GPU Stressing

Hey, folks.

I know it's been mentioned many times on these forums regarding stressing the m15x's GPU, but I don't have any experience running the two (?) programs everyone uses. I remember seeing a post from someone that briefly explained how to use the programs, but I can't find it. Is anyone willing to provide some instructions on which programs to use and how to stress the GPU, and monitor temps and frequencies? They would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, on my 1440x900 m15x with the X9000 and 8800M GTX, 3DMark06 (the free version) came in at 9721. Is this the norm?

Thanks!

EDIT: And my girlfriend's desktop system--the one I told her couldn't handle my games--came in at 672. Yeah, it's a pathetic desktop and the reason we purchased the m15x until I'm reunited with my desktop.

 

Sure, here's how to stress-test the GPU.

1. Download ATI Tool and install it:
http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=725

2. Download GPU-Z and run it:
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/SysInfo/GPU-Z/

3. In GPU-Z, go to the sensors tab and take a note of the clocks and temperature at idle. Check the box to make sure it updates itself.

4. Run the Nvidia nTune monitor and make sure you expand it so you can get the GPU temperature and a graph of the temperature.

5. Start ATI Tool and scan for artifacts with it. This will make the GPU work at 100%.

6. Watch the temperature and see how high it goes. The temperature graph in nTune is especially useful for this; when you start the monitor, click the little arrow button in the bottom right-hand corner of the application to get it to show.

Here's some of my testing:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/atta...5&d=1205018767
That was taken right before it hit 90*C and downclocked.

The GPU is the bottleneck in the ATI Tool utility, not the CPU, so it is being pushed as far as it can go.

Let me know how that works out.

 

Hey Mysterio how and the world did you get your system before me? HAHA any ways I hope everything goes well with the tests and nothing downclocks, it will give me a peice of mind.
-jb
ps:My 15x will arrive tomarrow well....thats what the fedex site states anyways.

 

Thanks for the info, Chaz. I appreciate it.

Unfortunately, I'm currently trying to figure out why viewing full episodes on CBS in fullscreen mode causes IE to crash, and why Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts crashes in fullscreen (has crashed two times in two tries; after ~ 1 minute the first time and after ~ 5 minutes the second time). I've had this system less than 3 days, and I'm on the verge of returning it for a full refurnd. What good is a gaming laptop that can't play games PERIOD, regardless of temps?

 

Honestly speaking, I'd be more inclined to point at Vista as the culprit than the laptop. The former confuses me, but have other people been having issues with CoH under Vista?

 

I'd point at Vista too. I've had many problems running games on Vista.

 

Hmm...I just tried for a third time to play COH:OF and it didn't crash this time. Very odd. I'll do the GPU stressing, now, to see where my system stands.

(crossing fingers...)

 

Chaz,

Was I supposed to download and install NVIDIA nTune (5.05.54.00_ntune_winxp_international) from Nvidia's website to access NVIDIA Monitor? I couldn't find that application on my system, so I had to download NVIDIA nTunes.

Anyways, I have TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.1.8 running, ATITool 0.27 running the artifact, and NVIDIA MonitorView displaying the temp. Here's what I have after 20 minutes of running the artifact:

TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.1.8 Reports
GPU Core Clock: 500.0 MHz
GPU Memory Clock: 799.0 MHz
GPU Temperature: 104.0 degrees C

ATITool 0.27 Reports
Current clocks: Core=500.00 MHz, Mem=799.00 MHz
Temps shows 104 degrees C

NVIDIA MonitorView Reports
Bus Speeds: GPU core (3D)=500.000 MHz, GPU Memory=799.000 MHz
Temperatures: GPU1=104 degrees C

If I'm reading this correctly, my GPU is hitting 104 degrees C, yet isn't downclocking. So, the cooling design is ineffective, but the GPU isn't downclocking like it's supposed to. This does not look good at all.

 

Hey man the temp on your sstem is really worrying me as I was deciding on getting an m15x myself... can someone anwser and let us know whats up with his system?

 

the heat problems are ONLY the 8800M GTX. since most people are getting that card, it's a problem.

there's currently a "fix" for fanspeeds given out in a bios update (x30 bios) which mostly just the 8800 owners need. (though there have been reports from 8700M GT owners)... some believe it to be a driver issue, others, a cooling system inadequacy.

 

I think the whole m15x production is inconsistence. Some hit 104c and never downclock while a few others and me cant even get pass 90c. One thing I am sure either way is no good. I am giving another shot at returning it for another new set. I hope it dun downclock. but then again I be worried if it "never downclock". I seriously doubt the m15x will get pass 3 years without sending in for a serious repair. That will be very unfortunate for our Asian and middleast friends.

AW - go back to your drawing board and make a 3rd bios release x30b or something. Its not working for some of us here

 

has there been any issues with the 8800 gtx cards on the dell 1730?

 

Those are some seriously high temperatures, don't let it get that hot again for your sake . . . the 8800M-GTX isn't even rated for that according to Nvidia (max is 95*C).

I'd contact Alienware right away about that.

I'm not sure what is up with all the inconsistencies either - there are some fixed m15xs like the one I had, some that still downclock, and some that don't downclock.

 

For the record, mine hits 90 C and the fans kick into high gear. Never had mine go above 91-92 and never downclock either.

N

 

Is this while running "Scan for Artifacts" within ATITool?

EDIT: My GPU fan kicks into high gear at ~ 80*C. My system is definitely an anomaly.

 

Do you have an 8800M GTX or 8700M GT?

 

8800M GTX, and that was running FurMark, which stressed the 8800 much more than ATI Tool. ATI Tool after running for 15 minutes, never got above 90 degrees.

N

 

After running FurMark for 1 minute at 1440x900 in a window, my GPU temp peaked at 102*C with no downclocking.

 

maybe cause you live in AZ, here its hott there! j/j Sorry to here that. just missed the fedex guy so looks like I wont test mine untill tommarrow.

 

I think this is well said! I feel like this system is not going to last long either and I paid 4000 for it! If the system is consistently getting this hot and cooking the insides, yes I can see many mojor repairs in the future. But only one person benifits after the warranty goes out, thats right give aw more money for cooked parts. I dont even have the system yet and I am teriffied. What does AWSteave have to say about this?
-jb

 

Funny guy! Actually, I'm in Florida atm.

A Critical Issue Team member was supposed to call me (I'm assuming today), but never did. My girlfriend wants to return the system for a full refund yesterday, so if I don't receive the attention from AW that I deserve, the system goes back before the weekend. I might set a record for returning an m15x without having it for at least a week, but AW has no one to blame but themselves.

 

That sucks. 15% restocking fee.

 

Why would they charge a 15% restocking fee when I haven't even had it for 30 days?

 

Yeah, they still do charge it. After 30 days you aren't allowed to return it. Just take a look at the warranty and returns info on the AW site.

 

They'll have a difficult time forcing me to pay a 15% restocking fee on a $4000 product that does not function as advertised and denying my return after 30 days for a $4000 product that does not function as advertised. News stations love to get a hold of such stories.

 

Alienware has had the 15% restocking fee for a long time, sorry to say but it's not news. A ripoff for sure, I do not agree with their policies when it comes to returns. A system upwards of $2k ought to carry a total satisfaction guarantee. Sager has a 30-day return policy, no questions asked for a full cash refund.

 

As I predicted, my girlfriend has had enough of the AW purchasing experience and has decided to return our m15x. She doesn't want to deal with sending the system back for them to install a new chassis (due to the scratch on the lid) and remedy the overheating (105*C) GPU, which they have yet to acknowledge as being an issue. I can't blame her, since we essentially waited 39 days and paid nearly $4000 for a scratched oven. Now, we'll be charged $500+ just to return this scratched oven.

I'll be contacting AW CS tomorrow morning for instructions on how to return it. She and I are extremely dissatisfied with every aspect of the entire AW purchasing experience, and will likely never purchase an AW product in the future, and will persuade friends and family from doing likewise.

As an FYI, not only did our system's GPU reach 104*C after 1 minute of running FurMark, it also reached 99*C while playing Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts. As you can see, the system is certainly defective.

Good luck to those who decide to stick with their m15x, and thanks for all the help during my stay in this forum.

 

Ouch,that is terrible.
I`m not sugesting any other brands,but I`m sure you`ll find better CS as Chaz said, in the Sager forum

 

good luck with the cancellation agents, a job position whose sole fucntion is to prevent you from bring reunited with your money.

 

I finally got the m15x I ordered for my girlfriend, here are the first day impressions.

First is from the European factory, just for the info.

Nicely built but if I look closely enough I can see a hairline sized "gap" in the left and right front corners. However it does not disappear when I press down on it nor it gets worst when i try to make it worst so it doesn't look like a real issue that will make it crack. And is so tiny is not really noticeable.

I got the 8800 and the 2.6 perynn with the normal screen and 2 gigs of ram.

I monitored temps while playing with the ati tools and it goes slowly higher up to 85° and then the fans kick in at full blast. Still at full blast is quieter than my Dell XPS Gen 2 so is not that bad. After the fans kick in the temperatures start dropping slowly to 78 or so where it stabilizes at least for 40 mins or so that I let Ati tool run.
In 3dmark'06 I get around 9500-9600 score so it lookslike is performing nicely. Also, while in 3dmark the temps never reached more than 80-84.
In games (only tried Lineage 2 and the demo of Penumbra Black plague) it worked flawlessly. In Lineage 2 withh full settings, AA 4x, shadows reflections and what not it works wonderful and the temp stay at about 75-80. After testing I took out some of the settings (all high but no AA no shadows, reflections) and it plays at 65 temp which is great. In penumbra is basically the same as all high on Lineage, it plays on all high max res with high fps and the temps stick to 80° (they arrive to 85, fans kick in and then it stays between 75 and 80°).

The computer is the size that I expected only the screen is thicker than I would have thought from the pictures. It does get warm on the right lower side and I'm not sure what is there, probably the HDD but is not annoying. Still if I would pla with the arrow keys I'd sweat a bit . Lights work very nice but they are a bit brighter (the keys) than I would have expected. I wish they'd include at some point if possible a slider for the brightness. Also the colours are a bit in a slight gradient, not even throughout (especially for orange, red, yellow) but again not very annoying.
The power brick is smaller than I'd expect (comparing it to my dell one is tiny lol) but it does get hot. Not hot enough to burn me but hot, I have an extra one and I'll test to see if that one does the same.

OK, that's my quick impression, I'd say (for the euro customers more) if you are ready to wait ages and argue with annoying CS the laptop is totally worth it, at least on my first 24 hours impression. For the rest I'll get my girlfriend fill me in, she'll be using it from now on. I did however had one of the reported issues (it was reported in the UK thread) after 5-10 mins of use the name plate strangely got a black "burnt like" mark in the middle. I tested and it was not hot at all so I can't understand what happened. It starts at one of the screws and is like a quarter of a circle going to the middle of the plate. I'll maybe get them to send another one but is not really an issue, you can read the plate and it looks "antique" .

 

ioaniro

the bottom right side is the video card so thats why that part gets warm there. congrats on your laptop. hopefully i can get mine soon and then i can post some pics.

 

No the graphic card is on the right side upwards, towards the screen. On the left palm rest should be nothing so I'm not sure what passes there. Unless the AW pictures on the site are not right which might be .

 

Hey I got that burnt mark too. But it burn in way I thought its quite artistic. I did not notice until u post it here.

Anyway I am waiting for my other replacement set. I actually got the critcal team on the phone and I ask them to run the 5 crucial test I post early (not exactly tho but similar test). if it get through, I know its fine b4 they sent it out.

Anyway Nice first impression.

 

NOOOoooo... my fear has been confirmed... my m15x is also downclocking! My temperature never seem to go above 90C but my system downclocks itself after only a few minutes of intense gameplay (i tested Armed Assault with high settings). I believe I have the latest bios.

 

Where are you from Choey?

 

I'm from Australia, but I bought the system from UK/Europe. I'm really disappointed my system also downclocks.. are there any solutions to this problem? What exactly is the cause for this? Is it software or hardware? Sorry I haven't been able to keep up with all the latest news on this issue on this forum.

 

So I take it the heat issues have NOT been solved yet? This makes me hesitant to buy. Or are these just isolated incidents?

 

This is my test result...

 

When the temp hits 85ish do you hear the full blast of the fans? Is really easy to notice when the fans kick in the higher gear, is the only time I can clearly hear them. Just as a checkup if the system is working as it should. Also check if you have the good bios for sure and all the good nvidia drivers.

 

what program are you using to monitor your video card Choey? Iw ant to do it to my dell 1530 and see if it ever downclocks and also to check temperature. Thanks

also for the people whos problems been fix, look at this post http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3216160#post3216160

 

@firstn20
If you want to monitor your temps and clock you have to use RivaTuner and it can be found here http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=163

 

ver 2.08 is the right one to download?

 

Yep, that's the one

 

But does anyone have a doubt that the problem has NOT been solved but rather hidden under the carpet (until someone uncovers it)?
Riot, havoc, chaos... that's all AW deserves!

 

Yes, I can definately hear the fans kick into high gear. You can notice that from my graph there. It goes just about to 90C then the fans kick in resulting in temperature descrease.. Actually the temp descrease from this graph is due to downclocking (or maybe combination of both the fan and downclocking) but when I did the scan for artifect testing with ATITOOL it had the same results except for the clock and memory downclocking. I ran that test for 30 mins without any downclocking.

 

I really hope that AW don't believe that the job is finished.

 

Has anyone tried running ATItool for say, 30 minutes... switching it off for a couple of minutes (until the fans slow down) and put ATItool blasting again (and so on and so on...)?
Maybe this will reproduce the problem that people are seeing while playing games! Someone suggested in some thread (don't remember where) that the reason you don't get downclocking with the ATI artifact scan might be because it's a continuous stress situation, whereas during gaming you are going from high demanding situations to not so demanding and so on and so on!

 

There you go...