Alienware m17x r3 - 6970m - Brightness issue and questions about upgrading.

Hello there, thanks for taking the time to read my post. I have had my m17x for a few years now and I have been happy with it for the most part. I've spent a great deal of time dealing with driver updates, but that's now in the past.


System info:
Windows 7 Home Preumium 64bit
Intel Core i7-2860QM @ 2.50GHz, 2501 Mhz, 4 Core
Alienware A12 BIOS 8/20/2012
16GB Ram
AMD 6970m w/ 15.4 Beta Drivers

I disabled the Intel Graphics over a year ago when I was having issues getting new drivers installed and I haven't trying enabling them since, but I have no use for switchable graphics anyways so it's not an issue.

The problem I am having currently is that the brightness is rarely at true full brightness. I am able to lower and raise the brightness using the function keys or the power control panel interface, but the maximum brightness is not really that bright. Every once in a while, something metaphorically clicks in my machine and the brightness goes up to what I assume is the true full brightness. It is quite a drastic difference and makes gaming a lot more enjoyable.

I don't really know what else to say about it, but I have no idea what is happening to cause the brightness to only sometimes reach its true potential.

I am also very interested in upgrading the GPU in my laptop. What are some of my better options in that department, and would it be worthwhile or would my processor / ram become a bottleneck?

I currently play CSGO and GTA V. CSGO runs great with 80-125 FPS in most places, but GTA V causes me quite a few problems. I get acceptable performance for the most part but at times I will have my fps drop down to around 20 for ~3 seconds. I have read a lot of similar issues from other people with very varied hardware though so it's likely just a problem with the game that will hopefully get updated.

Thanks!

 

All I can suggest is fresh intel HD 3000 drivers, I know they used to due weird things with my brightness. GTA V just got released, it is bound to have bugs and will need updates. Monitor your 6970M temperatures, make sure it isn't thermal throttling and whatnot.

 

This thread looks like it may have a solution to my problem: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/7970m-dim-screen-fix-on-r3-sort-of.678968

But I don't fully understand what he is telling me to do. I installed the version of HWiNFO64 and ran it, but I don't notice a difference.

 

HWiNFO64 does help me with my brightness issue on my 7970M. Basically install HWiNFO64 and change the settings so that HWiNFO64 starts automatically with windows and check the box to have it minimize the sensors upon start up. Make sure to download and install the version 3.96 of HWiNFO64 . http://www.mediafire.com/download/fmsb84upugq5owm/hw64_396.exe I don't think the newer versions fix the dim issue.

I know this works for the 7970M but not sure on the 6970M.

ALSO: be sure NOT TO download the update that it tells you is available upon installing HWiNFO64. I check a box that said don't dowload beta versions or remind me of updates again. I'm pretty sure the version that is recommended is the only one that fixes the dim issue.

 

Great, thanks rizzo.