Acer Support Says My Nitro 5 Has TB4. Evidence Says Otherwise!

L[Deactivated] on 29/07/2022 - 10:23

I have an Acer Nitro 5: AN515-57-54QC (NH.QEUSA.007)

https://www.acer.com/datasheets/2021/4876/AN515-57/NH.QEUSA.…

No matter how many USB-C to DisplayPort cables I bought from Amazon and tried, I wasn't able to connect the laptop to my Xiaomi 34" monitor, there's no image whatsoever. The Acer support team is adamant that my laptop does indeed have TB4. There is no TB sign next to the USB-C port either!

Only HDMI to HDMI works, and at 100hz.

The only connection I could get from the USB-C port, was from the following cable that I attached to my Samsung s20 FE 5G, to download some of my video shots.

https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B09C2Y9VQ6

I just want to ascertain whether it has TB4 or not, as I don't want to keep buying cables! Can someone please shed some light?

Computing Acer Computer Gaming Laptop Laptop

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 29/07/2022 - 10:29
    +6

    those chat support from acer, lenovo, and god know who else - they are just random people who get a job to answer question and look the answer online or by the script. they are probably dont know what is thunderbolt….

    no point argue with them…. they will say, according to the manual, it is tb4. full stop (in indian accent maybe).

    • pharkurnell on 29/07/2022 - 10:46
      +1

      Sad but true… they all work to a script… if you ask them something that isnt there, they shit their pants and usually accidentally hang up

  • veetor on 29/07/2022 - 10:33
    +2

    Wouldn't this be a function of DP Alt Mode as opposed to Thunderbolt? On newer Intel processors Thunderbolt supported is baked in - so you're not dependent on an external controller. It just sounds like Acer didn't include DP Alt Mode for some reason.

  • kingdoofus on 29/07/2022 - 12:11
    +2

    Try using the IGPU instead of the Nvidia.

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 29/07/2022 - 14:07

    Both veetor and kingdoofus above are on the money.

    DP Alt Mode via USB-C will only work via the integrated Intel graphics. Not your discrete Nvidia card. Only the HDMI will output from the Nvidia. That's why it's always preferable to get gaming laptops with miniDP out for gaming purposes on better external monitors.

    You're stuck with HDMI (which should be 2.1) so make sure you have a short quality 2.1 cable. Not sure the exact specs of your monitor, assuming the 3440 x 1440 model, but you are limited by either the monitor's HDMI input specs or the cable itself. If just the cable you should theoretically be able to get either 120 or 144hz from that machine.

  • silentsoar on 29/07/2022 - 14:09

    Another thread on this subject suggests this model doesn't support Alt Mode or Thunderbolt: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/674664

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 29/07/2022 - 14:23

      It will have the former, just not connected to the Nvidia.

      OP or anyone can check by going into the Nvidia control panel ‘Configure Surround, PhysX’ tab. It tells you which ports are directly wired to a discrete card. Handy when shopping for gaming laptops.

      • [Deactivated] on 29/07/2022 - 14:59

        You mean here?

        https://ibb.co/PD3M02c

        And how should I go about using the IGPU instead of the Nvidia?

        Thanks!

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 29/07/2022 - 20:06
          -1

          Yeah that screenshot confirms no USB-C is direct to the Nvidia as predicted.

          You should be able to disable the discrete GPU in the BIOS, but the BIOS may not have that option, especially a technically entry level Acer.

          However a daresay you want to game, so the above is pointless. Use HDMI or sell the machine.

      • silentsoar on 29/07/2022 - 15:14

        I'm just going by the evidence so far (other post stating that it doesn't support Alt Mode, and OP unable to get a signal when using the appropriate cable).

        I've also just tested the same on an AN515-E7-52E0 with a Type-C to HDMI cable to a 1080p@60hz monitor, and I get no output.

        I haven't yet seen anything to suggest it does have Alt Mode support (except that it seems odd to exclude it, as I've never seen Type-C on a laptop without it).

  • bazingaa on 29/07/2022 - 14:28

    Just picked up a "AN515-57-54QC" from the HN deal, how can I check whether it has TB4 ?
    what are the uses of that ?

    • silentsoar on 29/07/2022 - 15:17
      +2

      AN515-57 definitely does not have Thunderbolt. The presence of display output over Type-C (Alt Mode) is in question, but Thunderbolt is not present.

      All Type-C laptop ports that support Thunderbolt will have the thunderbolt icon next to them, this is an accreditation requirement. If the port has only the USB logo, it does not support Thunderbolt.

      The only exception to this is devices that support USB 4, which this laptop does not (and I don't know if any USB 4 laptops are in market yet).

      • bazingaa on 29/07/2022 - 15:28

        thanks for the details, what is the typical use case of TB4 ? external GPU ?
        I think macbook has USB4

      • Sinnerator on 30/07/2022 - 09:57
        +1

        Good Answer.
        When anyone buys a new laptop expecting thunderbolt, check it in store at time of purchase for the TB logo next to the ports. Difficult to do if online purchase.

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 30/07/2022 - 16:40
          -1

          Yeah compatibility is a PITA until, thus why I tend to just stick with laptops with miniDP out. 100% know it'll work.

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