Switchable graphics with HP Envy 14 with i7 Quad Core CPU?

I'm in the process of configuring an Envy 14 with an Intel i7 quad core CPU (i7-720QM). Problem is, it doesn't look like the mandatory videocard that has to be configured for that CPU offers switchable graphics like the dual core Intel i5 CPUs (such as the i5-580M).

My question is, if I configure my Envy 14 with a quad core processor and match it with the (only) requisite ATI graphics card (an HD 5650), will I not be able to take advantage of the switchable graphics?

Is switchable graphics in the Envy 14 a dual core CPU option only?

 

No, the i7 doesn't come with the option of switching to integrated graphics.

 

I believe that is what makes sandy bridge a big deal for the i7. Not positive on that.

 

The first gen i7 processors do not have integrated GPU thus rendering it impossible to support switchable graphics.

And spencerp is right. The second gen quad core processors have integrated GPUs, making Optimus/switchable grahpics, a possibility.

However, there has been no news of HP releasing a HP E14 with the SB processors...

 

Thanks to all for the quick replies! I guess my next question is what kind of tradeoffs can I expect with the i7 and i5 CPUs?

It seems the i5 CPUs are dual-core and clocked much higher than the i7 quad-core CPUs. Does this mean that the battery life will be shorter and heat signatures given off will be much higher than i7-based CPUs?

And on the flip side of that, it would seem that i7 CPUs are quad-core and clocked much lower than i5 CPUs. Does this mean that the i7 will benefit from more battery life and less heat output?

The wildcard factor here is the switchable graphics in the i5 which helps improve battery life and lessens heat output in the notebook, correct? If so, how much of a difference does it actually make and is it a must-have feature?

And my last question is what kind of performance gains, if any, can I expect from a quad-core i7 CPU that is clocked much lower than a dual-core i5 CPU? Will I be giving up significant amount of performance going the dual-core route to take advantage of switchable graphics, or should I just stay with the i7 quad-core?

Is the switchable graphics feature really that desirable in that it provides significant battery/heat gains?

Thanks again!

 

I can't compare the two since I only have the i7 Envy 14, but the 1.6GHz specified is only when you are using all 4 cores and 8 threads. It's spec (check Intel website) when stressing one core is 2.8GHz.

 

Thanks for the info! I'm really torn at the moment between switchable graphics with a dual-core CPU, or no switchable graphics with a quad-core CPU.

Is having switchable graphics worth giving up two extra cores from a quad-core CPU? Is there a tremendous performance difference between i5 dual-core and i7 quad-core CPUs?

 

the difference isnt that huge, especially in games. The difference will be noticeable when you do cpu intensive tasks like video conversion...

In passmark the i5 gets ~2500 CPU score, whereas the i7 gets ~3200

 

take a look through the battery life thread. I believe those with the i7's are seeing significantly less battery life because they can't switch to the integrated graphics.

 

they are also 45W vs 35 for the i3/5

 

Posted in another thread:

I went with the I7. It doesn't offer much of a performance boost unless you call for it, but it doesn't generate much heat either. I can get around two or three hours with mine, but I'm never far away from an outlet anyways so the hit doesn't bother me. If I ever need to trek into the wild suburbia and be alone with no human contact or available power supply, that's what an extra battery is for.

Really I looked at both processors, estimated the time I would ever be away from somewhere to charge it, and went with the i7 because I'd rather have the quad that will do anything I need it to for a few years than last for five hour gaps it'd never see. Yeah, the i5 probably would have been fine for processing, but I prefer to spend a little more and go with certainty.
---

To clarify what I am doing with this, I'll be eventually developing/rendering under a Unity 3D engine and wanted a CPU that I wouldn't have to replace for it. I wanted a workstation I could take out to the school or bookstore and work all day, both places have more than enough outlets for public use to do so. It's up to you.

 

Hmmm. Very good to know. Well, perhaps it would be better to wait and see what the new integrated graphics do for i7 CPUs.

 

I swear ever since that coupon came out everyone came rushing in asking questions that have both been beaten to death and are right in the first paragraph of the huge Envy 14 FAQ

 

That's probably why no one looked?

 

Ctrl + F? The FAQ is extremely organized with all of the info that you pretty much need. Your very question is the very first thing addressed in the FAQ...

i5 - dual core, multithreaded, integrated GPU, Turbo Boost. i5-430 and 450 are similiar CPUs but the 450 is newer and has slightly faster clock speed. Performance between the two in general is probably less than 10%. i5-520m offers some additional instructions for hardware virtualization and AES encryption which just aid in processing more quickly with a few other benefits

i7 - quad core, multithreaded, no integrated GPU, Turbo Boost - Quad core is powerful, capable of processing eight threads simultaneously, clock speeds generally slower than an i5, but have advantage of processing more threads. No integrated GPU means less battery life because it will be using the dedicated GPU all the time. Most likely 50% less battery life.


Theres a FAQ for a reason so people would stop asking the same question.

 

Thanks for finding the info for me, Brian. I really appreciate it. By the way, were you ever successful in returning your Envy for a Radiance screen?

 

I looked at the FAQ! It was very helpful and made me realize I would never use the features of the higher I5's and the I7. I was just trying to hit $1399 so I went other routes that will be useful to me. Thanks guys.

 

Nope it is out of the return period but Im selling this one to my GF and I bought another Envy. So basically its about $200 out of pocket for my to upgrade to Radiance, i5-580 and 6gb ram from BV, i5-460 and 4gb since I sold it to my GF for a little cheaper. Not too bad and hopefully it would be worth it. From what people say about the Radiance it seems it will be.

 

well you got the better deal lol

 

When you get yours you really should do a side by side comparison video of the two.

 

Man! if you would have done like i did and returned by jan 15 you could have rma'ed it. Anyone who purchased between nov and dec 24th got the 21 days extended until jan 15. Radiance came out jan 13th. I'd atleast call and see if they'd let you do it... couldn't hurt... i was also able to apply a coupon to my exchange envy.