M14x Battlefield 3 Perfomance & Discussion Thread

Hi,

Since many people like me are wondering how Battlefield 3 runs, in this case the beta, a Thread with some FPS info would be very useful.

So please, if you already have the beta or will be playing the beta the next days, could you please test Battlefield 3 on your m14x?

If you are willing to do so, please supply following infos:

1. Which hardware does you m14x have?
CPU
i5 2410m, i7 2630qm, i7 2720qm or 2820qm?
GPU
1.5GB 555m or 3.0gb 555m?
Very important: Overclocked (if yes post info on mhz) or not??

2. Which settings are you using ingame?
Low, medium, high, ultra or custom settings (plz post them)
But consider that the graphic options do NOT work in full extent, dice said that these settings represent the medium settings of the final game, the settings that you can change are only minor. Most importantly: please say which resolution you are using! It makes a big difference if you use 768p against 900p

3. Which Nvidia Driver are you using and do you have any custom settings?

4. Please use fraps, not for video recording, but to show the FPS ingame so you can give an objective review of how many fps you get.

If people are wondering why Im not doing this myself, I do not own a m14x yet. I was planning on buying one but for me it is mandatory that battefield 3 works on it somehow since the 555m is comparately weak

Oh one more very important thing is how many people were on the server during gameplay, since bf3 will be sporting 64 people server, it would be good to know if it runs smooth with 16 people onscreen with action

 

I need a new laptop and the m14x has everything i want. It will be very frustrating if it can not handle BF3 well.

 

I loaded the drivers below and the game runs fine now.

REF: Drivers | laptopvideo2go.com


fyi, i just ran the driver update. I didn't use the .inf that is also available.

 

What do you mean by runs well? Please elaborate on that

 

im confused on which driver to run for this game. anyone??

 

What are you confused about? Installing the driver itself? Please be more specific.

 

What I mean by that is... it runs well enough to play. there is no video configuration in the beta so I can't tweak any settings in the game itself. I am not sure sure what frame-rate I am getting. But I don't get any discernible video lag. Which is a huge improvement from the crashing I was getting using the Dell certified driver.

 

i just downloaded the new 285.38 driver. but when i play this game my cpu temps get really high like in the 80's and 90's! anyone else get high temperatures??

 

Most people that use the m14x experience these high temperatures. What everyone is recommending doing is turning off the turbo-boost in the BIOS when you start up and it will decrease your temps about 5-10C. When you start up your laptop hit F2 then look for the option that says Turbo Boost in the advanced options then select Disable. You should not notice that much in FPS drop, but a decent drop in your CPU core temps.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

So, went ahead and ran the game with Fraps as I said in the other thread. Managed an average of around 38 FPS with 47 being the high.

My GPU was not overclocked, so no worries there. Did install the new driver and that seems to work well. In any case, it's not the greatest graphic detail, but BF3 is a pretty graphic intensive game. Again, framerate isn't the fastest, but it is definitely playable. If it fits your other criteria (i.e. I wanted portability, some battery life, etc.), then I would suggest it.

m14x Config: Core i7 2630Qm, 1.5GB GT 555m. Details are at Ultra, everything else at Medium. 1600 x 900 res. And....the servers are all pretty full right now. So, it was around 30-32 people to answer your last inquiry.

 

You can run the game on any driver, but for the recommendation would be either one of these - 275.33 or 285.27 or 285.38 (Built for BF3 Beta) You can download those driver by following the link below:

275.33 (You'll need a modded .inf for this one)
285.27 (No modded .inf is needed)
285.38 (No modded .inf is needed)

Note: GT555M 1.5GB and the 3GB version use the same driver, so whether you have the 1.5GB version or the 3GB version, it will be the same.

 

The Beta is just that BETA. So the game crashes a lot. For me its 1 out of 3 matches. It kicks you out, it closes up server connections, it freezes. So far, it still needs much work before release. The performance vs BC2 is not really justified in my opinion as the graphics are a step backwards compared to BC2.

 

I play with setting on High and vsync due to alot of tearing in beta.

My GPU is overclocked to 740/1480 1050 and I get low 40s 95% of the time.

Edit: running BF3 Beta drivers

 

where do you guys get BF3 from? :S

EDIT: nvm i found it will be testing soon on my m14x with the lower res screen

 

So it works! I will order my m14x next week

 

I just got an m14x (literally) can't seem to install the BF3 beta driver, "nvidia installer cannot continue"...no device found or something. Any help would be appreciated.

555m 1.5gb

 

im using 285.38 betadrivers, and i get around 35 to 45+ fps.
i never had the game freeze only random dc, and exit to desktop.
my cpu get to about 90C+, and gpu get to 70C.

 

m14x Config: Core i7 2630Qm, 3GB GT 555m. 8GB ram, 768p.
Details are at High, everything else at High. 1280 x 768 res. windowmode

 

I've tried turning off my turbo boost and I do notice a difference in gaming performance by about 5-10 FPS, but my CPU temps have dropped only by a few degrees. I'm wondering if it's worth it.

 

I play BF3 Beta using the latest 285.38 get around 40 ~ 50 fps. With Auto (Medium on everything with High in Detail), 1600x900 res. Fullscreen, GPU clock at 700/1400/1080.

GPU temp was between 65 ~ 75, while CPU is 86C ~ 93C (I'm using it with cooler)

 

I oc'd my GPU at 750/1500/1080. Gives a noticeable amount of difference. Just thought I'd share my opinion.

 

I am downloading it on my m14x now. I played it on my desktop and the game is gorgeous. I will report back probably tomorrow with some screenshots and video.

 

So how about your fps and temp? Because I might want to try that as well.

 

Video Driver: 267.21
Turbo Boost: Off
GPU Clock: Stock NOOC
Screen Res: Fullscreen 1600X900
Video Options: Fullscreen/Ultra (no changes)
FPS: AVG 25.4
CPU: 85C Highest recorded

Comments: The game felt pretty smooth for 25.4fps. Will try upgrading the video and doing some slight GPU overclocking, but for stock with turbo turned off I was very impressed.

 

some great results, will be getting an m14x..

but i will be very sad when the next revision will be out.. i mean the m14x is already out for about 6 months.. wont take that long for a second revision

 

Well what do you expect, Turbo Boost is a form of auto-OC for Intel CPU, if you turn that one off, then no more OC. The clock would stay at it original clock. Thus save for the heat, and sacrifice for the performance and the extra Ghz boost.

 

I was expecting it to be much worse then what it was, it ran very good for stock video drivers and no overclocking (cpu/gpu) running at full resolution with the ultra settings on. Even 25fps was very playable, a couple of tweaks and I can see it doing 40fps no problem.

 

Well about that "Ultra" Setting, I just found out that is not the Real Ultra (As I guess) it is actually Low Setting.

Because I also try to change between Low - Med - High - Ultra and nothing different. Read this post for more info:

Baseless "complaining" - a few facts Note to all: You MUST Be Able To Log Into Battlelog in Order to Read/See This Post.

 

Video Driver: 267.21
Turbo Boost: Off
GPU Clock: 720/1440/1080
Screen Res: Fullscreen 1600X900
Video Options: Fullscreen/Ultra (no changes)
FPS: AVG 30.1
CPU: 80C Highest recorded
GPUT: 58C Highest recorded

 

Some of the video settings actually do work. Turning off ambient occlusion and lowering anistropy gained me 15 fps to an average of 40 on medium. Not too shabby.

Battlefield 3 Beta on the m14x - YouTube

 

Bit disappointing to be honest. Was expecting the M14x to hit that on high and 30fps on Ultra Still not bad tho

Perhaps a 20% GPU over clock is called for..

 

Some new benches...

Video Driver: 285.38
Turbo Boost: Off
GPU Clock: Stock NOOC
Screen Res: Fullscreen 1600X900
Video Options: Fullscreen/Ultra (no changes)
FPS: AVG 26.5

Video Driver: 285.38
Turbo Boost: Off
GPU Clock: Stock NOOC
Screen Res: Fullscreen 1600X900
Video Options: Fullscreen/Ultra/Acull = off/Ansio = 2X
FPS: AVG 36

Turbo Boost: Off
GPU Clock: 720/1440/1080
Screen Res: Fullscreen 1600X900
Video Options: Fullscreen/Ultra/Acull = off/Ansio = 2X
FPS: AVG 38

CPU: 87C Highest recorded
GPUT: 65C Highest recorded

I noticed the largest boost on the Acul = off and Ansio = 2X

 

Rgr that. Make sure your actual video card settings have Ambient Occlusion off as was as the Ansio low too.

 

Wait guys, is it better to have turbo boost on or off? I don't even see turbo boost on my m14x computer....

...I'm downloading the "built for beta" nvidia drivers and will try turning off the ansio and ambient occlusion....

 

To turn off Turbo Boost, you need to go to BIOS (F2 when you turn your laptop on)

 

If your Turbo Boost off, then it will stay at whatever default clock of your CPU, and no auto OC, so then it would mean less heat and less extra Ghz result from that Turbo Boost.

 

So with the turbo boost disabled, without a gpu overclock, is there a massive difference in frame rates, say in Crysis 2, battlefield bad company 2, and games like that?

Say if I go and disable it right now, not touch another thing, will there be a drop in fps?

Cause from the results above with BF3 it seems that the cpu really doesn't matter...


Edit: what I'm trying to get at is, is the GPU a bottle neck for the CPU?

 

I think everyone is missing the point with this turboboost issue. The fact of the matter is it is a design fault and we should in no way be having to resort to turning it off or using third party software to control the cpu.

The bottom line is its a design flaw in the laptop cooling that should be being addressed by DELL / Alienware.

I am surprised the community is so accepting of having to use workrounds on an expensive laptop that is not working as it should be.

 

So, I ran BF3 with no Turbo Boost, and got 5FPS more than with it on. (repeated results).

Shouldn't it be the other way around?

 

Your right the laptop should work default with out any exceptions. I will be calling Alienware this week to have them replace my laptop due to overheating after they exchanged my heatsink/fan. I shouldn't have to sacrifice performance/speed by turning off my turbo boost to save the temperature on my laptop. It should work and be cool regardless.

 

I noticed without turbo boost, a 4-5 FPS increase, actually (with the same settings as with turbo boost).

So it really doesn't affect BF3 or Crysis 2, at least to me. And you can always overclock the GPU to compensate if it does.

 

maybe the throtteling between the turbo-boost and default is downing the frames a bit. seen that issue on a thinkpad, as long the cpu is on turbo its good, but the throtteling seems to hit the bus somehow.

maybe you can recreate that effect if you limit the cpu max. power in the windows energy settings to about 80% or smthng. or force it to run at 100% all the time there.


update: just tested it on my m14x, cant reproduce that. if i disable boost, i feel like loosing around 2-5 frames

 

I tried turning the turbo boost off and got minimal change in my FPS performance. We shouldn't have to turn off turbo boost to have the game work better. Alienware laptops should be working better default we shouldn't have to tweak them like this.

 

While I agree completely, having a windows machine, especially a gaming one is usually about tweaking. Macs are meant for right out of the box perfection. I have never used a windows pc I felt was perfect right out of the box, (though m14x did come close with such little bloatware)

It would be nice to have it at its prime and full force when you buy it though. If someone really needs that though, they are called consoles

 

I'm calling Dell this week for them to replace my m14x. I had my heatsink/fan replaced the tech also repasted thermal temps on my heat sink, gpu and CPU. It's still get 99-100C high tempatures. I find it very VERY annoying that other people have no issues, but even I have a well ventilated room/fan with a 2fan cooling system underneath my laptop. I'm sorta kinda pissed/annoyed lol.

 

Question for BF3 for the MX14, I want to get the MX14 here in a few days but i wanted to know if these specs are good enough for bf3

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7 2630QM 2.0GHz (2.9GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English edit
WIRELESS CARDS Intel® Wireless-N WiFi Link 1000 a/g/n 1x2 edit
MEMORY 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz edit
HARD DRIVE 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s edit
LCD PANEL 14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight edit
WIRELESSHD OR MOBILE BROADBAND None edit
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Slot Load Optical Drive edit
SOUND OPTIONS Soundblaster® X-Fi™ Hi Def Audio - Software Enabled
VIDEO CARD 1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus™ technology

will i need a better video card or is this not good enough to play bf3?

 

Question for BF3 for the MX14, I want to get the MX14 here in a few days but i wanted to know if these specs are good enough for bf3

PROCESSOR Intel® Core™ i7 2630QM 2.0GHz (2.9GHz w/Turbo Boost, 6MB Cache) edit
OPERATING SYSTEM Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English edit
WIRELESS CARDS Intel® Wireless-N WiFi Link 1000 a/g/n 1x2 edit
MEMORY 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1600MHz edit
HARD DRIVE 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3Gb/s edit
LCD PANEL 14.0" High Def+ (900p/1600x900) with WLED backlight edit
WIRELESSHD OR MOBILE BROADBAND None edit
INTERNAL OPTICAL DRIVE 8x SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Slot Load Optical Drive edit
SOUND OPTIONS Soundblaster® X-Fi™ Hi Def Audio - Software Enabled
VIDEO CARD 1.5GB DDR3 NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 555M using NVIDIA Optimus™ technology

will i need a better video card or is this not good enough to play bf3?


and if you could show me your youtube vidoe my account is speedkillz89 or email me at [email protected]

 

This video is done without fraps to avoid the drop in fps while this video is done with fraps and is a lot easier to watch. Looks good to me, especially for alpha. With a little GPU overclocking and further software development (i.e., drivers, the game itself), I expect BF3 will run very smoothly.

 

You could play on low or so. The beta is out, and it runs fine, but they said the beta is only like "Medium" graphics of the actual game. It's recommended to have a GTX560 or above (the m17x has that).

 

LEGEND!! Thanks so much CGSDR.

Finally found some drivers with System Check that works, after weeks of looking.

Is this something Nvidia has changed, or is there a special part of their site I need to look?