*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M15x Benchmark Thread Part 2

Sorry guys I haven't given up on this but I NEED the scores PM'ed to me. I like keeping up this thread but also have so many other things going on right now that it's rare that I have the 2-5 hours it requires to sift scores, sort them, and update them. If scores are pm'ed I can update but I've posted a request twice over the last couple weeks requesting the pm'ed scores and have yet to receive anything but Rev's scores. If scores are Pm'ed to me I'll update otherwise real life has to prevail. I have kids, a wife, a new dog, cert's I'm working on, work, etc that are making my life very hectic right now. If someone wants to take the score board over let me know and I'll pm that person the score code, if not I need a bit of cooperation and patience til life calms down

 

Hehe, thanks for the confidence, but I don't know whether I could do a better job than Dane...

Yeah, true, it takes time and your work is much appreciated, thanks a lot!!!
But maybe it would take a bit less time when you'd just update the list everytime you get a PM, shouldn't take much more than a couple of minutes to put in the new scores.
If you only do it all couple of weeks it's bound to get messy and very time-consuming...
Just my 0.02.

And by the way, you should've gotten my CPU score as well... so The Rev definitely isn't the only one that sends in scores

 

I understand that svl7 I believe I do have 1 or 2 scores for you, but on a regular basis Rev and you are the only ones that send them. I would do the updates instantly but for some reason imageshack is completely black listed where I work. I can't even get around it with my IT web filter passwords so I can't do it at work and sometimes I've forgotten by the time I get home. I have tomorrow off so you'll get an update tomorrow. I appreciate your patience. Svl7, Rev, and Widezu to name a few have been driving hard to keep this going so anyone else in here should thank them as well.

 

we appreciate your hard work dane, don't update to soon, my scores are dropping pretty soon i won't be on the top 5 of anything, hehehe

 

You and me both Inap lol, and I only had one score on there. So much for top 5850 spot lol, uh well records are made to be broken. Great work guys!

 

first time trying dice. hehehe was pretty fun

 

Awesome scores. Put the DICE blocks directly on the heatsinks? No plastic or other covering to keep any residue away from the GPU or mobo? Cool. +Rep.

 

Awesome, welcome to the dice club!
Wish I could get my hands on cheap dice blocks, I always have to use pellets.

Yeah, otherwise it's pretty ineffective, best would be a pot and mix it with ethanol or a liquid with a similar low freezing point.

However, it's really important to make sure there's no air moisture condensing on the cards... when you cool down the system to -10°C or similar before benching, it can get wet...
Paper towel comes in handy...

 

yeah i just slapped it on with nothing covering, i did see some condensation on the gpu heatsink but it evaporated hella fast once i took the dry ice off. i managed to get -30c, that was friggin awesome.

 

Looks like great fun. Almost need a separate category for that kind of performance boost.

 

yeah it got so cold, gpu-z freaked out and gave me 1000+c for temp readings, luckily trixxs was still able to read it fine.

 

interestingly Inap I can hit 865/1200 without dice on my 6990s

You have any idea how to overvolt ? My temps are fine but I can't push anymore really....

 

The 6970m/6990m can't be overvolted through VBIOS modifications.
I'll try to make a little mod as soon as I have time, probably during the next weeks, but I don't think you'd like to do soldering on your card.

865MHz without AC is pretty cool. You got a good card there.

 

i was able to hit 860/1200 before with one of the 11.7 beta drivers but with 11.8 and a few other drivers i was getting driver crashes. so now i get around 855/1225 max stable for vantage.

 

Ok guys, I'm not going to update the actual scores tonight as it's late but I do have them ready to go for tomorrow as I compiled a list of the scores since the last full update.

One thing I'm starting to notice that I can't believe I didn't catch is every single one of the Nvidia guys runs have had PhysX ON. This is a big no-no. I feel like crap cause now I'm gonna have to take KurtH's runs off as every one of them had PhysX turned on throwing the score. I can't stress this enough:

IF YOU HAVE A NVIDIA CARD TURN PHYSX OFF IN THE CONTROL PANEL BEFORE YOUR RUN OR IT WILL NOT COUNT AS IT SKEWS THE SCORE

/Rant

I'll update in the morning guys, happy hunting

 

Sorry Dane, I had to

 

LOL. Wishful thinking.

 

Sorry guys been dealing with trying to get my systems repaired as neither of them have worked since last weekend. Just got the parts/repair tonight and now have access to the list I made again. Will get the scores updated not tomorrow but friday so long as my computers don't fail on me again. I would have updated this from work but my work has imageshack completely blacklisted at the main servers in India that regulate everything our company has on IT. And god only knows I'm patient but no way in 7734 am I updating from my cell phone lol.

Edit: And svl7 with the way the last 2 weeks of my life have gone I needed a good laugh so it's all good Thanks again for the patience guys.

 

*gives DaneGRClose a pat on the back*

 

Starting a thread to share my benchmarks (stock and slight overclock) and temps ( also some basic mods )

So here goes in order of Benchmarks and mods ............

=== Starting config ===
M15x, i7-720QM (1.6GHz), 4GB DDR3 (1333MHz), 500GB (7200RPM),
GTX 260M (Core 550MHz, Shader 1350MHz, Memory 950MHz)


=== 3D Mark Vantage Basic Default Benchmark ===
Stock CPU and GPU Clocks
- Score: P5685, GPU 4932, CPU 10496
- CPU Temps: Max 64C
- GPU Temps: Max 66.7C
- Ambient Temps: 18C, 44% Humidity
Screenshot


=== 3D Mark Vantage Basic Default Benchmark ===
Overclocked GPU - Core 660MHz, Shader 1600MHz, Memory 1100MHz
- Score: P6625, GPU 5878, CPU 10710
- CPU Temps: Max 60C
- GPU Temps: Max 67.1C
- Ambient Temps: 16C, 43% Humidity
Screenshot


=== PC Mark 7 Basic Default Benchmark ===
Stock CPU and GPU Clocks
- Score: 1884
- CPU Temps: Max 63C
- GPU Temps: Max 62.2C
- Ambient Temps: 19C, 47% Humidity
Screenshot


=== Upgrade RAM ===
4GB 1333MHz Elpida to 8GB 1333MHz Kingston
Ran some memory tests and all appears to be sweet =)
Screenshot 1
Screenshot 2
Screenshot 3


[UPDATE: 23 Aug 2011]
=== Overvolt GTX260M to 1.03V ===


=== 3D Mark Vantage Basic Default Benchmark ===
Overclocked GPU - Core 680MHz, Shader 1669.1MHz, Memory 1150MHz
- Score: P6808, GPU 6109, CPU 10367
- CPU Temps: Max 63C
- GPU Temps: Max 75.9C
- Ambient Temps: 20C, 40% Humidity
Screenshot


=== 3D Mark Vantage Basic Default Benchmark ===
Overclocked GPU - Core 700MHz, Shader 1718.2MHz, Memory 1150MHz
- Score: P6974, GPU 6252, CPU 10668
- CPU Temps: Max 63C
- GPU Temps: Max 76.2C
- Ambient Temps: 20C, 39% Humidity
Screenshot


=== 3D Mark Vantage Basic Default Benchmark ===
Overclocked GPU - Core 710MHz, Shader 1718.2MHz, Memory 1175MHz
- Score: P7000, GPU 6291, CPU 10576
- CPU Temps: Max 62C
- GPU Temps: Max 74.5C
- Ambient Temps: 19C, 41% Humidity
Screenshot


=== Current Plans ===
Purchase HDD Caddy to replace optical drive *DONE*
Purchase SSD for main OS Drive *Pending*
Swap current drive into HDD Caddy *Pending*


=== Future Plans ===
Purchase 920/940XM
Purchase 6970/6990M

 

That o/c run should ease you onto the 260M Vantage leaderboard if later resurrected.

 

Nice, though you still have some headroom. When you up the voltage you can get more than 6k GPU vantage, 700MHz + for the core clock. (see here)

 

I was looking at their clock speeds on that leaderboard and was using those clocks as a ceiling

damn! thats a sick score!

I tried pushing my clocks higher, unfortunately when my Vantage Benchmark crashes, my clocks seem to get throttled to Core:383, Memory:301, Shader:767 and i cant get them to unthrottle unless i reboot.

I gave up at those stable O/C clock speeds since i couldn't be bothered to keep rebooting my machine everytime Vantage crashed.

I haven't considered over volting, but i'm thinking about it now after reading some of the other threads about over volting increasing stability (I've been having random blue screen crashes & nvdklm related errors).

What would be safe voltage to leave the card at permanently?

 

Yes, that's Nvidia style, unless you reboot after a driver crash you can't get back to the full clock speeds.

I've also got a 260m laying around, the first one got replaced by Dell because it was dying (funny colored screens all the time etc.) and the new one started to do the same about after 1 week in use. Dell didn't want to replace it unless I sent in the whole system for further examination... which I didn't like since I needed my system. I realized that upping the voltage can help, though it isn't really a solution.
Also it helps you to get slightly higher overclocks. There's only one more entry in the voltage table, so you can't just set it like you want, it only allows additional 0.03V. And that's no problem at all, you won't even see a difference in heat.

 

its amazing how much difference 0.03V makes! I've managed to push my clocks to 700,1718.2/1150 and no crash! Will try pushing it a little further, but im probably going to use that as my "extra" clock settings now, with 1.03V =D

did you overvolt the "3d", "throttle" and "2d" settings as well? mine are currently set at 0.9V, 0.9V and 0.85V respectively. I wonder if my BSOD would stop if I upped the "2d" volts to 0.9V ... hmmm

UPDATE:
Finally hit 7000 in 3dmark .. on the dot actually! lol =)

=== 3D Mark Vantage Basic Default Benchmark ===
Overclocked GPU - Core 710MHz, Shader 1718.2MHz, Memory 1175MHz
- Score: P7000, GPU 6291, CPU 10576
- CPU Temps: Max 62C
- GPU Temps: Max 74.5C
- Ambient Temps: 19C, 41% Humidity
Screenshot

 

you overclock your gpu using what tools?? can share with me the link..

 

I used MSI Afterburner:
MSI Afterburner

=)

If you want to overvolt, check out this thread for background & overall information for pros and cons:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/483643-260m-overclocking-m15x.html

and this one for instructions on how to do it. Flash at your own risk though!
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-i-have-my-lappy-overclocked.html#post6672808

 

I used to get shutdowns again and again when trying to benchmark using 3dmark06 and vantage. I tried repasting, changing the thermal pads, putting the laptop on the air conditioning vents at home, etc etc and I could never get to the end of any of the two benchmarks cause there was always a shutdown.

Today I got a 240W adapter that I bought on ebay and swapped the old 150w adapter. Tried 3dmark06 and vantage and no shutdowns in any of them at the first try!!! So happy!

The benchmarks were made on my daily setup, very little overclocking on the 6970M to avoid driver crashes since I have the 1V vbios and 27/26/22/22 76W/65A for my 920XM using Throttle Stop. No tweaking on the AMD Catalyst Center so I still have room to improve these scores:

3DMark06 ---> 18103



Vantage ---> 13129

 

Hola I am a nvidia guy and wonder where to turn PhysX off, Is that to be done in 3Dmark settings ?
I also have the 1st scores for a new M15x GPU the GTX560M
I will PM them you.
Many Thanks,

 

the physX should be turned off by default in the 3dmark benchmark settings. You will know if its on, because your CPU score will suddenly go through the roof ;-)

 

Well for my benches it wasnt but today I did a few benches and was able to break 18k with my 940xm/460m running my cores at 28/27/26/26 with temps of 99-100c with the bottom cover off and a fan directly on the MB. I turned off physX off in nvidia control pannel and the bench actually went alot smother cause there were no spikes in power draw.

 

Who keeps the highscores ??????? If u have no time I do fully inderstand
I volunteer, if i can be of help let me know, I will be glad


Cheers, keep it up

 

Yeah, an update is overdue... I know Dane is busy, and updating the thread is a tedious and time-consuming job, but it almost seems as if this thread is dying.

 

i would take it over, but prolly eraser anyone score thats higher then mine, lolz.

Dane has been MIA, prolly best for someone new to take over. i vote svl7!!!

 

I too vote svl7! Shame Dane is MIA, I have nothing against the dude at all but this update is needed

 

Thanks for your confidence guys, but I'm not here as often as I used to be, it's better someone else takes over.
The Rev would be a great candidate imo, also you guys, widezu and Inap (as long as you don't erase my scores Inap, hahaha). Or of course someone else, it doesn't really matter as long as it gets updated. This thread isn't as busy as it once was, so there's not as much work as in lets say a M18x benchmark thread.

 

Yeah true. Just a small word, with the overvolted vbios for my 580m in the M17x R3. Using reference 560 Ti clocks 822/2004 I got a vantage GPU score of 17.4k, will be chasing 18k over the next few months max temps were 70C

 

wow thats amazing!!! still hoping for a voltage mod for the 6990 but looks unlikely.

 

What was your overall Vantage score with that 17.4K GPU mark?

 

It was around 17.3k, my cpu scored around 17.3k. I haven't got the specifics. I need a better CPU. I'll wait for the i7 2860qm to hit ebay

 

I'm not sure what's the matter, either I killed some parts on the card which are responsible for the voltage supply (I think that's unlikely) or the mobo is limiting me... I'm not sure.
It'd be interesting to see whether my card works in a r3, don't know anyone with such a system, I'd need to send it across the world if someone would be willing to test it.

 

i'm willing to test it out and help with shipping cost too. just holla at your boy!!!

 

Hey, cool!! I'll let you know, first of all I need to get some sleep... it's 4am and I just got home, lol.

 

Hey guys!

I'm new here and just recently have bought the m15x.
I was wandering if it possible to upgrade from GTX 260m to GTX 560m?
Are there any step-by-step instructions on how to do that?

Thanks!

 

there is a thread all about it:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/602655-m15x-gtx560m.html

 

This might interest some of you guys... not a highscore, but check out the GPU score... and the core frequency.

 

Wow you finally did it! Nice! If only you had a M17x R3...

 

Wow! 935 on the core. I think the best I could ever manage was 850 or 860 during 3dMark11. It appears that you have straightened things out quite nicely.

 

Hehe, thanks Rev, yeah, did some modding, 1.25V on the core, should allow for even higher core frequencies, but as you can imagine it brings the voltage supply of the GPU to its limits... run into power issues, wasn't able to crank up the CPU too.

There are some pics of the mod at Tech|Inferno, it'd be really interesting to see this in an R3. Might work better.

 

I was just on my way to ask you how in the world you had gotten the core clock that high. Awesome. I can imagine the power demands (and heat?). I'll head over to TI to learn. Congratulations gain. Amazing feat. Heavy +Rep when allowed.