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    6990M Surprise

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by ElixirLT, Aug 4, 2011.

  1. ElixirLT

    ElixirLT Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, I was a bit skeptical on buying my new M17x with a 6990M in it because of power usage at first, I was scared that lugging it around college with only a battery life of 3 hours would be pushing my luck. However my laptop arrived today and when I look a bit carefully it turns out that AMD has incorporated Switchable Graphics into this GPU! I thought it was only available on the more "budget" oriented mobile cards, but my laptop gives me the ability to swap over to my 2720QM Intel Graphics just by hitting 2 buttons. Now I can rest assured that I won't end up dying in a lecture up at college later this year! They don't even say that they allow switchable graphics on their website on the new 6990M GPU!
     
    ElixirLT, Aug 4, 2011
    #1
  2. Aikimox

    Aikimox Weihenstephaner!

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    The switching is between the 6990M and Intel IGP 3000. And yes, it gives a very decent battery life bonus. My M18x can achieve over 5hrs on battery, lol.
     
    Aikimox, Aug 4, 2011
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  3. CleaningService

    CleaningService Notebook Consultant

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    Does the M18x require a restart to switch graphics?

    (I have Optimus and it's ummm very inconsistent lol)
     
    CleaningService, Aug 4, 2011
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  4. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    zoolian982, Aug 4, 2011
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  5. steve1ddd

    steve1ddd Notebook Evangelist

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    the AMDs let you jsut hit Fn F7 to switch....screeen blinks and poof, you are switched....SOOOOOOO much better then optimus
     
    steve1ddd, Aug 4, 2011
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  6. CleaningService

    CleaningService Notebook Consultant

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    CleaningService, Aug 4, 2011
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  7. ewitte12

    ewitte12 Notebook Evangelist

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    IGP only switches a few times then I need to reboot to change over again. Not a big deal its like a 15-20 second reboot with the SSD.
     
    ewitte12, Aug 5, 2011
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  8. aarpcard

    aarpcard Notebook Deity

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    I wish I had switchable graphics lol. 58min of battery life max.
     
    aarpcard, Aug 5, 2011
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  9. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    Yes. Reboot required on the M18. Not the M17x R3 though. Which is one reason I loved it soooooooo much. Still miss it.
     
    pmassey31545, Aug 5, 2011
    #9