Few questions about my XPS 17 (L702x)

Hi there,

Firstly I have to say this is a fantastic forum that has helped me quite a bit since I started using this section of the forum in the last week!

Right so I bought myself a new laptop recently which has the nVidia 3d thing and what not. I've replaced my HDD with an SSD and reinstalled everything fine (after putting in the latest nvidia beta drivers).

My questions are:

Does this particular model (3d) have intel gfx onboard? Because I can't see anything "unknown" in device manager or anything out of place.

If it does have onboard gfx, sould I instal the Intel on board graphics driver?

Thanks

 

If you go to Device Manager, you should have two entries under Display Adapter - Intel HD 3000 Graphics driver (or something similarly named) and NVidia Geforce GT 555m. The Intel handles your normal day-to-day display, and the Geforce only kicks in when you need it to (ie. playing games). This reportedly has a big impact on the battery life of the laptop.

 

No, there is only the NVIDIA GeForce GT 555M

Hence me making this thread

 

If you go the Device Manager route, you need to do update driver on EVERY SINGLE ITEM on the list, even if they say working properly.

 

Can you be a bit more specific, that doesn't make much sense to me.

Right clicking to update driver on everything (ie in battery tab) seems rather silly.

If you mean in the Display Adaptor tab then as I said, there is only 1 thing there which is the nVidia GFX card.

 

By default Win 7 installation, there will be a bunch of generic items that are "working properly". But if you run update driver on them and scan the original c:\drivers directory, they will turn into a real device like Intel Chipset, Management Interface, Accleerometer, etc.

I don't like install driver from setup package as they tend to add more than bare minimum. So this is how I update all my drivers, except the nVidia, which you have to setup in order to get the control panel applet.

Of course, there are a few you don't really need to do this, like Batteries, Computer, Processors, etc., if you know for sure which is which, for sure. For example, a "properly working" USB device will turn into USB 3.0 after you run through this.

 

I see what you mean.

I just did this and the only thing that was updated was something under Network Adaptors.

This seems rather odd that I cannot find it, if in fact it exists with the 3d version of this laptop.

 

If you already run through all the setup packages downloaded from Dell site, there's probably not much left to update. Otherwise, at least 15-20 items in device manager that are not really "working properly".

I don't know that particular 3D thing, but running a 170M setup should automatically cover everything, if any.

 

The thing is I don't want to instal everything that came with my Dell laptop, I just want everything to function properly.

Thanks for trying to help though, it's appreciated.

 

The 170M is only the nVidia driver. For that size, I assume it should take care whatever 3D gadget you got.

Everything else should be done through device manager, update drivers

 

Oh yeah there is no problems with the laptop atm, everything works fine 3D and all.

If installing the Intel driver (that is, I still don't know if there is onboard with my laptop) when browsing the internet and things in general it would consume less power and the battery would last longer

Thats the only reason for asking to be honest. Well, and to know if its there or not!

 

@cm11

On your order invoice; does it say GT555M with Optimus? I'm asking because my order (which I have not received yet) does not list the GT555M with Optimus... it says GT55M 3GB with TV Tuner.

I've been told that Windows will only use the GT555M exclusively because my particular configuration did not say GT555M with Optimus. Thus, I can't use the Intel HD 3000 Graphics even though my CPU has it on chip.

Hope I'm not adding to the confusion but, just wanted to point out what I've been told.

 

Didn't realize GFX stands for Intel Graphics, I thought you were looking for some GPU power.

Goto Control Panel, nVidia, Manage 3D settings, Global, there should be an option to use Integrated for day to day jobs.

 

Op your 3d system has both intel hd 3000 and nvidia (whatever you picked)but optimus is disabled as the 3d config bypasses the intel card to work permantely disabling it. So unfortunately you can only use the nvidia card at any time.