VAIO Z (VPCZ11) - NVIDIA Drivers Update (197.85) for GT 330M (10DE-0A2B)

Hi,

After a bit of tweaking, and some time I've got the Nvidia Forceware 197.85 running under seven 64bits with the new Sony VAIO Z... (VPCZ11)

Here it is: 197.85-2021_Hybrid_GT330M.zip

Disclaimer: It's not thoroughly tested, the switching seems to work (but don't try when on HDMI ), but for me it does the job.

I've tested a bit further and the switching only work from Intel HD to Nvidia in this way (I tried only this, so I was mistaken)... When you want to have Intel HD back, you must STOP the computer switch to STAMINA and restart. So you cannot use the Auto mode with those drivers.

Please report your success or failure with the exact model of your VAIO.

Koudos to Dreamliner, Nautis and ... Sony (high grade laptop - low grade support)

 

sweet, downloading now. Thanks a lot

 

checking it out, hope it works dude >_<

//edit

same as user below me. Nvidia card works fine, the switching itself works fine, but i get no picture when on Stamina mode. So i guess something goes wrong when loading the Intel driver.

 

Having problems to switch to the intel graphics. It is just not possible , nvidia only...

There is no Intel control panel, just fyi. (oh my fault, control panel is only visible when switched to intel hd graphics, but since this is not possible^^...)

 

Just did some research it seems to have something to do with the Sony Vaio Z display. Since i get a picture on STAMINA mode when i plugin my external display, only the Z's screen stays black.

 

OH!? So what about pressing Fn+ F7 ? Does that work then? I already switched back to the official ones.

 

Youll have to press it and ''blindly'' go right 2 times and press enter (with external screen attached), it will then extend (and you will have picture on your external). But not internal

 

This is the 'standard' (unsolved) custom driver problem - see the hybrid graphics driver thread.

 

Sorry guys, after testing the drivers are usable but the switching part is a bit tricky (works only one way, without rebooting).

 

Honestly said, for me it doesn't even work with rebooting. Display will stay black with intel HD...

 

Strange, what is exactly your Vaio Z model ? Have you halted the computer before switching to STAMINA, and only then powered it on ?

As I said I've only tried on mine (VPCZ117CE) but it work great apart from the tricky switching issue. So I thought sharing it with the community, but without guarantee...

For me it correct some graphic artifacts on Bad company 2. I don't really care about using the intel HD, so I keep using those drivers even if less practical.

 

thanks for the update.
the are some performance gains that i experience & finally i can use coreavc's cuda function.
the changing disabilities are disappointing, but not a deal breaker.
any plan for future updates?

 

When i feel the urge to upgrade i will try to bring up something (perhaps i will try standalone install of nvidia/intel drivers)... But there are some people already tinkering with the new 25x.x drivers and optimus.

 

ok, at least there are possibilities for upgrade.
really loved the gaming performance boost

 

I have a VPCZ11Z9E and installed these drivers. The drivers install and the nVidia part works fine. I even ran GPU-accelerated MPE stuff in Premiere CS5! Thanks!

Unfortunately it does not work to switch back to Stamina/Intel grafics. The screen turns black, as people have pointed out. It does not seem to work even when swithcing to Stamina while the computer is turned off.

I bought the computer so that I could do GPU-accelerated rendering in CS5 and now I can so I am happy. I would love a solution where I could use the Intel grafics when on the road for extended battery time, but if this is not possible for the time being, so be it.

What would you guys think if one installs the official driver when wnating to use Stamina mode and installing this pack when wnating to use advanced CUDA stuff? Is there any danger in installing drivers back and forth?

 

you can but it is not intuitive and risky
for me, just switch to stamina, wait the stamina lamp to turn on and press power switch(i made that the laptop shutdown when power switch is pressed)
and then turn on again.
the problem is, if any chance the monitor turned off (either because of power saving or anything) it wont turn on.
you might be losing data so just remember that when trying

 

the latest available is nvidia 189.99 intel 2141 or nvidia 189.99 intel 2189 with driver signing...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/342947-my-discoveries-vaio-z-s-hybrid-graphics.html

 

To definitively solve this issue i used the patch described in the link below and flashed my bios. With this patch i can now select a new option in the bios (peripherals config=> switching policy=>dynamic/static/auto). I have selected static so Windows will only "see" the intel or the nvidia card at boot (select it with the speed/stamina switch before power on). So i can use the latest standalone version of the nvidia driver (verde notebook) and intel driver (gma hd). I had only to modify a vendor string in the nvidia drivers to make them install on my hardware.

No more dynamic graphic card switching mojo, but no outdated drivers hassle again!! (like on my old asus n10j )

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/473226-insyde-hacking-new-vaio-z-advanced-menu-bios.html

It's not hardcore but keep in mind that you can brick your computer if you do it wrong ... If some of you are interested i can give you advice on how to do it and the files (nvidia inf and flash batch files) ...

258.96 inf file:
http://www.gigasize.com/get.php?d=r3wq2xpz18f

 

Burn Baby Burn!! I'ts benchmarking time...

3DMark06 Benchmark (VAIO Z - Mx11) @1280x768

3DMarks score @core-mem

Sony VPCZ11 Geforce GT 330M, Core i5 M520 @2.4

5703 3DMarks06 425-900 warning (artifacts)
5768 3DMarks06 440-840 not recommended
5857 3DMarks06 475-700 * stock
5914 3DMarks06 450-900 warning (artifacts)
6216 3DMarks06 475-900 warning (artifacts)
6443 3DMarks06 525-800 ** seem safe
6509 3DMarks06 525-850 not recommended
6611 3DMarks06 550-800 more perfs
6945 3DMarks06 575-900 fan heavy duty + artifacts
7345 3DMarks06 620-910 fan heavy duty + artifacts
7442 3DMarks06 600-800 fan heavy duty **new drivers**
7564 3DMarks06 550-840 *** best perfs **new drivers**

Alienware M11x Geforce GT 335M, Core 2 Duo SU7300 @1.3

5352 3DMarks06 450-790 * stock
5593 3DMarks06 450-790 ???stock (doubtful)

Alienware M11x Geforce GT 335M, Core 2 Duo SU7300 @1.6

6208 3DMarks06 450-790 * stock (gfx only)
6454 3DMarks06 550-871
6514 3DMarks06 ???-??? ockd (doubtful)

 

the last part ...

3DMark06 Benchmark (VAIO Z - Mx11) @1280x1024

3DMarks score @core-mem

Sony VPCZ11 Geforce GT 330M, Core i5 M520 @2.4

5151 3DMarks06 475-700 * stock
5569 3DMarks06 475-700 ???stock (doubtful)
5732 3DMarks06 525-850 not recommended
5797 3DMarks06 525-900 warning (artifacts)
6123 3DMarks06 575-900 warning (artifacts)
6389 3DMarks06 600-900 fan heavy duty + artifacts
6561 3DMarks06 620-910 fan heavy duty + artifacts
6642 3DMarks06 600-800 *** best perfs (but noisy) **new drivers**

Alienware M11x Geforce GT 335M, Core 2 Duo SU7300 @1.3

5159 3DMarks06 450-790 * stock

Alienware M11x Geforce GT 335M, Core 2 Duo SU7300 @1.6

5670 3DMarks06 450-790 * stock (gfx)
6066 3DMarks06 525-790
6232 3DMarks06 550-871


Using EVGA Precision and running @525-800 (@600-800 now) i can say that this little baby rocks !!

With those perfs and the latest nvidia drivers (Insyde bios hack), i'm now a happy ultra-portable gamer

 

you keep the shader speed linked?

 

When you say "inferno," what were your actual temps? My temps at 622-822 is maybe one degree higher than a 600-800 overclock, and still well below throttling temps. I don't see temps break 87-89 at that those clocks. It looks to me like you maybe were just pushing the memory too hard. I have set mine to 630-830 before and not experienced any problems. I usually just run at 622-822 because I didn't see any noticeable performance gain at 630-830.

 

when switch to nvidia and use the new driver, will the brightness control work ?

 

You're right, the tricky issue is the memory frequency. Actually i run @600-800 without (hope it lasts) problems nor gfx artifacts. But when i've done those bench the ambient temp was much (much) higher... Today after gaming 2 hours, my max gpu temp with thoses frequencies was 89°C and 90°C for the processor.

But two months ago after a long playing session ockd @525-800 the vaio has powered off alone two times and i had temps registered around 97°C. The automatic shutdown temp is set at 100°C (factory spec). I had a few gfx artifacts when running @ mem freq of 800-900 and don't laugh persistent strange artifacts (4-5 days!!!!) after pushing memory too far >900 when benchmarking.

I think that the whole stuff was a bit hazardous. My commentaries were a bit exaggerated (i will edit them) but it was only to preserve some z from roasting ...

 

with the 258.96 drivers results seems to be higher (it's again a shame for sony not being able to regularly update the video drivers):

1280x768@600-800
ORB - Compare

1280x1024@600-800
ORB - Compare

 

yes, i don't know if there is some gain in not linking them...

 

Are there any improvements in speed/fps in games/etc? Also, since this is the nVidia control panel, does that mean things like overclocking become unlocked, etc?

 

does the new 259.xx run on the Vaio Z ?

 

Here you go for some informations.

 

thanks a lot Crus-T

 

Speed improvements on some games (and bench see my 3dmark06 post) and compatibility fixes ...

 

Like i said if you make a little mod in the nvidia drivers inf file (vendor id 2 lines to add nothing to do with optimus modding) and sacrifice dynamic hybrid with a one-time bios mod YES. (but some issues like no backlight brightness control)

I use this setup everyday and i'm happy with it. The optimus way of doing things is interesting (i'll give it a try if they succeed) but needs heavy driver modding and is not totally ok (watermark issue). When a new driver is here there is no guarantee about an update and when a 3xx.x series of driver come out it should be hacked again totally from scratch...

 

No seems an issue with the generic driver. On the optimus thread they successfully solved this apparently.

 

So.. at the end of the day what do "people" advice for? modding the bios and installing the standard new faster nvidia drivers, or just sticking with the (slower? are they?) latest hybrid (197.85) drivers? thanks man i can't wait to get my Z

 

How did you achieve this?
Would you give the full instructions?

 

It's very simple but you have to watch out a bit. I'm using older drivers (188.80) but default 3DMark06 score was 6297 and now it's 7492.

Just follow the instructions at: YouTube - How to overclock your Nvidia Geforce GT330M - Part 2

I got my settings at 600/1320/800 and that works perfectly. Watch the temp by the way, if you get it to high the gfx card will shut down to prevent itself from damage although I think the tool is very easy it's still a but dangerous. I also tried 650/1540/1090 but that resulted in a black screen trying to run 3DMark 06

Forgot to tell, but got a i7 CPU.

 

Out of curiosity, what are your temps? I overclock higher and don't see temps approach even close to throttling temperatures (I am using the stock drivers and have an i5-540m).

 

Well when I tried the high settings mentioned I turned on the temp overlay while running 3DMark06 and not sure but 87 was highest temp I saw. But it also could been 88 or 89. Fan was blowing like crazy. But if I look at the specs it should shutdown at 100 C. Not that I think that's a good thing in a laptop with a nearby heated CPU etc. So pretty high temps, with the setting I also post it gets 82 at max.. but when I play something like CoD MW2 it's not that high.

 

i tried changing the values on my own (i am bored and i just mess around with the file) and then proceed to install the driver on my BIOS hacked laptop (R3030C3) after setting the graphic to static. And suddenly brightness key control work!!??. i dont know if something is wrong but i tried using driver sweeper before install and no trace of previous driver was found.
however, cant do the automatic brightness control and no streoscopic 3d option either. i attached device manager screen shot too where no gc name, instead some weird character appear.
i attach the file that i used and some report generated using nvdia tool.
hopefully anybody can me advice on whether i should this setting or not (i am a total noob with this)

i use this driver version BTW:258.96_notebook_winvista_win7_64bit_international_whql

 

Hi all! I'm new on this forum. I also have the Sony VPC-Z11.

To Anuarbin: Can you also install the new 260.63 drivers? Those should include the stereoscopic 3D.

To HyperionEX: I'm trying to get the 3D Vision part to work on this Hybrid notebook model. I need the stereoscopic 3D part for research. Is it possible to also install the 3D Vision part using you method of disabling Intel in the BIOS?

Tnx.

 

As far as i know 3d goes wayyy back.
dont think i will try those new driver since I dont really need 3d. i am just curious why it was not there. when i tried updated hybrid that HyperionEX released, the 3d function worked just well.

the main thing that made me curious is why the backlight keybord setting worked. i tried HyperionEX hacked file to install updated nvdia driver and it worked sans the unusable brightness, heck there is no way to adjust the brightness, even using the os. i may overlook some other method to change it

no brightness is a serious disadvantage since i use the laptop in a veriety of lighting situation.

 

I am still confused about this thread.

Are people seeing good results with the 197.85 drivers?

 

define 'good'
i used the 197.85 driver quite long time and i tell you it works, if you do not need the switching constantly.
the main reason for upgrading is for cuda since i need newer version.
the 3d were nice bonus. watching dmc4 cutscene in the 3d really is amazing.

however, i agree with hyperionEX. disabling dynamic graphic is much made it much easier.
since my brightness key work in both condition (stamina and speed), i am very happy.

 

when you say 3d... you mean you are getting 3d with the normal screen and some glasses or what?

 

yes
red n blue 3d
simple but effective
although hard to look for long time