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    880M GTX - power throttling.

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by timoid, Jul 24, 2017.

  1. timoid

    timoid Newbie

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    Hey Guys,

    I have what I believe is the Ranger 17. It came with 880M GTX 8G.

    I have had nothing but problems since going to windows 10 (or more technically, going to mid-to-late drivers).

    The GPU throttles hard, causing massive lag and frustrations.

    If I force load some old windows 7 drivers, it goes OK for a few days, then windows update forces me back to drivers that cause fail.

    Has anyone here defeated the beast?
     
    timoid, Jul 24, 2017
    #1
  2. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    This a late reply but can i get your temp reads when it thermal throttles? I'm going to purchase 880m for the M18X-R1. If I could get an accurate read I can try a build a modified VBIOS to help it run cool. But it might have to do with the TDP its munching on. Its about 122w along those lines.
     
    BlackSheepA1, Aug 27, 2017
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  3. timoid

    timoid Newbie

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    65C
     
    timoid, Aug 27, 2017
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  4. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    65c? That's really cool. No pun intended. I'll be getting my 880m shortly next week. Although mine is a Clevo card with the 4 capacitors offset it should be arriving by mail next week. I'll figure out a way to tame the beast. I'll keep you posted.
     
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2017
    BlackSheepA1, Aug 27, 2017
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  5. timoid

    timoid Newbie

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    No probs - I have tried the slv7 bios and found it unstable.
     
    timoid, Aug 28, 2017
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  6. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Last edited: Aug 28, 2017
    BlackSheepA1, Aug 28, 2017
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  7. timoid

    timoid Newbie

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    i downloaded files from the other forum you have to pay to access... not sure of versions, dont have that laptop on.
     
    timoid, Aug 28, 2017
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  8. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    BlackSheepA1, Aug 28, 2017
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  9. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Got the card today. My only problem is that my M18X R1 won't accept my clevo 880m 8GB. I mounted the card on the second slot and it's detected. I think it has to do with the VBIOS. AMD VBIOS are easier to edit for Alienware just need learn how to disable UEFI and I'll be golden. I've set my BIOS to PEG UEFI legacy on and off and nothing. Then I proceeded to SG UEFI on and Off it works just freezes on boot. Keep in mind I have A05 BIOS unlocked for the M18X r1
     
    BlackSheepA1, Aug 30, 2017
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  10. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

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    My 880M was a finicky card at best. Some drivers would work, some would just cause a crash. SLV7 VBIOS really helped. At one point I had it at 1070MHz for my daily overclock and it was rock solid until I changed drivers. Then it went to hell in a handbasket and I was never able to achieve this again.
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
    deadsmiley, Aug 30, 2017
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  11. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I know I don't have svl7's unlocked BIOS could I get a copy of svl7's unlocked a05? Im using someone else's I think. I've downloaded this BIOS a while back.
     
    BlackSheepA1, Aug 30, 2017
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  12. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

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    I don't have it either. I had a typo in my post that should have said VBIOS when I said BIOS.
     
    deadsmiley, Aug 31, 2017
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  13. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I got the BIOS. Lol coughed up $6 bucks for it but it's worth it. Deadsmiley do you have a Clevo 880m VBIOS you could share? I want to unlock this beast for my M18X R1?
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
    BlackSheepA1, Aug 31, 2017
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  14. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    @timoid go to Eurocom link which I will provide and download your driver for the 880m. Eurocom usually updates their driver list modified driver list. I found it very stable no throttoling whatsoever. Be sure to install via Device manager and have driver signature disabled. http://downloads.eurocom.com/support/drivers/upgradeyourlaptop/Alienware/ be sure that you know what revision of your 17 Ranger is but don't mistake it for the M17X series. M17X & 17 R5 are two different models. Look for this driver:
     
    Last edited: Aug 31, 2017
    BlackSheepA1, Aug 31, 2017
    #14
  15. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    To be honest my VBIOS for the R9 M290X is in par with the 880m in terms of gaming performance. If anything performs slightly better than the 880m by alot. No modified drivers needed for AMD graphics cards. Although I will admit R9 M290X gets hot but that's to be expected. 880m is very cool and lower temps. But I don't see any significant gaming performance.
     
    BlackSheepA1, Aug 31, 2017
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  16. deadsmiley

    deadsmiley Notebook Deity

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    You can try this. It's modified for my laptop. Runs at 933MHz minimum I think. I was not very disciplined when I was doing my testing so this may not be the correct one.

    Use at your own risk!
     

    Attached Files:

    deadsmiley, Sep 3, 2017
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  17. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'll give it a shot! Not bad Smiley! No throttoling issues! I have one to share to! This is as close as you get with an unlocked VBIOS with more power. This is very stable Flash at your risk everyone! I present to you 880m VBIOS no throttoling I've stressed the card with VBIOS and no issues. I'll revise a new one but this is as stable as I can get it. 8GB Variant
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 4, 2017
    BlackSheepA1, Sep 4, 2017
    #17
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  18. Danishblunt

    Danishblunt Guest

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    Honestly, getting the vBios from SLV7 should solve all issues, it's free and resolves all the throttling issues, however, you really need to mod your heatsink a bit, the card will draw more power and get hotter.
     
    Danishblunt, Sep 4, 2017
    #18
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  19. BlackSheepA1

    BlackSheepA1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    You
    You're right! An Alienware RANGER 18 6 pipe heatsink mod but a Dremel to cut out the grill and make the back wider. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/252900374884?dispItem=1&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F711-117182-37290-0%2F2%3Fmpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252F
     
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2017
    BlackSheepA1, Sep 5, 2017
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  20. woodzstack

    woodzstack Alezka Computers , Official Clevo reseller.

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    Theres more to it then that too, you need better paste job, usually too. Make sure the card is level on the heatsink, and that the screws are not so tight that theres anymore pressure then "just enough to make contact and hold the heatsink on the card" otherwise as things get hotter in the long run will warp the card and kill components.

    If unsure always feel free to consult me, to be more specific or if you want advice and anything, always willing to help. Love the Alienware section of these forums...
     
    woodzstack, Sep 25, 2017
    #20