My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

philmo999 · ‎11-22-2011

I have just purchased an

HP Envy 17

Windows 7 64 bit

i7-2630QM CPU @ 2.00GHz

6144MB RAM

ATI 6850M

1012MB

I will copy below my DxDiag after typing my problem.

It is simple in as much that game performance is much poorer than I thought it would be.

I am running Battlefield 3, and the frame rate is very low even with LOW settings.

Now I understand this is not a high end machine, but these are surely too low - even at modest screen resolutions.

I think it must be driver related, and several people have suggested re-formating the whole machine which does seem drastic.

Would be great to get some help please.

Thanks

DxDiag

   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
       System Model: HP ENVY 17 Notebook PC
               BIOS: InsydeH2O Version 03.61.01F.15
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) 00 (8 CPUs), ~2.0GHz
             Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6092MB RAM
          Page File: 1779MB used, 10402MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: Radeon (TM) HD 6850M
       Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
          Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x68A8)
           DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68A8&SUBSYS_159B103C&REV_00
     Display Memory: 3802 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 1012 MB
      Shared Memory: 2789 MB
       Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
       Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
      Monitor Model: unknown
         Monitor Id: LGD0283
        Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (59.997Hz)
        Output Type: Internal
        Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1065 (English)
     Driver Version: 8.820.5.1000
        DDI Version: 11
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 3/31/2011 13:30:00, 708608 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2BE8-11CF-A577-9135BEC2C535}
          Vendor ID: 0x1002
          Device ID: 0x68A8
          SubSys ID: 0x159B103C
        Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem4.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_Manhattan_PXAI:8.820.5.1000ci\ven_1002&dev_68a8&subsys_159b103c
     Rank Of Driver: 00E60001
        Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
   Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
       D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
            DXVA-HD: Not Supported
       DDraw Status: Enabled
         D3D Status: Enabled
         AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers and Headphones (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_7605&SUBSYS_103C159B&REV_1004
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.10.6328.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 3/4/2011 12:05:34, 520192 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: IDT
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

            Description: Communications Headphones (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_7605&SUBSYS_103C159B&REV_1004
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.10.6328.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 3/4/2011 12:05:34, 520192 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: IDT
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: Integrated Microphone Array (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.10.6328.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 3/4/2011 12:05:34, 520192 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x1
           Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

            Description: External Mic (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
            Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.10.6328.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 3/4/2011 12:05:34, 520192 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x1
           Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

            Description: Stereo Mix (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
            Driver Name: stwrt64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.10.6328.0000 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 3/4/2011 12:05:34, 520192 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x1
           Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 597.6 GB
Total Space: 697.4 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS727575A9E364

Drive: D:
Free Space: 1.9 GB
Total Space: 17.7 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Hitachi HTS727575A9E364

      Drive: E:
      Model: hp DVDRAM GA31N
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), 11/21/2010 03:23:47, 147456 bytes

--------------

philmo999 · ‎11-22-2011

Can anyone help at all - so frustrating. A new product that does not perform, anyone from HP ?

Tks

philmo999 · ‎11-22-2011

Can someone please help here - very frustrated Envy 17 user, which is about to be thrown off a tall building...

tks

Designvs · ‎02-02-2012

Hello, I'm from Brazil and I am having the same problem as you, and already managed to find a solution to the problem of Envy 17?

wehugheog · ‎02-18-2012

Same here on World of Warcraft. My first HP laptop after about 20 years of Thinkpads.....

Really bad fps at lowest settings. This is ridiculous. I bought this Envy 17 to play at at least good settings.

Yes, all drivers are up to date. Even did a clean install of win7 x64

So, I am really disappointed and am seriously thinking of selling this and getting something else like a Thinkpad again.

philmo999 · ‎11-22-2011

I have not really found a solution, so have worked with lower graphic settings.

I think I just expected too much from this laptop - I will advise if I find any help to improve things.

wehugheog · ‎02-18-2012

Ok, not HP approved but:

I updated the:

-Intel Chipset drivers

-Intel Rapid Storage drivers

From this site: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-drivers-software-forum/556469-drivers-hp-dv6-4xxx-dv6-6xxx-dv7-5x...

- Updated ATI drivers NOT from the above site, but took 12.1 catalyst and installed OVER the old drivers to keep the Intel GPU switching software in place (NO idea why, I never use it). It went wrong a couple times, but then they caught on. Much better now. www.3dguru.com is a good site.

STILL, when running 3Dmark or similar software, my GPU is now running much better, but somehow they all say that my CPU (running at 2GHZ it is a 2630GM-2Gh) is still way too slow for my system, and I tend to agree (1/4 of the average score).

WoW is better now, BUT no way near what it is supposed to be.

Also:

- turned off core-parking in Windows7

- turned off sound enhancements (mic and speakers, etc. in adv. audio settings, right click the card etc.) in Windows 7

- Power options: check cpu and such, all at max. (in advanced settings)

- adjusted set priority process (taksmanager, processes right click) to WoW.exe highest priority

- Running WoW Launcher AND the wow.exe's as administrator

- CCC (Ati card settings) standard, BUT check for your game.

- I am sure that I forgot some other settings/tweaks in this weeks long ordeal.......

And last but definetaly not least... Still not very satisfied with the HP Envy 17

Am considering selling it and using that money (and add some) to buy something else (Thinkpad? Alienware?)

I hope this info helps others a bit. Remember to reboot after EVERY update and set a restore point BEFORE you start the above!!!!!!

wehugheog · ‎02-18-2012

Found the solution!

ThrottleStop (program, set multiplier to 20, clock modulation 100, chipset clock mod 100 and under options, tick unblock bidirectinal Prochot) That's it, it will run perfectly from then on.

Read more about it here: http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/577420-envy-17-3d-sb-throttling-fix.html

Basically HP is making your cpu and gpu throttle. That is run slower so the fan runs slower and you get less heat.

If you want to use the cpu and gpu to it's fullest, read the above link and use ThrottleStop with the settings I described above. IF you are running a 2630QM 2Ghz, otherwise, find your right multiplier settings. That is easy. REst of the settings are same, this means you are NOT overclocking it, just making sure that you use the cpu/gpu to it's fullest potential.

My WoW runs perfect now at 60fps and high settings.

CJacksonLASD · ‎02-06-2012

For those of you with the low graphics, have you switched your graphics over to fixed yet in your bios setting. The switchable graphics is highly flawed and you can not trust it to switch to your high performance GPU.

Second, HP current graphics drivers ending in 3000 are also flawed. Download and install AMD Catalyst drivers 12.1 or above over your current drivers.

CJacksonLASD · ‎02-06-2012

I will bet my post answered his question, all HP users rely on switchable graphics which do not work with AMD chipsets. {content removed}

Second DO NOT MESS WITH YOUR HP Throttling, I work in IT and I have seen over 20 laptops a year that are dead after prematurely aging very quickly and it is always with people who overclock to high and bring their computer components way above their intended to reach. HP laptops are also known to use a very generic brand of Thermal paste on the CPU and you will notice if you OC that its temperature will raise its avg load temp well over the 90's.

{content removed}

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My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)

Re: My Envy 17 Notebook has really average graphics performance in games (BF3)