Whats the deal with the R3 switchable graphics 6970M?

I have owned this large laptop for a few months now, one thing I have noticed for sure is the switchable graphics will eventually get stuck on the Intel IGP.

When does it get stuck? Well if you leave it plugged in then there no problem seemly from my own usage. Although soon as you remove from plugged in, and switch back and forwards a couple of times on battery, then put it into sleep mode and out, returning back to plugged in state, chances are that it will not switch graphics anymore. By this stage you have to reboot the damm thing.

I see that many people have asked this before in other threads. Sometimes they maybe only a click away to switch back, but there is an actual point where the switchable graphics does not work, then woop wruppp, reboot required.

Is there ever going to be any real fix to address the switchable graphics issues?

 

When you try to switch back make sure you have no programs running in the background.

 

yep but if u really wanna switch ive been able to force the switch by spam clicking the switch graphics card option in switchable gpu after a few times a warning msg pops up saying u are about to switch graphics cards make sure all background apps are closed or something along those lines (sorry my laptops 300 miles away rite now) then click yes and it forces a switch even if u have stuff using the gpu running (i dont reccomend this it's probably bad for the gpu and the laptop)

 

Not sure if you guys get it. Anyone really should not need to close every program on your computer just to switch the graphics, especially if not using the GPU for any serious rendering.

Basically once it eventually gets stuck on the Intel IGP, even using the Catalyst Control Center switchable graphics, nothing happens when clicking on the High-performance GPU, no matter if the laptop plugged in or on battery. And using FN+F7 just displays a message "Choose Yes to enable", then again nothing happens.

When done with the only two options above. The only other option is to reboot R3 (6970M), just so the 6970M returns back to working order. I wish Dell would get there crap together and fix this. However I am sure no one yet knows of a work around once it gets to this stage?

 

I have gotten stuck on one or the other a couple times (Not really the same problem as you, but similar), have had the brightness controls stop working, and I have had Aero go out EVERY time I switch. I did a fresh install of the default drivers last night and things seem to be working better again.

It seems these drivers just really suck, and no, it doesn't seem Dell gives a crap about its customers.

 

Why would anyone care? Is it just because people want this feature to work because it should? I only use mine for gaming so it's always connected to AC. I always want my on the AMD card.

On my ASUS I used the AMD clock tool to force it never to downclock. I only turn these systems on when it's time to play. Do people actually use these for Word, Excel and general internet surfing?

Cheers,

 

I care and actually use switchable graphics alot, both for gaming, surfing, running virtual machines, and RDP to my work stations in another cooler room in the house, while on the couch in the lounge at nights.

Gaming some times on the 6970M, and then I will use the battery and the 1080p screen on IGP for RDP work or anything else when sitting in front of the fire to max out the remaining 50% battery, move between rooms at times.

Different people have different needs or usage of the machine, with mine I and certain there are others that will use in a simular manner. It is sad such a high end product can be so poor in such an area.

Anyway looks like almost no one knows anything, and those people that fall into that subset often quick to give dead end answers. I will try find a work around for those that care in the mean time.

 

Sincerely this is mainly a drivers thing, switch those and try to see if it works

 

That's some alarmingly egocentric thinking there. Of course some people use the switchable graphics(read the OP, for example...), and of course people use them for stuff other than gaming. As a matter of fact, I think you're the "odd one out" in that you use it STRICTLY to game. This is my main machine that I use 99% of the time, as I am sure is the same with many people in this forum.

As to the OP, sorry I have no advice for you. Even though I am sure plenty of people use the IGP, I can bet that you're the only one that uses it as much as you do

 

Seems like a good reason for any feature to work...

I've had some trouble with the switchable graphics as well. More so at first then now. Right now I have the latest stock drivers from Dell and Catalyst 11.5b installed over them (for the SC2 pylon fix...) This combination means I can't change my brightness with the function keys when on the AMD GPU (can still be changed in Windows Mobility Center) but the switchable graphics work more often than not.

Keep us posted, OP.

 

I've only encountered problems with switching when I put the computer to sleep and then try to switch from IGP to GPU or vice versa. Usually I shut down my computer after usage, so that's prolly why. Quit being lazy and shut down

 

Even after a clean install I still need to reboot sometime to switch from IGP to 6970m. I definitely think this is an issue that Dell needs to fix. It doesn't bother me now that rebooting only takes me about 15 seconds after I installed my SSD.

It would be nice to have switchable graphics not have issues. Like someone else already mentioned, it is a feature that should work regardless of how much we actually use it or need it to work.

 

I wonder if you have a program, driver, device, or something installed that causes the incompatibility issue. Seems weird it happens on a fresh install. Are you using the original Dell drivers?

 

I noticed when I had Crysis 2 open in the background it wouldn't let me switch. Once I closed the game down it switched just fine.

I forgot to switch cards, remembered real quick I was using the Intel graphics card when I tried playing C2

 

I think now the reason I have to reboot sometimes is due to the fact I installed 11.6 drivers over top of the Dell drivers. I don't mind that I have to reboot it sometimes, not a big deal for me.

 

Mine does not seem to have this problem.

 

I have just got a HP DV6 with 6770M GPU, this thing is sweet for gaming at 1366x768. Fits on you lap without bursting blood vessels in the legs.

Better still, on the HP it lets you know that you have to close all your applications (almost all of them) and them you can switch the graphics between power saver and performance.

I tried out the above (closing applications) on the M17x R3 and what do you know? It actually will switches between the IGP and the GPU!
All along the main issue was there is nothing to advise you to do this from Dell.

Answer for this thread, close your applications and then switch

 

Every time I switch graphics a box pops up that recommends closing applications. I can disable the box from showing up though. I'm not sure what you are talking about when you say there isn't anything that recommends closing applications.

 

i cant even switch between igp an 6990M
im permanent on de ati card, i go to switacble graphics i see the intel and ati but when i select the intel nothing happens.
thats probably because i use ati 11.9 drivers?

 

Switching between IGP and 6970 worked until Dell replaced my motherboard. Since then I can't switch at all.

Resolution with Dell over the issue is still ongoing.