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    Higher FPS on battery - confused.

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by SuneYster, Jul 12, 2011.

  1. SuneYster

    SuneYster Newbie

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    Hi all,

    I wonder if anyone could help me solve this mystery?

    When I run WoW on my m14x on AC power, I get snared by the pesky problem with my nvidia GPU refusing to activate and I’m left with the low-end Intel HD. No mystery there; this seems to be a widespread issue.

    BUT – when I run on battery, the nvidia kicks in and I get much better FPS, plus that I can run dix11 (when on AC, only dix9 is available, and all attempts to start/force dix11 results in a crash).

    The other way around I could at least pretend to understand, whereas this confuses the hell out of me.

    What I’ve tried/checked:
    Power Options: All options set on full speed for both AC and battery
    Drivers: Tried stock drivers (old and new) as well as modded (.inf) drivers all the way up to latest beta
    BIOS: Flashed to A3. (There’s no option to choose between cards.)
    Whitelist: All relevant .exe files are available and set to run the high-end GPU (also set as global choice).

    The effect is immediate: if I pull the AC plug, the FPS skyrockets (though it still doesn’t get as high as it should get, but never mind), and if I put the plug back in, the FPS drops. In both situations, the tray icon says the nvidia GPU is active.

    I’m totally perplexed. Any help would be hugely appreciated!

    Cheers / Erik
     
    SuneYster, Jul 12, 2011
    #1
  2. Lancer91

    Lancer91 Notebook Consultant

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    Right click on desktop, nvidia control panel, you have 3 options on left side once it opens, choose the middle option, then on right side you have a global option, it probably says autodetect or intel, change it to nvidia. Now everything will open with nvidia.
     
    Lancer91, Jul 12, 2011
    #2
  3. Mazzacre

    Mazzacre Notebook Guru

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    If you still have your warranty valid, (21 days i think?) then get a technician to look at it or send it back, free of charge.

    My m14x was delivered early while we were away and got wet and im getting a free new one in a day or two and sending back this one.
     
    Mazzacre, Jul 12, 2011
    #3
  4. SuneYster

    SuneYster Newbie

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    Cheers all, just found the issue (overheating GPU). Calling DELL.
     
    SuneYster, Jul 15, 2011
    #4