M11x graphics drivers (General Discussion)

[Sirhcz0r]

The page to get the most recent driver provided by Dell (a beta 197.12) is *HERE*.

The original driver from Dell (188.55) can be found *HERE*.

lksing78's method for switchable 197.16s can be found *HERE*.

Below is the original old post that no longer applies (since 197.16 are better than Dox's 195.62).

This isn't anything I have a problem with, and this thread is intended to be informational. I had the original graphics drivers installed and for whatever reason was only able to switch to integrated/discrete using Fn F6. When I would either left or right click the taskbar icon it wouldn't have the options to choose "Save power" or "Increased performance". It just gave me an option to open a "how to change gpus" type thing (which told me to do what I just did which of course doesn't work). I went to laptopvideo2go and got the Dox 195.62 drivers. They also had a patch available to use hybrid graphics which all worked. It took me a few tries and now everything (well, close enough) is working correctly. Now Fn F6 doesn't work, but the taskbar icon does. Pretty much I find it funny that Dell's drivers are just as messed up as an unsigned modified one.

I have no intentions of switching back, but has anyone else had trouble with the Dell's drivers ability to switch gpus from the taskbar, or is this just my unit?

[Villosa]

Dell stock 335m driver does not feature taskbar switching cause then it would make the FN+F6 feature completely useless marketing lol.

[unreal25]

Ha good catch, I never noticed taskbar switching doesn't work! I saw it there, but I was like "why would anyone use this when you can just Fn+F6"... .

BTW, did you get any improvement in FPS/benchmarks with new drivers?

[Sirhcz0r]

I didn't even bother to measure anything since I already know how beneficial this driver is for certain games. I've used it on my old 8600m GT as well as a GTX 260m, and have always liked it.

The only downsides are the loss of the Fn F6, which is just replaced with the taskbar icon working. I don't care about that much, but Soviet Sunrise has mentioned that these drivers aren't the best for source games and GTAIV.

@villosa Dell really broke it intentionally? I don't get why they would do that. I think "along with" would make better marketing than "instead of".

[Mackan]

Are you sure your battery life didn't get affected when you switched drivers? Other people have also tried it, but it seems even if they switch card in the task bar, both cards still seem active, and battery life is decreased.

[Sirhcz0r]

Are you sure your battery life didn't get affected when you switched drivers? Other people have also tried it, but it seems even if they switch card in the task bar, both cards still seem active, and battery life is decreased.

That has more to do with bios and was already present on the Dell driver. On my first day with the M11x I was switching back and forth between gpus, and I was somewhat surprised at the relatively short amount of time Windows reported the battery having left. I read somewhere on here that to actually have the GT 335m off, and not just idling, a reboot is required.

[c01e]

/\ The scary part is that being the m11x is rocking the old hybrid tech it could very well be true that this happens. /\

[DR650SE]

I'm pretty sure that is true. There is still a little power going through the 335M, but not as much as if it were operating.

[Mackan]

So why isn't there an option in bios to use 'integrated' graphics only? That way one could switch between the two cards in bios, and not having to bother with special drivers that are outdated or troublesome.

If Alienware is releasing a bios update, this would be on the wish list:

1) Integrated graphics only. When Windows is booting up it sees the integrated Intel card only, and can use the latest drivers for that card.

2) Discrete graphics only. When Windows is booting up it sees the discrete Nvidia card only, and can use the latest drivers for that card.

3) Switchable graphics enabled. When Windows is booting up, it sees both cards, and ... well, uses the driver supporting switchable graphics, if possible.

Any thoughts on this?

[unreal25]

If you get stuck on GeForce, put the computer to Sleep then wake it up back on - poke the Alien head. It works for me just fine. It's not that big of a deal.