Acer Laptop: Switchable Graphics using i7 & AMD Radeon

[search53]

I would like to mention that I have run an OpenGL benchmark program on my system (3D Mark 11) - dynamic switching mode (since that's all I have), set to High Performance. While the results are nothing to brag about, being OpenGL didn't cause the system to crash the way it did in the video. My guess is that this is due to improved drivers.

 

[search53]

I did see something in the first video that gives evidence to what I suspected and mentioned earlier. When using dynamic switching, setting to High Performance or Power Saving might not matter. The system appeared to use what it believed was appropriate. In the video, the performance suggested that in his test it used the Radeon GPU both times. This suggests that if the system doesn't feel it needs the Radeon, it could very well ignore the High Performance setting. If this is true, it definitely needs to have the manual control returned to the CCC.

 

[McDaniel007]

It does not give a solution for Acer yet, bet see below. (i am also in contact with acer again, they might finally help me now that i gave them more info about the issue being the switchable graphics)

[AMD+Intel HD] Laptop OpenGL Troobleshooting Guide

 

[search53]

I did this, and here is what happened on my system:

3DMark graphics benchmark program now refuses to run - it claims it can't find any DirectX 11 compatible hardware.

World of Warcraft's reported frame rate dropped from over 50 fps to under 20fps.

Fortunately I created a System Restore point just before installing it.

UPDATE: The System Restore didn't complete properly, so I did a manual Driver Roll-Back. While I was doing that, I noticed that the AMD Radeon driver had been disabled by the new Intel driver. This would strongly suggest to me that the Radeon is being used for WoW.

 

[McDaniel007]

I did this, and here is what happened on my system:

3DMark graphics benchmark program now refuses to run - it claims it can't find any DirectX 11 compatible hardware.

World of Warcraft's reported frame rate dropped from over 50 fps to under 20fps.

Fortunately I created a System Restore point just before installing it.

UPDATE: The System Restore didn't complete properly, so I did a manual Driver Roll-Back. While I was doing that, I noticed that the AMD Radeon driver had been disabled by the new Intel driver. This would strongly suggest to me that the Radeon is being used for WoW.

Yes you can read in the link that for acer there is only a way to force intel on it, not yet for amd.

Seems like HP ( I know, shocking right...) is the only one who released a bios to disable the intel card.

 

[search53]

From what I've read, there really isn't an "intel card." What would be disabled are the graphics capabilities built into the CPU (i3, i5 or i7).

 

[McDaniel007]

From what I've read, there really isn't an "intel card." What would be disabled are the graphics capabilities built into the CPU (i3, i5 or i7).

yes that is correct, I just said card out of habbit

 

[ersarch]

Antialising Sucks

Got the same Acer AS 7750g-9657 but everytime I put any Game with Antialising x2,x4 or x8 is like the game goes sooo slow.
So wut can be the problem here, Im driving crazy, I got another laptop ASUS with less video and all games runs great with maximun antialising.

Im start think about that the main problem is this Dynamic Switchable Graphics.
Any ideas how to improve this problem.
Ty

 

[McDaniel007]

amd has issues with switchable graphics, opengl programs are being run by intel hd instead of the amd graphics. Hp and some other laptop manufacturers have released a new bios update, to disable the intel hd. so that your laptop will only use the amd graphics. sadly enough acer has done nothing so far it seems. (i have contacted them many times)

 

[Cheers]

Anyone had any luck with this. Wish I had seen this thread first, but I also purchased a 7750g-9657, specifically for video djing. Unfortunately it will not run video on the secondary monitor correctly. My guess was because it wasnt switching to the ATI card, and was pleased to find this thread to confirm it.

 

[popeye1953]

Bought a 7750G-6669 with i5-2430 and AMD 6650M video card. Having the same issues. This stinks!

No way to select the 6650 as the dedicated video in BIOS which causes numerous issues when trying to run graphics demanding games. Why couldn't there at least be a function key to switch between them?

 

[TVeblen]

Contact Acer and log your complaint. If enough people do it they may just think of adding that function.

 

[popeye1953]

Contact Acer and log your complaint. If enough people do it they may just think of adding that function.

Thanks for the support.

I'll try I guess. Seems most times their help desk folks know very little about the inner workings of their products. They are used to questions like 'why doesn't Aero work?'.

Gotten cynical in my old age.

 

[TVeblen]

I would avoid the help desk. I have had good look going to the Contact US page and finding the highest level address I can find and send the complaint there.
Sometimes that is just Support, but anything is better than help desk or online support.

 

[popeye1953]

Contacted Acer online (I know) they gave me a phone number. Will give them a call tomorrow. Supposedly there is some 'hidden' options in bios. We'll see.
I will update if I find anything that really works.

BTW: Love Grim Fandango.

 

[TVeblen]

Yes, that would be great news to everyone, and not just in this thread! Please keep us updated.

BTW: Manny es el hombre!

 

[Cheers]

The support ticket worked better for me than phone calls. Definitely recommend EVERYONE having problems sends in a ticket with a link to this thread - that is the only way we will see them work on this. If its just one or two of us complaining, they just put it down to us being dummies.

Here is the latest from Acer help desk -

As per your request, I have passed on your recommendation for a BIOS update that will allow users to enable the dedicated graphics chip to work independently.
I appreciate that you contacted us and brought up this concern. I guarantee you that your recommendation will be considered and as to if there will be a BIOS update available will be determined in the future.
Please feel welcome to submit a new helpdesk ticket should you require any further support.
We thank you for using Acer’s online helpdesk.
Have a great day.

 

[Otase]

I Got an Aspire 7750G/ with i5-2430 and AMD Radeon HD 6650M (2gb vram)/ 8gb DDR3,
i didnt go check on Bios yet if i can make dedicated video card work independently,
i thought graphic Intel HD 3000 would only take care of the monitor but i gess im wrong,
i can know when its swtching to radeon or not when opening a game or other aplication,
with the help of Speccy (it only shows radeon temperature when its in use)

 

[Otase]

Im using GPU-Z to eitheir see if its using radeon or not,
on the aplications i set high performance and it sure is doing its work
so i wonder what is anyone prob about the switchable graphics yet.

 

[search53]

No problems here, but then I don't do much gaming. I got mine mainly for the 4/8 cores.