Hey guys, so this is my first laptop that makes use of optimus, so I'm kinda clueless on anything about it. So I have a couple of questions below which may seem noobish:
1. Can I force optimus to run on the GT555M on command?
2. How can I make sure games run on the GT555M and not Intel?
3. I want the GT555M to run WEI, is this possible?
4. How can I use EVGA to OC the GT555M when the default GPU is the Intel? Does EVGA detect the GT555M even when running on Intel?
5. Can I use drivers from the NVIDIA website or do I have to use those from Dell or "optimus compatible" drivers. (follow-up question:What is the best driver for GT555M in M14x anyway?)
Well basically that's it..I'm pretty sure these questions have been asked about a million times already but I just wanna consolidate them in a single thread for clarification purposes. Thanks!![]()
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To permanently change the GPU preference, right click on game>run with graphics processor>Change default graphics processor.
It will you to the nvidia control panel. Udner mange 3D Settings, select the program and select the preferred GPU and click apply.
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Thanks for the very useful insights! You pretty much answered all my questions. Rep added. Thanks!
One question though, my WEI score is 6.3 which is the score of both windows AERO and Gaming Graphics so it seems pretty low for the GT555M doesn't it?
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bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!
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Oh well, I know WEI isn't very accurate or useful, but HIGH NUMBERS ARE PRETTY!! lol, thanks, will do benchmarking, my obsessive compulsive nature makes it very distracting for me to not know when I'm actually on dedicated graphics or not..I prefer the manual switching A LOT more..:|
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thanks for the rep+. glad i could help -
But then again it could be the drivers you're using, both the official dell and whql nvidia drivers are well outdated now, your best bet is to get the beta drivers as they've made a fair few advances when it comes to performance on the gt555m, especially with new games such as bf3 and skyrim
If you're worried about performance then try running 3dmark06 or 11 and comparing results to people with an Alienware m14x or dell l702x which also use these cards
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.124236,-0.146975 -
But you can manually select it can't you? Go to the Nvidia Control Panel and go to Global Settings. Under Preferred Graphics Processor, change it from Auto-select to whatever you want. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that what it does?
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4. I use EVGA to OC the GT555M, and yes it also detect the GT555M even you use program that's using the Intel's and that I confirm when I'm editing movies in Windows Movie Maker (If you didnt know WMM does not allow you to change GPU setting, it will be using the iGPU permanently), and during the time I editing, and I see my GT555M still OC at the 2D app rate (600/1200/900)/
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bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!
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agreed with Jon vMagic ... I get 6.9 on graphics. and 6.9 on gaming graphics. Thats without a overclock
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Also, when i updates to latest NVIDIA beta driver, my WEI jumped from 6.8 to 7.0 ( OC'd) . So i guess updating drivers do have their own benefits.
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bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!
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Gonna be updating to driver 285.62 from NVIDIA website. Hope everything goes well. Has anyone noticed the "Disable integrated graphics" on BIOS? Well does it work? Maybe if we disable it we run purely on GT555M if we wanted right?
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You can't disable Intel GFX or you won't get any output.
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Okay so using driver 285.62 driver from NVIDIA and score jumped from 6.3 to 6.9 though score is the same for AERO and Gaming, is this normal? I mean shouldn't they be different on account of the AERO makes use of intel GPU while gaming makes use of NVIDIA? I mean at least that's from what I understand. Should I update to BETA driver 290? I'm a little wary cause I'm afraid it might be unstable..BTW, noob question but is the whitelist the feature under NVIDIA Control Panel>Manage 3D Settings>Program Settings>Add? Thanks, hating on Optimus right now, so prefer my old M11x R1 with manual switching..If they have to put Optimus they should've at least allowed manual switching through NVIDIA Control Panel..Geez
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Yes it's for whitelisting a single program. If you feel lazy you can just set the preferred GPU to Nvidia under global settings so almost every program will use Nvidia except Windows itself of course.
I believe Intel HD 3000 handles much better than my Intel HD (and it's ULV low clocked too!) but I still can watch videos without stuttering so it shouldn't be a huge problem to you
btw I don't rely on WEI too much because the real performance is much more important than it. -
Well Anyway if I can get to a 7 score after OCing with EVGA I'll be happy..
Hmm,would updating to BETA driver 290.xx help increase performance? Can someone with this driver confirm stability?
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I don't really think GPU is the bottleneck.
If your CPU temperature gets really hot, it will be throttled too, which makes most games unplayable. -
bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!
I have never had CPU throttling on mine so i don't know but I do know the processor is rated to be run up to 120C without damage.
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bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!
as the m17x's cooling system, its better than the m14x, but you still gotta watch your temps with the higher end cards. my 460m has never breached 67C, but thats because I only play games with the back end of the machine elevated
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Okay so Optimus works, now I'm a little worried about temps..I'm in a fairly cool room with a full size electric fan pointed straight at my laptop. Playing Assassin's Creed: Revelations at max settings with x4 AA and I'm averaging temps of around 80-81 degrees right now without OC and when OC to 700/1400/1080 I average temps of 83-84..Now I don't know why the temps are so high when I know the fans aren't dirty and it's sitting on a flat table. Is BIOS A05 doing this? Are these temps safe? I'm worried it'll cause extensive wear to the GPU over time..
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GPU should just work fine so make CPU temp the top priority
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No problems with CPU temps, I hit like 62 or something so I don't think that's an issue right? GPU temps are scary with my OC I reach 83 degrees..:|
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Without my cooler I can reach 105C CPU and 99C GPU.....
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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51.124353,-0.147153 -
What's weird is my laptop doesn't feel hot externally at all..Can't contact Dell cause I'm from somewhere far, far away lol. Don't have warranty support or any type of support for the matter..It's all DIY around here lol. Just hit 86 awhile ago, though just at one point, 84-85 seems to be my average for Assassin's Creed: Revelations at all high and x4 AA and overclocked..Though I swear my laptop doesn't feel hot at all..
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Okay so given the temps of my GPU average around 84-85 degrees with a maximum of 86 degrees overclock @ 700/1400/1080. I decided to up the overclock even more just to see if temps would rise higher! That's just how dumb I am lol. So I OC'd to almost the maximum capacity of most GT555Ms without increasing voltage @ 800/1600/1080 and here comes the weird part. Temps now average 78 degrees and top at 81 degrees. Playing the same game, same number of hours, with the same settings on the same place and on the same time of day (or night for the matter). So how in the world did that happen??
I would like to repaste though I'm afraid I might screw things up..Have experience with desktops and laptops though nothing as complicated as having to take the entire laptop apart..5-8 degrees cooler will do wonders though..
P.S. CPU hits like 70 on average, is this fine? -
Here is a fantastic guide to disassemble your m14x posted by on of our user ComputerMD82: http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-m14x-disassembly-teardown-upgrade-guide.html
Just go through it -
Questions About Optimus
Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by BeastRider, Jan 7, 2012.