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    Integrated/Discrete Switchable Graphics and XP?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by CodeNameSly, Dec 1, 2008.

  1. CodeNameSly

    CodeNameSly Notebook Enthusiast

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    So I'm looking at some notebooks with switchable graphics and I'm wondering if these will work with Windows XP, or only with Windows Vista? In particular, if I reformat them with a fresh XP install upon purchase, would I still be able to use this feature?

    Considering the Lenovo T400 and Sony Z series here.
     
    CodeNameSly, Dec 1, 2008
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  2. Lifeburner

    Lifeburner Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have heard of such laptops. And of course, it's always an advantage to have switchable GPUs. When gaming, you can use the discrete one, and when you're working, you can use the onboard one to save power. I've never owned one, so I don't really know how you switch them. Is it through the BIOS or via a special application in Windows?

    At any rate, to use these features in XP, you need to have the following:
    -The XP drivers for both GPUs
    -A switching application which works for XP. I think there are some free stuffs out there. You won't need this if it's configured via the BIOS, though.

    EDIT: Uh-oh! That Vaio looks nasty! Anyway, it seems to me that the Lenovo one uses an application to control the switchable graphics. You just need to find the similar software which works for XP then. Try looking for it at Lenovo's site, or google it up.
     
    Lifeburner, Dec 1, 2008
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  3. Dreamer

    Dreamer The Bad Boy

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    The on-the-fly switching works only under Vista, if you use XP, you can still use this feature but the disadvantage is that you have to reboot every time when you want to switch between the cards. (the T400 has an option for the graphics mode in the BIOS).
     
    Dreamer, Dec 1, 2008
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  4. jing713

    jing713 Notebook Guru

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    Yes.

    Asus N10/J
     
    jing713, Dec 2, 2008
    #4