M11x R3, just how do you know the 540m is doing it's stuff?

Sorry for the new thread on this but I'm a loss with my new R3 (specs in the footer)

Firstly I had terrible gaming performance on battery but I soon figured to switch the power settings on battery balanced to "graphics processor" = max performance (never had to do this on the R1) I;m guessing this is the right thing to do?

Now my issue is that when I launch 3Dmark06, even right clicking use high performance gpu it still says Intel gpu in the settings window in 3Dmark06.

Just how do I know the 540m is working fully? I'm currently getting 8400 3Dmark06 (without an overclock) scores and Crysis 2 is running on very high at about 30 fps, is this what i should expect of am I having problems?

I know fn+F6 on the R1 was piece of mind but this optimus thing is weird, integrated gpu or discreet turned on, i just don't know!

Alienware M11x-R3 | Intel i5-2467M | 4GB RAM | GT540M 1GB | 250GB HDD

 

You're not going to get 8400 3DMarks on the integrated graphcis. MSI Afterburner with onscreen display can show you which GPU is being used when you're running a 3D application.

Sounds like your system is performing normally.

 

Yeah I was running Kombuster and the MSI fur was hitting 79 fps but on the left it said Intel card, hmm I'm sure it's all working fine then, thanks.

One other thing, in the nvidia settings for high performance should we set to adaptive or prefer high performance?

 

I believe adaptive will use the integrated HD graphics when in low\2D mode, but will switch to the Nvidia when 3D or anything graphically instensive is detected. This is the generic setting I use, which gives you the best battery life, but you can whitelist specific programs to always use the Nvidia graphics when they're launched by going to the Program Settings tab in 3D settings.

 

I guess I need to get fraps installed and see how Crysis 2 framerate is getting on. I have to say though that Crysis 2 is fluid on high and very high but not on extreme as some others say. Even with the DX11 patch I'm still only feeling very high is good enough to enjoy.

Is this expected of the R3 i5 540m that very high is really teetering on it's limit?

 

Your Crysis 2 framerates are about right for an Alienware M11x R3. You do not need to install FRAPS.

The nVidia GeForce GT540M GPU in your laptop is nowhere near a top-of-the-line GPU. So you cannot expect it to run the ridiculously graphics-intense games at maximum detail levels. The GT540M is great considering the small size and relatively low resolution of the Alienware M11x. But don't expect it to keep up with a $300 graphics card in a $1500 desktop gaming rig.

 

Thanks for the input, I completely agree, the 540m sure isn't any 590 GTX

Have to say though that the R3 Crysis 2 experience in 1366x768 on very high is a totally different to what I was playing on my R1, probably about 25% faster, so I'm mega pleased.

Just about to throw Star Wars The Old Republic Beta at it, all setting on high My R1 died on it's back when I enabled shadows but hopefully the 540m will crunch those real-time shadows!

 

Sorted! got an optimus tool, awesome Optimus test tools finally in users hands - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

 

You don't need anything special like that, the nVidia control panel comes with a system tray item that lights up green when the gpu is being used. :S, you can further mouse over/click on it to see every process using the gpu.

 

Hmm... ok that is good news, so your saying the nvidia control panel task bar icon glows green when the GPU is kicked in? I think mines always green, haha

 

No, there is a funky square icon you can turn on, open nVidia control panel, and look through it. I don't remember where exactly, I think it is something you can check off on the menu bar.

 

that would be: open up the Nvidia Control Panel and enable in the Desktop menu: Display GPU activity in notification area