Tips for making my games run faster

I have an Alienware laptop with 4GB of ram, a 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M. I'm currently playing Dragon Age, and I've got everything on the lowest setting possible and the game runs extremely choppy, and I don't know why. Am I doing something wrong? Is it a hardware problem? Or is the game just naturally a little rough?

Same thing with FarCry 2. I have to turn everything down all the way to make the game run smoothly, and I know I should be able to run that well

I got a regular 260... and i run Far Cry 2 on DX 10, 8x AA and at my Res, no problem.. 60-80 FPS

something is definitely wrong. start off updating your video drivers and making sure the laptop is in high performance mode in the power options. though those kind of specs running badly at low settings make me think you have faulty hardware. paullywog

EDIT: It's on high performance mode

Also, when I check the device manager it says I have a GeForce 9400, but we ordered a 260 and my Alienware info says 260. System requirements lab also says I have a 9400. WTF?

maybe the gtx260m runs in hybrid sli with the onboard 9400mgt?...

maybe the gtx260m runs in hybrid sli with the onboard 9400mgt?...

onfire23

^

Either that or your laptop (assuming M15x) is using the integrated 9400m to play games. To test: in BIOS, disable 9400 and SLI to see if framerates improve. This is not a permanent solution as your battery life will drain quickly, but at least you can find out if that's the problem.

^

Either that or your laptop (assuming M15x) is using the integrated 9400m to play games. To test: in BIOS, disable 9400 and SLI to see if framerates improve. This is not a permanent solution as your battery life will drain quickly, but at least you can find out if that's the problem.

simplyderp

EDIT: Oh, and it's an M17x

EDIT EDIT: Fixed! I just went in to the BIOS and disabled integrated graphics. Dragon Age looks sweet now. Thanks for the help guys. Mods, please feel free to lock this

great now enjoy the games.hell you got the m17x.i wish i got one of those man!