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    Consensus on best compromise video driver

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by dr_korb, Jun 16, 2009.

  1. dr_korb

    dr_korb Notebook Consultant

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    Background info:

    I play games - heavy 3d usage ( Oblivion, Fallout 3, Unreal 2004, etc.)
    I'm not trying to eek out the last few FPS in 3dMark or other benchmarks
    No overclocking
    Looking for reasonably low temps, stability, and smooth game play.
    Would like fans to operate as they should, so I'm trying to avoid things that will crank the fans on 100% all the time, and allow powermizer to work.

    So the question is, among the stock Dell drivers (what I'm using now), and Nvidia realeases, and DOX or other LTV2GO drivers, what will give the best compromise of temps, framerates, stability, and system compatibility?
     
    dr_korb, Jun 16, 2009
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  2. vikramdesh1

    vikramdesh1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    i suppose the dell and nvidia(official in short) drivers will be the best and all the other cranked up(custom) drivers will be making your rig run hotter. wait for the experts opinion though.
     
    vikramdesh1, Jun 16, 2009
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  3. Eambo

    Eambo Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm running 185.85 and it's a very solid driver. Not extremely cool, but not warm either.

    Apparently 181.xx has the optimal powermizer settings, making it a much cooler card.

    The latest drivers (186.xx) seem to cause an extra 7-10C heat, and less FPS I think. Although wait on some other opinions too :-D
     
    Eambo, Jun 16, 2009
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  4. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    all official and most laptopvideo2go drivers are stable and system compatible

    so what's left are temps and framerates...

    well, there are specific drivers that do better for some games (eg nvidia has special drivers for GTA IV, supposedly better performance)...

    just go with the stock drivers from Windows Update, or feel free to try laptopvideo2go drivers if you have time and are adventurous
     
    paper_wastage, Jun 16, 2009
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  5. mr_bots

    mr_bots Notebook Evangelist

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    After trying laptopvideo2go, dox, and the stock Dell drivers. I'm using the Dell drivers as it provides the best performance for the few games I play. You'll just have to experiment and find the driver that fits you and your laptop the best.
     
    mr_bots, Jun 16, 2009
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