need clarification: laptop nvidia and ati gpu

[aaaflyer]

hey guys, just wanna check if my understanding of switchable gpu for both companies are correct.

nvidia switable gpu can always use the latest driver update from official website. This is impossible for ATI switchable laptops. For ATI switchable, one has to wait for specific laptop manufacturer to provide the driver updates, which can be very slow, or even no updates. another way is to use modified driver such as leschat but it can be unstable.

I tried to look for answer but to no avail, except that on the ATI website it states that the drivers are not for switchable gpus. Since nowadays most laptops come with switchable gpus, what is the point of buying laptop with ATI gpu?

 

[iKoori]

You get a laptop for their portability bah. If you want to game, get a desktop better and a cheap netbook for work.

Driver update not so impt cuz it's not meant for gaming :/

 

[watzup_ken]

From my understanding, AMD and Nvidia's switchable graphics should work the same way. AMD have Enduro, and Nvidia have Optimus. Both should be embedded in their respective mobile graphic drivers.

Do note that switchable graphic solution is not flawless, with AMD doing worst than Nvidia in this aspect. This is a very driver dependent feature, so you may run into issues where you are still using the Intel IGP, instead of the high powered dedicated graphics, in some applications or games. There, you will need to force it to run with the dedicated graphics.

Personal opinion, the saving grace for AMD on the mobile graphics currently is its price relative to performance.