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    M15x 8800M GTX Very Low fps

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Magicune, Jun 17, 2008.

  1. Magicune

    Magicune Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi guys, i recieved my Alienware m15x with 8800 GTX yesterday. Its 2.5ghz duo, 2GB ram, 8800gtx. I get very low fps in games. MY fps in CS:Source doesnt go above 40, while i had with my sony vaio 6400M 64MB - 80fps...

    Is there anything i have to do with this laptop or card to increase fps ? otherwise this is impossible, i havent installed any drivers or smth i just installed the games and got shocked...did anybody have the same problem ? driver version is lates from Alienware which is 167.55

    no point of paying for a laptop around 2000Euros and getting nth
     
    Magicune, Jun 17, 2008
    #1
  2. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

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    Something is definitely wrong here. What resolution are you playing at? Do you have V-Sync enabled? Even then it should be above 60FPS...

    Your Vista power settings, are they set to "High Performance"?
     
    StormEffect, Jun 17, 2008
    #2
  3. jooooeee

    jooooeee Stealth in disguise

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    jooooeee, Jun 17, 2008
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  4. Magicune

    Magicune Notebook Enthusiast

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    im running it on 1024x768, V sync i tried force off and use global settings from nvidia ctrl panel settings, it ddidnt affect the fps.... and yes its set to high performance...
     
    Magicune, Jun 17, 2008
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  5. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

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    First of all, make sure ALL of your Nvidia control panel settings are set to "Let program choose" or whatever. Do not force a SINGLE setting.

    Second, try maxing out the resolution to whatever your screen maxes out at and see what the FPS changes to (and report back here).

    If none of this works (and nobody smarter than me comes in here to help), then you might want to go onto laptopvideo2go.com forums and download the 175.16 driver, which is the current stable release from Nvidia. But to do that you also need to follow the directions listed on the site, as it wont simply install from the download.
     
    StormEffect, Jun 17, 2008
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  6. Magicune

    Magicune Notebook Enthusiast

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    oh sorry, what do u mean vista high performance ? where is that
     
    Magicune, Jun 17, 2008
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  7. Magicune

    Magicune Notebook Enthusiast

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    is that driver for 8800M not 8800
     
    Magicune, Jun 17, 2008
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  8. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

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    I think you found it, in your little tray on the bottom right corner of the screen. Look for the icon with the battery and plug. Click it once and make sure the "High Performance" bubble is selected.

    That driver is for all Nvidia desktop cards, but we here at Notebookreview.com modify the inf so that it will work with our laptops.
     
    StormEffect, Jun 17, 2008
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  9. Magicune

    Magicune Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry, Stealth Mode Was On...everth Ok Now! Thanks
     
    Magicune, Jun 17, 2008
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  10. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

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    Lol, have fun with your awesome new system.
     
    StormEffect, Jun 17, 2008
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  11. Grey728

    Grey728 Notebook Evangelist

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    It's more relevant to discuss here in the Alienware forums.

    I believe your system is in 'Stealth Mode' and is using binary graphics (intel x3100) and not your nvidia 8800 gtx. Try pressing your Stealth button touch control to the right of your power button (looks like a guage) and reboot.
     
    Grey728, Jun 17, 2008
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  12. Grey728

    Grey728 Notebook Evangelist

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    I believe your system is in 'Stealth Mode' and is using binary graphics (intel x3100) and not your nvidia 8800 gtx. Try pressing your Stealth button touch control to the right of your power button (looks like a guage) and reboot.

    You may want to check your display properties to verify what video card is currently being used.
     
    Grey728, Jun 17, 2008
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  13. milcs

    milcs Anti-fanboy

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    Maybe in stealth mode... but stealth mode still uses the 8800GTX, just underclocked.
     
    milcs, Jun 17, 2008
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  14. Grey728

    Grey728 Notebook Evangelist

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    ahh milcs. Thanks for clarifying ^^
     
    Grey728, Jun 17, 2008
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  15. chr15green

    chr15green Notebook Enthusiast

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    Am guessing your using the intel card, rather than the 8800 as mentioned.

    Try pressing 'Fn' and then I think F7, its the one with U/D GFX (I think) on it in smaller writing, then a little dialogue box should appear asking you to restart. Then try, took me ages to figure out the difference between binary GFX and stealth mode yesterday.
     
    chr15green, Jun 17, 2008
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  16. milcs

    milcs Anti-fanboy

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    Well... if you go to Display properties it will tell you which GPU the laptop is using. Also, I recommend downloading Rivatuner to monitor your GPU behaviour (and make sure it is running healthy). Rivatuner will also tell you which graphic card you are using.

    When you start the laptop you have a message (very short) just at the beggining saying if you are in integrated or discrete (8800GTX) GPUs.
     
    milcs, Jun 17, 2008
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  17. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

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    :D
    AW should post a sticker warning on it :p
     
    eleron911, Jun 17, 2008
    #17
  18. lunateck

    lunateck Bananaed

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    Something like this should be very nice :D
    [​IMG]
     
    lunateck, Jun 17, 2008
    #18
  19. evilwill32

    evilwill32 Notebook Guru

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    Here are a few things you should check before downloading rivatuner and monitoring for downclocking:

    1) Check you're on dedicated graphics
    2) Check stealth mode is switched off
    3) Check that your laptop is on high performance in the power settings
    4) Make sure you're plugged in when you play, otherwise the laptop downclocks

    After doing this, I suggest you do the video stress test in CSS. If the fps seems to be quite low, e.g. 59.72 fps, then type fps_max 300 into the console of CSS. Also, in the video options of CSS, turn VSync off.
     
    evilwill32, Jun 17, 2008
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  20. milcs

    milcs Anti-fanboy

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    Evilwill32 is right in everything.
    I would just like to add that when it comes to "gaming laptops" people should get used to monitor all laptop's components at all times (independently of whether or not you have downclocking). Actually, downloading monitoring software is one of the first things you should do when you receive your gaming laptop. This will avoid you getting hit by sudden problems that you cold have easily antecipated if you knew how your laptop's "guts" are operating.
    It's like humans really... The earlier you can diagnose a problem, the better the chances of an easy cure.
     
    milcs, Jun 17, 2008
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  21. Oodle-Bear

    Oodle-Bear Alienware Mug, Testpilot

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    So what's your usual suite of programs Milcs?

    I'm interested becuause i also believe that prevention is better than a cure....

    OB
     
    Oodle-Bear, Jun 17, 2008
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  22. milcs

    milcs Anti-fanboy

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    milcs, Jun 17, 2008
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  23. Oodle-Bear

    Oodle-Bear Alienware Mug, Testpilot

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    Thanks mate,
    I agree, when i get an m17x i'll be monitoring all temps that i can, seems kinds silly to just run with it not know ing how hot it's getting or if in doing so it's burning out.

    Ideally i want to buy it once and not have to replace it anytime soon lol

    Thank again

    OB
     
    Oodle-Bear, Jun 17, 2008
    #23
  24. KGann

    KGann NBR Themesong Writer

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    I guess no one on page 2 realized he had already stated he was in "Stealth Mode" on page 1.
     
    KGann, Jun 17, 2008
    #24