HD 6850M worse than a desktop 7600GT?

Coming from a Pentium 4 2.6 Ghz, 1GB RAM, 7600GT 512MB DDR2 PC to a Acer 7750G with the Core i5 2410M, 4GB of DDR3 RAM and a HD 6850M 1GB DDR3, I expected to run Resident Evil 4 on 1600x900 with 4x AA 16xAF easily. Instead, the game freezes while loading enemies, changing weapons in the inventory, loading cutscenes and looking at the map. I ran this game on my PC at 800x600 8xS AA 16xAF or 1024x768 4x AA 16xAF and it ran without problems. Has this something to do with the switching between integrated and dedicated graphics or is it because my laptop is not powerful enough? I am running W7. Heat is not an issue because I have a notebook cooler and my laptop barely gets warm.

 

It is probably a problem with the GPU switching as the game is probably running on the Intel IGP, which is still worse than the 7600GT. If you can get the switching to work right so games are set to run on the 6850M, then you will see a notable improvement.

The 6850M is a downclocked equivalent to a desktop Radeon 5770, a GPU that shreds your old 7600GT like if it was toilet paper.

 

Is there a way to disable the IGP?

 

Not sure what kind of laptop do you have? Envy 17?

I think the Envy has an option in the BIOS to disable any GPU switching.

 

I have an Acer 7750G.

 

I think I recall reading the opposite and the 6850 can't be disabled for some reason in this laptop. I would guess right now you just need to update the drivers.

 

Do other games have the same problem or is it just this one? Have you patched the game?

Googling it seems to have a pretty bad PC port, so it might be that.

 

I want to disable the Intel graphics not the HD 6850M. Yes the game is patched. But the game worked fine on my PC.
In CCC active Power Plan is "Balanced". Is there a way to change it?

 

In terms of the Power Plan, you can just set it to "High Performance" and see if that makes the 6850M more active.

 

I cannot change it.

 

double post

 

Right click desktop and go into ati control panel and make sure your not on battery mode. Picture of gpu-z would also help

by not being able to disable the 6850 I was implying you aren't using the intel HD gpu.

 

I have switched to gaming mode but still, the game freezes for a second when I change weapons and the map screen lags. All of this at 800x600.

 

Have you updated your gpu to the latest drivers?

Edit: Ok so I can't find squat about issues with this laptop but I did find some info about the graphics switching. On other laptops

1: Old drivers that the laptop likely ships with do not always recognize games and will not auto switch to the radeon card.

2: You can force the radeon card to be used by right-clicking on the desktop (‘Configure graphics switching’ .

So try updating your drivers first and then if that doesn't work you can manually force it.

 

The GPU is definitely extremely capable. It is a current-gen mid-high-tier mobile GPU. The fault lies in some other place.

Perhaps you missed some DirectX updates for RE4.

Could be old driver needing to be updated (unlikely, as the GPU is a year old and the driver can only be newer and should be compatible with RE4).

Or GPU-switching problem.

Maybe the CPU is throttling?

 

I have updated to latest drivers from the AMD website. I cannot find the ‘Configure graphics switching’ option when i right-click on the desktop. Still no success. I also installed the DirectX version that the came with the game DVD.

 

Do your CCC have the option to assign whether to use High Performance GPU(Radeon) or Power Saving GPU(Intel). Refer link below.. i know it's not Acer but it should be pretty similar interface.

Link: HP Notebook PCs - How to Configure ATI Mobility Radeon Switchable Graphics

 

Try changing your power plan directly from power options in control panel and see if it helps.

Having the HD6850 version with DDR3 it will hinder your performance at high resolutions, however, it absolutely destroys the 7600GT.

You can also see if chaning drivers help.

 

I dont have those options in CCC. And in device manager it only lists the HD 6850M. Does that mean I dont have switchable GPU problem? Also I searched on Acer website and I found a BIOS update that supports 'Graphic mode' item. Will using that help?

 

GDDR3 aint that bad.
Still not as bad as the Acer ones with their DDR3 equipped ones.

But once again switchable gpu tech messes with our gaming.

 

I have already set it to Gaming Mode in Power Options but it doesnt help.
I am going to download the VGA 8.861.0.0 drivers from the Acer website.

 

I agree that the gpu itself (the 6850M) is much more powerful when compared to the old 7600GT.

I would be inclined to think that the problem predominantly lies somewhere else.

The laptop might not be switching from the IGP to the dedicated card properly.
I think I noticed this to be the issue for some who have switchable graphics.

You might want to try upgrading the drivers for the IGP and dedicated card separately.

As for disabling one of them... have you tried going into device manager and trying to disable the IGP manually?

even if it works, it would be a temporary solution since you'd have to find a way for the dedicated card to take over once games are run (if that is indeed the problem).

Do you have preinstalled bloatware by any chance?
If yes, I would advise you to remove all of it and clean up your startup entries of garbage (leave only the AV and possibly whatever feature there is for switchable graphics - though I doubt it would have a startup service).

 

The Intel GPU is not listed in Device manager.
I am going to update both Intel and AMD drivers.
The CPU reaches 62C while gaming.

 

62 degrees is nothing... unless your laptop has exceptional cooling and/or mods for voltages, I suspect the temps should be roughly in the mid 70ies range, possibly reaching close to 80 degrees.

The current temps suggest that the discrete card is not really working (although, I could be wrong).

 

I downloaded the IGP drivers but when I try to install, it says no compatible
hardware found.

http://www.acer.co.ee/ac/en/EE/content/drivers

 

You have this laptop plugged into the wall when you try to game right?
Most laptops have a power saver mode the moment you disconnect the wall socket plug.

 

Yes I have plugged it into the wall. I have set it to gaming mode.

 

what is the performance settings under windows?

get the drivers from AMD rather than acer, google amd mobility.

Does this occurs with other games?

your 6850m should work as a 5670 desktop card, which is plentiful for that game

 

I tried rFactor at 1600x900 with 4xAA 16xAF and it ran perfectly, 40+ FPS and over 60 when theres few cars on the screen

 

can you run the game with gpuz in background and record the log through that and then post it here?

 

Sounds like the laptop is suffering from the switching problem similar to the hp laptops. The auto switching can't properly detect games sometimes and will use the intel hd chip. Check in your bios and see if there is an option to enable or disable.

 

Click on the power and battery icon in the bottom right section of the taskbar where your wifi symbol is. There you can change the power setting, or you can go into control panel and power options to change it. You cannot change the power settings through CCC.

 

Have you done a BIOS update?

 

Date , GPU Core Clock [MHz] , GPU Memory Clock [MHz] , GPU Temperature [°C] , Fan Speed [%] , GPU Load [%] , Fan Speed [RPM] , GPU Temp. #1 [°C] , GPU Temp. #2 [°C] , GPU Temp. #3 [°C] , VDDC [V] ,

2011-07-29 12:45:35 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 54.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 53.5 , 54.5 , 51.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:36 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 54.0 , 30 , 2 , - , 53.5 , 54.5 , 52.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:37 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 54.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 53.5 , 54.5 , 52.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:38 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 54.0 , 30 , 5 , - , 53.5 , 54.5 , 51.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:39 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 54.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 53.5 , 54.0 , 51.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:40 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 54.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 53.5 , 53.5 , 51.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:41 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 54.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 53.5 , 54.0 , 51.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:42 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 53.0 , 54.0 , 51.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:43 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 3 , - , 53.0 , 53.5 , 51.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:44 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 53.0 , 53.5 , 51.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:45 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 53.0 , 53.5 , 51.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:46 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 53.0 , 53.5 , 50.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:47 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 9 , - , 52.5 , 53.0 , 51.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:48 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 3 , - , 52.5 , 53.0 , 50.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:49 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 52.0 , 53.0 , 50.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:50 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 3 , - , 52.0 , 53.0 , 50.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:51 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 51.5 , 53.0 , 50.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:52 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 52.0 , 53.0 , 50.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:53 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 52.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 51.5 , 52.5 , 50.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:54 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 52.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 51.5 , 52.5 , 50.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:55 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 52.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 51.5 , 52.5 , 49.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:56 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 52.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 51.5 , 52.0 , 49.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 12:45:57 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 52.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 51.5 , 52.0 , 49.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 16:50:55 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 44.0 , 30 , 6 , - , 42.5 , 44.5 , 41.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 13:53:58 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 59.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 58.0 , 58.5 , 56.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 13:53:59 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 58.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 58.0 , 58.5 , 56.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 13:54:00 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 58.0 , 30 , 3 , - , 58.0 , 58.5 , 56.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 13:54:01 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 58.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 57.5 , 58.5 , 55.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 13:54:02 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 58.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 57.5 , 58.5 , 55.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 14:02:13 , 675.0 , 799.9 , 49.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 46.5 , 49.5 , 45.5 , 1.050 ,

2011-07-29 14:02:14 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 47.0 , 30 , 2 , - , 46.5 , 47.5 , 45.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 14:02:15 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 47.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 46.5 , 47.0 , 45.0 , 0.900 ,

Date , GPU Core Clock [MHz] , GPU Memory Clock [MHz] , GPU Temperature [°C] , Fan Speed [%] , GPU Load [%] , Fan Speed [RPM] , GPU Temp. #1 [°C] , GPU Temp. #2 [°C] , GPU Temp. #3 [°C] , VDDC [V] ,

Date , GPU Core Clock [MHz] , GPU Memory Clock [MHz] , GPU Temperature [°C] , Fan Speed [%] , GPU Load [%] , Fan Speed [RPM] , GPU Temp. #1 [°C] , GPU Temp. #2 [°C] , GPU Temp. #3 [°C] , VDDC [V] ,

2011-07-29 22:45:30 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 52.0 , 53.0 , 50.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:45:31 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 3 , - , 52.0 , 53.0 , 50.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:45:32 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 53.0 , 30 , 2 , - , 52.0 , 53.0 , 50.5 , 0.900 ,

Date , GPU Core Clock [MHz] , GPU Memory Clock [MHz] , GPU Temperature [°C] , Fan Speed [%] , GPU Load [%] , Fan Speed [RPM] , GPU Temp. #1 [°C] , GPU Temp. #2 [°C] , GPU Temp. #3 [°C] , VDDC [V] ,

2011-07-29 22:46:14 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 49.0 , 50.0 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:15 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 49.0 , 50.0 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:16 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 49.0 , 49.5 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:17 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 49.0 , 50.0 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:18 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 48.5 , 50.5 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:19 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 49.0 , 50.0 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:20 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 49.0 , 49.5 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:21 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 1 , - , 48.5 , 50.0 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:22 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 48.5 , 49.5 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:23 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 50.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 49.0 , 49.5 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:24 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 49.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 49.0 , 49.5 , 47.0 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:29 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 49.0 , 30 , 0 , - , 48.0 , 49.5 , 46.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:46:30 , 100.0 , 200.0 , 49.0 , 30 , 6 , - , 48.0 , 49.5 , 46.5 , 0.900 ,

2011-07-29 22:48:55 , 675.0 , 799.9 , 63.0 , 30 , 42 , - , 61.0 , 64.0 , 60.0 , 1.050 ,

2011-07-29 22:48:56 , 675.0 , 799.9 , 63.0 , 30 , 29 , - , 60.5 , 63.0 , 59.5 , 1.050 ,

 

Wont that void the warranty?

 

Please tell us thats a log of you sitting idle? Please take a screen shot of gpu-z. That log makes it look like your graphics card is sitting in battery mode. Are you trying to play games on battery?

And no a bios update will not void.

 

How is it a log of me sitting at idle? The GPU core clock jumps from 100 Mhz to 675 Mhz and temps go from 30 to 63.

 

Sorry didn't realize you only posted a log for the last two seconds to show the gpu upclocked. Is this log from playing RE?

 

No rFactor.

 

<.< so do it again for RE so you know for sure the card is working.

 

In RE it is definetly better now but still FPS drops below 20 in battle scenes and the game freezes for a few seconds when I destroy boxes.

 

Resolution and settings?

 

1600x900 4xAA 16xAF

 

K your card is running properly now seems the driver update fixed it. Disable AA or reduce resolution you're running into bandwith issue since you only have a gddr3 version of the card. The only other issue you might be having is the cpu throttling for no reason which is a issue with sandy bridge cpu's.

At work right now or I would write my own guide for you. So just try this one.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...3sw-owners-cpu-throttling-798mhz-how-fix.html

 

Ok with TS destroying crates doesnt freeze my laptop. I set the resolution to 1280x720 and still I get FPS drops. I guess it is better to play with toilet paper.

 

Your 6850 uses GDDR3 (not the faster GDDR5 version) memory, running such a resolution with high levels of AA is likely choking the memory bandwidth.

Also I highly doubt you were getting smooth results out of your 7600GT and a P4.

 

What Meaker said. Remove the AA and reduce AF to 8x and see how it behaves. 1600x900 with 4x AA can be taxing on my GPU, and I have over twice your memory bandwidth.

 

My P4 and 7600GT with DDR2 memory ran without problems at 8xS AA and 16x AF (800x600). No stuttering or anything.
On my laptop I even tried at 800x600 and saw no improvement.

 

Are you playing in DX9 or DX10? Also, I am finding hard to believe you had smooth gameplay with a 7600 DRR2 with such high AA and AF. Were you running on low settings or something? Mainly because Pentium 4 was or is among the most horrible processors in recent history.

EDIT: Sorry, just tried the benchmark and I was able to play it at 60fps 1920x1080 all high 8x AA so you shouldn't be having problems at 1600x900, at least not dramatic issues.

 

Are you running it on Windows 7 now?

And did you used to run it on XP or Vista (on the P4/7600GT)?

I know there have a been a number of compatibility issues

Blazin