New GPU Installed...should I clean install windows?

Hey Guys,

I finally got the 6990m. Now i'm wondering if i should clean install windows or not?

I got a 3dmark 11 gpu score of 3200 and Vantage gpu score of 3100. However, I'm getting variable fps on Crysis 2 @ 1080p. Sometimes the fps stays at 40 and sometimes it just goes down to 24-29 on extreme settings (with dx 11 and no high texture pack).

I'm a bit confused. Sometimes I'll get an occasional stutter that lasts for less than 0.2 sec, still annoying though.

I'm getting lower scores on 3dmark 06 and passmark than my old 6970m....fps wise (I know 3dmark 06 is highly cpu dependent).

Any ideas?

Will be reppd!!

 

what drivers u are using???

 

11.9 catalyst

 

did u unistall the previous drivers when u pull out 6970m?

 

Also make sure your on the latest crysis patch.

 

no....will that be a problem? I did later on clean installed the driver. Used driver sweeper and the whole 9 yards.

okayy i'll make sure i do

 

Just make sure to uninstall and reinstall new ati drivers first.


Then patch. Though it should automatically prompt you for Crysis(It does for me )

 

I thought you're 1st supposed to install the dell driver and then install the newer ati catalyst stuff, that would be 11,9.

 

unistall drivers first,the reboot in safe mode and clean with driver sweaper then again reboot in normal and intall this driver for here:

http://www2.ati.com/DriVeRs/mobile/11-9_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc_ocl.exe

 

Yeah, you might have to do the dell to ati driver first. So grab the 6990 version from the dell support site and then installthe 11.9 over it.

 

why install dell driver first??

 

The alienware's have this pita install method to get newer drivers to properly work. I'm not too versed in the reasoning, but we generally have to install in the order of Dell > 11.x. I have no idea why but it's the only way it works.

 

Its probably because of the hybrid switching mode. I am sure if you use the unlocked BIOS and disabled the IGP you would be able to just use the AMD mobility drivers.

 

There's a chance I did this wrong, but that method didn't work for me.

Besides, one of the reasons some people get the amd cards is for maximized battery power life.

 

I'm thinking of doing a clean windows install again :|

There's something weird going on. I have deleted drivers and used driver sweeper on safe mode. Still no luck.

I don't know why my 3d mark 06 score and passmark scores should be less than a 6970m.

Maybe, the intel chipset software isn't recognising something....

 

this requirement is only for some people. I've only ever installed over the previous driver and it works everytime for me (knock on wood )

 

There is no need for a clean Windows install. In your case, all that is required is a clean video driver install. Don't get ahead of yourself. Once again clean out the existing drivers through Control Panel>Uninstall a Program>AMD Catalyst Install Manager, etc. After reboot, check in Device Manager and uninstall the driver (check box to remove associated software) for both the AMD 6900M Series card if present and the Intel Graphics card. Scan for new hardware and repeat until both cards are reported as Windows VGA devices. The reboot into Safe Mode and run Driver Sweeper (AMD Display only). I also do a registry scan and clean with CCleaner at this point, but it is not absolutely necessary. Reboot to Windows and install the Dell July 6990M drivers. Drivers and Downloads. Don't try to update yet. Test to assure that the graphics switching capability is functioning. Run 3dMark11 and 3dMark Vantage (using 6990M) to test and report scores. There is no reason to worry about installing more recent ATI/AMD reference drivers until your have the base setup working properly.

 

Thanks Man! I will try following those steps.

On the recent Dell drivers, I'd get a vantange score of 13 300- 13 300...with the GPU score of 12 600. Do those look normal?

 

Your stock GPU score is fine. The overall Vantage score might be a little low, but just a little and will probably take care of itself. Really need someone with a 2630QM to comment on the overall Vantage scores with the stock Dell drivers. Nevertheless, it appears that your 6990M is working just fine. Congratulations.

 

For you to compare with:

Here is my stock vantage score with stock 6990m 11.9 cats and i7 2630

 

Thanks man!!! Now i'm gonna follow your steps to install the 11.9 drivers from AMD from here,
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/615836-11-9-issues.html

note: I do lose catalyst control center after I install the 11.9...so i'll be trying out your steps.

Yup that's the kind of score I get with 11.9 catalyst.