Alienware m15x GPU dedicated vs integrated issues

I have been searching for a few weeks to the issue I am having but unfortunately I haven't run across any fixes for issues quite like mine.

Original setup of the M15x laptop was 300gb HDD, i3-330m dual core and Nvidia 240M GPU

I have since changed all of the above to a 1TB WD HDD, i7-640m dual core and an ATI mobility HD 5850 GPU

The install of Windows 7 Home premium, all Alienware progs and drivers for hardware went fine and all is working well except for the GPU.

Initially I tried to install the driver for the new card from the dell site for the HD 5850 card by flashing the BIOS but it did not take. I suspect that may be due to the driver from the site being for BIOS version A02 and I am running A09.

At that point device manager was only showing 'Standard VGA' under display. I am not able to locate any drivers for the Intel integrated GPU (most likely due to age) so I installed ATI Catalyst v.15.7.1 and subsequent drivers. The install went fine and the catalyst is useable, gaming is working also.

The problem is stealth mode doesn't appear to work any longer, nothing is shown in command center for stealth mode enabled/disabled, HWinfo monitor shows both the integrated and dedicated temps and process running in tandem. There is also no settings in the BIOs for video cards that I can see. I suspect it is either running both in a hybrid SLI mode (if thats even possible).

When I enable stealth mode the intel GPU runs and process just 1% above the ATI GPU and with it disabled the ATI card runs and process just 1% above the Intel gpu.

My concern is unnecessary load on the CPU on board gpu as well as possible throttling of the ATI card.


Maybe I am just missing something out in the open here, like Where's my keys syndrome as they sit on the table in plain view...lol

Any help would be appreciated.

 

I never had an dualcore CPU on M15x, and only ones i've tried to run M15x on i3 330m without discrete gpu, notebook wont start at all. As i know, PM55 chipset on our notebooks doesn't support integrated GPU-s instead of HM55. So, there is no any Optimus or Switchable Graphics on M15x, and only discrete graphics will be running all the time.
Mobility Hd 5850 should work OK on latest official 15.7.1 and Beta Crimpson Edition 16.2.
Try to reinstall Command Center and OSD Application.

 

I appreciate the fast reply!

The i7-640m 1st gen has an intel HD integrated graphics on the chip it is the last chipset made that has integrated graphics. I3-330m has integrated graphics as well. Both are dual core chips with additional digital threads, which often gets confused for additional cores.

Wondering if maybe you are confusing the M15x with the M15x R1 model? The node is a M15x not an R1 or an R2 just M15x with an Arrandale board.

 

I had a i7 620M, no iGPU was used in the M15x. Only the dGPU

 

Its not just running the discrete card is my problem. It has either disabled or throttled the discrete card but is also clearly running the integrated card simultaneously.

 

Take a screen shot at the device manager where it shows the display card and post it for us here.

 

It only shows the ATI card in device since the install of Catalyst 15 stealth mode and command center power conserve changes nothing. Yet the temps still show the integrated gpu climbing with the ATI temp.

According to the device manager the only card installed is the ATI card, but if that were the case that doesn't explain the temp climbing for the integrated card.

 

Yes, there was an older M15x before Dell bought Alienware, but there was whole different platform. And now there is only one Dell Alienware M15x, based on PM55. So we both have the same notebook. Intel HD just cant work on it, only discrete graphics available.
The only reason you can see iGPU into HWiNFO, maby HWiNFO just able read temperature sensor of this unit, and depends on CPU temperatures iGPU can be some warmer or colder from time to time, cos they are placed on one peace of textolite and both contacts to same radiator.

And while using StealthMode it just throttles CPU and Discrete Graphics.

Sorry, but I know difference between 620m/640m and 330m. I was just curios if M15x can run on iGPU without discrete on board.

 

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STiHiaL your statement gave me an idea...if the system wont boot without the dedicated, there is no integrated. So I cracked the case and checked. The system will not boot without the dedicated gpu installed.

So intel stating there is an on-board gpu is a moot point. What a waste. I will adjust sensors monitored accordingly.

Anyhow, I noticed another problem once that was cleared up...when I rebooted after reinstalling the ATI card I was on battery power, the system did not throttle any of the cpu or gpu and remained in high performace. Correct me if I am wrong, but isnt it supposed to switch automatically?

 

It just a limitation by chipset (check Graphics Specifications tab):
PM55 - http://ark.intel.com/products/42694/Intel-BD82PM55-PCH
instead of
HM55 - http://ark.intel.com/products/43183/Intel-BD82HM55-PCH
It's a treasure or a punishment, depends from which side to look at. There is no any switchable graphics, and notebook just throttle discrete graphics to save power which still consumes more power than iGPU. But, from the other side we have one of the most GPU compatible notebook on the market.

There is an option in Catalyst which controls GPU performance. Try to check PowerPlay menu.

And check system's Power Options in Control Panel, should be on "Balanced" or "Power saver" if you need longer battery life.