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    Activating switchable graphic cards.

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Rulineitor, Apr 13, 2010.

  1. Rulineitor

    Rulineitor Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi guys,

    could someone tell me which cards from both nvidia and ATI are compatible with switchable graphics?

    I mean, those that support it but don't come with it enabled from the vendor.

    I'd like to know if, for example, i could enable it a dell studio 14 with i5 proc and radeon 5450 through custom drivers.

    Ty for your help.
     
    Rulineitor, Apr 13, 2010
    #1
  2. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    It depends on what chipset your machine has. If it's anything but the PM55 chipset, it's possible that some new drivers from ATI will enable graphics switching. Look for it in a couple months or so.
     
    Pitabred, Apr 13, 2010
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  3. Rulineitor

    Rulineitor Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ty, knowing that is kind of hard though, for this particular model since specs sheet list PM/HM55 and cantiga options...
     
    Rulineitor, Apr 13, 2010
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  4. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Look into CPUz. I believe that should be able to tell you what chipset is in your machine.
     
    Pitabred, Apr 13, 2010
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  5. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    User Retired 2, Apr 13, 2010
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  6. chimera27

    chimera27 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm confused. Aren't there very specific (and limited) laptop models capable of switchable graphics? I keep coming across references to the i5 having embedded graphics capabilities... is that true for the mobile processors too?
     
    chimera27, Apr 13, 2010
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  7. Rulineitor

    Rulineitor Notebook Enthusiast

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    As i understand it, all i5 procs have integrated graphics, so depending on the chipset, 300m and hd5000 graphic cards from nvidia and ati (respectively) are compatible with switchable graphics. Thing is to have them enabled.
     
    Rulineitor, Apr 14, 2010
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  8. lozanogo

    lozanogo Notebook Deity

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    It depends on the model, or rather on the manufacturer to include or not the switchable graphics options. I know one Asus model of the N61J series has an i5 with an Nvidia 325m with switchable graphics.
     
    lozanogo, Apr 14, 2010
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  9. ziddy123

    ziddy123 Notebook Virtuoso

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    You cannot enable it.

    It has to be enabled by the manufacturer, so if they didn't do it, you are out of luck.
     
    ziddy123, Apr 14, 2010
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  10. Rulineitor

    Rulineitor Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, that was the truth till i5 procs came along, that's the whole point of the thread.

    Since the graphics controller comes attached with the procs itself, considering u have the right chipset u can enable it through software. At least in theory.
     
    Rulineitor, Apr 14, 2010
    #10
  11. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    According to Intel PM55 chipset doesn't support switchable graphics so even if you have the integrated (from the CPU) and discrete GPUs, you might not be able to utilize it...
     
    sgogeta4, Apr 14, 2010
    #11