So Sick of underperforming M17xR3

Hi I have a love/hate relationship with my alienware. The specs are
64gb ssd (m4 crucial) + 320gb hhd
i7 2630qm
12gb ram 1333mhz (4+4+2+2)
HD 6970m

It sometime works wonderfully but in gaming it really isnt living up to its specs

(before I had a dell 15r with i3 380, hd 5650 6gb ram)

Now compairing the 2 my alienware usually performs better but not a million times better and just now I decided to run just cause 2 and the performance was terrible (benchmarking gave 12-17fps) this was with most (if not all) settings at max but the ting is my old 15r could handle this game at max settings giving 30ish fps

I feel like I have bought a dell gaming machine that isnt up to the task and am pretty sure it is because I am unable to get proper driver updates for my gpu. I doubt anything can be done but I would love to get my money back from dell as this isn't as advertised (the ultimate gaming machine) They should do more to support updates or they should stop selling gaming machines.

Sorry rant over. What can I do to ensure my machine is running at its best? I assume install modded drivers, disable integrated gpu and install ati drivers? Can this be done and is it the right thing to do? So annoying that I am forced to void my warrenty just to get my machine working how it should.

 

Are you sure you didn't run Just Cause 2 off of your integrated GPU? Have you tried manually switching the graphics using fn+F7?

I've owned the 6970m and I've been able to run Just Cause 2 up to 50fps.

 

Yes im certain I was so surprised with the performance I decided to run GPU-z whilst doing the justcause benchmark and it confirmed that the gpu was under 100%load and the igp was at 0%

If someone else has this game and a ati gpu could they just try out the benchmark and let me know what values you are seeing. (I just chose the first option for benchmark)

EDIT - I just turned all settings down to minimum (apart from resolution) so no aa, af at 2x all other settings off or at low and It starts at 60fps but very quickly goes to 30fps and hovers around there.

Could this be something to do with my SSD setup? The only thing I can think of that I've changed because of it is I lowered my virtual ram to 1.5gb (as I have 12gb ram I didn't think that would ever be used anyway)

Could my gpu be faulty? Any tests I can run to find the problem?

 

How are the temps on your 6970? Also have you tried running 3dmark11 or 3dvantage and posting your scores?


Also what AMD drivers are you running?

 

I only ran for a few seconds but they were stable at about 69/70 degrees C

I've not tried those benchmark programs but will download them and post back (might be a while going to bed now)

I would love to get this laptop working properly it is so irritating

 

What clocks are GPU-Z reporting when running a game/benchmark? There are some drivers that get stuck on lower clocks during gaming which is a huge hit on performance.

 

Here is my 3dmark11 scores are they terrible? (I am hoping so that would mean I am not going mad and there is something wrong here)

3DMark Score
P1777
Graphics Score
1585
Physics Score
6013
Combined Score
1551
GraphicsTest1
7.17 FPS
GraphicsTest2
7.9 FPS
GraphicsTest3
10.32 FPS
GraphicsTest4
4.6 FPS
PhysicsTest
19.09 FPS
CombinedTest
7.22 FPS

Also got these notices which I imagine are down to dell drivers

" Unable to verify AMD Catalyst tessellation setting, result invalid. (What is this?)
Graphics driver is not approved (What is this?) "

gpu core clock = 400MHz GPU memory clock = 900

 

Yes, these are terrible results - that's a good thing, in a way, means we can sort your problem out somehow

You should be getting P3500 ish & your clocks should be wayyy higher

Try downloading these drivers: http://benchmark3d.com/amd-catalyst-8-95-17-january
Install them, restart, open up CCC and go to Gaming -> 3D Application Settings -> hit defaults and then apply;
Download Trixx: https://www.sapphireselectclub.com/ssc/TriXX/TriXX.aspx

Set your clocks at 715/1000 & run 3DMark11 again

You can skip downloading the drivers, but I strongly advise you do, since they are the latest and best

 

Yeah GPU core clock is low...default should be :

gpu core clock = 680Mhz

Memory Clock = 900Mhz

So folks correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like they are stuck on the lower clocks.

*Edit looks like Geocake beat me to it*

 

Thanks for this I feel so relieved, maybe soon my laptop will be working properly. I will try these tomorrow morning and post back (1:30am here)

 

Haha, same here, np. At least you can go to bed thinking your problem can be solved, and easily at that.

Let us know how it goes.

 

I'm having a similar problem with a m17xr3 2630q(2.0-2.8) with an amd 6870m, it performs solidly but seems to skip frames/stutter even when the fps only drops a few frames (60-58 wvsync) i have all the latest dell.com drivers. would that updated driver help with a 6870? should i bother with trixx at this point?

 

amd cards sometimes get stuck on 2D clocks like your 6970m (400/900) when flash is running in the background. I had the same problem once in awhile and it drove me nuts, turns out my youtube page was open and it made the GPU stick to 2D. Try turning off all flash-running programs when you game and report back, good luck!

 

Yeah, you'll get a few extra frames if you overclock. You should be able to boost the core and memory by at least 100Mhz each, and gain the same percentage of frames.

@Op, you could disable and then enable powerplay again as well.

 

I did what you said above (the driver even seemed to insatll which it usually seems to skip :S) but I get similar results

3DMark Score
P1843
Graphics Score
1645
Physics Score
6174
Combined Score
1606
GraphicsTest1
7.54 FPS
GraphicsTest2
8.19 FPS
GraphicsTest3
10.63 FPS
GraphicsTest4
4.76 FPS
PhysicsTest
19.6 FPS
CombinedTest
7.47 FPS

Here is my gpu info

Graphics Card
Get it! AMD Radeon HD 6970M / 6990M
Vendor
Dell Computer Corporation
# of cards
1
SLI / CrossFire
Off
Memory
2048 MB
Core clock
400 MHz
Memory clock
900 MHz
Driver name
Driver version
8.950.0.0
Driver status
Not FM Approved

(still saying lower clocks, have I not installed the driver correctly? Is there a start from scratch method which should get these new drivers on my laptop correctly?)

 

Drivers are good, did you download Trixx and set the new clocks?

 

ARRGHG lol finally found the power play setting and it was set to maximize battery life. I changed that to Maxamize performance and I now get these results

3DMark Score
P3322
Graphics Score
3057
Physics Score
6146
Combined Score
3198
GraphicsTest1
14.23 FPS
GraphicsTest2
14.68 FPS
GraphicsTest3
19.0 FPS
GraphicsTest4
9.1 FPS
PhysicsTest
19.51 FPS
CombinedTest
14.88 FPS

Do they seem about right? anything I can do to push a little more out of my card? Not too bothered either way as it now seems to be behaving itself.

I am really really grateful for your help. This really is a great forum with very helpful people. (how does the rep thing work can I add some to people or doesnt it work like that?)

EDIT figured out how the rep thing works sorry GeoCake could only add it on one post although you deserve more.

 

Now that's way better.

To get the most of your card Trixx is your best friend. Open it up and set the core clock around 750 or 800 and memory at 1000 or 1050 or even 1100 - just experiment and find what's best for you. Once you start seeing artefacts and driver crashes that means the clocks are too high, so tone them down a little

 

Thanks I'll have a play. (just tried the just cause 2 benchmark with all settings up to max and I now get 35-40 fps that's 2-3 times better even though my benchmark is closer to 2x, interesting and very cool)

 

I know when I had my desktop with AMD cards that in the Catalyst Control Centre there is a tab for GPU overlooking. When you enable it you should see a slider for power. Slide it to +20 to +50. This helps with overclocking stability.

 

I just checked any my ccc is version 11.11 is that correct? I have seen on another page that 12.2 should work with my m17x. Should I install that or is 11.11 fine?

I can't see anything like that in ccc but the TRIXX program has an option to overvolt, should I do this? currently running core 745, memory 1050 gpu voltage 0

 

Sometimes my GPU (6990m) stay downclocked no matter what I do, restarting, changing from iGPU to dGPU, etc
It was stuck on low clocks so I had to go the ATI CCC, go to 'Overdrive' (can be enabled via modifying registry) and moving the clock sliders down and back up again, this 'fixes' the problem and the 6990m proceeds to run at high clocks again. Just thought I'd mention this

You need to enable 'Overdrive' via a registry modification, but if you have Sapphire Trixx installed you don't need it anyway.
No need to overvolt, you can use a very stable overclock of 740/1000 without needing to change voltages or worry about temperature (stock paste job is fine)

 

Thanks for the heads up. I will look out for this but I think in my case it was just the stupid PowerPlay setting (why on earth default to maximize battery when plugged in!)

 

Using overdrive is pointless when you have Trixx & unfortunately the 69xxM cards can't be overvolted.

Also there is a bug which displays the wrong CCC version (you're on 12.1 atm I think). You should now install the 12.2 Preview driver over it, this will update the CCC. Your 8.95 driver will be untouched because it's newer.

Their driver packages are all over the place, with each pack having different versions. 8.95 17 Jan Driver with 12.2 Preview Catalyst - best so far

 

I applaud you for coming here for help and getting it figured out. Your initial post reeked of "I can't figure out how to manage my own PC, so it's the manufacturer's fault!". Just remember, PCs will almost never "just work" - it's the nature of the beast.

 

One very convenient feature of Overdrive is that it can be used to o/c your GPU from startup without the need to open another utility and enter new settings. If the Overdrive sliders are set to 800/1000 for example and CCC launches at startup (the default configuration), the clocks will be automatically reset to 800/1000 without intervention by the user. TriXX is a very useful app, but Overdrive has its advantages. Plus, it's awfully convenient.

 

whats the best way to install the 12.2 preview ccc? i have 8.95 jan 17 installed seemingly without a hitch, just run the 12.2 installer and select ccc only? the only strange thing about 8.95 jan 17 is that it says my card is a 6800 series (it is a 6870), is this normal?

 

Just click custom and tick everything. The latest drivers (8.95) will be untouched, and the rest updated

 

dude, you have a beast of a GPU there (best for metro 2033), it will carry you on for a good long while, enjoy it! (6970m was the reason I decided to buy a new laptop, then I became greedier )

 

so i have done some tweaking, including installing 12.2 and upping my clocks to 750 1075 from 675 1000.
running an r3 with a 2630q 2.0-2.8, amd 68701gb card

noticed some fishy buissiness with 3dmark11. powerplay is set to performance, ati card is being used. firstly in device manager /ccc it says my card is a 6800 series (might supposed to be that way with the jan 17 driver/12.2 setup. but in 3dmark, its performing a lil lower than i expect, and the amd card is not showing up properly.

Processor
Intel Core i7-2630QM Processor
Processor clock2890 MHz
Physical / logical processors1 / 8
# of cores4
Graphics Card
Graphics Card
Intel HD Graphics 3000 Mobile
VendorDell Computer Corporation
# of cards1
SLI / CrossFire Off
Memory0 MB
Core clock0 MHz
Memory clock0 MHz
Driver name
Driver version8.851.2.0
Driver statusNot FM Approved
Graphics Card (Secondary)
Graphics Card
AMD Radeon HD 6850M
VendorUnknown
# of cards1
SLI / CrossFire Off
Memory1024 MB
Core clock100 MHz
Memory clock150 MHz
Driver name
Driver version8.950.0.0
General
Operating system64-bit Windows 7 (6.1.7601)
MotherboardAlienware M17xR3
Memory8192 MB
Module 1
4096 MB Kingston 9 @ 800 MHz
Module 2
4096 MB Kingston 9 @ 800 MHz
Hard drive model750GB ST9750420AS
Detailed scores
3DMark ScoreP2502
Graphics Score2254
Physics Score6644
Combined Score2259
GraphicsTest111.26 FPS
GraphicsTest211.17 FPS
GraphicsTest313.31 FPS
GraphicsTest46.47 FPS
PhysicsTest21.09 FPS
CombinedTest10.51 FPS
Settings

 

Yea you have a point I was whining but can you blame me after wrestling with the problem for months.

I just ran 3dmark11 again after restart (back to stock clocks) and get p3143. That doesn't seem too much lower than the overclocked value so I may just stick to this until I find a game that doesn't want to run well. Can't be bothered to run TRIXX every time I turn on my laptop and don't really want to mess around flashin bios' if I don't have to

 

Overdrive will do it for you if desired. See Post 26. Glad you got it worked out. If you want to pick up a quick 300-400 points in 3dMark11, disable tesselation in CCC under 3D Application Settings -- uncheck both boxes in the Tesselation section. If you don't like the result, revert to default settings.

 

Congrats Chrisll,

Glad you got it sorted out and it working better for you.

 

In the tab for overclocking the gpu and memory should be a slider for power. Usually it is in the middle at 0. Slide it to the right to +20 or +50. This helps will stability of oc.

 

yeah i had a flickering display issue under intel..... it was just a tick an' a flick ...problem solved

 

Just wanted to put out one more message of thanks to you all for helping me out. So much happier now, feels like a I have a new machine.

I think overdrive looks to be the way to go if I find I need to consistently overclock my gpu. Although saying that TRIXX has the option to run at startup and apply overclocks would you say doing that would be just as good?

Thanks

 

I'm a fan of TriXX and expect it would be just as effective as Overdrive to apply an o/c at startup. I've just never used it that way, so I can't speak from experience.