Alienware M17 3870x2 Drivers

Greetings.

First thanks for the forum, it really help to me. I just got my new M17 and I have a see of doubts.

Well when I get the M17, in the device manager, I just saw one 3870 install on my system. But I try to update the drivers and I get what I pay for. 3870x2.

The thing was that the driver version was a bit old. 8.50, and I have some problems with the display, like vibrations, not very often but there they were.

So, I follow the guide to make a clean install, and I download the last catalys version from ATI, the 9.9 and I patch it with the DH Mobility Modder. I installed it , and now when I check the version in the Device Manager the drivers version that I have is 8.650.

>I also saw that forum:
>Updated for VISTA and Windows7 32 and 64 bit:
>Now there is no necessity to use Disk method, all you need to run setup.exe
>ATI Catalyst 9.5 Software Suite Vista & Win7 32-bit Mobility:
> http://depositfiles.com/files/eeq9enz3a
>ATI Catalyst 9.5 Software Suite Vista & Win7 64-bit Mobility:
> http://depositfiles.com/files/rn5tyb6co

And this one:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=350566

But I download the last version of the drivers, patch it, but the version that I get still 8.650.

There are any way to get a newer version?

Thanks

 

Well, I answer my self. The drivers version is diferen that the version of the catalyst. I that case, the catalyst is 9.9, buy the driver version is 8.650.
Thanks, and sorry for the premature question.

 

yes thats right mate.....they are different versions!!

welcome to the forum. It is a surprise to see such a recent new M17 owner, you can no longer buy the M17 in most countries.

 

You're all over it Miskid. 8.65 is the latest with 9.9 Drivers.
This is mine after Mobmodding 9.9 Drivers

 

Miskid, i asked these very same questions when I first got the m17 a couple of weeks ago. The cards will usually show up as hd 3870 x2. They always do in mine. Be sure to activate your crossfire indicator in your icon tray. It puts a little crossfire logo at the top right of your screen while playing games. Once you are certain the game is working in crossfire you can remove it again. It really does help! I have been pretty happy with my M17 so far. It get looks in the local coffee bars and book stores. It smokes anything else around me that is for sure... It got the alienware orion backpack from Dell. Ordered it with 15 percent off coupon and literally got the backpack next day. Didn't have to pay extra shipping or anything! Sometimes I love Dell... I hope you like your m17. Here is what I have tried and/or playing at 1900x1200 right now with good frame rates...
Neverwinter Nights 2
Champions Online
Arma2
Arma
Farcry2
Fifa09
DDO
America's Army 3

Last, On the down side... if you are a fan of anti aliasing then you will be dissappointed in the 3870. When it comes to AA it is weak. NO way around it. The best you can do is x2 AA at max rez. it will usually crater your FPS. AF is ok at max usually. If you do research, you will find that AA is much better on the newer ATI cards (4xxx +). So... when you are on a budget and get good deals you sometimes have to take the good with the bad.
The frame has made a couple of creaks but I think that is me putting pressure on the DVD rom area.

I do hope you enjoy your m17. I was on the fence about sending mine back for the new m15x but for the same price I paid for this, the 15x will be a much weaker game machine. Meaning the 3870x2 > 240M gts. (If I started trying to rationalize getting the 260 I would end up spending 4 grand on what I really want and I cant do that so....

Sorry for rambling...

Best Wishes,

StevenX

 

Thanks for the excellent updates steven! I totally agree with everything said, and I just absolutely love the way this machine feels under my hands. As i said in my M17x vs M17 comparison, its rubbery like what you'd expect batman's suit to feel like, and it holds up well to being carted around, and definitely gets peoples attention.

 

Thank you very much Steven! , it really help me.
I get my M17 like 5 days ago, I guest I was the last one to buy it

Well, I activate the icon of the crossfire, and it show in the WoW but not in the Aion. I dont know if that is because the Aion isn't compatible with the icon or the Crossfire :confused2:

Well with this drivers it appear that it going a bit better, but I have some "jumping" like the screem turn in black for less that a second and again ok.

I would like to install the drivers with out the modder application. I have read something about install the W7 version x64 Mobility and that is working in the Vista x64 without the mdder. I'm running a Vista x64 at the moment.

I'm gonna check that out on the forums.

Thanks for the help

 

Aion isn't crossfire capable yet, give it time.

 

People who have installed the win7 version had their CCC updated, but didn't realize that the drivers themselves did not update. Still, its the same drivers.

 

Well,Thanks for every thing. I'm gonna try the 9.8 to see in the jumping on Aoin stop.

When you say that Aion isn't crossfire capable yet. That mean that is using just one GPU? So when the crossfire is working on Aion, it suppose that the game it goona be better, right?

Greeting

 

Depends... Each game is different depending on how the utilize the 2nd GPU. Some games make very little difference. Others can give you over a 20 percent increase... Optimizing your machine for games is challenging, I think that is why we PC guys like computer gaming over consoles. The optimization is part of the fun! Good luck and keep posting!

Best wishes,
StevenX

 

Thanks again Steven.

Greetings

 

you can still buy many OCZ ones. I've found that 9.7 drivers work better for me. but like it was said. it's a challange.