Laptop runs like absolute crap since reformat.

[SocketMan]

It says 256 of RAM - check the BIOS should be an option for:
"Frame buffer" or UMA something or something similar (would have options for 64/128/256/512) - set it to 512mb






edit*
Probably better to test it on the local server (at first anyway) to avoid any (possible) network issues.

[[R-DEV]Jaymz]

It says 256mb for each card. I can select two different cards, that's why I posted two screenshots.

EDIT: There's no such setting in the BIOS. Under "video" I can only select "Brightness" and "BrightnessAC".

[SocketMan]

I thought both cards were 512mb -would stay at that with SLI too.




NVIDIA® SLITM Dual GeForce® 8700M GT with 512MB2 GDDR3 Memory



the little 2 (disclaimer) means "shared memory" "borrowed from the system RAM




Dell XPS M1730 Laptop



edit*
rgr no settings for the video ram.



this is what I mean with the video ram:
(different PC)
It's an onboard with 128mb built in and you can add additional (system) ram from BIOS
and the total amount would increase.
First 256 (+128 built in) 384mb





Then 512mb (maximum allowed) (+128 built in)








Everything is the same except one setting in BIOS and the ram total is doubled.
Must be hard coded to 256mb,maybe the older one (BIOS) had 512mb ?
I mean Nvidia can't advertise 512mb if it's 256mb wtf.
Some companies limit the BIOS options and you need to press an F4 (Gigabyte) or F3 (Asus,etc)
to get to "advanced" settings.That's for desktops however,not sure if laptops do that.


edit*
might be of interest (driver discussion):



30/09/08: 179.13 added to benchmark list
17/10/08: 178.24 added to benchmark list
17/10/08: 178.26 added to benchmark list
17/10/08: 177.92 added to benchmark list
20/10/08: 180.20 added
22/10/08: 180.42 added
27/10/08: 180.42 (dox inf) added
11/11/08: 179.14 added - Demonstrated a significant improvement in shader 3.0; very impressed, but runs hot
13/11/08: 178.46 added
17/11/08: 180.44 added
19/11/08: 176.75 added
20/11/08: 180.48 added (BEST OF THE 180 SERIES, even though not high as scoring, is more stable)
22/11/08: 180.70 added and working now
09/12/08: 180.84 added: Same performance as 180.44, not worth adding
17/12/08: 181.00 added: Very poor performing!
19/12/08: 179.28 added
08/01/09: 179.29, 181.00, 185.20 added. - Dont bother!

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/...t=0#entry95938

[nick20404]

Originally Posted by SocketMan

I thought both cards were 512mb -would stay at that with SLI too.




NVIDIA® SLITM Dual GeForce® 8700M GT with 512MB2 GDDR3 Memory



the little 2 (disclaimer) means "shared memory" "borrowed from the system RAM




Dell XPS M1730 Laptop



edit*
rgr no settings for the video ram.



this is what I mean with the video ram:
(different PC)
It's an onboard with 128mb built in and you can add additional (system) ram from BIOS
and the total amount would increase.
First 256 (+128 built in) 384mb





Then 512mb (maximum allowed) (+128 built in)








Everything is the same except one setting in BIOS and the ram total is doubled.
Must be hard coded to 256mb,maybe the older one (BIOS) had 512mb ?
I mean Nvidia can't advertise 512mb if it's 256mb wtf.
Some companies limit the BIOS options and you need to press an F4 (Gigabyte) or F3 (Asus,etc)
to get to "advanced" settings.That's for desktops however,not sure if laptops do that.

Don't know much about ATI but it seems you are running 2 different driver versions on your cards. 9.2 and 9.3 on the first.

[SocketMan]

Yea different catalyst versions,but drivers don't make any difference in the video ram amount (unfortunately).

edit*
Don't know if this would make any difference:

RivaTuners power user tab and set the value to 1 for Rivatuner\NVIDIA\Overclocking\EnableLowPower3dCont rol and Rivatuner\NVIDIA\Overclocking\EnablePerfLevelForci ng.

Then go back to the overclocking tab,and activate the now revealed "Force Constant Performance Level" command to performance 3D. Go to the top right drop down box and select low power 3d mode, make sure to select enable driver level overclocking. Do this for both standard 2d and performance 3d.

This will put the GPU in high performance mode all the time. and will probably burn itself out if you dont disable this when you are not wanting to run a game.

[nick20404]

Just something random but have you checked your windows power option to make sure its not in power save mode?

[[R-DEV]Jaymz]

Socketman, based on the screenshots I made of the Sli overlay are you now positive that it's a videocard problem?

[[R-DEV]Cheeseman]

1. Try opening up your laptop and cleaning the fan + heat sink.
2. While open swap and switch the places of your 2 sticks of RAM.
3. Visit nVision -> Release 185 drivers and try the latest drivers, but make sure to uninstall your previous drivers through Windows while also using Driver Cleaner.

The issue could also be related to your video card. I don't know if you're aware of this, but your Geforce 8700M GT's are actually based on the Geforce 8600M GT, but highly overclocked. Now the problem is that Nvidia last year announced that their G84 and G86 chips were defective; both the 8600 and 8700 are G84 architecture so there's a chance your cards are dying on you.

[[R-DEV]Jaymz]

Originally Posted by [R-DEV]Cheeseman

The issue could also be related to your video card. I don't know if you're aware of this, but your Geforce 8700M GT's are actually based on the Geforce 8600M GT, but highly overclocked. Now the problem is that Nvidia last year announced that their G84 and G86 chips were defective; both the 8600 and 8700 are G84 architecture so there's a chance your cards are dying on you.

Considering the amount of options we've tried here as well as the fact that this all started with my system blue-screening over and over. I think that what you've said there would explain pretty much everything.

I'm pretty sure we can call "case closed" on this one, my GPU is semi-fried and needs replacement. Unfortunately that's not going to happen because I believe my warranty is up and I have no money at all. Looks like my LOA from PR is coming a month early on the "actually playing" side of things

[SocketMan]

Originally Posted by [R-DEV]Jaymz

Socketman, based on the screenshots I made of the Sli overlay are you now positive that it's a videocard problem?

No, it just shows that GPU's aren't processing fully at that particular moment (the screen with little green)
To check whether or not GPU (s) are fubared:


FurMark: Graphics Card Stability and Stress Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net

and select the stability mode.

Keep in mind there are 2 GPU's in there,even if 1 is facked there is another one left.
Disable the SLI and test the GPU's individually 1 at a time,if no artifacts/bluescreens test in SLI. It might be necessary to attach a DVI display connector to have 2
GPU's enabled individually (without SLI).
Cheesman does have a good point,I wonder if Nvidia would replace it.