AW17 will not use dedicated graphics for games-tried almost everything

Ive tried everything but it still won't render with the 860M gpu. I got this laptop about two weeks ago and seeing as how I haven't had a gaming pc since my 7800GT build I really wanted to see what a 860m can do. Crysis 3 runs at medium at mid 20s fps. This sucks. I figured I set my expectations high and decided to start with crysis 1. All maxxed at ultra only getting 20FPS. I bring up the console and it says nvidia 860 m but im not convinced it really is.

I tried:

Updating Drivers.

Played with the nvidia utility to prefer the nvidia chip specifically for the game exe, yes checked millions of times and tried dif exes to make sure i wasn't getting the wrong exe.

Tried all different combinations of settings and switching between integrated and non integrated graphics, nothing ever makes a difference. Im convinced my cpu just takes over.

I tried updating BIOS from A10 to A14

No effect

I ran 3d mark and passed with a 10,000 on skydive, im assuming this IS actually using my 860m. It ranked my laptop above most gaming laptops and almost as a high end gaming pc.


So I uninstalled both intel and nvidia drivers and downloaded the original outdated drivers from dell. Installed them and had no effect. After another reboot windows updated them to the new ones so much for that.


I even had the option to right click on an exe and choose to render with the nvidia processor before windows undid my intentional driver rollback. Still did not render with the nvidia card. Still got 17 fps in crysis 1.


Ive googled for hours and have found many other complaints about this issue, mainly with MSI or ASUS systems that have user switchable graphics. Apparently its nvidia optimus and there is no fix for those it affects and these problems have been around for years.

It may be a conflict with nvidia optimus and a windows update...in that case im screwed because it will just keep happening every time i format and then connect to the internet.



I bought a $3000 gaming computer with 16 gigs of DDR3, SSD, 4th gen i7 and a HD 4600. What a joke. I feel sick about spending so much money on something I didn't even need just to have dell tell me nothing is wrong, and I believe them. Its software.



I like this computer and its build quality but im just about done with PC gaming. My last PC I built had a bad PSU, faulty ram sticks, onboard audio never worked (on a $200 board), my GPU died in 6 months. Now I wanted a turn-key system and I got burned.


Is it possible to buy an ATI card and swap it in? Id imagine this nvidia intel optimus relationship is pretty deeply rooted into the mobo though.

 

Did u went to nvidia control pannel and set this settings?
1. Adjust image setttings=use advanced 3d image settings PERFORMANCE
2. Manage 3d settings choose your program/game and put it use Nvidita high performance processor
3. use hfinfo to see if it works..temperature...speed...

 

Have you tried disabling optimus? Fn+F5 and run off the dedicated only.

What are your temps doing? Have you tried monitoring them? It's possible your hitting thermal thorttling and the card is kicking back the FPS to prevent overheating.

If you think it is an update just format/reload and don't do automatic updates before you test. If the problem isn't there then you can try looking for a specific update. There are more then a few people on these forums that do not install windows update at all, it isn't required to run windows...lots of people pick and choose.

If all else still fails , are you still under warranty? Maybe the card is defective or improperly installed.

You should be seeing higher then mid 20's in those games but the 860m isn't a high end card , for that you would have wanted the 880m for a nicer gaming experience. The 860m won't run you ultra settings on much, you will have to settle for lowering some things.

 

It does seem like the temps could be a bit high or the Optimus is not working properly. Have you tried disabling the auto-device driver installation from Windows update? That can be done from Start--->Right click on Computer ----> Properties ---> Advanced system configuration---> Hardware---> Device Installation Config ---> No, let me choose ---> Never Allow.