Dell XPS 17 NVidia and FF XIV

I just bought a new Dell XPS 17 with NVidia GeForce 555M 3GB video card.

Other specs
2nd gen i7-2720QM processor 2.2 ghz with turbo boost 2.0 up to 3.3 ghz
8 gb ddr3,2 DIMM ram
supposed to be 1080p screen, but wasn`t installed, so it`s going back for that, but that`s another issue.

A friend lent me Final Fantasy XIV to try on the buddy pass, and the computer refuses to run it. I went to `can you run it`and it says that my video is Intel(R) HD graphics family, and is not powerful enough to run the game.

I`m going to assume that this is not my NVidia card and is something that comes with the processor. Is there some reason why my computer would not pick up the card, other than a faulty card?

I`m a bit annoyed by the whole situation since I`ve already got to send it back to get my HD screen.

Dell has offered me an upgrade to my computer at no charge to me as well since the options that I have on this computer are no longer available to select on the XPS 17, only the XPS 17 3D. They will send me the 3D computer for the same price I have paid for the one I have now, with the correct screen. All the options are the same, so I don`t really know what makes the 3D version different.

Is there some reason why this card won`t run FF XIV?
I`d assume in a $2000 laptop that the vid card would be decent (the card in my netbook can run the game, just the processor can`t, so I`d assume a fully functional notebook to run it)
Did I just get a Dell Dud and I should go for the upgrade? I`m a little apprehensive to get another Dell now.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Heather

 

My guess, its probably Nvidia Optimus FUUUing the stuff up.
Try manually to disable it so that it only uses the Nvidia card, then try the benchmark again.
Getting the 3D notebook will fix the issue since Optimus dont work with 3D.
But thats a lame way yo fix the problem.

 

I can`t figure how to turn the Optimus off.

We did disable the other card, but that made the screen go black and the only way to restore was to turn it off and reboot in safe mode.

I`m about ready to wash my hands of Dell completely and look for something else. There`s just nothing decent in a laptop available locally, anything over $1000 and able to game would have to be ordered from somewhere. I thought Dell was a good name and I`d be more than happy with my computer, but unfortunately.....

 

I dont own any Nvidia hardware myself but i think there is a way to make profiles that forces Optimus to use the Nvidia card rather than the Intel IGP.
Hopefully someone with experience on how to set up Optimus posts here.

 

Go to this video to check out how to whitelist applications in order to run them on you're discreet gpu(I'm assuming a gt 555m but it'll work in any optimus enabled card)
YouTube - ‪Nvidia Optimus Feature on the Alienware M11x- R2‬‏

About the 3D version, does not feature optimus which means you're battery life will take a hit when going for the 3D one.

You're computer is not picking up the card simply because the optimus has switched it to your Intel's IGP. Whitelisting the application will make sure that the game uses the discreet gpu.

Specifically speaking I think the 3D is a gimmick but that's my opinion.
And that's the answer to your problem.


Edit:The video is about the m11x, but it's the same procedure in every optimus enabled laptop/card.

 

Thanks for the video, that was perfect. I followed the instructions exactly and the game is now using the NVidia card. Unfortunately, it still won`t run. It`s still looking for directX device. Can you run it says I can, so I don`t know if the card is not functioning properly or what, I do have the most current drivers. It`s currently being restored back to factory and going in a box back to Dell. Ugh, now I need to find another computer. I actually liked that one, minus the not getting what I ordered, but it was comfortable to use.

 

If you enjoyed the notebook i would give the 3D version a chanse.
Its not using Optimus and oly use the Nvidia GPU.
The actual 3D stuff is optional to use.