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

It's an inelegant solution, but kudos to HP for doing what they can until AMD gets around to fixing the drivers.

 

Hopefully linux will see the 6770 and use it.

 

I don't get what the Wifi card fuss is about. Can someone explain it?

 

The WiFi card that comes with the DV6 can't operate on the 5GHz frequency and ones that can aren't in the BIOS whitelist, so they won't work.

 

If it works, I'm all for it. Hopefully it gets implemented soon!

 

"Seeing" the GPU has never been a problem.

Even now, Linux can detect the hardware. The problem is creating the proper pathways to use it.

A muxless implementation that offloads everything except the display to the GPU is uncharted territory outside of the few specialized cases like the ThinkPad W520. It would probably at the very least still require a dual-head Xorg configuration.

 

Yes, this is what happens without the multiplexer. The IGP is always on, and the discrete GPU should only turn on when the software needs it ideally

Hopefully, the BIOS update rumor involves the 3 options: dynamic (in it's current garbage state), dGPU always on, and dGPU always on when plugged in AC. I believe that provides the greatest flexibility for most users while we wait for a permanent solution.

 

I wouldn't count on it having "on when on AC". That would require logic and not likely to happen.

 

Fixed it for you. The bold is important, I hope others contact HP CEO (office) about this so it gets more attention.

 

Hey guys, I tried to play a demo of Call of Duty 1 and got this error:
"Could not load OpenGL. Make sure that you have the latest drivers for your video card from the manufacturer's web site."
( http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-pavilion-notebooks/595694-call-duty-will-not-work.html)

I'm guessing that has something to do with what this thread is about? When will there be a fix for this?

 

Well, not actually sure about that. The integrated card works just fine with OpenGL. It's the radeon that doesn't.

 

Awesome news!

 

this is exactly what i expect HP to do for this problem. there isn't much HP can do in terms of enabling OpenGL in the dynamic mode - that's AMD's job. But, HP is responsible for choosing which scheme are available to us, fixed or dynamic. allowing the end user to be able to choose the scheme is exactly the answer i'm hoping for and expecting hp to do.

 

I just wish they'd give an ETA. A few days, a week, a few weeks, a few months? What? Considering they've already implemented fixed switchable graphics, it should be a fairly painless process.

 

This is great news, I just hope it happens soonish and we are able to OC a bit. I'm still having regrets about not returning my dv6 and spending $300 more on a Sager (Malibal, Xotic). This dv6qe won out due to the price, nice screen and GREAT battery life.

 

Yeah, battery life is my issue with the Sager. But similarly equipped DV6tQE vs NP8130 is only about $200.Battery life is about 3 hours compared with 6+ if you get the 9-cell on the HP.

 

The intel chip does something on the 60xx's too, I can't disable the Intel chip in Device Manager without the screen going black. Possibly it acts as the multiplexer in the 60xx's too.

Hopefully the update also allows 60xx's to use the muxless version, I wouldn't mind trying it out, although I do like the manual switching.

 

that's why I have an advantage in choosing a Sager--battery life is irrelevant for me. Performance and reliability are my main concerns. I'll know about performance on the day I receive it. fingers crossed, but I'm not really worried as I've ordered the same CPU as what came on the DV6, and the Nvidia card is quite a bit faster spec'd than the 6770m.

 

FINALLY. I can stop complaining now...

 

Not quite...

1) The BIOS with the fix isn't out just yet
2) Wifi restriction still exists (unless they fix that in the BIOS too!)

Commence complaints about #2 in 5... 4... 3... 2...

 

You could save a couple hundred with the i5 version.

 

Haha sure...we'll see about the BIOS fix but I'm glad they have now given their customers something in writing. Whatever else they do I guess we'll have to see how it pans out.

And youre right, the BIOS whitelist is ridiculous. I personally think the Intel 1000 is one of the worst cards I have ever used so should this restriction be lifted would like to upgrade to the 6230 or 6300.

 

probably a dumb question but, i see HP has a 30% of coupon for next couple days. does that mean they have a lot of junk they trying to get rid of??

 

I don't think you'll need to reboot between schemes. Just because it's a bios update doesn't mean its a BIOS setting. I could be wrong though. You can see in this powerpoint under "Juliet 1.0" that there's a GUI interface within Windows to switch between the schemes.

As well, Fixed scheme doesn't mean the 6770m is always on. It means manual switching according to the powerpoint.

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B6...N2E4OGFlNDViMWU5&sort=name&layout=list&num=50

 

LOL! No. They always issue coupons with these types of discounts.

 

Nice catch, mike. That's from the presentation I've been floating around. Didn't put 2 and 2 together.

 

So will this be same for DV6t and DV6z?

 

I believe in CoD you have the option of running in OpenGL or Direct3D. Just set to run in Direct3D. Google how.

 

does dv6 6070/80/90 have any problems running autocad or sap ? with the 6770 ? or it will be switched to the intel gpu as well?

 

Dave, it's fast, wouldnt worry about that. Put an SSD in there and it's ridiculously fast. Cooling is great on this laptop too - two big, dedicated exhaust fans - one for the GPU and one for the CPU. At full tilt its a bit loud but you need to get rid of the heat anyway.

The 560m, when overclocked, is about two card tiers above the 6770m. It's fast.

On the subject of SSDs, the OCZ Vertex 2 has some problems with running on ACHI with this laptop. The harddrive goes "missing" in the BIOS after a power cycle. Its a little frustrating so IF you are planning on an SSD upgrade I'd avoid OCZ Vertex for now.

 

That Joliet implementation was what a lot of forum members were trying to get CCC to show, with a mixture of driver installs, messing around with reg edits and a dash of voodoo. If they do enable Joliet I will be extremely happy.

 

The 6000 series (the models you are referring to) dont have a problem with OpenGL, hence no problems with CAD programs in general.

 

You mean this?

 

Exactly that.

 

u mean by have no problem with opengl that the cad programs will run on on the intel gpu not on 6770
am i right ?

and as the cad will be my main use.. then the laptop will be useless

 

No. The 6000 series is different from the 6100 series. The 6000 series has the old, dependable, manual switchable graphics so you can run CAD, OpenGL or anything else on whichever GPU you want. The problem is only with the new 6100 series which implements a broken version of dynamic switching which only works for DX and not OpenGL. HP has promised to fix this, but they haven't done it yet so yes, the 6100 will currently be useless for your purposes, but the 6000 is fine.

 

i thought that 6770 cant run the cad programs at all not only a switch problem

 

What makes you think that?

 

The graphics card is capable of doing what any other graphics card can do (probably much better than most for that matter) however due to the inability of the 6100 series to have manually selected graphics card and the fact that automatic switchable graphics is broken, the ATI card does not kick into gear for opengl software no matter what preferences the user has set. Your 6000 series should do the trick just fine.

 

Can the Intel HD 3000 graphics run CAD softwares i.e will they support OpenGL?
If yes can it be used in 3D rendering?

 

The 6770M is an extremely capable card, but even the best GPU can't do anything unless the software shunts processing duties to it.

 

Well the document referred to was here:

How to Configure ATI Mobility Radeon Switchable Graphics - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

 

thanks for the info! what's a good OC utility to use? I'm still a bit leery of using an SSD. Don't they need to mature a bit more before they will be reliable enough for an average consumer?

 

I have tried MSI afterburner and it seems to work ok.

SSDs do need to mature a bit more but when they work they're pretty wow. I have an SSD as a boot drive in every single one of my machines and they work fine. But then you do run into these problems...like the one Ive been trying to install in my Clevo...it just malfunctions and you have to RMA. So I have 4 SSDs and one is a failure. Not too encouraging I guess - 25% fail rate there for you Ive read on SSD forums where people have had to RMA 4 drives in a row. It's partly because the Intel 6 series chipsets dont play nice with some SSDs, most notably the Sandforce SSDs. So youve been warned

 

I googled but I could not find anything on how to do that.

 

Have any one ventured out a custom driver to assist OpenGL and to have manual switching to the graphic card?
Is it technically possible? Correct me if I am wrong

 

Call of Duty is id tech 3 so I think its OpenGL only.

However the HD 3000 should not only play it, it should play it at very good quality settings.

 

Technically of course it's possible, but anything is possible....likely? not without a serious effort from an individual or group of individuals with expertise in the field

 

Hey, according to

Switchable graphics has been fixed...can anyone confirm this?

 

Not yet afaik but HP has indicated that they are going to roll out an update to fix it

I'll believe it when it happens