Here is why switchable graphics is great...

I recently bought a top spec T500 2.8GHz T9600 with ATI Radeon HD3650 / Intel 4500 MHD switchable graphics.

After testing it out in different scenarios, I must say that I have learned to really appreciate hybrid graphics.

The known and obvious advantages include being able to benefit from the discrete ATI graphics when playing 3D games and enjoying lower energy consumption when switching to the integrated Intel graphics.

However there are some twists to the benefits which were identified when playing WMV HD1080 movies and watching HD TV via Windows Media Center.

For those who would like to compare, the movies were downloaded here: WMV HD Content Showcase

1) When playing WMV HD movies using Windows Media Player, CPU usage is miniscule when using Intel graphics. We are talking as low as 1-2% here after a few seconds of playing! If swithing to ATI graphics CPU usage goes up to around an average of 25% (different core load). So let's say 2% CPU load on Intel graphics, vs 25% CPU load on ATI discrete graphics. Huge difference.

2) When playing WMV HD movies using VLC Player, CPU usage is around 12% average when using Intel graphics. If swithing to ATI graphics CPU usage is around 9%. So in this case a small advantage to ATI graphics

3) Watching HD digital TV via TV tuner and Windows Media Center. In this scenario with ATI graphics CPU load is quite a bit lower than with Intel graphics. I will do some more testing and report loads.

I am sure part of the reason behind the abovementioned results has to do with whether or not the software/format is optimized for the hardware.

But in any event it is great that dynamic switching between discrete and integrated graphics has more benefits than what normally meets the eye.

I have had no issues with the switchable graphics at all. The switch takes around 2-3 seconds and has worked flawlessly so far. I have however only been using it in Win 7 64-bit. I can really recommend getting switchable graphics which next to my SSD is the most appreciated hardware feature I have experienced so far.

 

is there a actual switch for this or is it done via a program? I wish my x200t have a discrete graphic, can't even play vlc and use windows aero at the same time.

 

That's because VLC doesn't support DXVA. You're not using the GPU at all, instead you're doing at the processing with the CPU. Use MPC-HC and problem solved.

 

The switch is found in Power Manager. See attached.

I think there is something wrong with your setup. When using a non-tablet X200 I had no issues using aero and playing HD files in VLC.

 

The X200t's GMA 4500MHD should have no problems at all with playing 1080p content. Try using a codec pack and Windows Media Player - personally, I've had better results with that.

I really appreciate the T500's switchable graphics as well - it's the perfect system for me. My only gripe is that Windows 7 support is still lackluster, with the resuming-standby-both-graphics-chipsets-enabled issue. But, Lenovo is working on the issue, with a BIOS and driver patch supposedly to be released by the end of August.

 

Exactly. Since the Intel integrated graphics is the same on the T500 as the X200, I would not have been able to play HD video in VLC if there were issues with the 4500 MHD. For that matter, I can play HD videos on the X3100 graphics of my X61s.


On the second note, how do you notice that both graphics chipset are enabled after resume?

I have done sleep and resume quite a few times and not experienced any issues. What are the symptoms or consequences of the issue you describe?

 

Follow up:
When watching HD TV via Windows Media Center CPU load is around 2% average with ATI graphics vs. around 4% with Intel graphics. So even if it is a difference of double load, we are still talking about low numbers for both.

 

i think warakawa is using two external LCD one at 24 inch and another at 27 inch 2560 x 1440, so if that is the case there maybe some issues with graphics card not having enough power handle both of these at the same time.

 

Power consumption on resume is higher than normal, as reflected in a lower estimated battery runtime. Temperatures are also higher, around discrete graphics levels.

The way to fix the issue when it comes up is switching to discrete graphics, and then switching back to integrated. It's a real pain to have to do that every time I resume from standby.

See this thread here: R400/T400/T500/W500: Switchable graphics issues wi... - lenovo community

Lenovo staff member JamesZ posted on Page 13:

 

I did a quick battery test last week, where I noticed that if I brought my T400 out of standby my power consumption was somewhere in the neighborhood of 30W. I routinely just set my T400 to hibernate instead of standby when using it... it alleviates the issue, but probably takes longer to boot from hibernation than it does to switch the graphics after bringing it out of standby.

Either way I really hope they fix the issue.. I'm definitely waiting with bated breath.

 

I also have T500 with switchable graphics, and while I am pleased with the feature I am very disappointed with Lenovo for not providing any driver updates in about a year for their high-end option. There are still issues that need to be resolved.

 

Yes, in theory switchable graphics is great, but unfortunately, reality falls short since companies do not cooperate well to integrate the features (ie. Lenovo, ATI, and Intel drivers).

 

I assume you are both referring to the issues with resume from sleep? I can't say I have experienced any issues yet - knock on wood.