M15x and GTX 560M

Is 296 a lot better than 295? Any specific improvements?

 

Edit:

I still feel that performance is worse than the 260M can anyone help? Herer's my dxdiag:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/14/2012, 22:51:15
Machine name:
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Alienware
System Model: M15x
BIOS: Ver A09 1.00
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU X 920 @ 2.00GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8180MB RAM
Page File: 3154MB used, 17293MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 560M
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_1251&SUBSYS_02A21028&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4063 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1503 MB
Shared Memory: 2559 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LGD020B
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (59.934Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.9573 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.9573
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/9/2012 21:13:00, 17642816 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-5111-11CF-FD56-AE221FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x1251
SubSys ID: 0x02A21028
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem26.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section002:8.17.12.9573 ci\ven_10de&dev_1251&subsys_02a21028
Rank Of Driver: 80E60001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C

 

what clock settings are you using?

my card keeps overheating. can someone please help..? noone has really told me anything yet. you guys said you used your old thermal pads and things worked just fine. i'm using my old pads and i'm overheating badly. my new thermal pads come in monday. but i feel like there might be other factors contributing to this heat..

 

runing bf3 I don't notice any heat. I'm still runing low graphics like my 260M so it seems fine.

As far as clock settings they should be the same I havent changed them (and don't know how really) so they are the same as the 260M.

So I downloaded Fraps to see what my frame rates are. And the lag in battlefield 3 AND Civ5 is seen about the same time. the frame rate averages 50 but every 20 to 30 seconds it will drop into 12 or so. Anyone have any idea why it would do this? I'm going to swap my 260M back into compare today. But I wonder if its related to the modified driver. Any suggestions?

thanks!

I saw on another website that the new nvidia drivers may be an issue. i rolle dit back to 275 and it looks like civ5 is working better. I'll do more testing later but ity may be a driver issue.

on naother note why doesn't nvidia support this card? why do we have to modify?

 

pads ok. but what about pasting? A good paste is the nr1 area you wanna look at when overheating.. pads are like bumpers on ur car but not lifesaving. Do a repaste. Breath how to do this. Its real easy and fun to practise. if you dont know shoot me an email [email protected] and I will forward you the guide

 

Its definetely the 560M. I just did a card swap and I played BF3 on low with 260M and averaged fps of high 30s dipping no lower than 26fps. then swapping to 560M and playing on low (all same settings) and the fps would often drop to 9 or 10 but go as high as 70.

So is this just a bad card? the nvidia.inf file being modded so the card isnt used right? Do I need to change my clock speeds (BIOS wasn't clear on where to change when I looked)? Is it that my system just won't handle the card? Any help would be appreciated.

 

1) MAKE SURE YOUR NOT IN STEALTH MODE

2) It doesnt matter which .inf you use.. it can be nvdm(dell) do a search google? nvci nvcm etc. Whatever You like. Only not vanilla

3) So next question is what driver are you at?
I advice swapping these before posting comments about 560m cause this is just an amazing good videocard for those who know how to max its performance.

 

thanks dutchess

I tried 275, 285, and 296. I opted to stay 285 because thats when I didn't have problems. But what I did today was to set my driver to 285 then I swapped the card and tested the fps of bf3 with my 260M. It played smooth. Then re-inserting my 560M again and started BF3 (all game settings the same as 260M) and then I got the lag issue where I'd get a high fps and then it would drop to single digits. So the only variable is 560M

Am I missing a step? I added the two lines to the nvdm.inf file when I installed the drivers and then just plugged in the card. Should I adjust other settings somewhere? should I mess with other settings? any help would be appreciated.

EDIT - not in stealth mode. I used stealth indicator just in case

 

sounds like? i dont know (almost) haha.
upgrading vbios? thats what i did. read some posts up

i will test the latest drivers. srry i was on holiday a few weeks, yeah you know the skeeing iceskating etc - takes forever in holland haha PASSION

 

I'm using A09 for my bios. I thought that was the latest.

EDIT: Re-redaing your post on the nvdm.inf you also said this:

When I checked on my card originlly it had the number. what report are you talking about? is there another file I need to modify to get the 560M working right? It was seeing it in device manager but the only file I modified was the nvdm.inf.

thanks for helping

 

Hola A09 = M15x system bios. Thats OK.

The bios im hinting at is another = Vbios = bios of 560m = ur gpu's bios. (read out with GPU-z)
Only when severe throttling I suggest to upgrade ur Vbios. I did the upgrade.
Its available from dell and works fine with the eurocom card. (read a few posts up talks about it)

So to make the driver WORK you just edit the .inf simple

To find the best driver run benches on them.. 3dmarkvantage etc.. and roll back to that
Newer drivers are not automatically faster, see my highscores... they are all with (plain old) 280.26.. yes sir its possible

 

E-mailed you just now!

ALSO, will new VBIOS help overheating at all?

 

I'll I found was this but no link.A lot of posts asking for the link but didn't see it anywhere.


I did fine this:

I have the XM (my computer properties says 920X) and this sounds like the same problem - throttling. So how do I downcock with throttlestop? and to what level? and does down clocking impact performance where the 560M isn't better than the 260M?

 

the new vbios adds some intermediate P stages..
to the existing ones (3) ..
so if the card throttles it will be less noticable..
indirect result it also takes longer to reach higher temps..

look at it as ur car, with only 3 gears, and now you have 6 gears after the update. everything goes a lot smoother..

Google: 560m vbios

not sure in ur location but here it shows @ 1st hit..
now promise you dont get lazy on me hehe..

 

hey dutchess, I emailed you from [email protected]. did you get it? ha

 

hey kojak, yes forwarded it. let me have ur results? ja

 

thanks I googled vbios 70.26.36.00.09 560M and got the dell iso. I was asking for a link to make I get the right stuff

on another site they powered down the power management to 85%. I did that and got a lot less throttling. I have since updated vbios and so far so good! Can we update the openning post to include all the steps for the next person?

 

everything is installed. testing to see if my heats stay down RIGHT NOW. idle temps went down about 3-5 degrees C on my GPU.

BY THE WAY, What are the 560m's factory clock settings?

IC Diamond 7 is so much better than AS5. SO. MUCH. BETTER. My GPU was getting to 85C yesterday while playing League of Legends (and anything more demanding). Immediately after cleaning and applying IC Diamond 7, my max temperature in League of Legends was 50C.

35 degrees drop. Holy. FREAKIN. Balls.

I cleaned my vents finally, but barely anything came out. I blew out the fans too, barely anything once again. The brand new thermal pads probably helped a good bit, but i'm thinking that the IC Diamond did most of the job. It is INSANE.

 

I understand you have xm cpu. Thats a bit frustrating maybe. Did it done it been there - 150W - all the way. Well you could sell it like i did

Bottemline is that you only need to mod 1 inf to get 560m working in M15x.

All other advices are not necessary.. Thats why I like to keep things simple - peace of mind really

Good to hear ur progressing You may shoot me as many mails as you like but dont ask me to reply fast he heheh

clock settings :: download nvdia inspector, or gpu-z - all free google
getting lazy? Ah well

 

well, I have NVIDIA Performance and my factory settings are 775/1250/1550. I just played Skyrim on those clocks. Everything set to high, on 1600x900 resolution 4 samples of AA, 8 samples of Anisotropic Filtering. Played at stable 60 FPS, and my max GPU temperature was 60C. Good eh? ;D There isn't even any need to overclock it haha

 

nvidia inpspector get it, its the only tool to oc multiple p stages. its a must
and its free NVIDIA Inspector 1.9.5.9 download from Guru3D.com

 

wait, what exactly do you mean by OC'ing multiple p stages? haha i have no idea what that means. D:

 

kojak? man.. luitenant.. inspector?
performance stages = p stages - in short

we have 3 p stages within 560m vbios.. normally when oc we just reach 1 stage which is the highest level is what we oc. with nvdia inpsector you can also reach/oc the lower level oc stages that are in vbios. its easy play with it and let me know your findings. try a few times.. and you will see what i mean. O btw in nvidia inpector open up the 2nd screen its called overclocking.. a new menu opens. play from there

 

AHHHH I'm so confused! haha i'm so lost. i don't understand

 

yes nice eh? Too much gluhwein I'll be back.

Google a bit..

..........

 

Came across this little vbios-tuner-software that I like to share with you:

VBIOS Tuner For NVIDIA 5xxx Series - XOTICPC Forums

and direct link here MSI forum:

Svet's Fermi VBIOS Tuner - [ver: 1.19d]

Anybody had any experience with this yet? It be very interesting to hear.

I havent tested or anything but from what from what i've been reading this is quite A hot tool
Voltage tweaking support - for multiple p stages (p1 p0 and p8)

Currently Supported Nvidia cards :

•590GTX
•580GTX
•570GTX
•560GTX-Ti 448
•560GTX-Ti
•560GTX
•550GTX Ti
•GTX 580M
•GTX 570M
•GTX 560M
•GTX 470M
•GTX 460M
•GT 555M
•GT 635M

560M current figures:
perf level [0] - P (12 ) = 0,820 V @ 50/135/101
perf level [1] - P ( 8 ) = 0,820 V @ 202/324/405 ( I like to set p8 to 1,000V and raise clocks matching those at p0 - it looks it can be done with this tool !
perf level [2] - P ( 0 ) = 1,000 V @ 775/1250/1550 (= 3d stock clocks without OC


Note: not free. donate/paypal 15 euro to get the dl link forwarded.

 

So, I've been playing around with 3DMark11 and I think I got a slightly higher score than Dutchess. Am I correct?

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M video card benchmark result - Intel Core i7-740QM Processor,Alienware score: P2591 3DMarks

You maxed out at 910/1700/1820. correct?
If I play around with this a little more, do you think I could run 3dMark with even higher clocks?

PS. The link with my results was using 910/ 1710/1820.

I think I could push the Memory Clock some more. The driver tends to crash when the GPU clock is at 920 or above, so that's probably maxed out, due to the driver. Do you think the Memory Clock can take some more OC'ing? haha

 

Send me your vbios and mods you want, I will do it for you.

 

I approve this message...... Lol

Pau1ow is great, he can provide you with custom vbios, highly recommended

 

question, why does the CPU processor clock change every time i benchmark?

 

Yesterday I installed the card but does not work, when it starts I get the three lights the alien blinking and nothing comes on screen, anyone knows how to make it work?

The card I bought is this: New Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M 1.5G GDDR5 Video Card N12E | eBay

 

I don't know what a "Lucez" is, but I've heard that the blue cards are typically Asus' cards - and those only works in Asus' computers.

 

Sorry, is the translator meant lights, the alienware. So if the blue card is not compatible with my M15x?

 

Yea it sounds like the card is incompatible. The 560M from "upgradeyourlaptop" are known to work in the m15x

 

I would add that if you have an XM (like I do) its really not worth the hassle. i've only seen a marginal amount of improvement. Windows 7 seems faster but gaming I still get throttling after all the stuff I did.

If you have a QM you appear to be better off.

Did you screw in the heat sink properly. The screws are differnt than a 260M. I had this issue if I didn't screw the heat sink in completely.

 

So did you have to use different screws or did the old ones fit albeit with a lot of difficulty?

 

I did not realize. that the difference between the 260m and 560m?

 

the heatsink screws were different than what was needed to screw into the 560M card. The 260M screws (in the heat sink) and even had some weird locking washer holding them in. I had to take those out and then used the screws that came with the 560M

FYI - I got my m15x in Dec 2009

 

Elsori, the blue card does not work in the m15x. I bought the blue one too at first. You have to get the green one from ebay. The seller's name is upgradeyourlaptop. I was able to return my blue card, but apparently it hasn't been the first time that he has had to refund the blue cards, so i'd cross your fingers and hope he will let you return it.

The reason for this is because the blue card actually uses the same size screws... Oddly enough.. I just remembered that i didn't have to change the x-plate until i received the green card. The system gives one long beep and two short beeps with the blue card. This means that it cannot recognize the hardware.

 

I put the X in the former 240m, and initially worked, but I do not give any beep, light up the three lights on the "CapsLock" "Num Lock" "Scroll Lock" indicators and nothing comes on the screen is a little weird, but if they say that green is good for the refund if I can.

 

you changed the whole x-plate?

 

that was the easiest thing to do ha, i just removed the 560m's x plate, and attached my old one. the heatsink had weird washer things that prevented me from just changing the screws =/..

 

ah that x plate. I changed the screws - popped the washers out with a knife.

EDIT - would getting a new heatsink help anything?

 

The heatsink will only help if you are experiencing heat problems. Do you have a temperature monitoring program? If not, you need one. If so, what are your temps looking like at idle, and in game?

 

GTX 560m on blue ( New Nvidia GeForce GTX 560M 1.5G GDDR5 Video Card N12E | eBay) does not work I found this manual:
Recovering a notebook GPU from a bad VBIOS flash | Tech|Inferno
And I'll try to change the vbios of my old GT240m to see if I can make it work, and you notice, if someone finds it useful.

 

Whats a good temp monitoring program to get?

How are you guys downclocking your card? Through BIOS? I didn't see that many settings there.

 

i just use nvidia system monitor. works perfectly fine for me, though some people complain about it. there are others, but i'm not familiar with them.

And why are you downclocking your card?

 

thats what some people did to improve the perf on the XM. I don't think overclocking will help.

 

what exactly is the XM? i keep seeing people talking about it on here. isn't this thread for the M15x? haha is the XM related to it in some way? i'm kinda confused

 

My m15x is the 920XM. check your computer properties and see if it has a Q or X after the number