Samsung NP370R5E: AMD Switchable Graphics Not Working Properly

Hi guys.

I just bought a laptop about 2 days ago, a Samsung NP370R5E with Windows 8 64bit, Core i5, 4GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000 and AMD 8750m discrete video card.

Problem is that this laptop's graphics performance pales in comparison to my older laptop, a Sony Vaio with P4, 2GB RAM and GeForce Go 6400(?), as seen when i turn on my Fraps FPS reading when playing games (Ragnarok Online). For comparison, the Vaio reached 60FPS while the Samsung, which theoretically should perform better, just got 20FPS.

Actions taken:
1. I already configured that game (and everything else) to run in "High Performance" with AMD Catalyst Control Center, whether plugged or in battery mode. Still the same.
2. Updated graphics driver with Samsung's SW Update. Still the same.
3. Used Leshcat's Catalyst program, following every instruction in the manual including driver cleanup of AMD and Intel graphics. Still the same.
4. Performed Leshcat's driver cleanup to remove AMD and Intel graphics drivers, downloaded and installed drivers from SW Update's "Find Model" -> Philippines -> Series 3 -> NP370R5E-S05PH -> Windows 8 -> "AMD Graphics Driver" and "Graphics Driver, 64bit" (since I use Windows 8 64bit, though among the options there also exists a "Graphics Driver 32bit" but I didn't bother to DL and install). Still the same.

I installed AMD System Monitor and 3DMark11 to see whether the 8750m was being utilized or not. For the first 3 actions I've done, the 8750m wasn't being utilized. For the 4th action, the AMD System Monitor showed that the card was utilized, though it was disturbing how the 3DMark11 benchmark test starts off at around 60-70FPS then drops off to 8FPS, but the Monitor shows the video card usage at around 60-100% during those 8FPS segments.

So, where do you guys think the problem lies? Wrong drivers (even though I got them from Samsung already) or malfunctioning graphics card?

Delivering my unit to a Samsung Service Center is probably not an option since servicing would probably take a few days or weeks and I will be leaving the city in 2 days.

EDIT:

After reading various forum threads around the net, some are saying that AMD and Intel graphics driver provider should be the same for the Switchable Graphics to function properly .Currently the drivers are properly working as stated in Device Manager, though their Driver Providers are different (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. and Intel). The AMD System Monitor shows the video card working 60-100% though FPS rates are terrible (8FPS). I just can't find any Intel HD 4000 driver from Samsung that also has Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. as its Driver Provider.

 

Read through the new Series 7 graphics threads and you will discover that there are similar issues with getting the AMD GPU to run when appropriate.

I'm putting "AMD" in the title of this thread to increase the likelihood that someone with experience of this problem will post some advice.

John

PS: Start with this thread.

 

So I went to the laptop retail store where I bought my unit and have them check whether mine has defects. They opened one new unit, same model and specs, ran 3DMark11 and also got the same readings (~8FPS).

Here's the result of my unit's 3DMark11 test

Here are the readings off the GPU-Z program:
View attachment 94876
View attachment 94877
I just noticed how the Fan Speed and RPM are left blank. Is that normal?

Here's the readings off AMD System Monitor during a short segment of the 3DMark11 test:
View attachment 94878
Even with the spike in usage, FPS still remains poor.

I'm now stuck, having tried all options and still unable to solve this.