The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    ProBook 4720s switchable graphics?

    Discussion in 'HP Business Class Notebooks' started by EobPoinkIT, Feb 26, 2011.

  1. EobPoinkIT

    EobPoinkIT Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Hi,
    So, I have recently bought HP ProBook 4720s laptop with ATI HD6370 GPU and i-3 380M CPU.
    Since there are GPU built in the i-3 CPU, is there any chance of making it switchable, like it is in G series HP notebooks?
    I didnt find any options nor in BIOS, neither in HP driver page and specifications.
    I have seen G series have switchable graphics - Intel HD and ATI HD5470. Since HD6370 is upgraded version of HD6370 (according to notebookcheck), there should be a way of making it switchable - to save some battery power and in case HD6370 passes out.
    Any suggestions? Maybe there are some compatible BIOS updates or something? Or just a piece of software like it is with the G series?
     
    EobPoinkIT, Feb 26, 2011
    #1
  2. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    4,127
    Messages:
    7,860
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    0
    While the i3 Arrandale has an IGP onboard HP would have had to wire both the IGP and your HD6370 to a physical mux to switch through one or the other to the LCD. Unfortunately it appears HP haven't included a mux in the 4720s.
     
    User Retired 2, Feb 26, 2011
    #2
  3. EobPoinkIT

    EobPoinkIT Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Is it possible to add this mux manually?
     
    EobPoinkIT, Mar 9, 2011
    #3
  4. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    4,127
    Messages:
    7,860
    Likes Received:
    10
    Trophy Points:
    0
    If it was possible it would technically and financially not make sense to do so. Smarter choice would be to sell the 4720s and get a notebook with proper switchable graphics OR one with an IGP and use a DIY ViDock via expresscard slot for accelerated graphics.

    If there was an IGP-only version of your systemboard then it might be possible to do a systemboard swap. Usually that means a different heatsink assembly as well.
     
    User Retired 2, Mar 9, 2011
    #4
  5. EobPoinkIT

    EobPoinkIT Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I see.
    I really like my 4720s - great keyboard, aluminium case, long lasting battery etc.
    Beisdes, GPU is good enough for me, I just wanted to be sure, taht if ATI GPU passes out, soldering breaks or whatever other problem persists, I'm still able to use the laptop.
     
    EobPoinkIT, Mar 9, 2011
    #5
  6. alipik

    alipik Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    why technically and financially not make sense?
    the mux and wires cost few bucks and since hp made it possible on g series and not possible on probook series while both have nearly the same board and graphics , then it is something commercial to keep owners of probook with the (if only i had this it would be the complete one)
     
    alipik, Mar 10, 2011
    #6