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    Definitive Answer to Upgrading GPU Drivers, AMD 7970M

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Altair4, Oct 17, 2012.

  1. Altair4

    Altair4 Notebook Consultant

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    I've searched high and low regarding how to upgrade GPU drivers in these forums, and found different and conflicting information and am not sure which to follow.

    Right now I have the M17x R4 with 7970M stock Dell drivers installed via this link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html

    So which are the latest stable 7970M drivers? Should I uninstall all the old AMD stuff before installing the new one? What about the Intel integrated card drivers? Should I install those before or after the AMD ones? Which Intel drivers should I install? In which mode should I do all of these things? With enduro on or off? How is the performance of enduro after upgrading?

    Prior to this I tried upgrading to 12.9 beta without knowing anything, and while it worked, it broke my GPU switching and optical drive (I don't even know how), and I'm kind of scared to mess around with it more...

    I know these are probably stupid questions, but any help is appreciated.
     
    Altair4, Oct 17, 2012
    #1
  2. Alienware-Natalia_J

    Alienware-Natalia_J Company Representative

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    The most stable driver is the one on our support site: support.dell.com but I've also heard people having very good results by using the ones on the AMD's website.

    As far as the installation goes, here's a quick guide on how to do it:

    Alienware: Video Driver Clean Installation

    Good luck. :)
     
    Alienware-Natalia_J, Oct 17, 2012
    #2
  3. Altair4

    Altair4 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for. Just one question though - does it matter in which mode (enduro on/off) I do this in?
     
    Altair4, Oct 17, 2012
    #3
  4. Prasad

    Prasad NBR Reviewer 1337 NBR Reviewer

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    If you're installing the Intel drivers as well, keep Enduro ON. If you're only installing AMD 7970M drivers, Enduro would be better turned OFF.
     
    Prasad, Oct 18, 2012
    #4
  5. Wolfpup

    Wolfpup Notebook Prophet

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    You can disable switchable graphics on the AMD based systems in the BIOS? Like ONLY use the actual AMD GPU? If so that's a huge selling point over an Nvidia based one since I *think* on those you're stuck using Floptimus with no way to disable it.
     
    Wolfpup, Oct 18, 2012
    #5