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    Do all i5 laptops have switchable graphics?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by matt_h1, Apr 30, 2010.

  1. matt_h1

    matt_h1 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Heya folks, I'm just trying to work out whether or not Core i5 laptops have switchable graphics if they have a dedicated gpu?.

    My understanding is that all Core i5 laptops come with the intel HD GPU built into the CPU package, so does that mean any laptop with this and a dedicated GPU can switch between them to save power?.

    I know Nvidia's optimus tech does it automatically, but it seems there are alot less of them on the market and automatic Vs manual switching dosent worry me too much.
     
    matt_h1, Apr 30, 2010
    #1
  2. lozanogo

    lozanogo Notebook Deity

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    No, they don't. The chipset, i5, has the capability but the selling company (of the laptop, that is) must enable it.
     
    lozanogo, Apr 30, 2010
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  3. ziddy123

    ziddy123 Notebook Virtuoso

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    All Arrendale have switchable graphics. It's up to OEMs to enable it though. Seems if you have a high performance GPU with i5, more than likely it's disabled, so doesn't matter.

    So the answer is Yes and No.

    My recommendation if that is the case if you are getting a notebook with a GTX 260, HD5850, HD5830, HD5870, HD57xx, then go with i7 720QM as there really isn't an advantage to get an i5. Only get the i5 if you are using an entertainment, entry level notebook with the switchable graphics enabled.
     
    ziddy123, Apr 30, 2010
    #3
  4. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    All Arr andale CPU's are capable of using graphics switching. That said, it depends on the chipset the manufacturer uses as to whether or not it will actually work. If it's a PM55 (common on machines like the G73JH, HP Envy 15, and other performance laptops), the chipset doesn't support switching. All other mobile chipsets from Intel do support it.
     
    Pitabred, Apr 30, 2010
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  5. sean473

    sean473 Notebook Prophet

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    no all i5 laptops don't support switchable graphics.. Depending on the chipset and whether the manufactuer has enabled it , switchable graphics will work or not...
     
    sean473, Apr 30, 2010
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  6. de3pkeeper

    de3pkeeper Notebook Enthusiast

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    What about the HM55 chipset? Can't really find a specification list that would reveal a feature to switch bewtween graphics solutions...
     
    de3pkeeper, Oct 12, 2010
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  7. Meaker@Sager

    Meaker@Sager Company Representative

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    Not only MUST it have an HM55 chipset, it must have display data lines running from it to the display connectors.
     
    Meaker@Sager, Oct 12, 2010
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  8. de3pkeeper

    de3pkeeper Notebook Enthusiast

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    I see. Well, no way to tell whether such data lines are present, I guess. I would think rather not, because it adds up well to the fact that Intel graphics is not present in the system BIOS, nor detected by sysinfo tools.
     
    de3pkeeper, Oct 14, 2010
    #8