Intel X3100 users rejoice! It's finally here! New Pre-Beta Drivers

I had them and trust me, they were horrible. The final 15.6 performs better than the beta (which was not that great to begin with...) Just stick with 15.4.4/3 for now until Intel gets their act together (you may be able to get them to work faster by sending them emails/calling them about this issue) so that they actually release a Vista driver that supports HW T&L/Vertex Shaders

 

thanks for the advice epictrance4life! i recently got a lg r405 and i've only tried the 15.6 drivers and they were pretty bad for counter-strike (not source)

 

I know that the new drivers (15.6) can manage vertex shader, but can they manage t&l? because i installed them and i have a little program that tells me information about everything (aida32) and it says that it doesn't have support for it.

Another thing with this new drive can i install directx 10?

 

Are you saying that the drivers support hardware VS but not T&L? That doesn't really make sense since DX7 T&L is a subset of VS and in modern GPU designs, DX7 T&L acceleration actually isn't done via dedicated hardware, but via vertex shaders with the fixed DX7 T&L effects written out as shader programs. So I would think that if hardware VS are implemented than DX7 level T&L should be too.

As for DX10 support, Intel won't release driver support for it until Q1 2008 for the GMA X3100 (mobile) and GMA X3500 (desktop).

 

Can someone running XP with driver 14.31.1, and Neverwinter 2 tell me what their avg frame rate is? On a previous page in this post it was noted that NWN2 became playable with the drivers from June. Just wondering if there was any improvement since then.

 

Well I am quite impressed with the x3100 in world of warcraft I'm on version 15.6 (though I am waiting for the next update). On world of warcraft I have settings on medium resolution on 1024 x 768 and in all the big cities I can get through with fps of about 20-30 however outside the cities it stays at 20-30 thats the problem atm.

 

I just tried Oblivion with 15.6 and I was getting about 30fps in the beginning, often 40+. I had everything turned way down, but the resolution was at 1024x768. However, it crashes whenever I try to enter the sewer area (after that king dies).

(edit)
Ok game is pretty much unplayable once you get outside... Also had to turn water shaders off, thus making water transparent and purple.

 

Hi
I came across this link on intel's website
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/detail_desc.aspx?strstate=live&productid=40&dwnldid=14326&agr=y&lang=eng&prdmap=40
it says it's a beta version for vista that supports shader version 3. but the page seems to be uncompleted (uptil now) ... i can't find a download button so i couldn't actually download the drivers .. the page's date is 9/29/2007, i think it will be ready in a couple of hours, plz check it out and if it's ready download it and try it and let us now wat u think about it.

 

If you want to play Oblivion with that card you could try www.oldblivion.com. Think it will get you past the sewer-crashes.

 

problem with oldblivion is that it doesnt work with the latest patch or the expansions.

sam84 on that page it says it is talking about the 15.6 B driver. thats old news

 

Does anyone know if i can run AGE of Empires III with this card.

 

yes you can

 

Did the 15.6b driver preview SM3.0, or only 2.0 support? Also, that page does appear to be dated recently, while the 15.6b page was removed.

 

But how good, with medium setting or high settings?

 

Performance for AOE3 under Vista is much better if you use the 15.4.4 driver.

 

at least medium settings under XP

 

thanks, i have vista and i installed the 15.6 drivers, and i just installed the game and it looks good with a few hight settings.

 

how many frames per second are you getting though?

 

Ruly try installing the 15.4.4 drivers and running AOE3. You will get MUCh better fps and you wont get the graphical distortions when you turn the shader level up.

 

Where can i get the 15.4.4 drivers?

 

just go to intel.com and look in the previously released section.
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Fil... Ultimate, 32-bit version&lang=eng&sType=prev
I think these are faster because the gpu is using software rendering. lol.

 

software rendering means it's using the CPU and not GPU

 

There is now a 15.6.1 driver, or the release date seems to be hours from now. You can see 15.6.1 driver from the download page at Intel. This driver is what I believe will be the Vista driver to make it par to the XP driver. This is the driver that I believe will bring the fix that 14.31.1 driver brought over 14.31 for Vista.

14.31.1 fixes: Automatic HWVP/SWVP selection can get stuck in SWVP mode

 

The 15.6.1 driver is available. I dont see any mention of "Automatic HWVP/SWVP selection can get stuck in SWVP mode" in the release notes....


*edit* these drivers suck. I am still getting half the frame rate in Galciv2:dark avatar that I got with the 15.4.4 drivers...

Also, Europa 3 still won't launch...
Aoe3 still gets better FPS with 15.4.4

This driver sucks. This card just isnt strong enough to support its own hardware shaders. There should be an option to create profiles for games and a "force software shader" mode.

*another edit*
Oh, and when you play games in resolutions lower than Native, they image does not stretch. Instead there is a black border around the screen. LMFAO @ THE NEW DRIVERS

 

non native rez scaling is an option on pretty much any laptop.

with the x3100 driver, right click the desktop, select graphics properties, select display settings, choose the option you want by hitting the 'aspect ratio options' button.

Or right click desktop, graphics options, panel fit, select your choice there.

:edit: oops, no, it is broken it games, it was jsut working when id manually changed the desktop rez and played with it.

 

where can i get the 15.6.1 drivers?

Edit: Never mind.

 

OMG I just got this laptop 3 days ago, can I have been through 3 versions of drivers. Over this period I have seen my fps drop from 17 to 7 playing WOW on low detail. The newest drivers are the worst of all!

Aren't new drivers suppose to make your card run better? Is Intel ever going to get T&L working in Vista? Or should I just return this laptop now?

Anyone running the x3100 in XP?? If so, is T&L working in XP?

Intel, you're drivers suck!

 

Yeah, this driver appears to be a bugfix driver, not a performance one. Vista gamers are likely better off sticking with 1544 or just switching to XP (which appears to be running T&L and VS3.0 fine).

 

Actually, new drivers improves a lot problem with blinking screen after restoring session or just logging into the system.
Guys, Intel X3100 is business profile video so do not expect gaming performance. I am IT student and I am using laptop mainly for programming and this gfx is enough (Vista Aero works). Also, High Definition content performs very well on lappy with C2D + X3100.

Moreover, I've tried some games and here is the list of playable titles:

AoE III + expansion pack - 1280x800 + MEDIUM/HIGH
Desperados 2 - 1280x800 + HIGH, textures standard
NFS:MW - 1024x768, det. low/medium
Heroes of Migh and Magic V - 1280x800 + MEDIUM (AWESOME GAME !!)
Call of Duty + exp. pack - 1280x800 + MEDIUM
UT 2004 - 1280x800+VERY HIGH
The SIMS - high details
FEAR - 640x480 + LOW/MEDIUM

Quite unplayable games: HL2, Doom3, Quake4 - even on low.

I think the new release of drivers we should expect within 2 weeks.

 

You're kidding, with the new driver?

 

i dont know about the vista driver but the latest xp driver is great, i have no complaints, all the games run as fast as they reasonably should, maybe time to uninstall vista? =)

 

WoW doesn't run on hardware mode in XP. Intel says software vertex processing is faster on WoW than hardware vertex processing. And it runs fine for me, but yea I have XP.

X3100/G965/GM965 isn't targeted by Intel as business profile video, its the Q series chipsets that are targeted by Intel as business profile. The G chipsets are supposed to be home entertainment/multimedia.

 

Too bad we can't manually configure it to use hardware or software for VS. I can't wait for new drivers. Anyone know if the next drivers will have T&L in vista?

Why would they sell a product and claim a certain lvl of performance and then not enable it? And knowing this, why would HP equip their boards with it? I don't understand.

I am surprised that not more people are upset about it.

 

The same thing happened to me with halo.

 

Is there anyone with desktop G965 and Intel branded motherboard that can test out the latest drivers?? The quote above by a person on VR-Forums is interesting.

I heard in discrete graphics, updating video BIOS is how they enable new features. Maybe Intel Desktop board users have better experience.

 

okay whatever changes they made to the 15.6.1 vista drivers, I can confirm that the new drivers completely destroy gaming performance BIG TIME! Here are my benchmarks:

3DMark2001SE
15.4.3 5562
15.6 beta 4208
15.6 final 4310
15.6.1 2872
51.6% decrease in performance from 15.4.3

3dmark03
15.4.3 1652
15.6 beta 1269
15.6 final 1710
15.6.1 963
58.2% decrease in performance from 15.4.3

3dmark05
15.4.3 867
15.6 beta 671 *Force software vertex shader off
15.6 final 882 *Force software vertex shader on
15.6.1 459 *Force software vertex shader on
52.9% decrease in performance from 15.4.3

3dmark06
15.4.3 529
15.6 beta 425 *Force software vertex shader off
15.6 final 493 *Force software vertex shader on
15.6.1 359
67.9% decrease in performance from 15.4.3

 

yep, HW T&L and Vertex Shaders are still not supported by these drivers.

agreed

can't comment as don't have those games

don't agree with this. XP drivers have proven the card has the potential to utilize hardware shaders effectively in improving gaming performance, it's just that the Vista drivers don't seem to be able to duplicate that.

noticed this as well when I was benchmarking (which never happened in previous drivers), really annoying...

 

this I have to admit though for the 15.6.1 drivers, 15.6 driver problem of blinking screen after restoring sessions/logging in seems to have been fixed.

 

epictrance4life, are you agent_J from VR-Zone?? You said you have a Core 2 Duo Merom system, which indicates you have a notebook. Intel doesn't manufacture motherboards for notebooks. So I want somebody with Intel branded motherboard.

I have Intel Desktop Board DG965WH.

 

yes i am. are you DavidC1from VR-Zone?

why don't u run some benchmarks then mr intel motherboard guy ?

 

Yes I am lol. I don't have Vista though .

 

Why do we bother with benchmarks? If T&L aren't enabled, any benchmark will suck! Are they ever going to enable T&L for vista? or keep updating with crappy drivers that fix little bugs when a major components such as T&L are not enabled! GRRRR Until they get this working for vista, this card is worthless! If they can't get it to work, i wish they could just tell us so I can return this laptop. lol

 

Alright, enough with the Benchmarks, has anyone even try playing any games with the 15.6.1 driver?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=2526117#post2526117

 

I have tried a bunch of games, TnL is not working properly. Strangely 3dmark05 gave me 915 after installing 15.6.1, but only 875 with 15.6. I was getting about 875 with 15.4.4 too.

 

Driver 7.14.10.1329
3dmark06
Max Active Hardware Lights 0

I'm afraid I don't think vista users are going to have much improvement until hardware lights are enabled.

Also according to GLview They cover 100% of the OpenGL core features up to OpenGL 1.5, and then 1 out of 10 of the OpenGL 2.0 spec (and 0 of 3 of the 2.1 spec) I hope they intend to complete the other 9 functions, there are a few great apps that look for full OpenGL 2.0 support for acceleration now, I'm sure it would benefit a lot of people.

 

So how long until we get another update from intel that *might* contain a TnL fix? Months?

 

Is there not a web site where intel states their plans and progress for the vista drivers? They should update their customers about what is going on.

 

tnguyen1979 - closest you can get atm is : http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/intelg965/sb/CS-025665.htm

though I believe it's been left out of date, as it was talking about beta drivers being available before the 15.xx series was released.

 

Yakumo, thanks for the link.

"Intel is currently developing and validating drivers for the Intel® G965 & GM965 Express Chipsets that support hardware transform & lighting (T&L) and vertex shader functions for both the Windows* XP and Windows Vista* operating systems."

It says drivers will be available later in 2007 and the XP ones have working T&L. So i guess we can assume that Vista ones will be inplementing T&L soon (hopefully). Guess we will just have to keep waiting.... I'm just getting impatient since the x3100 has been out for over 6 months!

Anyone play WOW in XP with the new drivers yet? If so, what kind of fps are u getting?