*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M15x Benchmark Thread Part 2

That makes much more sense. What are you using to o/c the 5850?

 

On this run I was using MSI afterburner. I also have the AMD GPU Clock Tool, but I don't think it makes a difference... at least I haven't noticed one so far. The clock tool lets you set the OC higher, but as I can't seem to get past about 805 on the core it doesn't really matter.

 

Be sure Overdrive in CCC is disabled when using those other tools. There is an 805/1200 overclocking limit set in the stock 5850m vbios. We have been either raising or disabling the limits for so long I don't remember whether they affect other methods or not, but it's certainly an interesting correlation that you're hitting the limit exactly at the vbios limit. If they do, the only way to change the limits is to modify the vbios and reflash.

 

The weird thing is I seem to have no option to get to the overdrive in CCC... there's no "performance" to choose (and yes, I'm in the advanced view). Maybe I need to get an older driver? Seems stupid to me...

 

welcome to the benching scene svl7!!! awesome score bro. please don't destroy my scores, heheheh

 

No, save OD for another day. It works fine with Cat 11.2 when it is available, but the first installation can be a pain. The thread concerning the Cat 10.12 drivers explores the issue thoroughly. http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/540287-ati-10-12-reference-drivers.html. Since OD is not present, it cannot be limiting the o/c effort; therefore, I suspect the vbios limit is working directly to limit the core o/c regardless of method or tool used, which means you have to flash to go higher. Can't go much higher anyway w/o increasing the voltage, so no big deal.

 

Ok, thanks, I'm going to take a look at this. I'm happy with my score so far but in case I go for a higher I'll let you guys know
Maybe I'm going to push the CPU a little more this evening,

 

man all my scores have to be omitted now, since it was an M18x and not a M15x, hehehe

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Oh my. And in your colors too! There's your new beast, Inap.

Edit: LOL. It IS Old Yeller. And Mandrakes M15x. LOL. Who wrote that fine report?

 

actually thats my pic they used of my M15x, hahaha and the white one is mandrakes.

 

Finally swapped my 920XM into the M15x while watching March Madness and did some preliminary bench runs to check the paste job. It does perk up an M15x.

3dMark11: P3104 -- 5850M @ 915/1100 + 920XM



3dMarkVantage: P11379 -- 5850M @ 900/1100 + 920XM



3dMark06: 17075 -- 5850M @ 900/1100 + 920M @ 26x

 

Wow nice benches rev. Been waiting for this forever really glad you finally decided to do the swap.

 

Wow, really nice, especially the GPU. The cpu could be pushed a little harder I guess

 

Thanks, these are preliminary. The CPU obviously goes higher, but with the GPU at those clocks, I'm running out of power. When I raised the multipliers to 27x in 3dMark06, I got a BSOD. With lower GPU clocks, 27x, even 28x, is no problem, so it's the combination that stops the dance. Certainly you could get higher scores by manipulating the CPU/GPU settings to get the most out of the available power, but that was beyond the scope of last night's efforts. Mostly, I wanted to see whether the transplanted CPU worked in the M15x and whether the CPU paste job was decent enough to leave alone. Both passed nicely.

Edit: Inap, is that white lid in your avatar on your new R3? Looks great.

 

Supplemental bench in 3dMarkVantage: P11660 -- 5850M @ 915/1100 + 920XM.

 

woh!!! Amazing score Rev. Looks like we are gonna crown a new king soon.hehe

Oh yeah that's my r3 in the pic just trying some stuff out. Dang plastic lid feels like crap.

 

Hey, Inap. Thanks, but still a long way behind you. What size PSU does the R3 use and is it plug-compatible with the M15x?

Can't wait to hear about your efforts with the M15x-6970m project.

 

the r3 uses the same 240watt psu like the r2, so it works for M15x also. looks like you'll be needing one.

 

Dane or Inap, please add my m15x to the master list for 3dmark 11 benchmarks.. I7-720qm, stock speed, hd radeon at new game speed of 825/1000, driver 11.4 preview. Outstanding!!!! I am uber happy! 2783



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Great run, StevenX. Straight to the leaderboard. Gotta love those 11.4's.

 

Hey.. Where's my name on the boards... ?????

--Sonic Hedgehog Foot Stomping here...-- LOL

 

Send a PM to DaneGRClose telling him about your score and linking to your post above. He will include it in his next update, which is way overdue.

 

Did some more runs... I guess I need to flash a different voltage to get any higher. Without the CPU score I wouldn't even beat 10k, haha.

Here's my best vantage run:


This was with the standard vBIOS and OCd with AMD GPU clock tool.

And here's my best CPU score so far... can't seem to push it more. Well, I guess I will try again sometime.

 

Nothing wrong with that score, and the CPU performance is very strong. You're right, increasing your score from here will require higher o/c's on the 5850, which will begin with higher voltage. Cards vary, but my 5850m will o/c up to about 875/1075-1100 on 1.05v; to go 900+ on core requires 1.15v, and even then won't go beyond 915-925. Core speed will yield much greater returns than memory, so it's usually better to back off high memory settings to reduce heat and avoid wasting power that can be better used. You'll also probably need to back off the CPU o/c some to give the GPU sufficient power to max out its potential. Generally, take the GPU as high as you can, then get the last bit of scoring with the CPU. Going with 11.4 Preview drivers will also give you some boost (worth about 150 points in 3dMark11, not sure about Vantage, but some). Come join the party.

Edit: just noticed that your current Vantage score would put you on the 5850 Vantage leaderboard as of the last postings, so not too shabby in fact. LOL. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...5x-benchmark-thread-part-2-a.html#post6781257.

 

@The Rev: Thanks, great summary and nice tips! I'll try as soon as I find some time, maybe tomorrow, maybe at the weekend.

 

wow awesome runs guys. here is a secret.....
DRY ICE, heheheheh

 

Yeah, right, haha... or liquid nitrogen.

Btw, awesome avatar, do you have a link to a bigger version of the pic?

 

can't remember where i got the pic from. i just google "i void warranty" and found it.

edit nvm found it for ya:

Warranty Void If Seal Is Broken : New Funny Pictures


and i wasn't kidding with the dry ice, props to dr650:

 

Thanks, you're right, should've googled it, I was already half way asleep when I wrote this yesterday.
I know, dry ice or similar is definitely a possibility, but it needs a lot of care, PCB boards and other parts may not like the temperature and become brittle (hope that's the correct word).

Seems I somehow got into benching after all Maybe one day I gonna try something like dry ice or similar for cooling.

 

hi people...

how easy is it to physically upgrade the graphics card in the M15x ?
is it just a case of removing the back cover and unscrewing the 260M, sliding out and slotting in new replacement?
or is it a little more complicated than that?
is there any thread specific for this?

 

There's another thread that deals with this more specifically
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/558708-m15x-6970-anyone-thinking-trying-when-they-come-out.html
...but here's the shortcut to an article that covers the basics of what you're asking:
Alienware m17r3 HD6970 MXM Upgrade

Hope that helps.

 

@ lastcoyote. Not quite that easy, but certainly not difficult. You should download the M15x Service Manual, which includes instructions and illustrations for removing and replacing the GPU and related fan assembly and heatsink. Alienware: Online Documentation. Then download Inap's world famous GPU Replacement Guide ( Download M15x GPU.rar from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way) and his Thermal Paste Guide ( Download THERMAL PASTE GUIDE.rar from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way. The Service Manual, together with Inap's Guides remove the mystery from replacing a GPU and serve as a detailed walk-through. You should have no trouble at all if you take your time and follow the instructions. Also review Wattos' video tour of replacing the video card on an M15x ( YouTube - Accessing the Graphics card on the M15X) It is also worth reviewing the official Alienware teardown video on YouTube ( YouTube - Alienware M15x Teardown 1 of 3 **READ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO REPLACING PARTS** (Official Video), along with its two companion videos, for background. Using those as your guide, replacing the GPU will be a walk in the park. Also. lots of help in the forum from folks who have done it successfully multiple times.

 

Scores updated! There were a lot of really good runs that were updated, there were also a lot of runs that were not included because they didn't have the information that needs to be verified on them. Screenshots of scores need to include:

-The score, either the entire webpage or the popup from the program.

-Confirmation of GPU including clocks, the best way to do this is the main page of GPU-z in the screenshot.

-Confirmation of CPU including clocks/multi, again the best way is having CPU-z running in the screenshot.

-3DMark Vantage and 06 need to be run at the default of 1280x1024 with PhysX turned off, and 3DMark11 needs to be run at the Performance/720p mode with PhysX off.

Any runs not following those few requirements will not be included on the top scores charts. From here on out please PM me your scores, it's hard keeping up with page after page of discussion to sort scores out and makes it simple to update if I get a PM when posted. Thanks!

 

thanks for the info guys.
also just realised this is the benchmark thread. thought it was the 'M15x owners lounge' thread when i posted

 

Thanks, Dane. Great job. +Rep +Rep

 

Did some runs with a modified vbios, finally hit 11k... benching is addicting, haha



I should do some more runs while I'm at it... but it's already very late here (or early, haha) *yawn* Well, I'll see.



Edit: Pushed it a little more, but when I go past 913MHz on the core the driver crashes during the benchmark... Still not 10k GPU.. awww

 

Great run, svl7. You're looking stronger and stronger; I can feel you closing in fast. Keep it cranking.

Update 3dMark11: P3134 with 5850m/920xm

 

Thanks! That's also because of all your help! To be honest, this was already a pretty crazy run... 1.15V and the card seemingly at its limits, but I'll try and go past 10k.

I should do a 3dMark11 run as well next time I do some runs. That's a really nice score you got there.

 

Thanks. I was using 3dMark11 to test the TriXX utility and ended up with a new personal high as a by-product, but I'm pretty sure I've hit my card's limits absent auxiiiary cooling.

 

nice runs guys, looks like someone where just snagged the top 3d11 spot. congrats rev. pretty tempted to get an outlet M15x just to bench the crap out of it.hahahaha

 

Now, now, Inap. Be kind. Let someone else play too.

Bad news. The M15x's have been removed from the Outlet. We're a dying breed.

 

No, a legendary breed with all that range of 'supported' GPUs

 

hahaha man i really miss ole yeller right now.

 

6970m at stock clocks and a relatively moderate TS setting (24x across all cores)... but I have no idea about the actual power draw so I'm reluctant to push it harder just now. Maybe I will try a bit GPU overclocking later, without TS.

 

That's cool. How about backing the 920xm down to stock (24-23-17-17) and then o/c the 6970's core +50, then +75 and +100, leaving memory at stock initially. It takes over 80W to run a 920xm ar 24x, which doesn't leave much power for the 6970m. Stock settings on the CPU will save you ~30W for the graphics card.

 

I bet you do. Who's got it now?

 

It does sound better. LOL.

 

random parts are scattered across the universe, the casing how ever is in dtran hands.

 

Oh, no. . . You disassembled that work of machine art? What got into you, my friend?