y470p Graphics Questions

I am going to bite the bullet shortly on the y470p because I don't see the new Ivy Bridge laptops having such deep discounts when they are first released but I am still unsure about the ATI chip in it.

Is there still a switch that allows me to manually turn on and off the dedicated GPU like on the y470? Is there an LED that lets me know when the dedicated card is on?

Also I am unsure about the driver situation Anandtech mentions. Its my understanding that I will have to wait on Lenovo to release new display drivers?

And finally to those who have it any general comments or suggestions on the switchable graphics system would be appreciated, especially about heat and how seamless the system is.

I would consider myself pretty good with this stuff but understanding it is a little more difficult that I would have thought. Thanks for the info. Its hard to swallow spending $800 on something I am not entirely sure of.

 

I actually just recieved my y470p today. This is how the graphic switching works (see attached).

There is no physical switch on the body of the laptop, but you can choose to manually switch, or switch automatically based on application/power source.

In the taskbar, you have both Intel and AMD CCC programs. Switching between them takes 1-2 seconds total, but you are recommended to close any applications, and the screen will flicker.

 

Redrazor, could you also run 3dmark11, 3dmark vantage on stock clocks?

 

So if I set it to be application-based, does that mean it runs on the HD3000 at all times unless I specify that a program needs the dedicated piece?

 

Yes, that's correct. It's similar to the "white list" on the optimus variant of Nvidea's graphic switching. How well it works...well time will tell.

I will do some benchmarking possible tonight or tomorrow. Depends on how much work I get done (probably none with a new laptop to play with, lol).

 

Thank you so much for the info. That puts my mind at ease a lot. I know the battery life isn't stellar and I want to get as much out of it as possible.

 

@Redrazor Did you have to set the type of switchable graphic (from dynamic to static) you wanted in bios or can you just right click the desktop to select High performance or power saving mode?

I had a HP DV6-6136tx and before I could use that control panel (2nd pic of yours) I had to change the bios, it would be better if you didn't have to set it in bios.

 

Nope, no need to set in bios. I just rightclick on the desktop, and there's this little red/blue star that says "set switchable graphics" and it brings me to the CCC panel with the switching options and details.

 

I'll be getting myself a machine with that set up next, me thinks