Major FPS Drop: MW2 Thermal

So, I received the replacement system finally yesterday for my computer. It's an M17xR2, running CrossfireX 4870's and the i720QM processor, 4 gb's of ram and a raid 0 setup with my hard drives.

My problem is that in CoD: MW2, I can run the game using max or min settings and get around 90 fps, but the moment I am looking through a thermal of any type; ie Chopper Gunner, thermal scope, AC130, my fps drops to 25 or lower. Period, nothing else. The moment I'm no longer looking through the thermal it jumps back up to 90. It's extremely frustrating.

I'm using the A00 version of the dell drivers as for whatever reason, even after modifying the config file for the 10.6 drivers, I can't get them to install properly and when it does install a driver of some type, Crossfire doesn't work. I'm at a loss here. The system is less then a week old and already off the bat, I had to fix it myself as the system wasn't built properly, the crossfire cable was not properly connected so I went in and fixed it (f***ing scratched the plastic too stupid Dell).

Any ideas? I uploaded a screen-shot with system relevant information.

Also, I think my signature is outdated, specs again are:

Core i7 720QM
4 GB 1333 mHz
2x Mobility Radeon HD 4870 in CrossFireX

 

One update, which is a little upsetting; I disabled CrossFire and I don't get the reduction in FPS when I go to thermal.

 

Have you tried monitoring your CPU performance with ThrottleStop?

Some of the R1 laptops would use clock modulation when running in SLI mode. This is a feature of the Intel CPU which can significantly slow it down internally. This was being triggered by the bios based on power consumption and not heat.

If this is the problem, a log file will clearly show this issue. Just add GPU=2 to the ThrottleStop.ini configuration file and ThrottleStop will be able to monitor and log your GPU temperatures as well. Upload your log file to mediafire or similar and post a link here so I can have a look and tell you what's going on.

Edit: That should be GPU=1 for Nvidia cards and GPU=2 for ATI cards. You better update your sig.

 

if it is identified as clock modulation, will throttlestop help the situation.

 

Maybe. Once I see a log file then I'll be able to see if clock modulation is the problem in this situation like it is in many other Dell laptops.

 

Interestingly, I get this problem as well, but on my M17.

I'm definetely starting to think that it's a crossfire issue across ATi cards as a whole. I don't think throttling is the issue.

 

Can I ask you for a favor, can you give me some specific areas in the game where the FPS drops Id like to run the experiment also and see if I'm getting the same result I havent experienced the same drastic drop from the acog or cco sights switching to and from but have experienced drops in areas like the flavela and some spec ops areas, thank you.

 

I don't get any FPS drops when switching, make sure you have the ATi app profile installed. Can be found here:
Rage3D
The latest one should work.
I am also attaching a couple of screens.

If your Xfire cable was partially plugged it could have done in your second card. This actually happened to me on a R1.
I would try these in order:
1) App Profile
2) Drivers, anything but 10.6
If neither one of those resolves it. I would contact TS for pontential cable or card issue.

Edit: If have AA@2X and texture set to Auto in the game