DV6t Gaming on Battery?

Is it possible to game on battery with this machine? Does it default to the IGP only, and how capable is the IGP if so?

 

It will be possible to game, as long as it isn't OpenGL. AMD's current graphics switching is application controlled, like Optimus, but apparently it won't use the 6770m OpenGL-based applications. Check here

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...xx-read-here-answers-switchable-graphics.html

 

Ok, so it will use the 6770m then instead of the IGP? Does it downclock the GPU at all? And what kind of battery life with gaming?

 

Farmville? yes. Any real video game? no.

There isn't a single laptop out there that will truly allow you to game on a battery.

What games you want to play?

 

As far as I know it shouldn't downclock the GPU on battery. If it does, it is probably just something that can be fixed in CCC by disabling PowerPlay. Battery life will vary from game to game but I would expect around 1.5h with something like BC2 and 2-2.5h for most games.

 

Is that really true? I would be extremely surprised if BC2 could go 90 minutes on a battery with no compromise in performance at max brightness

 

Well, I guess I should clarify. I am not interested in gaming with Bad Company 2 or Battlefield 3, maybe some Source type games, Starcraft 2, but most likely indie type games that aren't too resource intensive.

Basically looking for something as good as, preferably better performance on battery, than my M11x R1 (i.e. 3DMark06 > 7500), but better performance when plugged in.

 

I meant on a lower brightness setting with lower details, trying to get the most you can out of it while still having a good experience. Max brightness and the best settings will be less than that, obviously.

 

It does downclock the GPU on battery, just change the PowerPlay settings in AMD Catalyst to "Maximize Performance" when on battery and it won't do that.

 

M11x will game on battery. I have the M11x R1 and can play for 2-2.5 hours just fine with Battlefield 2, Team Fortress 2, Starcraft 2 (lots of 2's! ). The M11x R3 with GT 540m can also game for a solid 2 hours or more on battery. The Acer 3820TG also did well and has the 5650/6550 GPU.

 

You can definitely stop it from downclocking on battery, just don't expect to get a ton of time out of it.

 

Well I guess that's my question. How much time for a game like, say, Starcraft 2 or Team Fortress 2?

 

Can't say for sure, but you'd probably be lucky to get 2 hours or so.

 

Windows estimates about 1h15m on my battery at about 75% charge (9-cell) with TF2 running on max settings and an external monitor (in addition to build-in display) hooked up. That's on the "Maximum battery" setting in Catalyst. On "Maximum performance" is drops to 1 hour.

 

Thanks for that good info scy1192! +1

So with a full charge might get 1:15 to 1:20 then. Not half bad. And considering you're driving two displays, I'm sure that gobbles up some resources.

 

I'm guessing it will be less than your 11 inch alienware, as it's a 15.6" laptop.