Graphics card upgrade HP DV6zQE: AMD A8

Hi

HP is currently selling the DV6ZQE laptops with AMD-A8-3510MX and the Radeon 6620G discrete-class graphics.

Until last month, they had an option to choose Dual graphics 1GB DDR5 HD Radeon. This is no longer available.

I am wondering if I should buy the available config now and if it would be possible to add on the 1GB DDR5 Radeon card to this later and still have it function as a Dual graphics? Unfortunately, I have no idea what motherboard is currently supplied with this laptop.

Can any one help me with this?

Thanks
Vish

P.S hope to have posted in the right forum. This could fit into the "what laptop should I buy?" or the HP owner's forum as well, I guess.

 

I'd be surprised if you could fit a second gpu in there without a M/B change and definitely a cooling system / heat-pipe / even different fan(s) change would be needed.

If you really, really want a dual gpu config - buy it like that, much cheaper in the long run and everything about the system from M/B, cooling design, BIOS and drivers will be made to ensure it runs adequately.

As an overview though; I would never recommend a dual gpu setup.

There just isn't a system (either from nVidia or AMD) that gives you a setup that just works, and, just works better than a faster/better single gpu setup.

Problems go all the way from programs/games not working or not taking advantage of the second card (waste of money...) to systems being actually slower with two cards than with one slightly better card. Even the 'micro-stuttering' that dual gpu setups exhibit is reason enough for me to not recommend them (and, I don't game...).

Don't forget that with gaming/gpu's, it is not only the maximum FPS rate that counts - it is the minimum FPS rate that determines what is playable (or for me, which system feels faster). Dual gpu's setups, depending on the program/game title we're talking about, are about the worst way to increase actual game playability - single gpu's are ahead by a longshot in this regard.

Good luck.

 

Welcome to NBR!

The option is still there. The iGPU is always there because it's built into the APU and the addition of a 6750M gives you hybrid Xfire.

The dGPU is soldered onto the mobo with 1 heatpipe running through the core.

 

Xonar,

Thanks for the additional (more appropriate!) info.

This setup is exactly one in which the dual gpu's were worse than a single gpu.

The issue may simply be software related (drivers) and/or a firmware update to the cards/system BIOS, but at this point in time it is definitely buggy (depending on what game/program you want to run).

Do you have faith that AMD can get the issues worked out and deliver updates to existing machines (in a timely manner)?

If it was me - I would be avoiding these systems until I saw a fully working example first.

Good luck.

 

Right. I was answering the OP's question directly. Personally, I'd still get the upgrade, but only use the dGPU as it's pretty powerful and overclockable (as well as the APU).

I know most DX11 games run fine w/ Xfire and do see some benefit to it, but DX9 and OpenGL are toss-aways.

 

Xonar, tilleroftheearth,

Thanks a bunch for the quick information and guidance on the graphics/motherboard.

I read about the crossfire 'micro-stuttering' issue as well and the general consensus seems to point to a driver-related issue. i was hoping AMD would come forth with their driver updates to fix this.

Further, it appears that the vision control center allows one to configure crossfire for individual applications. I was hoping to use this till such time AMD resolves the drivers part.

guess will have to give it some more thought

Thanks again
vish

 

Also, make sure you upgrade to the 1920x1080 display if you're getting the DV6. 1366x768 is a poor resolution for a 15.6" screen. It results in large text (you can't easily fit more than one window onscreen) and these types of screens generally come with mediocre image quality. The screen upgrade makes a really big difference.