USB C - in my "Predator Helios 300"

[yae]

So I've been wondering what is the USB type C port in my laptop for then while I was updating my graphics driver I saw this 

 

 

What is the USB C for?

( it's not thunderbolt btw)

 

[tikker]

Nvidia's drivers for running displays through USB-C would be my guess. USB-C has what is called 'alternate mode' that can implemented HDMI or DP over USB-C, for example.

[yae]

6 minutes ago, tikker said:

Nvidia's drivers for running displays through USB-C would be my guess. USB-C has what is called 'alternate mode' that can implemented HDMI or DP over USB-C, for example.

I thought only thunderbolt ports can be a display output?

 

[Levent]

3 minutes ago, yae said:

I thought only thunderbolt ports can be a display output?

 

USB/DP alternate mode can provide DP via USBC without thunderbolt. It has its own downsides, so its not a great solution for latency important stuff like gaming.

[yae]

1 minute ago, Levent said:

USB/DP alternate mode can provide DP via USBC without thunderbolt. It has its own downsides, so its not a great solution for latency important stuff like gaming.

So it's possible to output through the USB C port to another monitor?

[tikker]

12 minutes ago, yae said:

So it's possible to output through the USB C port to another monitor?

If Acer implemented that then yes. Do you have a more specific model number or year? Acer's current Predator Helios 300 page shows me it has USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, in which case outputting through it would be no problem.

[yae]

5 minutes ago, tikker said:

If Acer implemented that then yes. Do you have a more specific model number or year? Acer's current Predator Helios 300 page shows me it has USB-C with Thunderbolt 4, in which case outputting through it would be no problem.

Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-53-57VP

 

Specs:

Intel Core i5-10300H Processor | 8GB DDR4 Memory | 1TB HDD + 256GB NVMe SSD | 15.6" FHD 1920x1080 IPS 144Hz Display | NVIDIA RTX2060 6GB GDDR6 VRAM | 802.11AX WiFi + BT | HD Webcam | USB3.2 Type-C Port | HDMI Port | Windows 10

 

[tikker]

59 minutes ago, yae said:

Acer Predator Helios 300 PH315-53-57VP

 

Specs:

Intel Core i5-10300H Processor | 8GB DDR4 Memory | 1TB HDD + 256GB NVMe SSD | 15.6" FHD 1920x1080 IPS 144Hz Display | NVIDIA RTX2060 6GB GDDR6 VRAM | 802.11AX WiFi + BT | HD Webcam | USB3.2 Type-C Port | HDMI Port | Windows 10

 

Doesn't seem like that one has Thunderbolt from searching on that model. As @Leventsaid though, alt-mode can also offer display. Your best bet would be to check your manual for a mention of that, or take you chances and just test a USB-C to HDMI or DP dongle.

[Kilrah]

Usually testing is best since often manufacturers don't mention whether it's supported or not. Sometimes you can find forum discussions where people report whether it does, but then with some machines that have annoying model names like this it's another level of complexity to figure out whether you actually have a similar enough one to be able to rely on the answer.