Calling out to Alienware Support Where are our Official AMD 7970m Crossfire drivers ??

I received my machine on 5/17/2012 and still no decent or official drivers released by Dell. Not even a downloadable driver on Dells website, whats the reason for this ?.

Since day one i have been using my machine primarily on one card because Crossfire is broken on many titles or hurts performance with it enabled from my experience. The others beta drivers have too many issues to even use them at all like black screens,bluescreens,flickering and other problems.

I dont want to be forced to use beta drivers all the time or have it be my only real choice and they are not officially supported by Dell .

We know if we have issues Dell will not give us support using beta drivers, yet these are the only ones worth using at all.

I really should have returned the machine within the first 21 days but i wanted to give the cards and my machine a chance .

I purchased a 3 year advanced warranty on my M18x thinking this would have been a great experience but it has not been great at all.

I am saying this on behalf of all concerned M18xR2 Crossfire owners that might be equally as frustrated.

We know the up and coming GTX680m are going to be nearly perfect on SLI for the most part and the AMD owners will suffer as usual for another generation.

Speedy

 

Dell probably doesnt have them because AMD probably doesnt have it. AMD driver support has sucked for years now. I had 4870's and then 5870's on different m17x's and the drivers always sucked and you were forced to use dell's reference driver even though it was 18mos old just to have CF work.

Go Nvidia, forever.

 

Where are official AMD drivers? We are waiting!

 

Would be awesome if they let us do a discounted cheap upgrade to the 680m SLI setup. I'd do it in a heart beat.

 

Yes it will probably be another bad year for AMD owners and Crossfire.

7970m seems to be working OK if you only want to run a single card but M18x owners do not see this as an option nor were they given the choice to order a single card machine.

Upgrades for all miserable 7970m Crossfire owners would be the best way to handle this as im sure many people wanted A machine before they could order 680s and had both choices been available from get go the vast majority would have opted for the Nvidia solution.

 

this is the time when we need help from the Alienware-Dell guys here on the forum it's been over a month and we still have problems

 

Can we pm Bill or L. Poras about this? I need the driver as well.

Did we have an official driver for the 6970 or 6990m before?

 

yes when they released 6970m there was a driver on Dell website way before people received their machines

I think Bill can see this....

 

And most of us are out of our 21 days return policy. They need to get us better drivers or something...

 

Just curious, do you guys have application profiles installed?

http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/pages/crossfirex-app-profiles.aspx

 

I agree with this, we need a damn driver such a waste having a crossfire setup and it wont even work properly, i would have to disable crossfire to make games work properly but with decreased preformance, idk whats taking soo long but they need to hurry the u know what, dell or amd i dont care. I love amd for its competitive pricing and preformance but drivers are probably becoming the tradeoff for that advantage.

 

I don't understand how a company could release a product without proper support, was it like this for the 6870/6990 as well or is this something new? (talking about AMD, not dell)

 

I'm going to recieve my m18 7970cf any day now.
Now.. The drivers that come pre installed, do they do CF out the box or are they so gimped they are essentially useless?

 

The preinstalled drivers is the one im using now and I don't want to touch them until official comes out but to answer your question xfire is working and currently works good with bf3 when i play.

 

That's good to know. What FPS are you getting on 1080p ultra?

 

I should get mine soon too. Would be good to know whats happening with this driver before I get chance to cancel the order and wait for the 680m. Id rather just go for one 680m that I know is going to work perfectly than two 7970m's that never get supported properly.

 

I know what you mean. I'm stuck with the 7970m's wether I like it or not since Im temporarily in Japan for work and can't send it back easily.
As long as the default drivers can do min. 60fps in all games I can wait for the official AMD drivers.
I doubt I'll be benching unless someone on this forum want my results.

 

I hope for those that have had 7970m's for a while now with no "proper" support do get the option to switch out to 680m - I would say that it should be offered as a resolution at the very least for those who wanted to pay up the difference to upgrade to 680m.

 

And a lot of the guys here (including me) bought it within 1 hour of the 7970's being available. We are definitely loyal to Dell, but guys, you need to get this sorted out before there is some erosion.

 

and we been waiting for over a month come on DELL I know you can see this Arkham city runs like crap with crossfire enabled that is just one example

 

This what dissappoints me. Shouldn't the Crossfire 7970m at least run Arkham City Max on 70 to 60 fps stable? Where are the drivers?

And this is the LOL part, shouldn't SKYRIM at least run 70fps on CROSFIRE 7990m???? I disable crossfire and run the game 60fps stable. I enable crossfire and guess what, my fps drops tbetween 60 to 29fps. Shouldn't it increase more?

At this point, I do not mind a free upgrade on 680m gtx SLI. I know M18x is a beast but I want it to be a wild beast by using the OFFICIAL drivers. If no drivers will exist, shouldn't we M18x with 7970m crossfire get a free upgrade on the M18x?

 

I'm sorry guys but we have no ETA yet on this matter.
We have been pushing a lot to get those drivers but unfortunately we have not been able to get them, as soon as we have them available they will be posted on the website.
I know that it has been a long wait to get those to work fine but they should be out anytime soon. We have already a discussion going on this thread about this; Even Mr. Fox knows that this is what is happening.
I assure you that we are working on the issue but we can't release drivers without a base.

 

I knew you guys were doing all that you could behind the scenes. Thank you.

 

No problem, that's why we are here

 

This is not the type of support we expect from a company like DELL specially with their flagship computers it's been over a month not just few weeks we wanted 7970's and we waited for moths to get them why they release them if they was not ready ?

7970's was just a placeholder until the 680m was available? this seems to be more the case why if I call to order an M18X now the sales men told me don't buy AMD ? that is really insulting

what we need here is a chance to get the cards replaced as an optional upgrade even if we have to pay a discounted quote not full price because we need a compensation at least for all this problems I hope you or the other guys ,girls can come up with a solution for us soon because this is getting really old

I called yesterday because sometimes I can't even enable crossfire I have to restart my computer and the guy don't even take notes of my problem just transfer me to another rep and over and over without getting anything resolved

 

I apologize for the issues on the phone with support. This issue is not only with the Alienware computers as you may already know, however we are trying our best to get this done the right way.

 

well they may call me today at least that's what one rep said but to replace my cards for other 7970's but I am thinking why they waste money and resources to do something is not going to solve the problems without proper driver support

thanks for the reply

 

Wow. I thought you was happy with your 7970M speedy?. But if your games run at 60+ fps, what you need xf for?

 

Because that's what he paid for.

 

edit: ^ beaten to it.

He paid for it and he should get it, although I do agree 1 7970M is enough.

 

right now at least... in a couple years one mobile 7970 won't do a whole lot compared to the current generation of cards. 2 7970's on the other hand will still be able to power through most games on high settings.

 

yeah man we paid for crossfire in not like I am going to be using one card forever because crossfire don't work

 

Well I'm going to buy the 7970M very soon even if I have to make my own driver.

 

I get about 80+

 

I do hope next week or 1st week of July, we have the official drivers for this card on crossfire.

 

I've experienced crap driver support for the desktop 4870x2 when it first came out.

Now seems to be no different. You can't blame dell for offering a product that AMD has released. They are just a sales man like the one I got my 4870x2 card from.

What you guys need is to contact AMD in there forums and complain to get a driver out.

Saying 'I want free 680m upgrade' is very unproductive when we know it's AMD at fault.

 

So you pay over $3000 for a laptop with advance warranty and the video cards don't function properly you contact AMD ? that makes sense

 

I also owned a 4870X2, the drivers had issues with some games indeed - most noticeably for me was Warhammer Online. Now the important thing to note, is that back then you had to disable catalyst A.I. to disable crossfire to get some games to work at ALL. Not so with the 7970M and unofficial BETAs. Granted, several titles really need worked on for this beast of a card for crossfire to work properly/better than it is currently.

 

I think you've got the right idea here.
Im pretty sure if you buy a car from a dealer with warranty and the gearbox isn't working, you go see the dealer about it, not the gearbox manufacture.
As much as I appreciate some Dell reps on this forum, It's Dells responsibility here. I Hope that gives some perspective

 

Cars and laptops are vastly different things.

Plus we all know there is NOTHING physically wrong with the 7970m it's just there are no good drivers because AMD has not developed them.

All that is not working is software crossfire optimization.

You are acting like the 7970m has a big production fault like the nvidia 8000 chipset faults where in reality it's AMd drivers at fault. (by the way if it was a chipset faul then it's on AMD to recall all chipsets and replace NOT dell too)

Dell can't write there own drivers fore the 7970m and it's not there fault you decided to get the 7970m before the 680m was released doesn't entitle you to a free upgrade.

The bottom line is all I am saying is it's unproductive to complain to Dell because they don't write drivers.

If you want functioning Crossfire. Complain to AMD which is what I did in the past.

 

TBoneSan is correct. You, on the other hand, must own a whole bunch of Dell stock!

As seller and marketer of the M18xR2 with Crossfire 7970M video cards, it is their responsibility to test and make sure the product performs as advertised before releasing it for sale. It's obvious that Dell was handed 7970M's and a driver, and didn't do their due diligence before making it available for sale.

Given your logic, Dell is ultimately not responsible for ANYTHING then that might be wrong, quality-wise, with ANY component of ANY computer they sell, since Dell doesn't actually make any of the components. Everything is sources from other manufacturers. So when the trackpad sucks, we should hound the trackpad maker? When the LCD is poor quality we should attack the LCD maker? Dell should just shluff off responsibility of all problems on the component makers?

Now, I truly understand Dell is working with AMD to get this resolved, and I don't mean to say Dell is acting this way at all, but your reasoning is really flawed here.

IMHO, if there isn't resolution to this in another month, I think the right thing to do would be to offer discounted upgrades to those who purchased CF 7970M configurations.

 

Amen to that, sir.

 

I understand what you saying. Not too sure why you think I want a 680m for free...? But it doesn't change the fact that Dell are the point of service since they decide to open for business, put the laptop together, hopefully run some QC with the components, and take your money for what is now an Alienware product. It's far different from purchasing a stand alone GPU. Furthermore I'm aware that Dell do make their own drivers to work with the various components, so if some customers feel the product isn't as it should be, they have every right to complain to the person who opened for business and took their money.

More so you should understand that alot of the members that are unhappy here are also Dells best sales advocates. They influence/d alot of people such as myself to purchase when they say they are happy with Dell/Alienware. We proceed to call Alienware for a crossfired beast, not AMD. Its a good relationship to have but needs to work both ways.

 

OK I MIGHT GET REPRIMANDED FOR THIS BUT I WONDER why people feel its ok to defend dell when there is a problem.. there are all ways one or two or more sobs dropping there 2cents(oh dont blame dell its not there fault) or some thing to that effect) it sucks for us as a community, If we do some thing that is not to the normal real life community standards we go to jail, get fined or worse..

i also wonder if these people dropping there opinions even own the system or if they work for amd or dell secretly..
ill compare my laptop to a car all day long because it cost about the same as one.. and if my car was not running properly id be at the dealer first thing in the morning or car lot or what ever..

the fact is the cards are not running properly and we should not be charged any thing in my opinion if this doesn't get worked out before the 680s drop.. we should get a courtesy up grade to them for the troubles and hassles.. plain and simple.. it would be good business all around..

when a company does some thing we have to be patient to a point... and i think every body will agree we have been patient enough at this point..

regardless of how much you spent on your system it is still real life money and if you buy some thing and it is defective on a mass scale the company should do some thing about it..

 

Let's just hope AMD release this good drivers to optimize our games for Crossfire ASAP otherwise, we should be eligible for an GPU switch to 680m gtx SLI.

 

I wonder if Dell/Alienware has the power or pull to return any 7970m to AMD directly if a customer has a return like how I think Costco does? That would put a lot more pressure on AMD to actually work overtime to get something working instead of this current delay. I'm not not saying they aren't already working overtime to find the solution and tech is finicky, but nothing like gobs of money to light a fire under someone's *ss...

Anytime you're an early adopter, you can expect some tech issues, but I sorta agree that the month delay is getting a bit long in the tooth. I don't think getting something to work at a basic level is asking too much, at least initially and they can slowly improve it. Getting a free upgrade maybe asking too much since nvidia probably charges Dell a ton more for the 680m.

Not sure how the default delivered driver is since it sounds like that works a little, but probably not for all.

Oh well, still wondering when WirelessHD will be back in the config.

 

Based on all AMDs past efforts GTO PAO11 i would not hold your breath for an amazing driver. Skyrim has been broken forever on Crossfire and every driver release people are complaining, i think i saw you mention that game.

The desktop forums are no different, people plagued with issues on Desktop 7970s and many cards before that so not just the new tech.

Crossfire has always been a serious problem for AMD and from what has been shown thus far it still is and will be for sometime to come.

The fact AMD said they would be releasing less drivers then before people thought somehow that was a good thing but in reality it might be a bad thing because they need to fix so many things. People dont want to wait 2 months for a new driver and then it does not even address old issues, then another 2 months, so on and so forth.

If everyone was running a single card we really would not be having this discussion but yeah M18x owners are not and not given that choice, so they want a good working machine that they dont need to disable cards to get games to either run properly or better because Crossfire is a mess.

Dell knew what they were doing when they rushed the R2 out the door with broken drivers but they wanted to get it out and hopefully sort it out after the fact which most companies do nowadays anyhow.

I dont know how Dell will handle this but im sure many people will be upgraded down the road, this stuff never happens right away though it will take time without a doubt. People looking to get 680s right away for there ailing 7970s i would not hold your breath unless your within your return period.

 

I'm out of my return period. Is there anyway we can talk to AMD about this? I just want them to fix Crossfire on Arkham City and Skyrim. It has to happen. If not, well we M18x deserve an upgrade option on a discounted price.

 

There really is no way to reach out to AMD other then maybe Twitter or calling them like i believe Fox did and someone else on the boards but generally you will get the same canned answers like "we are working on them" or "you need to contact Dell not us" etc etc.

I knew Dell would have said a similar thing like 'its in the works' as far as new drivers go because its not like they can say 'sorry we are not working on new drivers' .

what ever Dell releases officially i can pretty much promise you will not address either of those games because they are not fixed even in newer driver releases and what Dell is going to give you will be based on something slightly older then what is out now .

As for upgrades, this stuff is always handled on a case by case basis like in the past. Some people will come along and tell us Dell upgraded them to 680s for free and others will say i have called 20 times and i cant get them to help me at all . That is exactly how it will go and it has always went.

 

I've been saying all along that amd driver support is garbage, I'm not sure why anyone would want to keep buying their half assed products. That said, Dell is fully at fault for releasing a product that isn't supported by proper drivers. Either issue full refunds or give customers a path to 680m.

Since Dell PR is obsessed with sites like Engadget and the Verge, I'd recommend tipping them about it. Also file a complaint with your credit card companies for being sold an unsupported product. Dell is knowingly selling a nonworking product, I'm sure some law must be broken.


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