dv6t-61XX / dv7t-61XX Switchable Graphics Discussion

That is correct! You have 21 days from delivery date to return the product to HP for a refund. If you paid for shipping...you will not get that back...but you will get purchase price and tax refunded

 

What are the alternatives for dv6 or dv7? Is the AMD Llano worth replacing this?

 

Yesterday my friend gave me the starcraft 2 demo, and without changing any drivers, I ran it on ultra settings pretty easily, which probably means that my Radeon had kicked in.

I'm new to this whole issue, my laptop delivered about 4 days ago, but how do I tell if this issue is happening to my computer? Because I can easily run SC2, but is that a game that switchable graphics work on?

Also, is the Oblivion/Bioshock bundle affected by this same issue? Because I was looking to only have 3 games on my laptop for quite a while, just SC2 and oblivion/bioshock. If these 3 are supported by the switchable, then I suppose that I am fine. But does anyone know, are they supported?

Thanks for the help.

 

They should work fine. The switching seems to only fail with OpenGL applications.

A general list: List of OpenGL programs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Thanks for the reply. I suppose that is why Starcraft worked easily...

But damn, I guess no Orange Box until they get a fix... I was kinda looking into that too?

Has hp released anything on this? This kinda seems to be an awful business move for them...

 

No, most of the games on that list have OpenGL support in ADDITION to Direct X support. Pretty much the only game I can think of that does not support Direct X is Minecraft.

 

For the 100th time - OpenGL is the only thing that does not work with switchable graphics.

90 % of games are DirectX. So most gamers will not have problems. The only people who have problems are generally modeling/3d graphic program users, minecraft, and older games.

 

Source engine is DirectX

 

I was never much of a fan of minecraft anyways.

 

I may play Heroes of Newerth or Dota map of Warcraft 3. Looks like these games won't be using the 6770m right?

 

No. Both of those games use DirectX. The 6770m will work. And I learned that by googling it.

 

The Windows Experience Index score of my graphics is 6.6 but it shows up as Mobile Intel HD Graphics in the score details. On notebookcheck.com it says that the graphics score of the 6770M is 6.9 and I saw a Youtube video of someone with a 60xx model with a score of 7. Also, on SystemRequirementsLab, it's saying that I'm using the Intel graphics even though it outlines the features of the 6770M. Is there a way to get them to show that I have the Radeon card?

 

Thanks jiggawhat. So as long as the game support DirectX and OpenGL at the same time, it will run. Only pure OpenGL apps will have a problem with switching.

 

OK...here is my 3D Mark 11 score on the Envy 17 3D. The score is correct, yet look at the video card. Mind you...when I manually switch over to the Intel card and try to test with 3D Mark 11...I get an error that the test cannot be run on any card other than a DX11 card. So for intent and purposes...the ATI/AMD card is testing properly...but for some reason, many programs report the Intel card. Why? I believe because the Intel card is built into the processor, therefore making it the default card of the machine...


Hwinfo32 reports the Intel card as GPU 0 and the AMD as GPU 1 as well. Go figure...Also attaching a screen shot of Hwinfo32. Right now...my machine is running on AMD.

BTW...the HD6850M scores a 7.1 on Windows Index...so you look about right

 

If you want to know if your game will correctly switch on the 6770, read this:

If the game is Minecraft, the 6770 won't work.

If the game is not Minecraft, the 6770 will turn on.

 

So for a simple test, we just need to run Minecraft if switching will work. I think it's fair enough.

 

exactly - but games dont really support directx and opengl at the same time, its one or the other, and 99% of the time when the game is running on windows you can be certain its using directx

@sonyco - your laptop is in the power saving intel HD graphics mode. since you can't manually switch it, I'm not sure if you can get it to recognize the 6770m. but rest assured that the 6770m is indeed a 6.9 or 7. try recalculating windows experience index, and see if it changes. until we get manual switching im not sure what to tell you

my guess is that it starts out with the intel hd graphics but after the Windows experience index calculations start ramping up it switches to the 6770m and so you get a weaker score (6.6) than what it should be.

 

1 more thing. I believe quake live is another game that uses OpenGL. But Quake Live is so old that it should run more than adequately on Intel HD graphics.

 

So all of a sudden I am hearing a different take on this switching problem. The list that was posted of all the programs that will not run on the dv6 and dv7 notebooks is not correct after all?

 

That's not a list of programs that won't run, it's just a list of programs that won't use the 6770M. If you read through it, you'll see that most of them are wallpapers, old games, etc. etc for which Intel's graphics is perfectly sufficient. The main problematic programs are MineCraft and various content creation tools (e.g. most of Adobe's suite).

 

Many thanks again jiggawhat. Then this model is more worth it than the AMD A8 as of now since there are also driver issues on A8. I will be sticking to the i7 with 6770m config from best buy.

 

From what jiggawhat explained, it should use the 6770m since some of the games on the list also runs on DirectX.

 

Just because a game uses OpenGL doesn't mean the game exclusively uses OpenGL.

List of OpenGL programs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This list is NOT A LIST OF games that won't run on the 6770m. More than half of these games will run properly.

There are only two popular games I can think of that will not run and they are Minecraft and Quake Live. And both of these games will run, it's just they will use the HD 3000 graphics - which will run both comfortably but not at the highest settings.

 

No. Minecraft is the only game that won't switch. DirectX is the standard for Windows games. Minecraft is the only wide-release game in recent years to not support DirectX rendering.

 

Well I guess my 6770M is working the way it should. According to Notebookcheck.net I should get a score of 1357 on 3dMark 11 on Performance....



..just wish AMD/HP would get this sorted out. CUPID Monitor Pro doesn't even show my 6770M...is something wrong?

 

Actually it seems to me notebookcheck says you should get 1490 overall, and a 1357 graphics score.

By the way someone with a 6750m + llano just benchmarked his machine in crossfire and it got a 1750 in 3dmark11.

 

hey look at my scores

3Dmark2011: P1900 3DMarks
Result

3Dmark Vantage: P8487 3DMarks
Result

 

You're running modded drivers right?

 

Yeah, but you are using HP modded drivers...and I really think they throttle them down a bit. When I test using HP drivers 1855, when using straight AMD drivers...1950+

Also, don't forget that notebookcheck is testing with the cards at full settings. Example...my 6850 is supposed to be clocked by default at 725. HP modded it to clock at 650..

 

Not modded drivers. i am using 8.830.6.2000. but a little overclock 860/920

 

What I meant was HP mods them. You are using HP modded...We all are, unless we update to AMD drivers

 

so i am using it, but its not modded by anyone else. its stock drivers.

 

I disagree. The Radeon also fails to kick in on various other 2D applications also. Try adding explorer.exe and restarting it, it continues to use the igp. Try adding MSWord or anything else, same result. I know that you would not want to use the radeon for 2d apps but it still does not allow the user to have full control. As a guy that uses linux and would not dream of buying an automatic transmission vehicle, that is a must.

We are also forgetting Amnesia: The Dark Descent - that does not work

 

Why would it kick on for explorer or Word?

 

Explorer has GPU acceleration - but lets be real you don't need it for either applicaiton

Amnesia the dark descent is a good one though

we should make a list and sticky it in this forum

 

You are SO missing the point (and clearly didn't read his entire post). the point is that the current "auto" switching doesn't work when you select an executable, unless it damn well DECIDES to work with said EXE. For example, it doesn't work with FSX.

 

I understand what he's saying, I just didn't understand his examples.

 

numerous people have proved it does work on the 6770m with screenshots. the only reason why it was in the 25-30 fps range rather than the 40s you've been getting is because now it's running on 1920x1080 rather than 1366x768 that you had.

 

Well after having a Dell tech probe every orifice of my DV7t he determined my 6770 wasn't "working like it should". I ordered an XPS17 and when it gets here the DV7T is going home never to return. My speaker grill is dented anyway (which they paid me for) but it still looks ugly so back to Dell I go. The XPS is costing me $75 more after all is said and done so w/e. $520 off the XPS...can't go wrong. See now that I did that... AMD will fix the issue for you all within the next 8 days..

 

I'm considering buying an XPS 17 as well. Cost is more but less problems, and slightly better build quality

 

After you receive your Dell have an HP tech probe every orifice of your XPS 17 and see if he finds if it is "working like it should"...

 

The dv7t is not a bad laptop...I like it. Just the combination of things for me personally is making me send it back. When I saw $520 off with stackable coupons that was the final straw for me.

 

If you're considering an XPS 17, I personally recommend that you check out the Envy 17. I had Dell's for years....then I saw the Envy...Wow! Got the 17 3D in April...incredible machine. Better video card than any you can put in an XPS (The 6850M rivals the Nvidia 460M). The XPS comes with Nvidia 550 0r 555. For the money, I got a fully loaded Envy with 4 year at home warranty for less than an XPS with 2 year warranty. I got the shuttle glasses, HD screen, Blu Ray playback and bunch more. like local tech support for Envy.

PLUS...the switchable graphics works great on the Envy. I expect that somewhere along the line the switchable on the Pavillion will get fixed...but I can certainly see the frustration...

I purchased a Pavillion for my son...so far, delivery is late...will see

Also...if you want XPS class with better machine...try the new Toshiba Qosmio x770 / x775 models....Those look superb! Nvidia GTX560M, and a lot of new configurations...

I have had Dells. I have dealt with Dell tech support. I am not gonna pay extra to talk to someone stateside for tech support.

 

So, completely out of curiosity, what would happen if you just disabled the integrated GPU through device manager? Would it just turn back on, or would it force the computer to use the 6770m?

 

I got the XPS for $1,159 from $1,679.99...I'm happy. I'm not a gamer so the 555M is just fine for me (in can be OC'd close to a stock GTX 460m from what I've read in here, I wouldn't, have no need) plus I know the Optimus works in reading several other forums. The Eny's are.....envious though...ha good pun *pats self on back*

 

I really have no idea what to do anymore, can we get some more opinions in this thread? Dell XPS 17, dv7t, HP envy....what the hell do I buy?

I'm not rich so I can't afford to make a bad decision

 

ok i got a dv6-6135 and noticed yet another problem with the graphics

In Google earth, when you set it to use the Radeon gpu, it will not scale..
you will notice there is a black region on the right part of the screen, even clicking on photos in google earth is not working 100% the are shifted (you have to click half a cm on the right of the icon)

there is no setting for SCALE in CCC... there is a setting in the intel but it does nothing when using the radeon
whe using intel it works OK..
this will be a huge problem for games that use a standard resollution (eg. 800X600)

 

I'm not either...the only reason I made the switch was due to the coupons. My DV7T cost me $1074.99, XPS $1,159.99. They are all good laptops. The only issue is of course what this thread is about. IF you run a lot of programs that require OpenGL the dv7t might not be your best choice...if not? all 3 are good choices and I'd go with whichever one you can get the cheapest..lol I don't know about the Envy's but the 6770M and GT 555M are bascally the same except for a few points here and there. I don't know what comes in the Envy's.

 

The Envy has the HD6850M, which is faster than the 6770 and the GT555, by about 10-15%. It uses GDDR5 Ram like the 6770. The only step up from there are machines with the new GTX560M

 

Check page 86. RoundSparrow found a way for the 6770M to kick in for Dolphin which worked on my FSX. I posted a screenshot. The fps are now where they should be ~40-50+.