Win 7 Graphics for T43-1871 Intel 915GM/GMS,910GML Express

[CeeBee]

Windows 7. As reported previously, I installed below driver package, obtained from Intel's website, on my T43 1871:

Intel Graphics version 6.14.10.4764
HDMI Audio 5.10.0.1026
Issue date January 18, 2007

Display device name in the Device Manager
-----------------------------------------
Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express
Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express

Everything seems to be fine (albeit a bit slow), with all functions working, however, as the HDMI is not required, my question is if the older Lenovo driver package below would have been better:

Lenovo Graphics version 6.14.10.4693
HDMI Audio None
Issue date October 23, 2006

I'm inclined to leave everything as-is .. but, does anyone know the pros/cons of graphics versions 6.14.10.4764 and 6.14.10.4693?

Related question: opening the 3D (OpenGL) settings in the Intel Graphic Properties, what are the best settings for maximum performance? The following are my current settings:

Asynchronous Flip = On
Triple Buffering = On
Flipping Policy = Flip
Depth Buffer Bit Depth = Default
Force S3TC Texture Compression = On
Force FXT1 Texture Compression = On
Driver Memory Footprint = High
Texture Color Depth = Desktop Color Depth
Anisotropic Filtering = Application Control

Thanks.

[dr_st]

Aero is working as well?

If everything works fine - don't mess with it.

[CeeBee]

Aero is working as well?
If everything works fine - don't mess with it.

No Aero .. not possible (afaik) with that chip set. But, I'm totally happy w/o Aero and was tempted to turn it off on my (wife's) T430s.

Yes, everything works fine. All Power Management stuff and Function Buttons, Sleep/Hibernation, Wireless .. the Works (even Access IBM).

Just trying to tweak the graphics for more responsiveness. I have turned off most animation and visual effects .. and need some advise on the the OpenGL settings in the Intel Graphic Properties. Any comments on the settings I now use?

W7/Sp1 comes with DirectX 11, which I'm sure the 1871 chip set can't fully utilize. Should I install DirectX 9c?

Finally, as is clear from the below W7 Performance Report, the graphics scores are poor. Perhaps because the 'total available graphics memory' is not detected .. and/or because the test gets confused by the twin graphics drivers:

Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.86GHz = 3.6
Memory (RAM) 2.00 GB = 4.4
Graphics = 1.9
Gaming graphics 128 MB Total available graphics memory = 1.0
Primary hard disk 8GB Free (30GB Total) = 4.5

Graphics:
Total available graphics memory = Not detected
Dedicated graphics memory = 0 MB
Dedicated system memory = 0 MB
Shared system memory = 0 MB
Display adapter driver = version 6.14.10.4764
Primary monitor resolution = 1024x768
DirectX version = DirectX 9.0 or better

[dr_st]

W7/Sp1 comes with DirectX 11, which I'm sure the 1871 chip set can't fully utilize. Should I install DirectX 9c?

You cannot downgrade DirectX. Are you experiencing any actual issues that you believe are caused by graphics driver limitations?

[CeeBee]

You cannot downgrade DirectX. Are you experiencing any actual issues that you believe are caused by graphics driver limitations?

No issues other than the ones mentioned .. looking for better graphics performance. I ran DirectX 11 diagnostics and DirectDraw and Direct3D Acceleration are both enabled. AGP Texture Acceleration is not available. And the test finds 122MB graphics memory.

The reason for my question was that I read 'somewhere' that DirectX 9c can be installed in parallel with DirectX 11, but, as I said, I have no actual issues that I can relate to graphics driver limitations or DirectX 11.

What about the OpenGL settings?

Thanks.

[CeeBee]

1) In hindsight I should add this: Running TechPowerUp GPU-Z 0.7.8 recently I was asked to download and execute file d3dx43.exe to be able to run a rendering program (part of GPU-Z). I did .. and the rendering program worked. Digging into the file d3dx43.exe it seems it installed DirectX 9.0 and 10.1 extensions, so, I now have those running in parallel with DirectX 11.1 (which is part of W7/Sp1).

2) Another postscript remark: per OpenGL Extensions Viewer 4.1.7 my version of OpenGL is 1.4. The rendering program for 1.4 (and below) worked fine, however, crashed when I tried OpenGL 1.5 and above.

3) And, these (test) videos run quite well too:

Big_buck_bunny_720p_surround.avi
AmosTV_10min_HT.divx
Helicopter_DivXHT_ASP.divx

4) Finally, on the issue of OpenGL Settings, I found this:

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-030506.htm

So, perhaps my queries/issues are "much ado about very little".......

[CeeBee]

Are all the smart ThinkPadders on vacation? Or, are the issues in my below thread too boring?

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=114712

As suggested by dr_st, I won't 'mess' with the graphics driver installed, as it works fine. However, I would appreciate some input to the following:

1. For my T43 with Intel graphics, are the OpenGL settings I currently use the best for maximum performance/responsiveness?

2. Windows 7 has DirectX 11.1 installed. Would it make sense to install DirectX 9c in parallel (if that is possible)?

3. In W7's Performance Report, the graphics scores are poor. Is this because 'total available graphics memory' is not detected (wonder why?) and/or because the W7 test gets 'confused' by the twin Mobile Intel(R) 915GM/GMS,910GML Express graphics drivers installed?

Thanks!


MOD Edit: merged topics together

[600X]

1. I don't know. You should be happy that you've got any graphics drivers installed at all. Most people are not able to do install these drivers, so their T43 is unable to sleep for example.

2. You already have DirectX 9c installed...

3. This is because the GMA900 simply is that bad.

And yes, I used to have T43 Intel myself and ran Win 7 on it.

[dr_st]

Are all the smart ThinkPadders on vacation? Or, are the issues in my below thread too boring?

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=114712

In general, I will be surprised if you get much help in the forum with this attitude, which appears to be bordering on rudeness. If you meant it as a joke, which you probably did, then a few well-placed smileys can go a long way in getting a point across.

Specifically, Aurora's answers are probably the best you are likely to get. You can only get so much out of beating a dead horse, which by many estimates, is an accurate description of the T43 integrated GPU.

As far as your last thread (which I participated in) goes, and specifically your last post in it, go - I did not see any questions posed there, but more like you answering your own earlier questions, so not sure what kind of reply you expected to that...

[CeeBee]

1. I don't know. You should be happy that you've got any graphics drivers installed at all. Most people are not able to do install these drivers, so their T43 is unable to sleep for example.
2. You already have DirectX 9c installed...
3. This is because the GMA900 simply is that bad.
And yes, I used to have T43 Intel myself and ran Win 7 on it.

Sure I'm happy the graphic drivers installed okay. But, using the (final) driver package from Intel, the install went like a charm (in XP compatibility mode). As for the OpenGL settings, I suppose I have to play with them myself to see what's best for my T43. But, I wanted to check if someone had done this already .. to avoid messing up too much.

On DirectX 9c, maybe you are right. However, to run a graphics rendering test I had to install some DirectX 9c extensions .. so I thought that wasn't the case.

Intel GMA900 probably is 'that' bad based on today's standards. When I booted up my T43 for the 1st time, back in May 2005, it probably was more mainstream. The fact that Intel hasn't provide a driver for W7 didn't help either, I suppose.

Anyhow, thanks for your input.

[CeeBee]

In general, I will be surprised if you get much help in the forum with this attitude, which appears to be bordering on rudeness. If you meant it as a joke, which you probably did, then a few well-placed smileys can go a long way in getting a point across.

Added a few smileys .. even though I think it's pretty obvious that the subject line and lead-in were meant as a joke! Not sure how you could have missed that, especially as we have had quite a few good/useful exchanges in the past (thanks!), the one in the link included.

And, the way my T43 currently runs .. it's by no means a dead horse (imho). My efforts with this and prior postings have been to squeeze the most out of a proud ol' stallion (or at least a trusty work horse). Nothing more, nothing less...


MOD Edit: merged topics together

[dr_st]

I didn't say the T43 was a dead horse, actually, please reread carefully. But it's integrated GPU - is. While clock-for-clock, Intel CPU efficiency has been increasing pretty steadily with each generation, Intel GPUs have made a couple of big leaps since the T43 generation, and the difference is more pronounced. I dare say that today's HD graphics in CPU is about 100x more powerful than the GMA900 in the T43, which is something that cannot be said about the CPUs...

[CeeBee]

I didn't say the T43 was a dead horse, actually, please reread carefully. But it's integrated GPU - is.

Okay, you are correct .. but, as the GMA900 is such an important part of the T43 (i.e., how it "feels" and reacts/refreshes), I put an "=" between the two. The upshot is that GMA900 is what I have (to deal with) .. even though, in hindsight, I wish I had picked a T43 with ATI graphics back then...

[dr_st]

Which brings me back to the original question - what is the problem you are trying to solve? Why do you think there is any problem with your T43?

[CeeBee]

Which brings me back to the original question - what is the problem you are trying to solve? Why do you think there is any problem with your T43?

As I said, I'm trying to tweak my ol' T43 work horse for best performance, and, I suppose, I'm looking for suggestions to help me do so. Or, if I have done whatever is possible, within the limitations of the hardware, reassurance that that's the case.

Bit by bit I think I have arrived at the latter point. That is, enjoy what I have accomplished to date! Still going to check the OpenGL settings and keep an open mind on other tweaks, but, I'm probably maxed out for now (on the graphics).

Depending on the test programs used, it tells me I have DirectX 9c, 10 or 11, so, I gather I have at least 'parts' of the 9/10 extensions installed with W7 (and my own install). And, depending on tests used, I have NO graphics memory, 8MB or 128MB installed. I think I'll decide that I have 128MB .. and that the tests just can see it all because of the XP drivers installed.

So, there I am! Much ado about nothing? I don't think so. It's been a helpful thread!