Acer Laptop: Switchable Graphics using i7 & AMD Radeon

[popeye1953]

Alright will try tonight, see how it goes

Actually I misspoke. I'm really running the 8.861.0.0. drivers now. I went back and forth so much trying to see which worked best I lost track.

They are here: Acer Support: Downloads & Support Documents - Notebook / Aspire / Aspire 7750G

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[CannibalOSX]

Seems to have fixed the problem, even minecraft runs at 30 fps which it never did before (that's another issue in itself). Might be just a temporary thing, I'll see if it keeps working good and report back in a couple days. Thanks for help.

 

[Dark Byte]

So, I found this video, its quite interesting. But I have no clue how he got the "switchable graphics method" to appear.

How to make switchable graphics work with Minecraft or Amnesia! - YouTube


I have an Acer Aspire AS7750G-9657, and I do feel like it sucks that I can't even run Minecraft. I have to set fog and everything just to get decent FPS.

 

[TVeblen]

Nice video. That will help a lot of folks.

In the video, he rushes past it fast, but he says that to get the Switchable Graphics Method to show up under Power Options you need to go into the Preferences (upper right of CCC screen) and check: Advanced View.

And these options may only be available in Catalyst version 11.9 and on.

 

[search53]

I didn't watch the video, but the latest version of Catalyst actually has LESS options than earlier versions. I forget precisely what they are, but one of the options removed does include the exact steps involved in selecting switchable graphics.

 

[TVeblen]

Good to know Search.
So what version does have them?

 

[Dark Byte]

I just can't find the right download to update the Catalyst Control Center. Infact, I think there is no new version for the AMD Radeon 6650m, I tried searching, but couldn't find any.

 

[search53]

Earlier in this thread, links to a couple videos were given, and I commented on them. What I noticed is that the exact appearance of Catalyst was different. I don't believe the version numbers were mentioned.

 

[search53]

We are all going to need to watch and learn and do a lot of reading about these new technologies. As with all things new tech, it sucks being on the uphill side of the learning curve.

Please keep us all informed of what you find folks! We all can learn here. I do not have one of these new systems that I can play with .

Here are a couple of articles you may find helpful. I'm sure there are more and better ones as more of these systems come out and are reviewed.

Switchable graphics solutions duel it out, AMD ends up looking like a chump -- Engadget

AnandTech - Mobile GPU Faceoff: AMD Dynamic Switchable Graphics vs. NVIDIA Optimus Technology

I believe it is the first video that shows the older Catalyst.

 

[search53]

Thank you for the links, I'm watching the first one now. I noticed one difference less than 2 minutes into the video. like Engadget, I have Catalyst Control Center. My version, however, does not have the option "Switchable Graphics Method" the way his does. All I have is "Power Play" and "Switchable Graphics" (the other two options seen in the video)

This is what I said at the time.

 

[TVeblen]

Got it.

It would be helpful for everyone following this thread if we knew which Catalyst versions and/or graphics chips offer the "Switchable Graphics Method" option.

So if anyone knows....

 

[Dark Byte]

Well, the Acer Aspire 7750G-9567 comes with the AMD Radeon 6650m, which doesn't appear to be compatible with new versions of Catalyst, or does there even exist a new catalyst version that supports that card?

 

[TVeblen]

I get this:

 

[Dark Byte]

I get this:

I think i've tried that, but it said it wasn't compatible.

 

[popeye1953]

The only drivers I've found that install correctly and provide the switchable graphics are the ones on the Acer site. The Catalyst Control Center has no option to select the 6650m as the main graphics though. Only get the pop-up asking which GPU I want to use when first running a program.

For those interested the XML files containing the choices for GPU selection are located in C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Local\ATI\ACE

 

[stormy13]

Well, the Acer Aspire 7750G-9567 comes with the AMD Radeon 6650m, which doesn't appear to be compatible with new versions of Catalyst, or does there even exist a new catalyst version that supports that card?

It's not that it is not compatible with the drivers, more that the DevID that Acer used for it isn't present in the INF. You could probably get it to install by adding or even just changing one DevID for the 6650m that is listed in the INF.

 

[Cheers]

As a workaround, I had a lot of success using Actual Windows Manager. You can tell the secondary screen to run full size @ 1920X1080 it seems to wake up the card and my programs work sweet. Also set 'Pin To Desktop' to stop it from disappearing when you do other things. You can also set the window name at the top. Its not true fullscreen as such, but has worked great for me.

Here is an example of a Live Video Effects Demo I did using Actual Windows Manager to output to the sec monitor in 1920X1080 and recorded with fraps. Click hidef for better quality if u have a fast enough connection -
VDJ & VMS4 Video Effects Demo by DJ Cheers (1080) - YouTube

It has a 60 day full working trial period so you can make sure it will work how you want, before you pay for it. Its not cheap at US$49.95 but saved me getting another pc, so might help someone else.

Actual Windows Manager info and free trial download -
http://www.plimus.com/jsp/redirect.jsp?contractId=1644315&referrer=1021234

 

[hexatic]

Acer Aspire 7750g-6662 just purchased and ran into this madness with the cards, has anyone had any luck contacting them and confirming a BIOs update or something in the works? Seems this forum is the only place I can find this being discussed. Would calling Acer and joining the crowd asking for this do any good?

 

[TVeblen]

It would certainly do some good if someone there has any information and you can share it here with us!

The more places the question is asked the sooner the techs will realize it is a problem.

 

[popeye1953]

I think part of the problem is these are priced so low, even with the great hardware, there are many non-gamers buying them who really don't discover or care about the switching issue.
My 7750G-6669 is downright cheap for the hardware installed. Sure wish they would fix the BIOS/Software issue though. I personally gave up trying to make them understand over the phone. An online ticket didn't accomplish anything either. Just get scripted responses.