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    Can someone please confirm if the m17x R4 has switchable graphics?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by funkmasterta, Oct 31, 2012.

  1. funkmasterta

    funkmasterta Notebook Evangelist

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    I just got off chat with two Dell reps and both said that it does not have switchable graphics?

    Seems odd for such a high end laptop to not have this feature. It's a gaming rig, but sometimes, you just wanna surf, ya know?
     
    funkmasterta, Oct 31, 2012
    #1
  2. pianoforte

    pianoforte Notebook Geek

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    It uses Optimus/enduro which turns on the discrete card when needed, and there is also a switch key.


    EDIT: right, 3d vision currently doesn't support that.
     
    pianoforte, Oct 31, 2012
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  3. bigtonyman

    bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!

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    it depends on if you get a system with a 3d screen or not. If you get the 3d screen, the Igpu has to be disabled because it can't push the 120hz screen. if you just a 60hz screen though, you either get enduro (AMD) or optimus (Nvidia) both have their pro's and con's and work differently.
     
    bigtonyman, Oct 31, 2012
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  4. mikecacho

    mikecacho Notebook Evangelist

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    To answer your question, no, not in the traditional format you are use to. You can either enable the HD4000 or disable it, but you can never switch off the amd/nvidia card you have.
     
    mikecacho, Oct 31, 2012
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  5. funkmasterta

    funkmasterta Notebook Evangelist

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    So, there is no battery savings advantage? Or, it's less of a battery savings advantage than a traditional switchable graphics machine?
     
    funkmasterta, Oct 31, 2012
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  6. leeshjnn

    leeshjnn Notebook Evangelist

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    I believe, M17x can last around 3-4 hours under HD4000. As this is purely preference, I will leave it to you to decide whether you want 3-4 hours laptop or an ultrabook with 6 hours battery.
     
    leeshjnn, Oct 31, 2012
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  7. Alienware-Luis_Pardo

    Alienware-Luis_Pardo Guest

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    With AMD you get manual switchable graphics, can be done through Fn+F7 or the Catalyst. Nvidia on the other hand will handle it automatically with Optimus Technology.

    As tony says, this applies for non-3D models
     
    Alienware-Luis_Pardo, Oct 31, 2012
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  8. mikecacho

    mikecacho Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes there is battery saving advantages to having you HD4000 graphics running, please do some research, this will break down all those questions you might need answered.
     
    mikecacho, Oct 31, 2012
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  9. GQ Ukyo

    GQ Ukyo Notebook Enthusiast

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    AMD does that also. My laptop is always defaulted on the IGP until I run a game/program that I assigned to use the dedicated GPU. My m14x had the nvidia 555 and it worked exactly the same way.
     
    GQ Ukyo, Oct 31, 2012
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  10. bu7maid

    bu7maid Newbie

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    I believe having switchable graphics is different then the Optimus or Enduro Technologies.
    I dont think they would put the switchable graphics option if it doesn't work on 3D m17x. people have reported switchable graphics are working when updating to the latest BIOS "A9"
    I personally tried it on my M17x r4 675M and it didn't work :(
     
    bu7maid, Nov 2, 2012
    #10