Dell's Graphic Driver vs. Modified Nvidia Driver for 445M

Sorry not been able to test it properly yet with the new drivers, will try tonight hopefully. There was a slight increase using furmark but very little...

 

Hmmm... had fun in doing a 3DMark 06 test again a few weeks after my last one, only to be shocked to have my score in the 6.4k rang.... when it was in the 11k range before.

I first thought it might be something I installed but before doing anything, I ran Furmark, to check what the scores were there. I ended up with 2400 around, which was close to what I had before.

So... Is there a reason 3DMark would now slash my score by half for no apparent reason?

I'm running the 266.44 Nvdia driver.

 

BUMP

Anyone?

 

Off the top of my head, power saver changes? GPU over heated?

 

Maybe. I was on balanced settings.

I switched to high performances and got a score of 7605. Better but still way bellow than what I had before.

 

Have been busy unfortunately but played a bit of Bulletstorm lastnight and the night before, not done proper tests but with the current NVidia drivers from their website I find that there is a lot less slowdowns caused by the loading, made the game run a bit smoother when running through areas

 

hey i know this is old but i was just about to install the package but i have the i5 model and i have the optimus chip too so i joined the site to PM DaneGRClose but i cant pm him yet. anyway could you make me a driver pack or help me? i have the 435M and i5-M650.
the 266 driver please
thank you.

 

I just ran a comparison between the nVidia 267.76 vs Dell 8.17.12.6639,A04(266.39).


I ran 3DMark06.

nVidia 267.76 scores 10730
Dell 266.39 scores 10704

So the difference isn't that much.

I am not into overclocking so they run on factory default settings.

 

Did u try the Dell driver?

Why do you need modded one?

 

Found the bug on my low results (buggy 3DMark)

With the new drivers 267.76: 11269 3DMark score

 

Oh, I am jealous. How come you got higher score? OC or Stock?

 

not the dell one. used that and its not that good..i was quoting DaneGRClose i think his name is, he said if anyone needs a modded one but has optimus then pm him but i cant for some reason.
if you read the whole post they wer comparing dell to the nividia driver and the nvidia was better and dane modded the drivers to get best marks from it but the file was for non optimus cards. and the link is to the gt 420m? i have the 435m and i have that driver installed atm..but id rather have the better modded one from dane.

 

The linked page shows 420 but it is the same driver for 435 and 445 as well.
Was just curious why you were looking for the modded one because initially the drivers from nVidia did not recognize the 445 GPU from DELL as DELL would have a different device ID so it had to be modified, otherwise it will not detect the video card correctly.

What DaneGRClose mentioned was that the DELL drivers are generally below the performance you get from nVidia drivers.

But since the nVidia drivers do recognize without modification, I had the impression that you might be looking for tweaking instead of modded drivers.

 

sorry i should have stated more but i was in a rush, iv been researching this and most reviews are of the chip with 2gb not 1gb? why is that?

 

Woops, sorry, I forgot to post that data. I'm running OC since a while now at 713/912.

 

Edit :
With MSI After Burner OC'ing to the suggested following values I am getting 11342 3DMarks with Dell 266.39.

Core Clk 712 Shader Clk 1425 Memory Clk 912 , no other changes.

 

Do you always load the tweaked setting(using MSI Afterburner option) during boot and leave it like that or do you load the tweak only when running games?

Is it safe to load the tweaks all the time? I am sure it is but as I am not into the OC your advise would be much appreciated.

 

Yeah, I installed Afterburner and made a profile that loads at computer startup.

As for safe, I have not seen any problems so far and I've been running the card at this clock for over two three months now.

 

I just installed nVidia drivers for the first time on this machine (Dell factory default was before). GPU temp go higher a few degrees, but not that much. Hope the drivers work flawless, I believe one should try to have always the latest drivers... or should I go with the new Dell drivers instead? The one thing I don't like from the Dell driver is that it state GT 555... maybe it doesn't matter, but I have my doubts.

GPU stays on 57C (iddle) temp. And CPU is on 54C, just to give a param. Power plan on Balanced and AC plugged. Is this correct? I believe GPU temp was about 55C with Dell factory drivers before the update.

Playing JustCause 2 (on max settings) a few minutes, GPU temp goes 70C. I believe It will rise to 75C if I play longer.

P.D.: Any of you played that game? It changes my gamma once started, and on exit I need to use the Profile Chooser to re-select my profile again, because the gamma on exit is awful, just like the factory one. I blamed the driver, but it keep happens with the last from nVidia. I searched over the web and only a couple of questions found, but no answer. I tried adjusting the gamma from the game menu, but it always change the OS too. Is the only game doing that.

 

I am using Dell's latest video driver(266.39) and is 50C when idle.
When I am playing COD:Black OPs I can hear the alarm sound.
I am not sure where this alarm setting is but i can clearly hear the alarm.

But I do not remember hearing the alarm when it was overclocked(???).

Regardless of the alarm, the game runs smoothly and it goes off a bit later during the game.

Edit : During normal use, GPU temp is at 55C.

 

The Dell driver for the 555 is and will work for the 445/435M since it's just an overhauled version of the 445M. But you do know you can download directly from Nvidia the driver you need, right? I outlined it on the first page of this thread. Other than just personal choice, there is only a slight difference between the Nvidia and Dell drivers. Dell just adds proprietary info to the inf file that really doesn't change anything other than resetting fan cooling points slightly to lower core temps. Which brings me up to this point.
The GPU can handle higher temps than Dell allows, and within reason can be tweaked to produce better performance (usually from the Nvidia drivers) but if this is not your intention, go with Dell. I have been running Nvidia drivers with no problems nor excessive core temps. But I monitor religiously. If you're going to tweak your GPU, be prepared. If you're interested in the ins and outs of tweaking read the first 50 pages and you can see it is a learning process.

 

*points to the post above*

OMG!!!! A ghost!


Good to see you around mate.

 

I"m back! good to see you too mate!

 

Well, in my case, iddle was with Firefox and Steam open

I never heard any alarm. But the alarm is not based on CPU temp? On how many degrees is the alarm set? Did you look at your temp on gaming when hearing the alarm?

I just played Black Ops too and my GPU temp was about 75C

 

Thanks for the answer!! My reports were based on the nVidia Drivers. I do not plan on tweaking anything... is it worth going from the latest nVidia drivers (which I have right now) to the latest from Dell's site?

 

I was right in theory, but wrong on availability.

For the 435/445M the latest driver( V266.58 )is available thru Nvidia and Dell, I would stay with Nvidia for those GPU's.

Right now, the only driver available for download for the specific Nvidia GeForce GT 555M is thru the company you bought the computer from only, in this case Dell. Architectually, the 555M is a spruced up 445M but since that GPU is proprietary (built in to motherboard) and that motherboard being so new, Nvidia has yet to release a driver on their site. Not to say it won't happen, it took approx 3 to 4 months for them to release a driver for the 445M after it was first released with the L701x model.
Now this brings up an interesting point. the new 555M is geared to be able to use the optimus and the WIDI (wireless display) option, so there may be some difference in the driver where as I earlier stated that there wouldn't be. And since this GPU is only available with the Quad core processor with built in graphics, This will most likely affect the way the driver is written.
Long story short, stay with Dell.
For now at least. until Nvidia's contract restrictions expire, which from my experience is 3 to 6 months from introduction.

 

I am trying to find out where the temperature setting is that is triggering the alarm. Any idea?

 

Now I can confirm:

nVidia Latest Drivers (267.76): 55/56C
Dell Latest Drivers (266.39): 54/55C

On stress both raise the same temps, about 75C.

Both tested under same ambient. No much difference on temps I must say. I stay on nVidia drivers because they are the newest... and are nVidia

 

System Properties
XPS L701x
Intel(R) Core i7 Q740 @ 1.73GHz
4.00 GB RAM
WIndows 7 64 bit
Geforce GT 445m - NVidia Driver 267.76


Without overclock


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

For more details : Result

Overclocked with MSI Afterburner @ Core 700 Shader 1400 Memory 900


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

For more details: Result

 

Interesting. I'm running on the latest (although beta) driver and tried your clocks, I'm getting 1k lower scores.

I have the same settings and setup as you. :/

Results

 

I used to get 1k lower scores before upgrading to the latest driver 267.76. I will do the benchmark again to verify the results.

Edit : I ran it two times with the same overclock settings.
http://3dmark.com/3dm06/15623472 11974
http://3dmark.com/3dm06/15623499 12203
I closed my browser and obtain about 300 marks higher.

 

Since I am no longer the proud owner of an L701x model with the Nvidia GeForce GT 445M, and now use the L702x model with the Nvidia GeForce GT 555M(hardly any difference, but whudda ya gonna do....) It would be in this Thread's best interest that someone who has the curiosity and the drive to continue testing the L701x's video drivers and it really would be a waste to see all this information go to waste, So please keep posting! I will check in now and again, and if need be, you can private message me if you feel I can be of assistance. a 555GT thread started by kroenen04 and I am not going to step on his toes with his work, which by the way started here. So onward and forward and keep posting!

 

Hello. I'm not someone who just wants an easy answer.
My gpu heats to 62max while heavy load, like playing crysis 2 or brotherhood (even long time). I'm interested how much is safe to overclock 445m gt? I tried smth like 712 core/ 913 memorry as 1 user on this forum ( he said it has been fine for him for 2 months now) and when I tried it gpu burn in stress test with msi kombustor I experience not artifacts but black splash (hard to describe). Any have any ideas, anyone running with overclocked 445mgt? Thanks for your help.

I guess my gpu temp is really low now, probably because dell xps has great cooling, and I think i should use this to overclock my gpu...

 

I could try to offer some opinions...
62C is not hot for a GPU, you are correct, and I am taking for granted that you are running the MSI Afterburner overclocking prog, correct? Personal opinion here and you can take this with a grain of salt, but run with what you are willing to live with. If you crank it all the way, it will definitely shorten the life of both your system board and GPU (since they are integrated). My choice was to overclock just enough to get noticeable improvement and limited heat production per the length of time I played.
Once you burned the GPU, the whole Mobo has to be replaced and I am sure it's not covered under warranty( unless you know a guy who knows a guy )
That's my 2 cents....

 

I overclocked my card to 750 core / 915 memory. I tried running MSI Kombustor and see no errors. Temperature reach a maximum of about 68.
With this settings, managed to score 12783 for 3dMark06.

 

No offence, but can anyone confirm that it's safe to overclock to these numbers?

 

No one can ever confirm a "safe" overclock for any hardware.

 

I am not speaking about 100% chance of safe overclock, but I think it's pretty safe to say that 1-5% overclock will not break your gpu

One more question: when overclocking, is the only danger temperature? or overcloking alone can dmg your gpu?

I've seen this msg on net for example:

 

From my experience as a tech, 2 major examples of damage that was most prevalent was voltage spikes causing shortage( in this case highly unlikely) and heat. Heat is the enemy of all electronics. So in general, yes Heat is the main danger of damaging your GPU/systems board/Motherboard.

 

well, thanks for your comment, i overclocked to 770/900..

770 being maximum allowed with msi afterburner, and if i rise to 910 i can see artefacts... I'll carefuly monitor temperature while playing and I hope that overclocking alone as you mentioned, cant damage gpu, it's temperature (in case where voltage is default)

 

Wow 770 is really high. I can't get pass 750 without getting artifacts. It's still a huge improvement from the original clock though

 

When I had the 445M these are the settings I used and never,ever had a problem with overheating and still got great performance ( you can check the tests I ran thru out this thread. I used the same settings for all the different drivers I tested.
Core Clk 712 Shader Clk 1425 Memory Clk 912 , no other changes.
<!-- / message --><!-- attachments -->Best wishes...

 

I have no problem going 770 and i still have no artefacts and gpu is really cool (not more than 65celcius), but i have instant problems if i go as far as 910 with memory, and Im sure of it I'll still monitor temperature though (not only of gpu), thanks for your answer

 

What drivers are you using for your 445m? Cause i can only manage to get around 12k in 3dmark06, using 267,76.

 

I am using the latest driver 270.61. I only manage to get that score at that clockspeed. However, after testing with a few stability testing program, 720/900 is still the more stable overclock speed. At higher clock speed, error still exist although it's minimal and not easily spotted.

 

I get black screen and coolers on max installing 270.61 driver. Clean Install.

 

Can you elaborate? is this every startup? Is this or has this happened before with other drivers that you've tried?

 

WHILE installing. On clean install, the program do uninstall the current driver, but when installing the graphic driver, black screen... coolers on max and HDD activity lights flashing (all this while on black screen). Waited at least 5/10 minutes for the system to come back, but nothing happens... had to force shutdown and restore to a point created before the update just in case.

 

Is from directly from Nvida or Dell's Driver site? I do know that Dell's driver install utility can cause problems...
scratch that...
I hate to say it but sounds like it wasn't clean install. Did you use the driver remover utility driver sweeper? you have to make sure that all items that have Nvidia in it's title has to be removed.
Wish I could be more help....

 

Directly from nVidia

I hope it is the problem. Will use the driver sweeper tonight (after setting a restore point xD) and report back then. Thanks!

Edit: "Attention - Guru3D Driver Sweeper has been discontinued as such you will not find any download links here any longer."

Will search for that app on other sites xD