Best Video Drivers for M11x-R1?

My assumption is going to be the current beta ones? But they make reference to the Optimus stuff that isn't in the R1.

Realise this is a rather nooby question.

It's only come about when I thought about why my XBMC build is struggling to do 1080 while streaming from my NAS. The processor is banging around the 80% mark which is obviously one issue. I thought getting everything else up to speed would help too. (I've just flicked back hardware decoding back on so that's helped lol) Still I need to update the drivers.

 

If my memory serves me right. Been a while since I was on my R1, but the BETA drivers are actually out of date in comparison to the release ones. The BETA is like 197.17 and the release is like 197.95? or something like that. I would not go with the BETA ones but that is just me.

 

The Nvidia 197.12 PO3 driver is the better of the two Dell listed drivers.
There is not much to gain in chasing Nvidia driver versions with a Nvidia GT 335M.
Why do I say this? Well if you note, the highest M11xR1 3DMark scores were all achieved using the original M11xR1 drivers.

The only reason a M11xR1 GPU upgrade could be advantageous is that you may get a revised Intel GPU update.

Having an up to date GPU just keeps Windows Update and etc happy.

 

Interesting. So the community built hybrid drivers don't offer any improvement?

 

Yes, No and maybe.

If you have a stable M11xR1 GT335M hybrid driver set and it's doing everything you want it to, then there is not much to be gained by moving to NoteBookReview community member builds.

I have not read anywhere of any real gains in FPS when using new Nvidia Hybrid driver sets. On some drivers you may lose FPS.

That said, Nvidia Hybrid driver sets are not just about FPS. There is stability, Intel GPU chipset upgrades and bug fixes.

If you're playing a game with known fixes to issues in a later driver set then by all means attempt to get that installed.

One can also enable discrete Nvidia driver use in BIOS and then can use any Nvidia driver set, but you won't have GPU switching from Intel to Nividia and thus less battery life and increased fan use.

I'm currently using a Nautis crafted Nvidia hybrid driver set and it's been brilliant to date.
Uses Intel 2020 which is a bit behind the times now, but if it isn't broke, don't fix it.

Think the original Dell Nvidia driver set comes with Intel 1994 GPU chipset.

By upgrading to a NoteBookReview community GPU Hybrid driver set you can install later releases of the Intel GPU chipset.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/530309-m11x-r1-260-99-hybrid-drivers-intel-2020-a.html

So in summary.

By all means upgrade using one of the NBR community hybrid driver sets, but have a good restore point/Backup before you start.

Nautis, RigelKent and friends, all do a pretty stable Hybrid GPU driver for the M11xR1.

For me the Nautis Nvidia 265.90/Intel 2226 hybrid driver set had GPU switching issues and thus may not be the best choice.

I dropped out of the M11xR1 GPU race and I'm not sure which is the best/latest, however RigelKents last listed Hybrid driver set may be a good starting point.

PS. If your don't have the latest Intel GPU chipset, keep the Windows Update dogs muzzled. Windows update will attempt to upgrade to the latest Intel GPU chipset and thus cream your Nvidia Hybrid driver set. Just hide it or only allow upgrades/download on your request. Don't allow auto update.

 

Great write up. Thanks Dr

 

Not only should this be a sticky but the last line in bold.

 

This has been brilliant so glad I asked!

THank you all.