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    Disable 9400 in the Bios?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Omroth, Nov 20, 2009.

  1. Omroth

    Omroth Notebook Guru

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    Hey guys. I have an m17x with dual 280s.

    I read another thread here which seemed to suggest that "hybrid SLI" is actually a bad thing and that I should disable the 9400 in the bios. Could you guys just confirm that for me, and tell me if there are any steps I need to take apart from that?

    Thanks,
    Ian
     
    Omroth, Nov 20, 2009
    #1
  2. cpaqf1

    cpaqf1 Notebook Evangelist

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    agreed, many people seem to disable it, can anyone explain why ?
     
    cpaqf1, Nov 20, 2009
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  3. Speedy Gonzalez

    Speedy Gonzalez Xtreme Notebook Speeder!

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    easy because it decreases your performance ;)
     
    Speedy Gonzalez, Nov 20, 2009
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  4. ZackB

    ZackB Notebook Consultant

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    I am with Witcher, I too have noticed that the system overall tends to run better using only the discrete cards in SLI. No idea why, just less glitching and things seem to run smoother overall.

    Try it with for a week or two, and then try it without for another 2 and see what you think :)
     
    ZackB, Nov 20, 2009
    #4
  5. cpaqf1

    cpaqf1 Notebook Evangelist

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    has the difference been noticied with only 260m ? instead of 2 in sli ? or is it just for sli systems ?
     
    cpaqf1, Nov 20, 2009
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  6. Xeneize

    Xeneize Notebook Deity

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    Now that we are on this topic... i do disable both but for some reason my M17x keeps enabling it when I boot without the AC plugged in (on Battery) any way to force the 280M SLI on battery as well?
     
    Xeneize, Nov 20, 2009
    #6
  7. cpaqf1

    cpaqf1 Notebook Evangelist

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    lol , i have the exact opposite, i i couldnt get hybrid sli to stick, it would always go back
     
    cpaqf1, Nov 20, 2009
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  8. Glzmo

    Glzmo Notebook Deity

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    Most people disable Hybrid Graphics, because:

    - It decreases performance
    - 256MB less useable system memory (it's reserved for the 9400M when it's enabled)
    - It creates more heat which causes more stress on all components, especially the MCP79 northbridge, in which the 9400M is integrated
    - Hybrid SLI isn't very polished and most drivers have issues with it

    There may be more.
     
    Glzmo, Nov 20, 2009
    #8
  9. SagerMeister

    SagerMeister Notebook Consultant

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    Is there a "hybrid" mode for the ATI crossfire config, or is this just for the nVidia cards?
     
    SagerMeister, Nov 20, 2009
    #9