GeoCake

From what I have seen on the M17x R3, to run on 4.5Ghz or higher, one needs to increase the Flex (voltage). By run, I mean literally run at 4.5Ghz all cores, so that Throttlestop would report a constant 45 FID. The BSODs you are getting indicate that the CPU needs more voltage. From my experience @ 4.5Ghz I needed 6 Flex, 4.6Ghz I needed 12 Flex. The Vantage score on 4.6Ghz was the same as 4.5Ghz 'cause temps on 4th core was 100C, chip was just not coping. 4.5ghz seemed the max possible I could push it as the cooling in the M17x R3 is just not as good as the M18x - mw86 - you should borrow someones M17x R3 and give yourself a challenge, it's very different to the M18x. 1000 PriPlane, 6 Flex, 10019 BCLK... 4.5Ghz - http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z92/chaotic_george/VantageTemps.png 1000 PriPlane, 12 Flex, 10019 BCLK... 4.6Ghz - http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/4352/98361236.png @OP. I can guarantee you that with stock cooling you will not be able to run the 2 Vantage CPU tests at 4.6Ghz. You will get a thermal shutdown. Also OEM vs QS comparison, when set at the exact same settings I noticed the OEM chip getting a better score (but then again that was probably a better chip in general). It would be fun to do a more in depth comparison though.

A08 is regarded as the best because it actually allows you to use SATA III 6GB/S transfer rates; great for compatible SSDs. However A09 reverts both slots to SATA II 3GB/s =/ The modded bios is great for overclocking the CPU (BCLK, adjusting turbo settings, as well as XM options for adjusting PriPlane and Flex), enabling the C7 state, plus possibly other things.

I got the Creative Suite 5.5 installed. Made sure to disable all adobe related startup entries via Run -> Msconfig -> Startup so my boot ups are as fast as always. Working great with no effect on overall laptop performance.

The battery just can't provide a 100W GPU, 40W CPU, etc, with that much power... therefore the GPU and CPU downclocks itself. Of course it will run on battery, but not on full clocks. Review Alienware M17x R3 GTX 580M i7-2820QM Notebook - Notebookcheck.net Reviews Go to battery life and read.

These are the max turbo ratios for your CPU: As you can see, with 1 core you will be at 3.1Ghz, 2 cores at 3.0Ghz, and 3-4 cores at 2.8Ghz.

I think AMD cards are more reliable.. I have sent mine to hell and back and it's as good as new. Killed my 580M (at least I think so) within 24 hours of getting it :/ Saw the 1Ghz core benchmark - jizzed in my pants!

I always find myself viewing this thread after every new windows install, thanks so much for the icons. They are ammaaaazing.

Thermal Compound Roundup - January 2012 | Hardware Secrets Anyone ever tried some Mayo?

The result for me was simple: I use the better paste. Who wants a free cookie to guess what that was? Oh, and this is what Skinnee had to say: You can keep using ICD, but I am afraid PK-1 is superior.

Woah, someone feels butt hurt. I tested both TIMs intensively on my 2920XM at 4.4Ghz across all 4 cores (880 Priplane and 0 Flex). PK-1 was always lower, always that one degree. I'm just not bothered in posting my results; firstly, I didn't exactly record them for a massive essay or comparison and secondly, I'd rather link to a more reputable source, e.g. Skinnee. Maybe if you actually read the article and some of comments, you'd post a bit more than oh 'common knowledge' this and oh 'proper knowledge' that. Disclaimer: No google or wikipedia article contributed to this post. Just common and proper knowledge, folks.

Don't they send out refurbished cards? I read somewhere that spare parts are never brand new. Besides, these cards are pretty robust. I've been pretty forceful with mine, never had a problem. Could be the static on your hands? Are you using the correct backplate? Good amount of thermal padding?

The thing that makes me mad is that the 6990M can't be overvolted (on a safe software/vbios level) like the 580M, that's just not fair. The 5870M when overvolted to 1.2v could achieve like 900Mhz +++ on the core? That was pretty sick. If AMD continue doing this they can piss off from my laptop ¬_¬

Indeed. 2011 Thermal Compound Roundup – Results Compilation | Skinnee Labs On top of being one of the best already, it's easy to work with (ensure you apply it properly) and since the core will remain in good shape, contact shouldn't be an issue. Personally, I have used both and I can say PK-1 is superior in every aspect. "ICD-7 does well in bad contact situations, but does not improve when contact improves...so unfortunately, it becomes just an average paste overall. plus I keep telling people to avoid using ICD-7 in laptops because laptop CPU and GPU dies are lidless. The ICD-7 has particles in it that will scratch your dies with repeated applications and it will have a severe polishing affect on the copper heatsink contact which will affect your temps over time. ICD is more meant for desktop CPU's that have metal lids on the CPU dies" - SlickDude, Ph.D Mobile Cooling Admin note: Insults removed.

No thanks. I don't want my core to be scratched, like it did with my old 920XM.PK-1 is better.

I'll swap my 6990M for your poor 580M? @mw86 Me and widezu need ~ 0 Flex and 880 Priplane for 44x, 10 Flex and 930 Priplane for 45x I tried 16/17 Flex and 1000 Priplane for 46x but I could not do a CPU Vantage run without a thermal shutdown.

For that you need 19k on the GPU...

To all AMD users, try this in Display Color.. pretty much same as the 'vivid' video color setting. Is naise

Indeed, that does sound like the card is bitching out .. xD Nothing much you can do there to be honest! Anything 16k on GPU is beast if you ask me Try it later/tomorrow from a cold boot.

Usually if you push the clocks right up you will see artefacts and mini stutters meaning that it's too much for the card to handle.. then you will get the ATI driver has failed/crashed message in Windows. The crashing I was getting was somehow related to the flash player =/ where Vantage would just freeze and then go to black, weird stuff Anyhow, your card should do 850 minimum!

Yay, ^__________^ Does switching work for you too now?CCC showing 11.10 is just a bug - I've had it before. It's clear from the rest of your screenshot that you're running the latest version of everything Also if Vantage freezes (just hangs and/or goes to black screen) for you, trying re-installing the latest Adobe Flash Player. It sorted my freezing problems believe it or not ! Ramp the fans to full on HWINFO and then wait till the card is about 35 degrees then run the bench, good luck

12.2 preview has older drivers, but has some other components that are updated. The latest drivers/ccc will be left, but all the old components will be updated

Try going from Stock Dell to -> http://www2.ati.com/DriVeRs/mobile/11-10_mobility_vista_win7_64_dd_ccc_ocl.exe and then to -> AMD Catalyst 8.95 17 January - BenchmarK3D and then -> AMD Catalyst 12.2 Preview 8.940.0 Driver - BenchmarK3D 12.2 preview gives you some newer components, basically latest everything and you should end up with: EDIT - yes it should find the oldest possible drivers that came with windows, that's fine. try sweeping from safe mode as well.

1. driver sweeper 2. ccc install remove with windows install clean up 3. uninstallation from device manager 4. restart. yup, you may need to do driver sweeper multiple times and restart in safe mode, etc. Just make sure they are gone completely. This is pretty much the stage after a clean windows install. then install stock dell - should give you switching - use the installer. Restart, confirm it works I couldn't upgrade to 12.1 straight away so I had to use the mobility 11.10 or 11.11. Restart to make sure it all works. After that I could install 12.1 always always use the installer/ccc installer/setup w/e it is called. and select custom and tick everything if you get a bsod, just restart and re-launch the setup, and re-install via custom selection, tick all boxes remember to constantly restart

That's really strange because I install over the top all the time with fairly little problems. I may get a BSOD once in a while but I just re-install again after the restart :/I always start with an intense clean with Drivers Sweeper (and remove any CCC installations with Windows Install Clean Up, uninstall from device manager, restart to make sure they are all gone), then install the stock dell ones, then I think 11.10 mobility drivers, then the ones above... Just make sure you are always on the dedicated GPU. @svl7 I don't think I am That hardcore