Nvidia GPU not being used at all?

[tobym70]

Hi there,

I've been tryting to play F1 2011 on my Dell XPS L501X for a long time, fairly unsuccessfully. Frame rates are very poor (<20fps) at even the lowest settings. It has an Nvidia GeForce GT420M , which I figured should manage better than that.

I finally noticed that the Nvidia software includes a system monitor, and if I have this open while game is running GPU usage never rises above 0%; have I misunderstood, or does this mean that the Nvidia GPU isn't being used at all?! The laptop also features an Intel one, although when I start the game I select "Run with graphics processor > High-performance NVIDIA processor" from Windows' contect menu.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...I'd really like to play this game!

Thanks,

Toby

 

[nbelote]

Install current Intel and nVidia drivers, try again.

 

[deadlockedworld]

Its definitely a problem with your Nvidia Optimus settings - the controls that turn the discrete graphics on and off to save battery life. I'm not sure why your selection at the game start isnt working ... but hopefully this confirmation helps you figure out the answer.

Is it set on the "maximum performance" power mode?

 

[tobym70]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I have tried updating drivers a few times since I started attempting to resolve this, unfortunately it's made no difference so far.

I don't *think* I have 'Optimus'...or do I? Should this be part of the Nvidia control panel?

I did wonder if it was something to do with Windows' power saving, but I can't see anything in there that obviously looks like it would be causing this issue.

 

[tobym70]

An update, in case this enables anyone to help(!), I don't think the Nvidia GPU is ever even used - if I opt to run the game using "Integrated graphics" (instead of "Run with graphics processor > High-performance NVIDIA processor") the benchmarks returned by the game are pretty much identical.

I've tried uninstalling all the Nvidia software and re-installing, this did not help. Any further tips greatly appreciated!

Toby

 

[Kari]

have you checked the bios if there are any options that might be usefull (like disabling the intel hd graphics all together)?

 

[tobym70]

Thanks for the suggestion, that doesn't appear to be something I can set in BIOS though.

 

[tobym70]

If it helps anyone (to help me!) I have now noticed that dxdiag.exe only lists the integrated GPU, my work laptop on the other hand (also a Dell XPS) has two tabs, one for the integrated card one for the Nvidia.

 

[deadlockedworld]

Sorry I'm not more help. :/ I don't have a model like that to look at. The drivers thing is what I would have done too.

You definitely should be getting better performance, as shown here: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3999/dell-xps-15-l501x-review/4

As a last resort, you can always save your files and reinstall everything from your system disk. It's possible that some critical piece of software is missing.

 

[tobym70]

Sorry I'm not more help. :/ I don't have a model like that to look at. The drivers thing is what I would have done too.

You definitely should be getting better performance, as shown here: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3999/dell-xps-15-l501x-review/4

As a last resort, you can always save your files and reinstall everything from your system disk. It's possible that some critical piece of software is missing.

Yes, that's one thing I've been contemplating, I'm hoping I can keep that as a last resort though! Thanks for trying to help.

Toby

 

[tobym70]

I have now discovered that the NVIDIA GPU will work if the laptop's connected to my TV via HDMI?! Encouraging, but frustrating (I don't generally connect the laptop like this)...I feel like this should be something I can change?

 

[deadlockedworld]

You have called dell, right?

 

[tobym70]

I have an ongoing thread in their support forum...