M17-R2: which is the stable driver package / version ?

So,

I'm having the M17R2 with 8G RAM and Radeon 5870 crossfire.

I've been experiencing a lot of lag and slow motion time with my Diablo 3 come to a decision that I need to refresh everything.

So again,

- I restore it back to factory image.
- Update Windows Patches
- Update to BIOS 10.0 (on Dell Driver site)
- Update my CCC and driver to 11.10 (according to this guide: Update drivers for M17xR2 - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community)
- Make sure nothing runs in the background.
- Pasted, support with Notepal U3 cooler.

Back to the game, slow motions still persist and happen every half an hour. GPU temp is around 60 and CPU is around 70

I called Dell and blizzard this morning to get supported this morning and what they advise is to upgrade to the newest driver (from blizzard) or wait for a newer driver (from dell). That's ridiculous!

So I need help from you guys, is it any suitable driver and package that is just released for my Radeon 5870 crossfire which does not cause blue green?

Much appreciated!

 

Hi npploveyou,

Diablo 3 in general has lag related to the battlenet servers so not all of it may be related to your laptop. It depends on the type of lag you are getting server lag or system lag. Diablo 3 has been running very smooth for me, but I still get the occasional lag that results on stuff on the screen stopping (except my character), and that has caused me to die on more then one occasion.

That being said, I'm running AMD's latest released driver 12.4 for my 6970's. It's been the most stable driver since the 12 series came out, and didn't result in any blue screens upon installation..so I'd recommend that one.

I don't think Dell will be releasing any more "official" drivers for the R2, so your best bet is to upgrade to the latest AMD drivers and see how it goes.

Hopefully that'll help, I expect a lot of the lag has to do with the sheer volume of people who are playing and since the game requires a connection to the server to play it only makes playing that much more of a challenge.

A lot of this kind of discussion is going on here :

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/663829-m17x-diablo-3-lag.html

So any diablo 3 specific lag questions might be answered there or worth asking.

Good luck to you.

 

Thanks wolf ,

That is really helpful. Btw, what is your framerate in game? mine keep ranging from 14-20 and that's not fun.

I did upgraded to 12.4 but encountered lots of blue screen, even though im not playing game.

I tried that topic before, tried to disable the Vsync, SLI and some stuffs but doesnt help, so just wonder which version of driver that you guys are running on so I can help a general idea which I should upgrade in general, not for D3 only

 

How did you upgrade to 12.4? As in, what was your uninstall/reinstall process?

Over the course of my R2, I have tried various methods of installing graphics drivers with varying numbers of bluescreens! I am far from an expert, but personally I now have adopted the following method of driver installation which has worked flawlessly for me now for quite a few driver installs (touch wood!).

***More experienced NBR members please chime in with your words of wisdom/criticism regarding the following procedure***

I'll spell it all out for you in full, but I apologise in advance if I am insulting your intelligence

You'll need to download and install 2 applications before you run through the following. They are 100% safe and 100000% awesome so don't worry.


1. Reboot system into safe mode (press F8 at POST).
2. Expand "Display Adaptors" in Device Manager (right click Computer /Manage /Device Manager).
3. Right click on each gfx card that you have and uninstall.
4. Reboot system normally.
5. Uninstall AMD gfx drivers from Control Panel /Uninstall a Program.
6. Reboot into safe mode again and run Driver Sweeper.
7. Check AMD - Display /Analyse /Clean.
8. I also like to run CCleaner afterwards just to make sure everything is nicely cleared out - Registry /Scan for Issues /Fix Selected (ALL) Issues.
9. Reboot normally into windows.
10. Run the 12.4 driver install .exe.

Since you're running xfire cards, make sure to also download and install the latest Catalyst Application Profile, CAP and install that too after you have installed the drivers and rebooted. Keep an eye out for updated CAPs - they usually help iron out issues for xfire users in new game releases. Usually.

I hope that has helped. I don't play D3, but the 12.4 drivers have been working just peachy for me.

 

Just did some testing with Diablo 3 and FRAPS and I never drop below 60 FPS (have vsync enabled and everything maxed out). So I would say something is definitely going on. Hope you can get it sorted out.

 

That's what I did, I followed the post from the alienware forum here:
Update drivers for M17xR2 - Alienware Forum - Alienware Club - Dell Community

but with the 12.4, encountered blue screen. I did the same thing with the 12.4a hotfix, the blue screen's gone but still slow motion. FPS drops down to: 14-20

Btw, please provide me the link of the version you think is the most stable for R2 now thanks

Another question, when I install driver that way, right click on the desktop and the CCC's gone, its not in the drop down menu anymore. I also need to go back to device manager, and update the driver by letting it search from the computer. Otherwise, it can't detect the 5870 driver.

Just realized that you are running on the 6970 not the 5870 so it may a bit different

 

The method outlined in that post you linked is not exactly the same as what I suggested you do. That method suggests you try removing Catalyst and all drivers through control panel, and if that fails, booting into safe mode and then trying Driver Sweeper to get rid of everything. I suggested you boot into safe mode first, uninstall (not remove) the drivers through Device Manager, then boot into windows normal and remove Catalyst and all drivers through control panel, before booting into safe mode and using Driver Sweeper to clean everything up.

>>> a subtle difference between the 2 methods which may make all the difference to your bluescreen issue.

I'm currently using the latest 12.4 drivers. I always just go to AMD's site and use their driver search top right... Notebook Graphics /Radeon HD Series /Mobility Radeon HD 5xxx Series /Your OS.

The CCC's gone because it's a part of the graphics driver package. When you remove the drivers, you remove CCC as well. You want to do this, it's supposed to not be there when you remove the drivers. It will come back when you install the new drivers.

No, you should not search for and install your drivers like this. This may well be the reason your setup is causing you issues. Simply run the driver .exe you downloaded from the AMD site. It will install all drivers and CCC. You just need to double-click to set the whole thing running. Only use device manager to uninstall the drivers before removing them from control panel. Don't use device manager to install any drivers.


I hope that all made sense. Read through my method again fully, and I'm sure you'll work out how it's done, and I'm certain once you do, everything will be running just fine.

Gd luck!

 

I haven't played D3 yet, but I'm on 12.3 Mobility beta drivers with no issues, I didn't even bother to install Dell's old CCC when I reinstalled Windows 7 on my RAID 0 array, just used the installer and it worked without BSOD.

 

It does not really work but leave me another issue that I can't shut down my computer, whenever the black screen comes it just stuck there forever.

Btw, I rolled back everything to manufacturer image and here is what I get, disable the Crossfire, the game will run at max config.

Thanks all for help