I have not been able to solve it , so if you have any ideas I can try. 

 

Also when running dual PEG (example, M2000M Primary + RTX 5000 secondary in M18xR1), there's is TDP reduction. If the card is 80W TDP it only run 60W TDP (lose 20-25W for some reason). 

 

 

[janepa]

18 hours ago, ssj92 said:

The TDP issue affects Alienware 18 (M18xR3) and Alienware 17 R1 (M17xR5). 

 

I have not been able to solve it , so if you have any ideas I can try. 

 

Also when running dual PEG (example, M2000M Primary + RTX 5000 secondary in M18xR1), there's is TDP reduction. If the card is 80W TDP it only run 60W TDP (lose 20-25W for some reason). 

 

 

Thanks for the explanation. 
This is a part of mxm spec. technical bulletin (pict.) . What I have had the opportunity to study in most cases controls this pin pch or ec controller. However, I cannot verify this in practice. It would be great if someone could try it, as it may be helpful to some people here. Unfortunately, this requires some experience with measuring quantities the best option would be an oscilloscope for this.

 

 

[Durabat]

On 9/19/2025 at 1:57 PM, SuperMG said:

When there's an iGPU + dGPU in a MXM system, it usually have a MUX switch between IGPU, dGPU and the LCD connector.

 

I think when it's on iGPU, it'll disable everything that's related to internal display for the dGPU.

 

Again, needs testing on this part. People who wants to use the newest non-OEM RTX GPUs, they don't really care about iGPU. They want dGPU performance 100% and display capabilities (internal and out). Some MXM laptops are lacking iGPUs capabilities too.

 

My flex cable is version 1.

 

Once more people will buy it and test it, I'll have some feedback and I can maybe make a version 2 with advanced PWM control? I heard some motherboard can't control the PWM.

 

For example Clevo laptops have BRIGHTNESS_R and PANEL_PWM for the LCD connector. I assume it's connected to the motherboard for the brightness control.

Forgive my ignorance haha, are you saying your flex cable helps solve the issue with the mux switch so we could use the dp out? 

 

If so, I'd gladly purchase a few of them to help fund the project. You guys are like wizards and I'm just here with my screw driver waiting for a break through haha. I do plan to order a 4090 from X Vision in the near future. It'd be killer to run that card(and the 3080 i currently have) directly to a display, not through the igpu, even if it's bottlenecked from the old 3920xm.

 

If the flex cable doesn't address that issue, again sorry. I get lost with all the back and forth. 

[SuperMG]

2 minutes ago, Durabat said:

Forgive my ignorance haha, are you saying your flex cable helps solve the issue with the mux switch so we could use the dp out? 

 

If so, I'd gladly purchase a few of them to help fund the project. You guys are like wizards and I'm just here with my screw driver waiting for a break through haha. I do plan to order a 4090 from X Vision in the near future. It'd be killer to run that card(and the 3080 i currently have) directly to a display, not through the igpu, even if it's bottlenecked from the old 3920xm.

 

If the flex cable doesn't address that issue, again sorry. I get lost with all the back and forth. 

Hello.

 

Flex cable allows to activate the blacklight pins on the MXM slot to the eDP connector.

 

Without the blacklight pins being on, the screen stays off. Black screen, no display, etc.

 

With this mod, you can install it on the new RTX Ampère, Ada cards. All of the cards have DP or eDP on port DP_D, the signals are ok but the cards are lacking the blacklight pins. The manufacturers don't care about laptop users.

 

Basically we are forcing the powering of the blacklight pins so the internal eDP display will work.

[Durabat]

2 hours ago, SuperMG said:

Hello.

 

Flex cable allows to activate the blacklight pins on the MXM slot to the eDP connector.

 

Without the blacklight pins being on, the screen stays off. Black screen, no display, etc.

 

With this mod, you can install it on the new RTX Ampère, Ada cards. All of the cards have DP or eDP on port DP_D, the signals are ok but the cards are lacking the blacklight pins. The manufacturers don't care about laptop users.

 

Basically we are forcing the powering of the blacklight pins so the internal eDP display will work.

Ah! Gotcha. Thanks for explaining that for me!