GTX 580M not recognized by some programs

So the past few days I have been going through the forum learning about benching and overclocking. After finally feeling comfortable with giving it a try, I downloaded 3DMark06, 3DMark 11, 3DMark Vantage, GPU-Z, CPU-Z, NVIDIA Inspector, and HWiNFO64.

For some reason 3DMark06 doesn't list what my GPU is. 3DMark 11 only has the option of Auto or HD Graphics 3000 in the Graphics Adapter drop down box of the Help tab. 3DMark Vantage shows my 580M in the System Info, but my score was so low (10k something), so I'm not sure if it's running or not. I am new to benching, so I probably had some settings wrong. HWiNFO64 doesn't list my 580M. If I run 3DMark06 then open up HWiNFO64, it will list my GPU. It seems to have something to do with Aero. But it doesn't effect 3DMark06 or 3DMark 11. Everything else I have lists the 580M.

Anyone know what is causing this issue?

 

I can only speak for HWiNFO64 as I only use that one on a regular basis. Your system uses the integrated graphics by default and only enables the nVidia GPU for graphically demanding programs. As such, HWiNFO will not detect the GPU when it's disabled. To remedy this you can flash to the unlocked BIOS and disable the integrated graphics. You can also try white listing the programs to use the GPU.

 

I know how Optimus works. I've white listed all the programs, but still nothing. It seems that I need to have a graphic intensive programming running before I start HWiNFO for it to recognize my GPU. Is it like this for everyone?

About 3DMark06, when I start it up, under System my GFX is blank. Is this normal?

 

It is for me. I used to white list Firefox and have it running and then I'd start HWiNFO. I've since disabled IGD so I no longer have to do that.

 

only thing that I really had problems with using optimus with was GTA 4. Other than that most programs played nice with it though I had to white-list different programs over time. I moved over to the modded A08 bios and used the bios switch and it made all these issues go away. Maybe you should try that.

 

I have FireFox white listed, but that doesn't help either. Is there any info on this forum about the unlocked bios? I've been looking around for the modded 08 bios without any luck. Are they both the same?

Here is a pic of what I'm talking about for 3DMark06 for anyone that might be able to help me out.

 

I followed these instructions and it worked like a charm for me:

Check out this thread: turn-off-intel-igp-m17x-r3-bios-mod. There's a link in there for the unlocked A08 BIOS.

 

Thanks. Is there anything in particular I need to watch out for? I've read somewhere I should flash the A04 Bios then blind flash the modded A08. Is this the best way? If so, there a guide for this somewhere? Sorry, but I'm still learning all this stuff.

 

I think that was an attempt to remove the throttling, not sure if it ever worked or not. never the less, all you should have to do is flash the bios like you would normally to the modded A08 version, and then follow the Rev's instructions above and you should be good to go.

 

Thanks a lot guys. Repped you both.

Check it out:



3DMark06 now recognizes my 580M

I'm still curious as to why I was having these issues. Are they typical to everyone else?

One more thing. Before flashing to the Mod Bios, I followed widezu69's guide http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/616474-guide-580m-gtx-throtting-fix-no-need-modify-system-bios.html. Do I need to redo it?

 

Glad to see you got it working dude, as to the throttle fix, you should be fine i think because you flashed the mobo bios, not the 580m.

 

Glad you got it to work

 

I just flashed this bios and disabled the IG. Works fine but I was wondering what if any the downsides of this are? Obviously power but anything else?

 

No downsides whatsoever, just poor battery life. I have to disable the IGP to use ENBseries mods...

Though with Optimus all my other programs recognise the card just fine, including benchmarks.

 

Not sure why my system wasn't. Would like to try and find a fix for this, but I can't find anything.

 

what driver version you have installed? Old drivers could be part of the problem idk.

 

Everything has been updated to newest drivers.