Problems with Crysis - Alienware M17xR3 580M 3D Bundle No Optimus

For some reason, when playing Crysis Warhead on the optimized settings "Gamer" The game runs smoothly at 60+ FPS however drops down to 5-10 FPS after every 2-3minutes of gameplay for a minute.

I remember seeing some thread for this problem but it wasn't sure if it was with the 580m or 460m. Even my previous r3 with the 460 could run Crysis without the FPS drop.

 

is it only happening in crysis?

 

It is quite possible your 580M is throttling due to heat. Run a GPU-Z log while playing and check your temps.

 

So far its only happening in crysis, but that's the only graphic intensive game I play.

it sounds like could be throttling due to heat, in that case what can be done to fix it? Is it a faulty gpu?

 

Not faulty, no. Dell shipped it with some pretty restrictive throttling temperatures. If you poke around this forum there's a few threads on it. There are some workarounds, usually involving using a different BIOS and/or vBIOS.

 

Did you try propping up the back of your laptop at all? If I prop up the back of my r2 my GPU's stop throttling when I play BFBC2...I will fireup Crysis 2 and see if it helps in that game as well. I dont have crysis warhead anymore or I'd try that too.

I dont know if this will help withyour R3...and I know its kind of ghetto...but maybe it will help and is alot easier and less risky then bios/vbios mods for the average user.

 

Agreed with above. Simply propping (spelling looks weird lol) the back end of the laptop up will drop your temps a significant amount.

Run CPUID or similar app and check your temps before and after.

 

Been playing Crysis 2 on Extreme settings since my post...no GPU throttling, but that game is a to run. I find it runs alot better on "very high" and still looks great! Maybe if I bother to play it more i'll leave it on very high. Frankly, like the first one, its not really that great of a game.

 

That's where I have my graphic settings also for that game, it really is an amazing looking game. I've lost interest just a tad for it for some reason though, I'm into FPS big time and C2 just hasn't kept my attention.

 

Hi,
I have got my m17x r3 with 580M graphics card yesterday and facing same problem but i'm playing assassins creed Brotherhood intailly works fine intially but occationally the frames drop down to very low and looks like game is hanging... and after few seconds maybe 10-15 seconds later the game starts working fine... I'm now installing other game and check if problem persist with all games or only this game... I'll try crysis warhead and update you same...

 

Like others have said in this thread, that sounds like a GPU throttle due to overheat. Prop the backend of the laptop up in the air or buy a cooler for it to sit on. Either way, sounds like it's getting too warm.

Also, you can download your favorite monitor system and check your temperatures when the issue occurs. I use CPUID and have no complaints.

 

you guys should do a bit of search 1st, maybe start by looking at this thread

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

You can also look for threads talking about 3D modded bios if you are familiar with this kind of things and willing to take a bit of risks .
A few people did it successfully, to be confirm .

 

Hi again...

I am using MSi After burner to monitor temps... My temps remain around 65-72 max... I have not even overclocked... is this temps high???

Regards!

 

hi again...
I have found new nvidia driver 280.26 i have not tried i'm downloading but thought you can try too...
http://nvidiaforums.s3.amazonaws.com/dell.zip
Please do not download from nvidia website directly it will not work since inf is not updated or something for dell systems... I got above link from http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=206387&st=0

Hope this solves the problem...I'll post results also please update your results too...
Regards!

 

Hi guyz!
I think finally the solution is here... I have been gaming with new drivers link above since past half hour no throttling till now... I think the problem is solved with these drivers can't stop myself for posting this... keeping fingures cross... will update after gaming for day or two...

Regards!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ttling-m17x-r3-580m-without-120hz-screen.html

There are 2 levels of throttle. For now you can remove the bios level. It throttles at a lower temp. The Gpu vbios at 80. credits to LVNeptune and company.

 

Hey!
Thanks for that link... But i think its not worth a shot since no one is happy... one gave update the throttle was gone and next post he says its back... I think the throttle was never gone... Since throttle is random... After he updated the bios he must have played few minutes and thought throttle is gone and updated the post that its gone but actually which was not...
Did you try the drivers i posted??? Would love for your update too...

Regards!

 

Hey sorry Guyz!
No help with the drivers i gave... I get throttle after temp reached around 77.C...

Regards!

 

The throttle is not random, I repeat its not random...I tested it on Furmark too..Right now my throttling occurs only at 79 C and that is a throttle which is placed in by the vbios. The throttle that was annoying most was that which was done via Dell bios. Its threshold was much lower.

As for the Vbios people are already working on that. Some have even over volted the card.

For starters removing the dell Bios restriction via this method is best. I was very nervous when I did it. But I counter checked with those that have achieved positive results. I have the same. Also do note, throttling may have nothing to do with temperature or the GPU at times. It can be the hard drive being accessed etc.. So remember random throttles are unlikely due to restriction but rather some other cause. Throttles will be at constant points either due to temperature or power consumption etc.

Another problem we face with Alienware 17x r3 is the varibles in configuration. What one has , another doesnt, hence this is in a way hampering progressive work towards easing or solving an issue conclusively.

 

are your throttles gone completely??? at lower temps... did you play assassins creed brotherhood multiplayer? i get in that a lot maybe every 10 minutes throttle for 30-60 seconds... temps in ACB remains well below 75C so you should try that... if problem occurs then please reply...

Regards!

 

Yes my throttle is completely gone as long as its below 79Celcius. Right After 79 throttle starts for a few seconds and temp falls immediatelly. You can see this pattern very clearly in Furmark.

What you described in gaming is exactly what was mentioned by those who discovered this method.

I RECOMMEND YOUR TO USE GandalfTW's method.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ttling-m17x-r3-580m-without-120hz-screen.html

 

Hey i think the problem is not with bios or drivers... or something else... the problem is with adaptor... see your adaptor will be getting damn hot... technically there are IGBT's in adaptor whose performance decreases as temperature increases and cannot give enough current required... So the adaptor temperorary does not give enough power to system causing game to throttle just like adaptor is unplugged... Just try removing adaptor when playing the game you will feel same throttle as before... I think changing adaptor will remove the problem...provided you get right adaptor... Not sure i'm asking dell to get my adaptor replace... Will keep posting...
Does anyone know what clevo system adaptor output ratings are...?

 

It is definitely not the adapter. The system throttles when you remove the adapter because it is designed to downclock your system when it is on battery because one, not to drain your battery quickly, and two, not to destroy it! Plus the Alienware adapter is rated at 240w where as the Clevo's with single 580m's have adapters rated at 180w. It is definitely implemented in the bios. The new update for the M18x even says this.

 

Hi!
Not to offence you but try visiting this website...
custom gaming laptops - Welcome to Sager Notebooks
they give 300W power supply o/p is 20V - 15A(ACA-7282, NP7282 100V/240V autoswitch AC Adapter (300W))... See in specification and bottom you will find under power system or try customizing it... Please correct me if i'm wrong...

Regards!

 

I am correcting you now because that is a dual card system. I specifically mentioned in my post single card systems.

 

Hey thanks for your post..I got my new M17x R3 a few days back... My throttling happens at 77°C+ without going through any changes steps of bios update with the method you suggested in your post...My furmark video is as follows:
Alienware M17x R3 580M Throttle at 77°C Furmark graph - YouTube
please see in full HD to view chart and reading properly..You can see clearly the VDDC voltage drops from 0.870V to 0.800V after reaching temp 77°C+. I have contacted the dell technical department and reported to nvidia techincal person manuel G too for the same then they said they will soon work on new Dell vbios update...
So you too better contact them and ask all your friends this would really speed up the process...Ask or send them this link to all these forums for throttling of 580m so they can view and take steps rather we working on round through other then dell... we have not paid to be ducks... so please write to them... its great to see we all try to help each other but we need to get what we paid for... so please write to dell and send cc copy to micheal dell too... If you do have his id tell me i'll send you...

Regards!

 

Finally Solved...
[Solved] Alienware M17x R3 Nvidia 580M Throttle at 77°C+ temps Furmark graph
Hope this helps...

Regards!