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    **M11xR1 ONLY - NVIDIA 263.08 (WHQL) Dell Driver released 3/16 - Discuss here....

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by stratocat0, Mar 16, 2011.

  1. stratocat0

    stratocat0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    stratocat0, Mar 16, 2011
    #1
  2. FreddeN

    FreddeN Notebook Consultant

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    Nope, nothing new, at least not for the R2...
     
    FreddeN, Mar 16, 2011
    #2
  3. m3talfingers

    m3talfingers Notebook Enthusiast

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    Confirmed and working on alienware m11x R1. Finally we got some love for our r1s!

    Graphic switching working perfectly as well
     
    m3talfingers, Mar 16, 2011
    #3
  4. stratocat0

    stratocat0 Notebook Enthusiast

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    stratocat0, Mar 16, 2011
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  5. DDriver

    DDriver Notebook Guru

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    Finally!!!, Happy R1 user
     
    DDriver, Mar 16, 2011
    #5
  6. Phantom3D

    Phantom3D Notebook Consultant

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    Wohoo, my R1 get's new life *Downloading*
     
    Phantom3D, Mar 16, 2011
    #6
  7. anthonykit

    anthonykit Notebook Consultant

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    Great news
     
    anthonykit, Mar 16, 2011
    #7
  8. AlienS3

    AlienS3 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks, i already installed, no problems so far... :)
     
    AlienS3, Mar 16, 2011
    #8
  9. mario64

    mario64 Notebook Evangelist

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    And I was convinced us R1 users had long been forgotten.
     
    mario64, Mar 16, 2011
    #9
  10. MasivB

    MasivB Guest

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    I checked the site under R2 and its not updated yet. I'm not going to test as I think its only for R1 users. Anyway I hope this means R2 is going to be updated soon...
     
    MasivB, Mar 16, 2011
    #10
  11. DrGoodvibes

    DrGoodvibes Notebook Deity

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    DELL. What can I say.

    First you give us revised hinge mounts for the M11x and now an updated M11xR1 Nvidia Hybrid driver set.

    Anyone know which Intel Driver has been included?

    When I saw the one NEW entry in my M11x RSS listings on my Mobile phone, I just thought I was going to see another Alienware FX update.

    Then when I saw the driver update and looking at the specs it all seemed right. Mind you I still didn't believe it.

    Must admit I would have been the last person to say Dell would spend time/money updating a one off driver over a year after the M11xR1 release.

    So I'm excited. Are you excited? I'm very excited.

    I was saving my M11x happy dance for the M11xR3, but now I'm thinking of changing a few moves and calling it the M11xR1 happy dance. :D

    Thank you DELL for looking out for the M11xR1 massive.
     
    DrGoodvibes, Mar 16, 2011
    #11
  12. mario64

    mario64 Notebook Evangelist

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    Since I've never done it before, what's the proper upgrade procedure for R1 graphics drivers? Go into nVidia mode then unistall, reboot then install new ones? Should I use driver cleaner?
     
    mario64, Mar 16, 2011
    #12
  13. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Just run the installer. Select custom, clean install. No need to uninstall first.
     
    BatBoy, Mar 16, 2011
    #13
  14. mario64

    mario64 Notebook Evangelist

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    Ok. Thank you!
     
    mario64, Mar 16, 2011
    #14
  15. Thermogenic

    Thermogenic Notebook Guru

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    I had to switch to nVidia mode to install - it failed otherwise.

    In terms of the intel driver - not sure what the old one was, but mine is currently at

    Driver Version: 8.15.10.1994
     
    Thermogenic, Mar 16, 2011
    #15
  16. mario64

    mario64 Notebook Evangelist

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    Well, now I'm only half as excited. Unbelievably they seem to have used the same, year-old v1994 Intel driver as the previous release. :(
     
    mario64, Mar 16, 2011
    #16
  17. DrGoodvibes

    DrGoodvibes Notebook Deity

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    What????

    That's mental. They go to all that trouble and only half do the job?

    I would have thought the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver would have been 50% of the package.

    Microsoft Windows Update attempts to install the updated Intel Graphic Media Accelerator, as version 1994 is soooo yesterday. The updated Intel driver from MSN FAILS, because it breaks the Nvidia hybrid driver set.

    I thought this is why DELL upgraded the Hybrid driver set, both Nvidia AND Intel. Otherwise DELL is just going to get more calls when the Windows Update installs a new Intel GPU driver set and creams the Nvidia GPU.

    Just to be clear we have installed the new M11xR1 263.08 Nvidia Hybrid driver from DELL, restarted the M11xR1 and then checked Device Manager -> display adapters, then checking the Intel display adapter and what version it is running.

    If this is the case, let's hope not, then there's no point for me to 'downgrade' to a Dell Nvidia Hybrid driver set.
     
    DrGoodvibes, Mar 16, 2011
    #17
  18. mario64

    mario64 Notebook Evangelist

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    Confirmed. It's the same exact Intel driver as before. It's such a shame they waited all this time to only give us half of a driver update. Oh well... Maybe someone can figure out a way to integrate the newest Intel driver into the 263.08 install package.
     
    mario64, Mar 16, 2011
    #18
  19. hdad2

    hdad2 Notebook Consultant

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    OK, I've never been one to update drivers unless there is an issue or bug fix. But my only interest in this is *possible* better performance or compatibility in gaming which means only the Nvidia portion means anything. But that's just me. The intel adapter is for one thing - saving battery. And so far I have no complaints at all about that. Not sure what would be better in a intel driver update. Even better battery life?

    I see the point that windows update can screw with the Nvidia adapter and that is an issue. But I still give them credit for getting a Nvidia update I guess.
     
    hdad2, Mar 16, 2011
    #19
  20. DrGoodvibes

    DrGoodvibes Notebook Deity

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    True.

    Nvidia is the key component to any gamer or GPU extremest.

    Although, looking through all the Intel GMA release notes, there is quite a few bug fixes and improvements and 1994 is a long way from 2281, with many updates between.

    AND true, quite a few of those Intel driver updates are for notebooks that do NOT support a discrete GPU.

    For example HDMI and DisplayPort fixes and new features. These are somewhat negated as these features can only be used when Nvidia is used and NOT at the Intel GPU level.

    That said, there are still Intel new features and bug fixes for things like Windows media center and color correction components and lots more.

    The Intel side is more a compatibility issue than a feature show stopper, but still, just a wee bit more effort DELL and the rewards could have been greater.

    But hay, for the average person having an updated AND supported DELL Nvidia hybrid driver set, is a good thing.
     
    DrGoodvibes, Mar 16, 2011
    #20
  21. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    The later Intel drivers seem to have a black screen issue with hybrid graphics. I suppose there was nothing that Alienware/Dell could do about it.
     
    namaiki, Mar 16, 2011
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  22. DDriver

    DDriver Notebook Guru

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    After day of use:
    After switching to intel gpu the nvidia still runs and won't turn off at all unless I go into sleep and wake up.
    Tomorrow I'll do a clean install to check whether the problem persist.
     
    DDriver, Mar 17, 2011
    #22
  23. DrGoodvibes

    DrGoodvibes Notebook Deity

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    After using discrete Nvidia GPU and switching back to integrated GPU (Intel) it can take up to 15mins before the Nvidia adapter is removed from the Display Adapters listing within Device Manager.

    During this time you should be able to use Integrated (Intel) GPU while the Nvidia GPU is awaiting removal from the listing in the background.

    I never looked into any option to reduce this time, but it's something to be aware of.

    Anything over 15mins is in the bounds of the abnormal and would indicate a problem.

    My Nvidia 260.63 version doesn't have this 'feature', but I was aware of it in the original DELL 172.xx Nvidia hybrid driver set.

    Not a biggie just something to be aware of.

    Not switching back to integrated graphics from Nvidia or not having Nvidia disengage is a problem and I'd be VERY surprised if that was the case on a clean install in safe mode. I'm VERY sure DELL would have tested the driver before releasing it.
     
    DrGoodvibes, Mar 17, 2011
    #23
  24. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    sooo, what's new?
     
    whitrzac, Mar 17, 2011
    #24
  25. m3talfingers

    m3talfingers Notebook Enthusiast

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    should be better gaming performance from old dell drivers. Before these I would run in discrete mode to run the latest nvidia drivers for performance gaming. Getting great fps again in switchable mode while retaining good battery life while im in class/traveling. also not having the problem of the gpu not turning off. took a minute or too tops seemed it needed to cooldownn first
     
    m3talfingers, Mar 17, 2011
    #25
  26. drsqueggy

    drsqueggy Notebook Enthusiast

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    This is awesome! Looking forward to trying them out, will hopefully fix flickering issues I'm having when playing flash based videos.
     
    drsqueggy, Mar 17, 2011
    #26
  27. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    I had to switch to the intel card in order to install the new drivers... hmmm odd, it said "not compatible with this version of windows" when I had the 335 card on and tried to install it.
     
    ejohnson, Mar 17, 2011
    #27
  28. some guy

    some guy Modding Addict

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    SWEET! cant wait to try this out. so glad Dell came thru!

    not upset about the Intel driver being the old one. never had any issues with it so whatever.

    i hope to try this out later tonight. ill run a 3Dmark too, to see if it helped out with older DX9 stuff or not.
     
    some guy, Mar 17, 2011
    #28
  29. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Possible fix:

    In the folder - C:\dell\drivers\R297688\Display.Driver
    Change the file - NVCADM.INF

    Original line
    %NVIDIA_DEV.0CAF.01% = Section008, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0CAF&SUBSYS_04431028

    Fixed line

    %NVIDIA_DEV.0CAF.01% = Section004, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0CAF&SUBSYS_04431028
     
    namaiki, Mar 17, 2011
    #29
  30. DrGoodvibes

    DrGoodvibes Notebook Deity

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    Your 3DMark must be getting well over 8000 on an M11xR1 SU7300 by now.

    Be interesting if one sees any increase in FPS or 3DMark06 performance 'indicator'.
    I don't think it'll be significant if anything at all. Most of the new features in the Nvidia drivers are not for DX10.1 cards. More just stability and the odd bug fix.

    You'll probably get at least 8100 and other less observant punters will see this, assume you have a 'regular' M11xR1 and then go insane in the left brain when they can't get the same... opps have I just spoiled the fun.
     
    DrGoodvibes, Mar 17, 2011
    #30
  31. mario64

    mario64 Notebook Evangelist

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    That's only true of hacked hybrid drivers. I highly doubt that an official set would have the issue. Dell could have, and should have, given us a full driver update. My R1 is in Intel mode almost always and the 1994 drivers have numerous issues playing certain video files.
     
    mario64, Mar 17, 2011
    #31
  32. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Please tell me more. Do you mean DXVA? Hardware acceleration in Flash? The latest drivers that I checked (Intel 15.17.12.64.2281) seemed to experience the same issues. (Blocky video or sometimes the video 'melts')
     
    namaiki, Mar 17, 2011
    #32
  33. kovboi

    kovboi Notebook Consultant

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    Installed fine here but had to have Nvidia enabled. I'm beginning to wonder if the issue all along has been intel driver support for hybrid graphics. In any case, I'm pleasantly surprised to see Dell release this driver update!
     
    kovboi, Mar 17, 2011
    #33
  34. keftih

    keftih Notebook Evangelist

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    It's working for me, switchable works too. Not really a noticeable difference in games, but the Nvidia Control Panel was updated a little bit. Had to install it twice though. The first time I ran the installer with the intel chip it didn't actually install the driver. I had to switch to the nvidia card.
     
    keftih, Mar 17, 2011
    #34
  35. drsqueggy

    drsqueggy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Has anyone experienced lockups with this new driver? I have had two lock ups whilst playing 1080p Youtube videos. Before installing this driver I have never had a lock up.
     
    drsqueggy, Mar 17, 2011
    #35
  36. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    Which graphics card was being used at the time?
     
    namaiki, Mar 17, 2011
    #36
  37. drsqueggy

    drsqueggy Notebook Enthusiast

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    drsqueggy, Mar 17, 2011
    #37
  38. Jrcampb

    Jrcampb Notebook Guru

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    Hoping for no lockups. Installing the new driver (on the nvidia chip currently) and hoping for the best!
     
    Jrcampb, Mar 17, 2011
    #38
  39. drsqueggy

    drsqueggy Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm also seeing slightly higher gpu temperatures with this driver...
     
    drsqueggy, Mar 17, 2011
    #39
  40. Jrcampb

    Jrcampb Notebook Guru

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    Are you overclocking with MSI Afterburner or a similar tool?
     
    Jrcampb, Mar 17, 2011
    #40
  41. some guy

    some guy Modding Addict

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    yea. lol

    i never saw noticable gains in fps with new drivers beforw. but i have heard of some ppl swearing by the 200 series drivers. giving them such a nice boost they ran intel diabled just cuz it was that much better.
     
    some guy, Mar 17, 2011
    #41
  42. drsqueggy

    drsqueggy Notebook Enthusiast

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    No overclocking.
     
    drsqueggy, Mar 17, 2011
    #42
  43. mario64

    mario64 Notebook Evangelist

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    No my issues have been with certain h.264 mp4 files. They play fine on the nvidia gpu but glitch like crazy on the intel gpu.
     
    mario64, Mar 17, 2011
    #43
  44. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    What program are you using?
     
    namaiki, Mar 17, 2011
    #44
  45. mario64

    mario64 Notebook Evangelist

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    It doesn't matter. VLC, Media Player Classic Home Cinema, Splash Pro, Media Player, Quick Time player, Divx Plus player. Only if you disable gpu acceleration will the files play correctly.
     
    mario64, Mar 17, 2011
    #45
  46. namaiki

    namaiki "basically rocks" Super Moderator

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    DXVA, as I wrote before, refers to gpu acceleration in Windows. The issue is that the Intel GPU uses 'ClearVideo' which requires a specific decoder (unlike nVidia and ATi cards which use the same standard thing) in order to work correctly. The only decoder that does (if you really must have GPU acceleration on Intel) is the 'Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder'.

    For instance, in MPC-HC:
    View-> Options-> Internal Filters-> Right click the right column and click Disable DXVA Decoders.
    Add the Microsoft decoder in External Filters as 'Prefer'. But that is only if you are desperate to use DXVA/GPU acceleration with the Intel GPU in MPC-HC.

    Generally, Windows Media Player will already use the above mentioned Microsoft decoder by default. I have no idea what you may have installed to change this, but they will perhaps have an option to change to the Microsoft decoder.

    However, note that there are a number of software based decoders that are generally faster than if using DXVA. (and they generally aren't prone to glitching like hardware decoders are)

    They are: CoreAVC (not free, and disable it's 'CUDA' hardware acceleration), the DivX H.264 Decoder (again, disable hardware acceleration/DXVA) and one of the decoders in FFDShow (ffmpeg-mt, do not use FFDShow DXVA Video decoder).
     
    namaiki, Mar 17, 2011
    #46
  47. some guy

    some guy Modding Addict

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    ran 3dmark06 and actually got about less. i was getting scores from 8030 to 8050... so all eslse the same. it doesnt give any boost in that regard. but in the same its not a "noticeable" drop in fps ether.

    pretty much what i expected. i wounder if any game specific optimaztions were done....
     
    some guy, Mar 17, 2011
    #47
  48. DrGoodvibes

    DrGoodvibes Notebook Deity

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    I concur.

    Mind you, my 'got less' was only 9(nine) 3DMarks!!! :D

    Over-clocked at 570/1415/890 using EVGA.

    My Nvidia 260.63/Intel 2020 version managed 6965 3DMarks.

    3DMark Score: 6965.03DMarks
    SM2.0 Score: 3226.0
    HDR/SM3.0 Score: 3406.0
    CPU Score: 1462.0
    Game Score: N/A
    GT1 - Return to Proxycon: 27.33 FPS
    GT2 - Firefly Forest: 26.43 FPS
    CPU1 - Red Valley: 0.46 FPS
    CPU1 - Red Valley: 0.74 FPS
    HDR1 - Canyon Flight: 33.8 FPS
    HDR1 - Deep Freeze: 34.33 FPS    ​

    The new Nvidia 263.08/Intel 1994 version managed 6956 3DMarks.

    3DMark Score: 6956.03DMarks
    SM2.0 Score: 3189.0
    HDR/SM3.0 Score: 3438.0
    CPU Score: 1458.0
    Game Score: N/A
    GT1 - Return to Proxycon: 27.31 FPS
    GT2 - Firefly Forest: 25.85 FPS
    CPU1 - Red Valley: 0.46 FPS
    CPU1 - Red Valley: 0.74 FPS
    HDR1 - Canyon Flight: 34.33 FPS
    HDR1 - Deep Freeze: 34.42 FPS    ​

    Guess one has to read the release notes for Nvidia drivers to see if improvements for given games have been 'addressed'.

    I currently have Intel GMA 2020 installed with a switchable Nivida 260.63 driver and it works fine. Been doing so for six months.

    Have had Intel GMA 2226 installed with a switchable Nvidia driver, but it had switching problems. The Intel GMA 2226 was fine.

    I know on the Sony Notebooks they had problems with black screens on the higher releases of Intel drivers, but I think that's now over come, given Andrew08 has a Sony switchable hybrid driver set with Intel GMA 2281 (and signed!!)
     
    DrGoodvibes, Mar 17, 2011
    #48
  49. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    how are you not get horrid fragments with clocks like those???
     
    whitrzac, Mar 17, 2011
    #49
  50. ajslay

    ajslay Overclocker, PC Builder

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    no idea what fragments are, but if your mean artifacts, i dont get any at 570/1430/900. thats my highest overclock so far
     
    ajslay, Mar 17, 2011
    #50
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