Aw m18x R2 Dual 980m SLI upgrade!!

so, im running 358.50 with stock clevo bios, p0/p1 matched, throttling to 270mhz badly....what's my next move?

edit1: ok...353.06 by J95 does NOT throttle...wow..amazing....is there anything newer that won't throttle?

 

Has anyone had any experience with the "new" model 18 with 980M SLI? I had a M18X R2, upgraded to Windows 10 and it bricked of course. I had not seen that other forum but came to that same conclusion it must've fried my computer somehow. Well after a week of frustration trying to solve the issue and swapping cards and clearing the CMOS battery, whatever I knew to do, I just sent it to Dell. They told me they couldn't fix it or were out of parts and are exchanging for a new one. They are sending the new 2015 model 18, with the 4940MX and 980M SLI. That should be a decent upgrade from my 3840QM and 680M SLI. However, all this talk about throttling and all just sounds like I'm in for dissappointment. I haven't gotten into overclocking but would like to. I even got in touch with Mr. Fox for advice with my M18X several months ago using Dell's community. I appreciate being able to be a part of this forum. There's a ton of knowledge here and the people here in these forums are life savors to us, less knowledgeable folk when it comes to these machines. Thanks a lot!

 

Hi, Welcome to NBR!
Yes in terms of hardware that should be a very nice upgrade! You will have no disappointment with throttling in your new 18, Dell very kindly fixed the bios and vbios so that both fans work, drivers directly from nvidia install with no modding required, legacy bios support and most importantly fixed the throttle! You should be able to get some nice overclocking results especially now that you have an extreme cpu you just got to try and keep it cool!

The 18 is very different to the R2, its a real monster in comparison to the sleeker R2, I saw one the other day at uni and it surprised me tbh.

 

That's a huge relief! I'm really excited to get it and see what it can do! Thanks!

 

Kenny

Yeah I am getting the same results. On fresh install it doesn't throttle but after few days I gate annoying throttling. Going back to the ONLY driver I find it works. 353.00 from @j95

 

i just restarted my computer and it won't start - 8 beeps, it's been barely 2 weeks since i put a used 980m into this computer, i have NEVER had windows 10 installed on it, does that mean that my 980m was somehow infected and killed my LCD?

 

8

Umm... I highly doubt the 980m will kill ur LCD. I would open the laptop and check for loose connections. The problem was specific with windows 10 and or Nvidia drivers

 

Have you used one of the latest versions of EVGA Precision X16? Perhaps also updates for Win 10 installation as well?

 

i have a question..playing witcher i noticed my gpu is locked at 1000mhz..how does overclocking work at this point..im using 353.06 but don't want to do anything that would cause throttling..my core/memory is matched at 1126/2505 but it seems in-game it stays at 1000mhz which is default non-boost..does this mean boost is disabled?

using stock clevo vbios on m18xr2

edit: hmm interesting after a while it went to 1130mhz....is this temperature related?

 

I'm looking for the same answer. I notice periodically during Witcher 3 my brick throttles! I have to unplug it and plug it back in.

Homer

 

@All_

Please install GeForce 353.00 PEG MOD further tweaked...latest profiles included.

 

@j95: Love all you do but... I only have 3 posts

Homer

 

With the stock vbios I get a werid thing were the clocks throttle but performance does not change, I haven't noticed this with a single gpu thought. is your core load maxed out?

That is something different, either your overclocking to much gpu or cpu and your system is not throttling (wow!! congratulations!) or you psu is on the way out. Might be worth checking what power the brick is tripping at with a power meter, if its lower then 360-370W from the wall its no longer a 330w psu (due to ~90% efficiency)

 

@j95 how do I manually put the SLi game profiles without GFE?! I know its been mention in a post somewhere but I kind of forget lol

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

@j95 has the instuctions over at TI were you download the 353.00 driver mod... you got to use nvidia inspector

 

Oh yeah Just saw it thanks

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

• NV Inspector -> Driver Profile Settings -> Import User Defined Profiles -> Import (replace) all driver profiles (Nvidia text format) -> Full_profiles_v353.00_.txt
  
  
  
• NV Inspector -> restore current profile to Nvidia defaults -> reboot
  
  
  
  
• Open NVCPL -> Manage 3D settings -> Set High Performance etc...
• NV Inspector -> P0/P1 matching.

You must restore default settings before rebooting.

 

Just in case anyone needs it for reference I have 1x 8gb 980m, 3720QM and 32gb ram.
I ran the "Fire Strike" benchmark twice, receiving 7811 and 7827 the second. Never passed 74c. [/url][/IMG]

 

That's a low score for a gtx 980m maybe you should ask the guys to help you to try a modded vbios so that you can overclock it if you want higher scores. Look at my gtx 680m sli below for reference its using an modded vbios and it's overclocked. Also my cpu has a 4.4ghz oc too lol just for benching but for gaming I use 4.2ghz oc and keep my gpu's at modded vbios speeds.
http://www.3dmark.com/fs/4045220

 

I think that's a normal score for a single not overclocked 980M gpu, my score below is for a not overclocked SLI setup...

 

Oh..
I hope not, I though I finally got everything running well.. It ran in the 6xxx before I did this new driver update.. when I google "980m 3720qm" the first page is a 3dmark page and Im just -100 points below.
Neither my gpu or cpu are overclocked, still trying to muster up the courage to downgrade and unlock.
Honestly after dropping $850+ on this thing my ultimate goal was power but never let the temps past 75c. Im happy with stock clocks..(with the new driver anyways..)

 

Here is a moderately overclocked 980M for your reference

I agree @j95 has done a great job with this driver. I tried witcher 3 (my newest game) earlier today, SLI was working a treat with +90% scaling, so the newer profiles are definitely working.
Overclocking is pretty fun but if your hardware is doing every thing you need and want, these is no point making more heat then needed.

 

I was just saying that if the op wanted a better score they can overclock their card if they want to. I think you got me all wrong.

 

I wasn't boasting about my score I was just explaining that the 980m can get higher scores when overclocked if wish be.

 

Sorry I wasn't having a go at you, it did sort of seem like you were saying Filthyimoney's 980m was throttling.

You are right though the 980M has a fair bit of potential, if one feels the need. A single 980M overclocks nicely in the M18x R2.

 

I'm also sorry for choosing my words badly lol. I was going to get the 980m but from other peoples reactions to Nvidia drivers disabling oc speeds I decided not to. Its still an amazing card with stock vbios and non oc don't get me wrong. I am planning on building a VR computer once the hmd's are out. Also heard that laptops that are coming out are using desktop 980's finally .

 

Full Guide .

• Uninstall PrecisionX & MSI Afterburner (Keep RTSS)
• Flash @Prema's CLEVO_8GB_GTX980M_OC_PM_v1.1.1 (please consider donating to Prema)
• DDU "Clean & Shutdown"
• Disable DSE
  cmd (Admin)
  
  Code:

  bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy

  -> reboot -> F8 -> select 'Disable Driver Signature Enforcement'.
  
  
• Extract driver package using 7-Zip -> GeForce 353.00 PEG MOD <-
• Display.Driver folder -> copy/overwrite nv_dispi.inf -> Run setup.exe -> don't reboot yet <-
• NV Inspector -> Driver Profile Settings -> Import User Defined Profiles -> Import (replace) all driver profiles (Nvidia text format) -> Full_Profiles_2_v353.00.txt
  
  
  
  
• NV Inspector -> restore current profile to Nvidia defaults -> reboot
  
  
  
  
• Open NVCPL -> Manage 3D settings -> Set High Performance etc...
• NV Inspector -> P0/P1 matching -> Copy nvidiaInspector folder and included batch files to C:\ root directory ( Single/980M_Single_GPU_NVI...zip or SLI/980M_SLI_NVI...zip)
  Stock 1127/2505 P0/P1 or 1127/2705 P0/P1 (vram OCing - check stability)
  
  
  
  
• Task scheduler -> import task .xml -> one task at a time... or disable current task or edit task/Actions (System tasks/hidden command prompt window).
  
  
  
  GeForce 353.00 PEG MOD latest profiles.
  
  
  No problem, Batman AK or other games requesting latest drivers is not an issue anymore...trick...
  
  This will keep your 980Ms both Throttle proof and updated, until the vBIOS fix is released.

 

What does the legacy part do here? I thought with the 980m's on an AW M18xR2 we had to stay in full UEFI.

Homer

 

You do that part in a Windows Command Prompt (CMD) window.

 

(Admin) Win+X -> A

@Tulius
@haXBOXpro
@kenny27

Update:
Full_Profiles_2_v353.00 -> GeForce 353.00 PEG MOD (no need to reinstall drivers).

• NV Inspector -> Driver Profile Settings -> Import User Defined Profiles -> Import (replace) all driver profiles (Nvidia text format) -> Full_Profiles_2_v353.00.txt
  
• NV Inspector -> restore current profile to Nvidia defaults -> reboot
• NVCPL -> Manage 3D settings -> Set High Performance...

 

@j95 So the Full_Profiles_2 include more game profiles, different tweaks or both?

 

really really nice thread.

 

What is strange is that sometimes my 980M awakens in P8 P-state (135Mhz) and upon rebooting it goes back to P0 P-state(1038Mhz) again.
kenny27 doesn't you noticed if your cards goes in power throttling mode(p8) sometimes? I think its BIOS related because it seems Alienware 18 dont have this problem anymore.since the A12 update.

 

I noticed this when I turn on my laptop and is not plugged in to the power. Like if i turn it on and then i plugged the power in the cards stay at 135mhz i just restart it then its all good. the key is, when you turn on ur laptop make sure is plugged in before you press the power button.

 

Yep both, restored a few profiles too, keeping v353.00 fully updated...

Follow @Juang1985's advice... avoid supersampling and DSR.

 

I avoid putting my computer to sleep and starting unplugged as a general rule, if I do though I am usually word processing at uni and using Intel graphics any way so I have no idea if it throttles in those situations. I also use an external screen a fair bit, not sure if that mixes it up enough to stop the odd throttle....

Sweet!

Yeh I don't know what it is about DSR/Supersampling but I haven't had much fun with it either, it would be interesting to see if 1440P/4K screens have the same issues as DSR.

 

I'm getting a error in Windows 8.1 Pro:

ERROR: Unable to open NVFLASH driver (0x00000005)
Detailed :Access is denied.

Any suggestions?

EDIT: Nevermind, see here http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...80m-sli-upgrade.765169/page-280#post-10113812

Homer

 

Alrighty: I fired in @j95's guide to 353.00 PEG MOD and here is the result.

Fire Strike <- Not entirely sucky!

FYI, Here was my first attempt with no special sauce.

I skipped this step:

Instead, I SHIFT-CLICKED "Restart" via Power in the Start Menu.

Also, I skipped the first uninstall since I did not have any of those programs.

Homer

 

Update:
Full_Profiles_3_v353.00 -> GeForce 353.00 PEG MOD (no need to reinstall drivers).

• NV Inspector -> Driver Profile Settings -> Import User Defined Profiles -> Import (replace) all driver profiles (Nvidia text format) -> Full_Profiles_3_v353.00.txt
  
• NV Inspector -> restore current profile to Nvidia defaults -> reboot
• NVCPL -> Manage 3D settings -> Set High Performance...

 

Thanks @j95 ! you Rock brother. Without your mods my beast would be practically unusable.

 

Update:
Full_Profiles_4_v353.00.txt (no need to reinstall drivers) GeForce 353.00 PEG MOD

T|I

 

Hello, planing to upgrade windows 10 just because the xbox one wireless adapter and i want to know if that modded driver works on windows 10?

Thanks!!

 

Windows 10 on a r2?

Grabs popcorn and Coke to watch the show.. Get my Kleenex tissues ready also.

 

You are aware of the whole screen bricking thing...?

 

Hi folks, now I have an opportunity to exchange my M18X-R2 for a barebones Alienware 18 to install my 980M gpus in... Is it this a worth change? What do you guys think?

 

Isn't the Alienware 18 being sold from Dell with 980M's already? If so, then I'm thinking it wouldn't suffer from the same finicky throttling problems as your M18xR2. Maybe you'd have to upgrade the BIOS of the Alienware 18 to the latest version that is being used in the A18's being sold with 980M's. Just conjecture on my part, not read anything about the new A18's with 980M's.

 

If you only consider getting the 980m sli working properly right now then yes it is worth while.... you will also have the option to go back to windows 7 and there will be no need for modded drivers.
But its the rest of the 18 that falls short of the M18x R2, you will no longer have: HDMI-in, 54mm express card, Optical out, e-sata/usb or a vga port. No dual psu benifits, No unlocked bios and the bios is difficult to reset... I also personally think the 18 is chunky and ugly compared to the R2 (especially the screen bezel).

For me it would not be worthwhile, I can wait for Prema to release the new vbios, when that finally happens there will only be 2 reasons as far as I can tell to choose the 18 over the R2 they are: windows 7 and un-modded drivers.

Hope my biased view helps your decision.

 

help me Prema

im pretty new on 980m so i bought this card from Woodztack, install everything correct, disable driver and blabalabla, install from scratch this modded MR FOX driver
http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...od-for-780m-880m-and-980m-mobile-gpus.767644/
and got this result, is pretty damm low, help me?
http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/9257466

i'm using M17x R4 3940xm, 16GB G.Skill, 120Hz screen and 240w PSU.

 

Follow these instructions to the letter GeForce 353.00 PEG MOD nv_didpi.inf (PEG/Dedicated) Full_Profiles_4_v353.00.txt -> single GPU task/batch files (Nvidia Inspector).

 

done much better.