Can't get games to use NVIDIA graphics card

[Displonker]

I'm having trouble with low framerate in a whole bunch of games that I should not be getting low framerate in.

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
System Manufacturer: Alienware
System Model: M14xR2
BIOS: InsydeH2O Version 03.72.02A01
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3720QM CPU @ 2.60GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.6GHz
Memory: 16384MB RAM
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M
​

With this I would hope to be able to play battlefield 3 at more than 17 frames per second in anything but 800x600 resolution with lowest possible graphics settings. It's not just this game however, all games require me using the lowest possible graphics settings.

So I've been reading a bunch of posts around, some on this forum. I got GPU-Z, and watched what was happening. Whenever I play a game, the Memory Usage on the Intel Graphics card shoots up. So I figured that the games were using the wrong graphics card.
Tried going to the exe, right clicking, run with NVIDIA High Performance Graphics card. GPU-Z reports the same thing. Tried going into NVIDIA control panel and setting all of my games to use the NVIDIA card. GPU-Z reports the same thing. With it reporting the load on the intel card increasing when I play games, I just assume that it is in fact using that card.
I then found some posts about people thinking GPU-Z is not reporting memory load correctly on NVIDIA cards, but I dunno about that.
The weirdest thing is that I have had to revert to low settings in DOTA 2, whilst I have previously been playing fine on high.

So my assumption is that for some reason my computer insists on using the intel graphics card, or my nvidia graphics card is somehow damaged, and it perhaps reverts to the previous. I've been trying to resolve this for about a week by crawling through forums, but I'm afraid I could really use some help.

 

[EarthDog]

I wouldnt expect the 650M to be a whole lot better personally...Its slow as is (but faster than the Intel solution).

You say you set 'all your games' but there is a setting, not in that section, to select which GPU to use... I assume you installed the drivers for the 650M, correct?

 

[Crap Daddy]

It uses Nvidia optimus which should switch between the igp and discrete. It seems that this is not working. Check for drivers. As for the 650m it should give you around 33fps on high for Bf3 if you have the 1600x900 screen and more if you have the 720p.

 

[Displonker]

Did a clean reinstall of 650m drivers yesterday. The way I was setting was through the "Manage 3d Settings" section. I just did it for all my games to make sure.

I think maybe I just overvalued my graphics card. Campaign of BF3 stays at 30fps at 1600x900, on low settings. Reinstalled the nvidia control panel alone, and set Battlefield to use the 650m again. GPU-Z is now doing what it's meant to be doing, and it shows 650m load up at 99%.
I can accept not being able to play BF3 too smoothly. (I recently got it in the humble bundle)
However, having to lower the quality in games like dota recently concerns me.

I've read that the m14x has bad (comparable to m17 and such) airflow and cooling. (It only has one fan.) When playing the gpu is at around 75C most of the time, but gets up to 85C. Would the card throttle speeds if it gets too hot? (Are these temperatures okay?)

 

[mrhuggles]

uhh, i dont have one, but if you look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compar...ocessing_units#GeForce_600M_.286xxM.29_Series the 650m looks quite a bit more powerfull..... on paper anyways?

 

[Crap Daddy]

There is something wrong there. As I said in previous post reviews state that BF3 is playable at 30 fps on High. Dota should fly. 85C shouldn't trigger downclocking. What drivers you use?

 

[Displonker]

The drivers I installed are the ones from NVIDIA's site.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/notebook-win8-win7-64bit-320.49-whql-driver.html

(Version 320.49)

 

[Crap Daddy]

When did the problems start? Was it even working as it should? I would recommend to download the drivers from Dell alienware support, they are older but might work better for your particular laptop. Don't mess with any settings just download and install.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

Yes, do not mess with settings in the driver control panel. Graphical settings and everything should be done in the options menu of the particular game you are running.

 

[Displonker]

When did the problems start? Was it even working as it should? I would recommend to download the drivers from Dell alienware support, they are older but might work better for your particular laptop. Don't mess with any settings just download and install.

I noticed I was getting frustrated with framerate issues during this summer, so a couple of months ago. It was last month that I finally dropped all graphics settings in DOTA. Will download the alienware drivers and update you.

Yes, do not mess with settings in the driver control panel. Graphical settings and everything should be done in the options menu of the particular game you are running.

The only things I change in the NVIDIA control panel are things that are normally in games, but for some reason don't appear. Things such as control over Antialiasing and Blooms. I don't touch anything else really.


I also noticed GeForce Experience tries to optimize my games, and just sets everything to ultra in most.

 

[Displonker]

Ok, so with the new driver (found at Dell driver details)

Started up battlefield 3 as a test. Graphics were still all set on lowest, as remembered. Was going at about 68fps, for about 30 seconds, and then it dropped down to about 20. Put it on to high graphics and framerate was averaging between 1 and 7fps.

On lowest, it would be in the 60s, then enemies would start spawning and explosions would start happening, and framerate went down to 15 at one point. GPU-z says its at 99% load, temperature only at 68C.

I haven't been monitoring my CPU during this, maybe there could be some blame there?

EDIT: Just some information about stuff I had been doing before noticing the framerate drops.
I remember doing some maintenance on my pc during the summer. Used the Iolo System Mechanic recommended by Alienware. It apparently fixed 608 registry issues.
I went into msconfig and stopped a bunch of services. Process count was around 150 before. Now at 90-100. Didn't remove anything to do with any nvidia/intel/windows stuff, just external applications. Itunes rubbish in particular.
Was researching overclocking, and got as far as downloading an application for it. Realised I didn't know what I was doing and deleted the application.
I don't know if any of this could have caused the problem.

2nd Edit:
It seems as though BF3 multiplayer does not lag nearly as much. On low graphics (max resolution) I am now getting a steady 70fps. I think this is due to the rollback on drivers. I have also notched up DOTA graphics.
It seems like dell hasn't released an update for the nvidia drivers for a while now, but so long as these are working I think I'll refrain from installing new drivers as soon as they come out.

Just one last question; is it reasonable to not update drivers? It won't cause any stability issues or anything?

3rd Edit: (Instead of bringing this back to the top of the list with a triple post)
I think the problem may be with my cpu. Monitored CPU temperatures, that shoot up to 87-90C almost instantly. FPS drop is almost certainly down to that now.
I may have to look at renewing the thermal paste or seeing if Alienware will do something about it even though it's out of warranty. However, I still think these older graphics drivers are working better.
Thanks for the help guys.

 

[FX-GMC]

This tool is useful to show if a certain application is using Nvidia or Intel graphics: http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/04/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=us&l=en&s=gen&docid=439417

If your CPU is hitting 90C then it is probably dropping down from the turbo clock, or maybe to an even lower clock to lower the temp. This would most certainly lower the framerate in cpu intensive games. I had a friend who called Dell about his cpu overheating and they sent a tech to his house to repaste his cpu and gpu.

 

[maksic87]

I think the problem may be with my cpu. Monitored CPU temperatures, that shoot up to 87-90C almost instantly.

Rig needs cleaning. IMO you got a layer of dust and hair in your cooler. Try to RMA it if it is in warranty, if not find a good PC technician to do it, it's a good machine.

 

[skroobman]

Okay everyone, I found two fixes for this:

This one worked for me, it is very easy. I can't remember where I found it now, but it is:

1. Go to the file for Nvidia Control Panel (C: Program Files: NVIDIA Corporation: Control Panel Client)
2. Right click on "nvcplui" and enter properties. Go to compatibility tab.
3. Check "Run this program in compatibility mode for (your OS)"
4. Right Click and run as administrator.

All edits you do should now stick, and I'd recommend putting a shortcut to the "nvcplui" on your desktop so you can access it more easily. Just remember to run as administrator each time.

this one also worked after testing it again:


"Delete a folder named Nvidia corporation in the c:\programdata folder, but this 1 was tricky, since windows said I had no permission to delete them, so I had to do it manualy and add my user account permissions to it, file by file (do to this, see how to claim ownership of your files on google), in the end, I think this folder and files where the cause for everything;

So I can now install everything "Except the Nvidia experience app", but its pretty much useless so wont find the cause for it, maybe a side effect or what ever, all I know is that my mood is now very good, running thins smooth now."

credits to Imelnan at:
https://forums.geforce.com/default/...nvidia-installer-failed/8/?offset=116#4333235

 

[BarbaricSoul]

old thread is old

 

[Caring1]

*whips it once more just to make sure ..