How to switch from on board graphics to dedicated?

[pogiakopramis]

I have a hp g4 2129tx laptop and i'm wondering how to switch the gpu from the Intel HD Graphics card to the ATI 7670m. I've already tried it in CCC but it doesn't work since the quality when i play games are just the same with Power Saver even if I've already switched it to High Performance. I also tried to change it in my BIOS but there was no option there to switch the video card being used. My BIOS is the latest one in the HP site. Please help...

P.S. OS is windows 7

[Cloud_Strider]

If you right-click the desktop, do you get an option for configure switchable graphics similar to the image in this document?

If so, select that option and you should be able to enable the high-end card.

It looks like your system is using "fixed" mode.  Review this document for more information about all the options for switchable graphics that HP offers. 

Once you have that menu open, it should look similar to the image below.

[Danilo_91]

Unfortunatly there is nothing you can do for now...fixed graphic option in BIOS won't be there...this is a problem of all g4,g5,g6 series....you can just wait for Hp to publish new BIOS that will allow you to change graphics mode in BIOS...

[Cloud_Strider]

There are different methods currently being used for switchable graphics.

the older approach was dynamic with a "fixed" option in BIOS and the newer option is manually select the card the user wants active via the steps provided.  The steps I provided is generally the way most notebooks since 2010 have handled switchable graphics. 

[Danilo_91]

Well only old method with BIOS is working now actually.....You can't use OpenGL aplications on radeon GPU unless you use fixed mode in BIOS....it is a problem now noticed by Hp and we are awaiting for BIOS release....

it is discused here           http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Display-and-Video-e-g-Windows-8/Pavilion-g6-amp-g7-NEED-UPDATE...

[Cloud_Strider]

@pogiakopramis,

You may have already tried this but I didn't see it mentioned.  Try installing this driver as it may not be switching properly.  It looks like your notebook is from the era of choosing from within Windows vs. dynamic/BIOS.  To be honest, I'm not certain if the BIOS approach will return as I haven't seen it for quite awhile now.  However, I do not work in engineering and do not have privilege to plans that may be coming down the pipe.  Right-clicking the desktop is an alternate method to achieve what the CCC method does.  Personally, I have only been successful in switching my graphics by right-clicking the desktop and choosing configure switchable graphics (the CCC method has not yet worked for me).  Otherwise, this method of switchable graphics has worked fine for me. 

@Danilo_91,

I have reviewed the linked thread.  I'm certain that it has been seen already as it has gained a lot of traffic.  I'll be sure to bring it up at the next meeting if it has not already been discussed. 

[Danilo_91]

@Cloud_Strider

Thank you very much for your attention...Please do introduce our problem to the board because it is really an annoying issue.....thanks again,hope we will get solution quickly

cheers

[Cloud_Strider]

I'm not certain if this will provide any answers, but I did come across this document which covers OpenGL and swtichable graphics. 

[Danilo_91]

thanks for replying... still this solves problem on dv6, dv7 and envy series...no solution for pavilion g6 g7 and probook..

personally i own pavilion g6....customers simply ask for the same bios update that is mentioned in the document you provided...we have been waiting for two years now and honestly we lost our trust in hp....i don't have money for new notebook but never again i will purchase hp or advise someone to do so...i am sorry but it is the way we feel about hp

[Cloud_Strider]

I am afraid that I do not have anything new to add, but I did want to mention the following excerpt in an HP document that addresses OpenGL and dynamic switchable graphics.  Sorry that I don't have anything new or better to offer.  😞

The following was taken from here.

Dynamic Switchable Graphics: OpenGL applications cannot be configured to use the discrete GPU

When configuring the Dynamic Switchable Graphics in the Catalyst Control Center, some computers do not permit any OpenGL applications to be associated with the Discrete (dGPU) or high-performance GPU. The OpenGL applications will work using the power-saving or Integrated GPU (iGPU) but the performance levels are be lower than expected. HP has released an updated BIOS and AMD Graphics driver to enable Fixed Mode Switchable Graphics functionality for certain models originally configured with Dynamic Switchable Graphics.

To find more information about the OpenGL limitations and to obtain the updated BIOS and driver see OpenGL Applications Cannot Be Configured to Use the Discrete GPU .