***M18x - AMD Crossfire (Driver Questions, Performance, Problems) Discussion Thread***

[momosan]

RYVMN is the Dell item number shown on my receipt and packing slip. Either they have reassigned that number to something else, or the person looked up the number wrong.

There is a part number on a decal attached to the cable... DC02C001MOO. Maybe that will help.

Thanks Mr. Fox. I got another rep to help me and the part has been ordered.

[Mr. Fox]

Thanks Mr. Fox. I got another rep to help me and the part has been ordered.

Which number did they use? Was the first rep mistaken? Glad you got it sorted.

[momosan]

Which number did they use? Was the first rep mistaken? Glad you got it sorted.

The first rep was mistaken. Thanks for your help again!

Happy New Year all!

[dr_gin_rain]

which driver is better at this moment ? preview 12.1 from AMD or 11.0 optimized from Dell ?

[locust76]

I had the 11.10 from Dell, now I use the 12.1 from AMD. I don't notice any difference in performance, but with the 12.1's I have brightness control, as well as per-application profiles and the ability to turn crossfire on or off per application profile instead of globally, so in my mind, the 12.1 drivers win hands down.

[SOS4DELL]

I had the 11.10 from Dell, now I use the 12.1 from AMD. I don't notice any difference in performance, but with the 12.1's I have brightness control, as well as per-application profiles and the ability to turn crossfire on or off per application profile instead of globally, so in my mind, the 12.1 drivers win hands down.

That's the proof that those responsible for the lack of the brighteness control lies in ATI... not in Dell (for all those blaming Dell about it). Of course Dell could demand, test and quality control the outcomes from ATI before selling them to the costumers.

But, any way, good to know that the solutions are @ a step...

[Gunner63]

Over the past few weeks, I have been noticing a subtle decrease in performance in some of the games I play(Battlefield 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic). So much so that I have had to turn some settings down in order to play them. Now today, my screen now looks grainy and is flickering. My games have also had another hit in performance since this has started happening. I have tried restarting my computer and reinstalling my graphics drivers, with no results. I would post screenshots, but the grainy flickering does not show up in them, they just look normal. I have also ran a hardware scan with AlienAutopsy and it says everything is fine.

Anyone have any ideas?

My specs:
Alienware M18x
Windows 7 Ultimate - Service Pack 1
Intel i7-2720QM 2.20GHz
8 Gigs of Ram
AMD Radeon HD 6990M Crossfire

[Mr. Fox]

Gunner - I moved your question into the appropriate thread for AMD CrossFire issues.

Check your CrossFire cable to confirm is it securely attached to each video card. The connections are not all that secure and they sometimes work loose.

[Gunner63]

Gunner - I moved your question into the appropriate thread for AMD CrossFire issues.

Check your CrossFire cable to confirm is it securely attached to each video card. The connections are not all that secure and they sometimes work loose.

Ok, if I do open my laptop, will I still be able to send it in for repairs in the future?(provided I put it together correctly) Also, how difficult would this be? I am experienced in taking apart and putting desktops together, but not laptops.

[Mr. Fox]

Opening your laptop will not affect your warranty. Your Alienware system is meant to be opened.

You need to know how to do this for periodic maintenance anyway. You must clean out lint and dust now and then to keep the system working properly without overheating and partial disassembly is required to do that effectively.

You can download the service manual from the dell support page. There are also YouTube videos that some find reassuring in conjunction with the service manual. You'll find links on the opening post in the *OFFICIAL* M18x Owner's Lounge Thread.

The only challenging part the first time or two is removing the keyboard surround panel. It has lots of clips around the edges that you need to get turned loose. Work your way around the perimeter a little at a time and you'll make it.