m15x (not M15x) question

So my m15x has finally hit the point where new games (CoD:MW3, WH40K:SM) won't run smoothly anymore due to the GPU. I'm surprised it took 3 years and 7 months, mind you. The main issue at hand is that i'm still running a 187.XX series driver, because Nvidia stopped making their newer drivers compatible with the m15x's hybrid graphics system. At least, that's what I remember - my question is, have there been any newer GPU drivers out recently that'll still work on the hybrid graphics system of the m15x?

Note that this is the original m15x, not the newer M15x (or I would've posted in that subforum).

 

I'm afraid not. The only way to get more recent drivers is to sidegrade to a HD3870 mobility - then you will be able to use the new catalyst drivers.

Or possibly a 4850 if you can find one which would be an upgrade.

 

Check the NBR marketplace, there are a few for sale

 

damn. was afraid there wouldn't be anything newer. Guess I'll be staying away from AW in the future then, this support is disappointing.

 

I think that you are expecting too much...The m15x r1 is 3 years old. It's pretty good to still be able to play these games. I'm still able to play MW3 on max settings with my hd3870.

 

Also it's not only Alienware, this happens with every OEM.
Have you tried my modded .inf files, see if you can benefit from the 285.62 drivers.

See my 2nd reply in this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/619820-nvidia-whql-driver-285-62-a.html

 

is the modded 285.62 driver compatible with the m15x's hybrid graphics system?

 

Heya whizzo, I'm having the same problems as you. 186.81 is the latest compatible Nvidia Driver for the laptop.

I've tried updating to the newer drivers to no avail.

 

If by that you mean graphic switching on the fly (without system reboot), then I doubt, they stopped supporting this feature even for the M17x.

The drivers should install though if you use the files I uploaded in the thread above, I also can't tell you if there is any gain for your GPU.

Give them a try and let us know.

 

BSOD on startup when i install the 285.62 driver - dxg-something.sys exception. going back to 186.81.

Spoiler

AW and their non-existant driver support

 

Sorry, whizzo at least you tried.
Also it's the same with all OEMs, who else still supports drivers for the GTX 8800M ?

 

Per Nvidia's website, the latest driver available for a stock 8800M GTX setup is 285.62 WHQL.

Alienware decided to add a custom/proprietary graphics setup (the Hybrid Graphics setup) to the m15x that they KNEW wouldn't be compatible with standard Nvidia drivers. Accordingly, I believe they should provide compatible, updated drivers. The last driver AW officially released for the m15x was 179.something - everything after that was community-provided with modded .infs.

 

I know, i used to own one myself along with many others. Also the 8800M ID found in nVIDIA's releases is not the same with the AW 8800M ID

What i'm saying is that all OEMs stop offering driver updates for their systems after a while.
Look at the latest Dell drivers for its big brothers and you'll see.

 

I'm sorry I just recently sold an Area 51 m15x. The graphics driver you have Whizzo is your best and really only option. Sidegrade to a 3870 or 4870 for new driver support, it's really disappointing since that is a great laptop to use; my biggest gripe with it was the speakers were awful.

 

4870 won't work, it's been tried by benfclark on this forum. That said, I still haven't seen anyone try the 4850.