Poor T43p GPU performance

[arpeas]

I've had this machine for about a week now and have determined that the FireGL V3200 GPU in it is underperforming, to put it lightly. I'm running XP SP3 and have the latest driver from 2009. PowerPlay settings have been set to "Maximum Performance" on AC power. Running a Quake III demo turns up ~60fps at 1024x768 with highest settings, but actual gameplay is another story. Lots of stuttering when doing anything *but* staring at a wall, very noticeable frame drops when looking around the map. Interestingly enough, GTA 3, the only other game I've tested on it, runs okay at 640x480, but anything higher and it turns into stutterfest too.

This is my 1st ThinkPad with this generation of GPU (i've got a Mobility Radeon 7500 in another one). Are they just not very good GPUs or am I expecting too much from them? For comparison, my Inspiron 8100, a P-III machine with a GeForce 2Go from 2000 runs Q3 better than this ATi. And my Intel GPU T43 does too, even at highest settings and 1024x768.

I don't know if this is relevant, but running Mypal on it and attempting to scroll results in the letters sort of "streaming down" the screen. It's not corruption, since pictures appear fine, and I haven't had this issue in Supermium or anywhere else for that matter. I'm thinking the whole situation comes as a result of a bad driver.

(also the 1600x1200 IPS panel has horrendously, awfully, comically bad response times, so it wouldn't have been used for gaming anyway. but the questions above still stand in case I find a better panel)

[TPFanatic]

especially as you compare it to the other "worse" laptops and find them performing better, makes me think something must be wrong, maybe your T43p is overheating and that is why performance is dropping?

back in the day i had T42p with FireGL T2, essentially the same as FireGL V3200, i played Need for Speed World (mmog from 2010) on that through 2015 and it was... adequate, solely because World was optimized for netbooks.

[arpeas]

maybe your T43p is overheating and that is why performance is dropping?

I'm using TPFanControl and NHC to keep everything under 75 degC, even at prolonged periods of absolute maximum load, so I know it's not thermal throttling. The GPU almost never goes above 70 degrees. If you've got a T43 with ATi graphics or a T43p, could you list the exact driver version and executable name for it? I'm 99.9% sure the GPU itself is fine, it's got to be a software issue.

[Gonzaleitor]

Did you try the omega drivers? I have those in my T42p and it crushes everything from Q3 era and onwards. Tested it(1024x768 resolution, i have a 1400x1050 screen and no game has a compatible resolution) with GTA Vice City, Q3, UT99, UT 2004, RTCW, etc, etc. Excellent performance in all of them.

[arpeas]

Did you try the omega drivers?

This is the first time I hear of them. Should I download the ones from Phil's Computer Lab?

[arpeas]

Answered my own question Installed them, rebooted, and WOW!!! This thing's flying all of a sudden! Q3 runs at a fixed 60 @1600x1200, highest settings. Amazing what a custom driver can do. Thanks for letting me know these exist!

And now, to find a better panel for it.

[dr_st]

And now, to find a better panel for it.

The LG SXGA+ panels might have better response times, but they have other issues. And even their response time is far from adequate for gaming.
I wonder how the Hydis panels are in that regard.

[TPFanatic]

I put sharp LQ150U1LW31 in my R60e, only since seller let it go for $40, it’s brighter and seems to react faster than the flex views, being TN. Viewing angles are fine.

[arpeas]

The only other FlexView I have is from my (now dead) A31, and not only does it have response times even higher than this one, but it's completely yellowed and has dark spots all over it. The T43p's panel is yellowing from the right side as well, just as I've started using it. The only advantage of ThinkPad IPS panels IMO are the viewing angles and decent dark colours, everything else, as in the things that actually matter, is awful. I'll probably get another Inspiron 8000 series machine and put its panel in the T43p, since those panels shouldn't yellow and have decent response times.

[Gonzaleitor]

Answered my own question Installed them, rebooted, and WOW!!! This thing's flying all of a sudden! Q3 runs at a fixed 60 @1600x1200, highest settings. Amazing what a custom driver can do. Thanks for letting me know these exist!

And now, to find a better panel for it.

No problemo, my man! Enjoy that retro rocket!

[Placeholder]

Hey thanks for those omega drivers, I didn't know about them. I installed the latest version "cat_7.12_ati_omega_xp2k_48442.exe" using the default settings for everything, Need for Speed MW runs a little bit better.

back in the day i had T42p with FireGL T2, essentially the same as FireGL V3200, i played Need for Speed World (mmog from 2010) on that through 2015 and it was... adequate, solely because World was optimized for netbooks.

Darn I miss this game.

Just my two cents about the screen - I have two 15" T43p, one with the 1400x1050 IPS Flexview from the base model T43 and the other one with the 1600x1200 LCD IPS Flexview. I just can't stand the higher resolution one. Its response time is slower and I get terrible motion sickness. The T43 panel? No problem. Still a bit of delay but it's way more manageable for gaming. Not really sure what's up with that, but my experience is way more enjoyable with a lower spec screen.

[dr_st]

Just my two cents about the screen - I have two 15" T43p, one with the 1400x1050 IPS Flexview from the base model T43 and the other one with the 1600x1200 LCD IPS Flexview. I just can't stand the higher resolution one. Its response time is slower and I get terrible motion sickness. The T43 panel? No problem. Still a bit of delay but it's way more manageable for gaming. Not really sure what's up with that, but my experience is way more enjoyable with a lower spec screen.

Thanks for sharing this! Only having first-hand experience with the SXGA+ Flexviews, I really had no idea how they compare to the UXGA counterparts in terms of response time. Good to know that despite their commonly known flaws, the LG SXGA+ panels have at least one advantage.