For my marketing department they are switching over from Desktops to Framework 16s and that process is going less smooth than planned. So now that it is mostly set up the dock I have (mentioned in the title) is only using 2 of the 3 ports that I have Plugged in via Display Ports for. The number 1 slot that is giving me trouble says alt display and that is the port having trouble. I’m thinking it has something to do with where the modular type c ports are plugged into. Meaning the port won’t have the power to run that many displays. Tried a few different combos no luck thus far. On all the things i’ve seen the framework 16 should be able to use that alt port and run all the displays. It is running windows 11 pro, has the latest ADM graphics driver updates, has the docks drivers downloaded and installed and is plugged in with the type c that came with the dock (so it has the power to do alt display) also the framework charger that gives it full GPU power. I’m using three 4k 165htz displays all plugged into the dock via display cords. As of now im using the side type c ports i believe the bottom right two on the same side get no display out when using the type c on the GPU. Any help or comment is much appreciated I may just be doing something wrong or have the wrong ports\cables.
This is a DisplayLink based docking station which is primarily driven by the DisplayLink software GPU. I do not believe you will not be able to use the USB-C port on the dGPU with this docking station. That USB-C port is display-out only and will not be able to communicate with the DisplayLink chip in the dock.
Instead, you will need to connect the dock to Port 1, 2 or 4.
Because you are supplying two USB-C PD sources to the laptop (the dock provides 96w separately from the 180w FW16 power supply), I believe the laptop will draw power from the higher of the two connected sources. You may need to do some testing to confirm; you will probably have better results if the FW16 is booted with only the 180w power supply connected, then the USB-C dock is connected after booting. This should keep the laptop from potentially becoming stuck in a power negotiation loop between the two USB-C PD power sources.
The 780M iGPU is likely more than sufficient to drive 3x 4K@60Hz displays via DisplayLink. You might consider swapping out the dGPU for the Expansion Bay Shell and forgoing the 7700S (and its attendant higher power requirements) altogether.
I’m using three 4k 165htz displays all plugged into the dock via display cords.
The specifications state this dock only supports refresh rates up to 60Hz.
This shouldn’t affect your setup, other than you will be limited to ≤60Hz refresh rates on the external displays.
put the framework charger in the laptop bag. the power from the dock should be enough so long as they aren’t gaming or driving the dGPU hard.
use one of the rear two ports on the laptop with the USB c expansion cards to plug in the dock. it should work.