dv6t-61XX / dv7t-61XX Switchable Graphics Discussion

[starplaya]

Hey guys, I just received my dv6t today, which I purchased based on recommendations from this site.

I was aware at the time of my purchase that the switchable graphics was an issue to some but I didn't think it was widespread. Now i'm concerned that when I start gaming i'm going to have crappy performance due to whatever bug is plaguing the graphics drivers.

I'm looking for more information regarding the issue but can't seem to find much besides what is in this forum.

Anyways, can somebody please update me on this issue?
Is it widespread? Is HP aware and have they informed anybody that a fix will be coming soon? Do the graphics fail to switch only when performing certain tasks/playing certain games or is it dependent on the resolution? etc?

Thanks in advance for any insight.
Whatever the issue is I really hope it is resolved asap. I'd hate having to go through the hassle of returning and purchasing another laptop.


Oh yeah... What would be the best way to test my switchable graphics to see if they are working properly?
Like I said, I just got it today so haven't really installed any graphic intensive games yet. Any other ways?

[dwalk1989]

Hey guys, I just received my dv6t today, which I purchased based on recommendations from this site.

I was aware at the time of my purchase that the switchable graphics was an issue to some but I didn't think it was widespread. Now i'm concerned that when I start gaming i'm going to have crappy performance due to whatever bug is plaguing the graphics drivers.

I'm looking for more information regarding the issue but can't seem to find much besides what is in this forum.

Anyways, can somebody please update me on this issue?
Is it widespread? Is HP aware and have they informed anybody that a fix will be coming soon? Do the graphics fail to switch only when performing certain tasks/playing certain games or is it dependent on the resolution? etc?

Thanks in advance for any insight.
Whatever the issue is I really hope it is resolved asap. I'd hate having to go through the hassle of returning and purchasing another laptop.


Oh yeah... What would be the best way to test my switchable graphics to see if they are working properly?
Like I said, I just got it today so haven't really installed any graphic intensive games yet. Any other ways?

its for openGL programs that this "issue" effects. most programs work fine, like my games

[otacon]

Guys and Gals....If you have a DV6T-6100 or DV7T-6100 the following applies:

The switching issue is ONLY with software that uses OpenGL. If your game/software uses OpenGL it will not switch to the 6770M it will stay on the Intel HD. For some this is a deal breaker for others it is not. It's not a matter of if your switch is broken. It only concerns OpenGL programs and it applies to ALL DV6T-6100 and DV7T-6100 models.

[brett1111]

Just received this email today from an HP technician. I am not sure if it's of any help, but here it goes:
-----
"Please be informed that, the dynamic switching is trying to provide a better experience when end users switch GPU while saving more battery life. There will be no flashing screen or indication as previous platforms during GPU switch.

Examples: DV6-6000 and DV7-6000 series only support fix mode while DV6-6100 and DV7-6100 series only support dynamic switch mode, even they’re using the same graphic chip-Radeon HD 6770M.

In Fixed Mode you can change the CPU from Low performance to High performance or vice versa. This can be done by right clicking on desktop or selecting it from ATI Catalyst Control Center in control panel. The GPU switching is also done by changing power modes.

For dynamic switching units, most applications are using iGPU by default. You can go to CCC to configure the dGPU (high performance)/iGPU (power saving) on each app by themselves. When you do switching, it does not require shut down and restart of an app to kick in. (No longer see a blank screen with a 6 second delay)

You will not be able to put old drive from a DV6-6000 and DV7-6000 series on a DV6-6100 and DV7-6100 series to get the old manual switchable graphics to work or vice versa."
-----
So they really think they have "made progress" and they helped to improve the customer experience....blablabla...
But does the last sentence imply that thay can't because of AMD or for other reason? We are back to the beginning: who's to blame?

[starplaya]

Guys and Gals....If you have a DV6T-6100 or DV7T-6100 the following applies:

The switching issue is ONLY with software that uses OpenGL. If your game/software uses OpenGL it will not switch to the 6770M it will stay on the Intel HD. For some this is a deal breaker for others it is not. It's not a matter of if your switch is broken. It only concerns OpenGL programs and it applies to ALL DV6T-6100 and DV7T-6100 models.

damn... Well some of the software that I use uses OpenGL and i'm not sure that the intel HD will suffice for all of them. Not sure about games though, I plan on playing some SC and BF3 when it comes out, probably some mmo's also..

This might just be a deal breaker for me...

I assume that most of the people who purchase these laptops have some intentions of using intensive OpenGL applications and the fact that HP hasn't addressed this issue yet is ridiculous...

knew I should of went with the Asus...

[dave1812]

damn... Well some of the software that I use uses OpenGL and i'm not sure that the intel HD will suffice for all of them. Not sure about games though, I plan on playing some SC and BF3 when it comes out, probably some mmo's also..

This might just be a deal breaker for me...

I assume that most of the people who purchase these laptops have some intentions of using intensive OpenGL applications and the fact that HP hasn't addressed this issue yet is ridiculous...

knew I should of went with the Asus...

HP...the new limited-use laptop maker...

[Charles P. Jefferies]

I have had to clean up numerous posts in this thread. Keep your comments non-personal and on topic. If I have to come in here again, I will do more than delete posts.

If you really have a problem with someone, then PM a moderator. That's partly why the mod team exists - to handle personal problems and disputes.

Thank you.

[canofspam4000]

Hi everyone, just stumbled on something interesting. I was having trouble with WoW after a minimized restore so I used driver sweeper to get rid of the drivers after uninstalling them through control panel. I installed the AMD driver that HP put up a few days ago and restarted. I then installed the 11.5b hotfix(I unchecked the CCC install under the custom install section), again I restarted. Then I went into windows update and installed the optional update for the AMD 6770M. Before I restarted I wanted to check the CCC to make sure everything was still working after the update. To my surprise, this is what I found.

Insert awesome image here

I know all of you who are working on getting a fix might be interested in this and if you need me to post anything else for proof or what not I can.

**Note - I haven't restarted/touched the settings in fear it will disappear, so if you guys that are working on it need something I'll try to get it before I have to turn of my computer or anything of that nature.
**Note - I blacked the serial out for privacy reasons.

Nope, seems like it was a no-go for me. Bummer
It looks like this is a hit-or-miss situation where it sometimes works, but mostly doesn't. I'll go ahead and give it another try later today, but so far I've only been disappointed with my efforts.

[kurosawa79]

And if that would mean I couldn't play diablo 3 (when out) or other games on the ATI? Some people here are saying there ATI card is never on. Sounds like grounds to cancel...

Anything running DirectX should work. Starcraft 2 works great so I shouldn't think diablo should have any probs. It only really OpenGL games that don't work plus a few random older games. When a fix comes along everything should work.

[BrokenSocial]

To starplaya:

You could test it out by running 3dmark11 and or 3dmark vantage and post your results if you would like You could also just install your favorite game and give it a go. Don't worry about installing programs, you have this for 21 days and can return it if things aren't working out for you. HP seems to be really good about that.

I'm still on the fence about returning my DV6. HP already sent me an email RMA email after about 10 mins chatting online with customer service. Basically I just said that I bought this computer for the MANUAL graphics switching, and HP changed that without telling me first.

Anyway, I'm still on the fence about returning it. Really there seems to be no better laptop at this pricepoint, ie. great batterylife/good screen (the 1080p)/blue ray/graphics/processor. I'm still kindof thinking of returning it and somewhere from $200-$300 more for a few less options. I'm eyeing the malibal 8130 which has a better gpu, but the lack of battery life is going to HURT ME HARD.

I'm a gamer but I don't play a lot of different games. I was hoping that RIFT would have worked better for me. @1080p it isn't great, I can't really see any difference from my old 8800GTS(320mg) and 550be AMD phenom II, desktop. I'm pretty sure it's just a "NVIDIA works better with Rift" thing. If I run on medium/low with tweaked settings, it's smooth, but pretty much the same settings as my desktop. I just wanted more eye-candy. The thing is, this KILLS my desktop in terms of general performance. Startup and general snappiness is night and day in comparison.

I do have to say WOW seems to run a LOT better than my desktop, I also recently got Left4dead2 via steam (it still might be available for $6.99) It runs very smoothly. Only other games I've tried so far are HL2,HL2DM both are flawless, QuakeLive (browser game at this point) great fun, zero issues. Trackmania, flawless. QuakeLive might be running on the intel graphics, I don't even really know, I'm just saying that it's fine either way.

The only real games that have that I have read from this forum are Minecraft which is openGL and Dave's favorite, FlightSimulatorX.

Just test your favorite games, see what is working for you. Also do a minimum system install and try the new drivers and test again if things aren't working optimally for you. You have 21 days. Have fun and good luck

p.s. I know Dave had issues with FSX, does anyone else remember trying any others?