Studio XPS 1647: PM55, HM55 and Switchable Graphics

I have been asked to start this thread by a Dell representative so this issue can be cleared up. It will also serve as a thread where future information relating to the 1647 chipsets (and ultimately switchable graphics) can be posted. This has been talked about in the owner's lounge but I'm sure most owners agree that this issue is of enough importance to merit its own thread.

As most 1647 owners are aware, the 1647 is not being shipped with the HM55 chipset, despite Dell's website claiming it would be:



Instead it is being shipped with the slightly older PM55 chipset which was introduced back in September 09' with the quad-core mobile i7's, and is the chipset used on the 1645. This has been confirmed here, here and here.

• Why would you want the HM55 instead of the PM55? For most, it's one simple reason. The HM55 chipset supports utilisation of the on-die IGP on the new Arrandale range of CPU's. The PM55 unfortunately does not; it cannot transfer the IGP data to the laptop screen, due to the lack of Intel's FDI bus capability (Flexible Display Interface).
• What does this mean? As the PM55 can't utilise the graphics processor built-in to the new Arrandale CPU's, then switchable graphics is not possible.
• So if we had the HM55, would we have switchable graphics? At the moment, no. Basically something like NVIDIA's Optimus software is required. Currently ATI do not offer a switchable graphics software solution. BIOS support would also be required from Dell.
• But, if software and BIOS support is eventually offered, I won't be able to utilise SG anyway, as I have the PM55, right? Correct. This is what we need Dell to clear up. Most owners (not all) purchased the 1647 on the premise that they would receive the HM55.

For those interested, some further information on the PM55/HM55 chipsets and switchable graphics can be found here. Chipset information can be found below.

Mobile Intel® PM55 Express Chipset
Mobile Intel® HM55 Express Chipset

There is however one "flaw" that would be present if Dell actually went by the chipset and CPU listings on their website. The flaw is the i7-620M. It's a dual-core 32nm Arrandale CPU with an IGP. In other words, it's far more like the i5-520M and i5-540M than the quad-core 45nm i7 CPU's. So, according to Dell's website listing, the i7-620M (as it's an i7) is to be shipped with the PM55. This issue will hopefully be cleared up by Dell also, so let's wait and see what they say.

Please let me know if I have missed out important information and I will include it here. Similarly, this applies if any of the above information is incorrect, please let me know and I'll correct it.

 

Hi,

To let you know, we've passed this information along and we're looking into it. At this point I don't have any definitive answers as to what was intended and whether this is a marketing error or what. Soon as I know we'll post.

 

It kinda suxs because most of us bought the laptop because of the possibility of switchable graphics. But since it apparently doesn't come with this it kinda feels like the cash could be used somewhere else... My concern is what is dell going to do to fix this issue

 

I was under the impression that switchable graphics would not be supported on any current studio xps 16 configuration regardless of chipset because the requiste modifications to the mainboard had not been conducted. Classic switchable graphics requires the introduction of multiplexers (muxes) to the mainboard, to allow switching between discrete and intergrated gpus. This means an entire redesign of the mainboard. As things stand, and I hope somebody can prove me wrong here, there is no evidence that Dell has conducted these modifications to 1647 mainboards, which would allow switching with compatible arrandale parts.

Nvidia Optimus, of course, is a different story altogether, as switching occurs entirely through software-but as stated above, Dell has historically used ATI parts on the 164X series, and is likely to continue to do so for the forseeable future.

My hope is that with the introduction of ATI's DX11 compliant 5XXX series cards on the 1647, Dell will finally bring some form of switchable graphics onto this platform. If switchable graphics is introduced, then the 1645 quad-core (Clarksfield) systems will be left out of the action until Sandy Bridge drops next year.

 

I don't think traditional switchable graphics was ever expected on the SXPS 16. It increased costs and was a complex setup for manufacturers to implement, users rarely used it and special drivers are required (usually inferior performing, older drivers). I use it on my M11x and it's far from ideal, for the following reasons:



I'm sure most owners would love to be able to disable the power hungry HD 4670 when not in use (even by way of traditional SG technology) but I was specifically referring to the future possibility of supporting SG when ATI release software similar to Optimus. As at the moment, the owners with the PM55 chipset and Arrandale CPU's will never be able to utilise it. They need the HM55.

To be honest, I don't think we'll see traditional switchable graphics on new machines again. Manufacturers using ATI cards are unlikely to offer it due to increased cost and complexity (having to add extra multiplexers/routing) and manufacturers using NVIDIA cards will be able to use Optimus. Asus for instance, are rolling out Optimus on nearly all their new machines with discrete GPU's. There's also talk of Optimus being used on all of Apple's new revision MacBooks. In other words, it quite clear to see that manufacturers who want to produce laptops with discrete GPU's and increased battery life will choose NVIDIA cards with Optimus instead of ATI.

ATI need to produce something quick or they're going to lose out big time. It's about the only aspect of NVIDIA's current technology that has the upper hand on ATI.

 

Hi, I'm sorry but I can't find an answer to my question: are all SXPSs 1647 still being shipped with PM55 regardless which CPU you choose? So there are no difference between 1647 with i7-620 and with i5-540? (maybe i620 is soldered?)

Thank you...

 

Hi HeadHunter,

All 1647's are being shipped with the PM55 regardless of CPU.

 

This ATI/AMD doesn't support switchable graphics is quite shocking, what the heck are they doing with wasting their time on stupid Eyefinity (sorry its the biggest gimmick in a while, if u can buy 6 screens u can buy a high quality 40"+ monitor) if they don't have software to do this?

 

So if you have a 1558 with HM55 and i5-520 then in theory can you utilize swithcable graphics if Dell update the bios and ATI update driver to support it?

 

Everyone who brings their laptop to university, will most certainly benefit from switchable graphics. For the sake of battery life.
I'm in the process of purchasing a new laptop sometime soon and the only reason why the Studio 15 looks more ideal to me over the XPS 16, is because its graphics card doesn't drain the battery as fast.

 

ATI does support switchable graphics with the HM55 chipset and dual-core i series processors (quad-core i7s like the 720 don't have an integrated GPU). There are several laptops out there (HP DV6 series, Lenovo Y460, and several others) that have switchable graphics with the ATI 5650. ATI requires you to flip a manual switch, where Optimus the switching is automatic.

This doesn't change the fact that they're not supported on the XPS 16 though.

 

To me the manual switch is completely ok. I know when I'm going to play a game vs work in Word, the Arrandale processor can do more than enough for the ladder scenario.