Acer Laptop: Switchable Graphics using i7 & AMD Radeon

[stormy13]

No idea if it will work with the Acer's mentioned in this thread, but the leaked "beta" here,

AMD Catalyst 12.x (8.95 January 24) Unofficial BETA - Guru3D.com Forums

It has the Intel graphics driver integrated into it, which says to me that it is more an updated driver for one of the laptop manufacturers (no idea which) than an actual leaked beta desktop driver.

 

[popeye1953]

No idea if it will work with the Acer's mentioned in this thread, but the leaked "beta" here,

AMD Catalyst 12.x (8.95 January 24) Unofficial BETA - Guru3D.com Forums

It has the Intel graphics driver integrated into it, which says to me that it is more an updated driver for one of the laptop manufacturers (no idea which) than an actual leaked beta desktop driver.

Thanks! I had to uninstall my other drivers and delete the /ProgramFiles(x86)/ATI folder to get them to install properly.
They seem to be working so far. Some added options available in CCC but still none to select the ATI GPU as the primary. I got .2 increase in Aero score on WEI.
Still testing with games. Seem to be a slight improvement but still not the holy grail of being able to choose which GPU as primary.

 

[Dark Byte]

Was the "Switchable Graphics Method" option added? Very interested in doing this, but, how did you uninstall all your drivers? I don't want to #### things up if i do.

 

[popeye1953]

Was the "Switchable Graphics Method" option added? Very interested in doing this, but, how did you uninstall all your drivers? I don't want to #### things up if i do.

If you mean where you can select which card you want an app to use, yes. But no option to make the ATI GPU the primary at all times.
I use the uninstaller built into the Cat installer but have to manually delete the ATI/Ace folder to make the update take correctly.
There is also a .msi uninstaller available here: Atiman Uninstaller v.6.2.0.msi

If you are concerned just make sure you keep a copy of the drivers you have that you know are working for you.
Also read through the posts at guru3d. Some people like them, some don't. So far I've not experienced any show stopper.

P.S. If you uninstall correctly when you reboot both the Intel and ATI GPU should show up as generic VGA displays cards in the hardware properties.

 

[Dark Byte]

Does the "Switchable Graphics Method" appear on that new version? If so, there might be some luck.

I want to try this out, I have already posted this link on an older post. But whatever, maybe you can try it?

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

 

[Dark Byte]

Any new luck or ideas?

 

[Otase]

Sure its anoying cause playing Phantasy Star Online wont switch to Radeon... and certain parts with lot objects and efects can get slow on Intel integrated grahpic -__-

 

[Dark Byte]

Yeah, its annoying how even goldsource games (Counter Strike 1.6, Half Life), can actually lag, since it doesn't switch to the radeon. Though games like Mw2 and Skyrim i can run on high very well.

 

[GSoMan]

New bios out !

Does not resolve our problem !

 

[popeye1953]

New bios out !

Does not resolve our problem !

Yea, I was hoping it would allow setting the AMD GPU as primary but no such luck.
Don't know what it changed as they haven't bothered to post a description. I like their hardware but less than thrilled with their customer and software/firmware support.

 

[GSoMan]

Again, another bios is out (1.19)
But, once again no information about what it does.
Tested, the option to set the real graphic card on default is still not there.
I want to play Minecraft on this computer >_<

 

[NoN]

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

I came across your post then realize i did used the Ati Catalyst Mobility drivers start from version 11.2 with the ability of keeping the INTEL switchable Graphics working while switching wired to the battery power on Acer Laptops. I've stop inquiring at version 11.6.

Actual drivers are v11.12.

There's a very good tutorial HERE
PS: To grab those drivers Ati 11.12, you'll have to go to page 8 (first page is broken link)!

 

[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

I came across your post then realize i did used the Ati Catalyst Mobility drivers start from version 11.2 with the ability of keeping the INTEL switchable Graphics working while switching wired to the battery power on Acer Laptops. I've stop inquiring at version 11.6.

Actual drivers are v11.12.

There's a very good tutorial HERE
PS: To grab those drivers Ati 11.12, you'll have to go to page 8 (first page is broken link)!

Thanks, since that post I've found drivers modded by a gentleman named Leshcat which work quite well and are current.
They are here: leshcat blog IT Tips & Tricks: Catalyst 12.3 Pre-WHQL UnifL for Switchable Graphics

 

[TVeblen]

Hello folks.

I am setting up a new Asus laptop with Intel mobil graphics (i7) and dedicated nVidia Geforce 610m graphics. Running graphics driver 8.17.12.8564.

I have found in the nVidia Control Panel (version 3.9.760.0) an easy way to manually select the graphics processor for any program.

• Open the Control Panel > Manage 3d Settings
• Go to the Program Setting Tab
• Select the Program to Customize (click ADD to find the exe of the program if it is not already listed)
• Select the Graphics Processor to set as default for that program.

Can others confirm that these settings are available and work with other graphics chips and drivers?

 

[NoN]

Thanks, since that post I've found drivers modded by a gentleman named Leshcat which work quite well and are current.
They are here: leshcat blog IT Tips & Tricks: Catalyst 12.3 Pre-WHQL UnifL for Switchable Graphics

Those drivers won't work with my Ati & Intel HD Graphics. My card & processor are outdated for those drivers.... That's why i stopped installing them!

 

[popeye1953]

Hello folks.

I am setting up a new Asus laptop with Intel mobil graphics (i7) and dedicated nVidia Geforce 610m graphics. Running graphics driver 8.17.12.8564.

I have found in the nVidia Control Panel (version 3.9.760.0) an easy way to manually select the graphics processor for any program.

• Open the Control Panel > Manage 3d Settings
• Go to the Program Setting Tab
• Select the Program to Customize (click ADD to find the exe of the program if it is not already listed)
• Select the Graphics Processor to set as default for that program.

Can others confirm that these settings are available and work with other graphics chips and drivers?

That's nice but I really don't think nVidia Control Panel is going to work with AMD GPU. Call me crazy.
I'm not even going to attempt because even if I get it to install who knows what problems it may cause.
Sorry.

Besides that, what you are describing is what the AMD switchable graphics panel does also.
I can select which card I want to use just fine with the software. I want to be able to set the AMD GPU as primary in BIOS.

There are times when the software setting just doesn't do the job as far as kicking in the better GPU.

 

[popeye1953]

Thanks, since that post I've found drivers modded by a gentleman named Leshcat which work quite well and are current.
They are here: leshcat blog IT Tips & Tricks: Catalyst 12.3 Pre-WHQL UnifL for Switchable Graphics

Those drivers won't work with my Ati & Intel HD Graphics. My card & processor are outdated for those drivers.... That's why i stopped installing them!

I have i5-2430m with integrated HD 3000 graphics and AMD 6650m discrete GPU. How old are you talking? I thought leshcat drivers would work on most switchable intel/amd systems.
Are you sure you removed old drivers completely before installing?

 

[NoN]

Thanks, since that post I've found drivers modded by a gentleman named Leshcat which work quite well and are current.
They are here: leshcat blog IT Tips & Tricks: Catalyst 12.3 Pre-WHQL UnifL for Switchable Graphics

Those drivers won't work with my Ati & Intel HD Graphics. My card & processor are outdated for those drivers.... That's why i stopped installing them!

I have i5-2430m with integrated HD 3000 graphics and AMD 6650m discrete GPU. How old are you talking? I thought leshcat drivers would work on most switchable intel/amd systems.
Are you sure you removed old drivers completely before installing?

Yes its outdated!!
See my specs...Ati Mob Radeon Hd4330 + Intel Gma 4500Hd on a pentium dual core.

Intel stopped drivers to v15.17.18.64.2555 on their site for the GMA serie 4,

For core i3, i5, i7 version are v15.22.50.64.2509 (8.15.10.2509)


Well, this on Acer is very tricky install, and not all versions works like a charm!

 

[popeye1953]

Ah, that GMA 4500 and pentium dual core is the show stopper for sure. Mine is Acer too but the newer i5 with the built in HD3000 instead of the GMA chip.
Yea, the newer switchable drivers are written for the i-series CPUs and newer GPUs. I'm afraid you are hosed when it comes to anything past 11.2 or so.
I'm at 12.3 unsigned with leshcat drivers now.

 

[NoN]

Ah, that GMA 4500 and pentium dual core is the show stopper for sure. Mine is Acer too but the newer i5 with the built in HD3000 instead of the GMA chip.
Yea, the newer switchable drivers are written for the i-series CPUs and newer GPUs. I'm afraid you are hosed when it comes to anything past 11.2 or so.
I'm at 12.3 unsigned with leshcat drivers now.

yep!