Switchable Graphics

[one33_bpm]

Hello,

This question goes out to the people who run XOTICPC.

When will we be seeing a 15" lappie with *powerful* switchable graphics?! And by powerful, i mean Tier I class graphics, like an ATI 58xx series GPU.

As a side note, typically i am unimpressed with the bulky form factor of Sager & Clevo notebooks. So i guess that i am referring to Asus, MSI, etc...

thanks,
one33_bpm

[UntilMoraleImproves]

Based on what I've read (http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/switchable-graphics/Pages/switchable-graphics.aspx), switchable graphics aren't available in the 58xx series yet.

[Mekhit]

And, by that link you provided UMI, it's only for Windows Vista...weird that it doesn't include 7.

[UntilMoraleImproves]

Interesting, I didn't notice that at first. Maybe AMD hasn't updated the page yet?

[Mekhit]

Maybe not...you would think a big company like AMD would have someone on top of that thing...who knows

[one33_bpm]

Actually, the ATI Mobility 5xxx line of GPUs *DO* support switchable graphics. This is evidenced by recently announced laptops such as the Lenovo Y460 & Y560, as well as the MSI GE600 & GE700,

In fact, switchable graphics have been supported by AMD since at least the 4xxx series.
http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/switchable-graphics/Pages/switchable-graphics.aspx


The fact of the matter is that switchable graphics should have been introduced in the enthusiast first, but instead the vendors have decided to implement IGP/GPU switching in the mainstream market.

Consider the power usage by the:
Arrandale IGP: 18W (approximate)
Radeon 5470: 15W (max)
Radeon 5650: 19W (max)
Radeon 5730: 26W (max)
Radeon 5850: 39W (max)
(Radeon Power figures from notebookcheck.com)

Comparing these power figures, clearly the biggest advantage (and the only significant one at that) would belong to the user of the most powerful GPUs. Thus my question...

Why aren't we seeing enthusiast class laptops with switchable graphics and a Tier I GPU? And when will it happen?

[Mekhit]

Actually, the ATI Mobility 5xxx line of GPUs *DO* support switchable graphics. This is evidenced by recently announced laptops such as the Lenovo Y460 & Y560, as well as the MSI GE600 & GE700,

In fact, switchable graphics have been supported by AMD since at least the 4xxx series.
http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/switchable-graphics/Pages/switchable-graphics.aspx


The fact of the matter is that switchable graphics should have been introduced in the enthusiast first, but instead the vendors have decided to implement IGP/GPU switching in the mainstream market.

Consider the power usage by the:
Arrandale IGP: 18W (approximate)
Radeon 5470: 15W (max)
Radeon 5650: 19W (max)
Radeon 5730: 26W (max)
Radeon 5850: 39W (max)
(Radeon Power figures from notebookcheck.com)

Comparing these power figures, clearly the biggest advantage (and the only significant one at that) would belong to the user of the most powerful GPUs. Thus my question...

Why aren't we seeing enthusiast class laptops with switchable graphics and a Tier I GPU? And when will it happen?

Ignore me, I read the post wrong. Yeah I agree, why wouldn't we get it over the lower models? Odd.

[Mekhit]

Ok just found this site (http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI-Mobility-Radeon-HD-5870.23073.0.html)

"Furthermore, the chip does support PowerXpress (with AMD chipset) and Switchable Graphics (Intel) to switch between the dedicated and chipset / CPU graphics card (with improved switching times)"

So it seems it does support it.

[one33_bpm]

Does the XOTICPC staff have any comment on this?

[Mekhit]

Does the XOTICPC staff have any comment on this?

I doubt we'll see anything from them. They've been especially quiet lately.:cool:

[kingtz]

Is this switchability a matter of turning on the feature in the bios, or is this controlled by the driver?

Just asking, because if it's been disabled in the bios, then we'll probably never see it in the T1 models..

Edit: by "disabled in the bios", I mean that whoever designed the bios didn't even include the option at all.

[Mekhit]

To be honest, I have no idea. I haven't gotten mine yet to play with it.

[kingtz]

I came across this article:

http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3737&p=1


I think it's worth a read.

[one33_bpm]

@kingtz... You read the article, so you should know that switchability requires a bunch of things to be possible. So lets look at a case in point, the MSI GX640. It has almost all of the required elements for switchable graphics (chipset (Intel PM55), IGP (Arrandale), GPU (ATI 5xxx), Win7 + drivers). But while all of the key components are available, MSI failed to make a motherboard that would support it.

for reference:
http://www.xoticpcforums.com/showthread.php?t=5688

Now whether that functionality can be enabled by a bios setting that has yet to be implemented is unknown to me... But if that was the case, then i imagine that is something that they would be advertising for. In fact, they do in their GE600 & 700...

http://eu.msi.com/index.php?func=newsdesc&news_no=982

[mangbhoy]

If the science doesn't add up, it must be the economics. This is completely from the top of my hat.

On midrange laptops, having the switchable graphics option would offer a greater net marginal benefit than the net marginal benefit to enthusiast laptops. In short, having switchable graphics would be a significant selling point to midrange laptops and would be merely a small value added for enthusiast laptops.

And why midrange laptops first? Well, the manufacturing process and output must be not be ready yet for the enthusiast market - maybe.

[mrmatt]

Hah talk about bringing back a thread..

[powerpack]

Hah talk about bringing back a thread..Necro post! We have advanced we now have Asus with 10+ hours of batt life. I would like a 8+ hour with better than WXGA resolution.

I am thinking if I am going to necro post I should at least say something.:p:)

Nvidia seems to be on the ball, where is ATI?;)

[mrmatt]

Necro post! We have advanced we now have Asus with 10+ hours of batt life. I would like a 8+ hour with better than WXGA resolution.

I am thinking if I am going to necro post I should at least say something.:p:)

Nvidia seems to be on the ball, where is ATI?;)
I'm not the one who necro posted!! And ATI is Fashionably late of course :wink2:

[powerpack]

I know you didn't necro post well sort of not. Mang dug it up.

[mrmatt]

I know you didn't necro post well sort of not. Mang dug it up.

Oh okz :eeek2:

[mangbhoy]

Hahaha got bored and had a lot of time lately XD

[powerpack]

Hahaha got bored and had a lot of time lately XDmang you aware all posts are monitored for content. If they are not on topic warnings are sent out and finally suspensions then permanent bans? I have reported yours.

Oh who am I kidding, no way I have this many posts on topic!:p If being on topic was a requirement I would of been banned long time ago.:D Anyway I also had a little too much time on my hands.;)