Mobile GPU Faceoff: AMD Dynamic Switchable Graphics vs. NVIDIA Optimus Technology
by Jarred Walton on September 20, 2011 6:40 AM ESTVideo Demonstrations
With all of the discussion of problems and UI issues, I felt the inclusion of some videos showing exactly what I experienced were in order. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an 11 minute video ought to speak volumes, right? I’ve already covered most of the material, but I put together two videos, one showing various games and UI interactions on the Sony VAIO C and the second demonstrating similar use of the Acer TimelineX 3830TG. The first and likely more interesting video shows the gaming experience on the Sony laptop.
[Note: I’m still working on the Acer video; it should go up some time today, but there’s not a lot to see—the games I tested all run as expected.]
Again, without a different laptop, we can’t say how many of our complaints are specific to the Sony VAIO C and how many apply to AMD’s Dynamic Switchable Graphics in general. There haven’t been any major UI changes to AMD’s Catalyst Control Center lately, but there are almost certainly some performance, compatibility, and stability changes. Take the above video as a demonstration of what the Sony VAIO C delivers, and hopefully we’ll be able to test a more recent AMD driver in the near future.
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Wolfpup - Wednesday, September 21, 2011 - link
The article mentions, but probably doesn't make the statement strong enough-you CAN'T use AMD's drivers with Sandy Bridge + AMD systems, which is why I don't even think they should be on the market, let alone anyone actually buy them.I'd been looking at HP's Sandy Bridge systems until learning that. AMD + AMD systems SHOULD work, although the A series stuff isn't listed yet. But the c series chips work, so I'd be surprised if they don't get A series officially supported.
Unfortunately there's unsupported stuff using Nvidia too...apparently Sager's systems aren't supported (along with some Sony's, and I've heard the new high end Dell ones with Floptimus have issues too...)
Unfortunately it's hard to find out which notebooks can use normal drivers, even though that's a HUGE selling point!
inplainview - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
My 2011 MPB 15 inch supports:AMD Radeon HD 6750M:
Chipset Model: AMD Radeon HD 6750M
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x8
VRAM (Total): 1024 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x6741
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-C0170L-573
gMux Version: 1.9.23
EFI Driver Version: 01.00.573
Displays:
Color LCD:
Resolution: 1440 x 900
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Built-In: Yes
and:
Intel HD Graphics 3000:
Chipset Model: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Type: GPU
Bus: Built-In
VRAM (Total): 512 MB
Vendor: Intel (0x8086)
Device ID: 0x0126
Revision ID: 0x0009
gMux Version: 1.9.23
tipoo - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
We all care deeply.retrospooty - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
"My 2011 MPB 15 inch supports:"Pretty much all laptops these days support both... The question is does it properly switch between the two, using the low power internal intel for normal Windows day to day use and then automatically switch to the Radeon when 3d gaming.... Wait, its a MAc, why would you even bother 3d gaming.
This maked me ask, why does Apple even bother putting an expensive gaming card in a Mac? The few games that run, run like crap... unless its there for the Windows/boot camp portion. I guess that makes sense. But then, why not get a PC, its cheaper.
inighthawki - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
As someone who doesn't even like Macs, I think you are looking way past the obvious. Many Macs are used for things like Photoshop, which can use hardware accelerated rendering, and Maya, 3DS Max, etc which are pretty demanding 3D modeling and CAD programs. Not all higher end GPUs are JUST for gaming.retrospooty - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
???That kinda proves my point. Its not for games, it IS good for those things you listed, which are much better suited to pro series video cards (Nvidia Quadro and AMD Fire Pro) It doesnt make sense to put gaming cards.
inplainview - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
Well, I'm not 11 so I actually use my Mac for real work, and don't waste SSD space putting games on it.. Also as a semi-pro photographer I tend to use it to the max. Did I explain it enough for you?sigmatau - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
You forgot the price tag. How much money does it take to support Apple?inplainview - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
I make A LOT of money so I buy whatever I want.seapeople - Tuesday, September 20, 2011 - link
Then why don't you buy a bigger SSD so your games don't load slowly?