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    M17x R3 periodically dropping framerate by drastic amount for 30 sec intervals...

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Redeka, Aug 19, 2011.

  1. Redeka

    Redeka Notebook Consultant

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    I am the proud new owner of a brand new m17x r3. Everything about this laptop is great, but I am having one issue that I find quite annoying.

    While I am gaming (in this specific case, the game is Rift), I usually run at around 45 FPS. The problem I am running into, though, is that while playing, the game will randomly drop its framerate to around 5fps. This lasts for about 30 seconds before it jumps back up to 45fps

    What is going on here? Is my laptop randomly switching over to integrated graphics for some reason? I am playing while plugged in. My laptop is in high performance mode, and it is being properly ventilated. Has anyone else ran into this problem? If so, I would love to know how to fix it.

    Here are my system specs:

    M17x R3 Intel Core i7 2820QM

    16GB DualCh DDR3 1333MHz 4DIM

    17.3-inch WideFHD1920 x 1080 60Hz WLED

    2GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580M

    320GB 7,200RPM SATA-II HDD

    Win 7 Home Prem 64 SP1,Eng,w/Media,AWNB

    Killer Wireless-N 1103 MIMO, ANW M17X R3
     
    Redeka, Aug 19, 2011
    #1
  2. inap

    inap .........................

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    use gpu-z and make a log file of your gameplay, i suspect thermal throttling but need more info.
     
    inap, Aug 19, 2011
    #2
  3. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    Try disabling "Supersampling."

    It should help.
     
    zoolian982, Aug 19, 2011
    #3
  4. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    No reason to "suspect" thermal throttling. It almost is guaranteed to be!

    @OP - Downgrade to A04 and see if it continues to happen :)
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 20, 2011
    #4
  5. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Are you plugged into the wall when playing? Most notebooks will throttle GPU and CPU pretty badly if the AC adapter gets accidentally unplugged or you use a lesser wattage AC adapter then recommended.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Aug 20, 2011
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  6. Redeka

    Redeka Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry, I am fairly new around here, I am not sure what A04 is or how to
    Downgrade it...
     
    Redeka, Aug 20, 2011
    #6
  7. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    A04 is an earlier system BIOS (current version is A08) for the R3. It (A04) is available here: Drivers & Downloads.
     
    The Revelator, Aug 20, 2011
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  8. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    Have you tried disabling supersampling first?

    If that doesn't work, do what Revelator said, but I would recommend you do this instead of just the A04 from dell.

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/7678603-post107.html

    It'll disable optimus if your system came with it and run fully off the nvidia card.
     
    zoolian982, Aug 20, 2011
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  9. Redeka

    Redeka Notebook Consultant

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    Supersampling in the game or in my nvidia control center? I never had supersampling enabled in the first place.

    As far as downgrading bios, is it as simple as running the exe file, or is there a process I should follow?

    Are the a08 drivers bugged or something?
     
    Redeka, Aug 20, 2011
    #9
  10. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Using the file M17R3A04-W64.exe is the easiest course. Just download and run from within Windows. Simple and easy. If you don't see any benefit, flash back to A08 using the applicable file on the Dell R3 Driver Download board. The A05 BIOS and subsequent BIOS's reduce the throttling temperature for the 580M or so it is believed by some performance oriented 580M users.
     
    The Revelator, Aug 20, 2011
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  11. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    Supersampling should be an option under graphics for Rift.
     
    zoolian982, Aug 20, 2011
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  12. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    As of A05 Dell throttled the 580M cards so it runs like crap when it gets "hot"
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 20, 2011
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  13. Redeka

    Redeka Notebook Consultant

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    Why did they do that? Is my hardware affected negatively if it runs "hot" on the a04 bios?
     
    Redeka, Aug 20, 2011
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  14. TostitoBandito

    TostitoBandito Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes heat is bad, but the temperatures at which this BIOS is throttling are overly conservative. No ide why they did that, possibly an oversight. There's not really any need to worry unless your GPU is consistently above 80C.
     
    TostitoBandito, Aug 20, 2011
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  15. MetaBaron

    MetaBaron Notebook Enthusiast

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    You should have a look here :

    http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/602464-580m-throttling-issue.html

    Unfortunatly there are 2 downclocking security : 1 in all Dell bios after A04, it throttles down to 2D clocks for around 30secs when reaching 78/79°c.
    If you use A04 you will see that there is also a vbios security that throttles roughly at same temperatures but only for 3/4 secs !
    ...but it does that every 3/4mns so the gaming experience is as bad :mad:

    The only solution is to put a book under the rear of the rig to allow it to breathe a bit, 8/10°c less in load :)
     
    MetaBaron, Aug 20, 2011
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  16. Redeka

    Redeka Notebook Consultant

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    So this is a case in which a chill mat would be beneficial?
     
    Redeka, Aug 20, 2011
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  17. FUALL

    FUALL Notebook Geek

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    I get horrible frame rates if the laptop is not plugged into the wall
     
    FUALL, Aug 20, 2011
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  18. Apoxxx

    Apoxxx Notebook Evangelist

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    Is it a good idea to downgrade to A04 with the GTX580? I was under the impression that support for this card was added in the later versions?
     
    Apoxxx, Aug 20, 2011
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  19. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    3D support for that card was added later.
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 20, 2011
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  20. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    If you can live without 3D, use the A04, if you need 3D, then...you will have to suffer the wrath of throttling.
     
    zoolian982, Aug 21, 2011
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  21. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    ...or wait for the BIOS to get finished that is hacking in throttle removing
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 21, 2011
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  22. Redeka

    Redeka Notebook Consultant

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    Strangest thing last night. I got home and started playing to see if I could replicate the problem, but no matter what I did, I couldn't get it to throttle. My max temp was never higher than 61 degrees. Very strange.
     
    Redeka, Aug 21, 2011
    #22