Auto-switching graphics adapters (W500)

[planetf1]

I have a W500 with combo Intel/AMD switchable graphics.

I'd like to set the system to automatically switch to high performance graphics on mains power, and back to intel in low power.

In particular at the office I have an external DVI monitor (connected via the advanced dock) which requires the high performance adapter -- so alternative mechanisms that allow for an appropriate event to be detected, and a command that causes a switch would be appropriate

As of a few days ago I had the latest official switchable graphics driver installed -- I think it was from around May. I experiences a couple of 3D issues and upgraded the ATI drive (in ATI mode) -- this though had no effect on the manual switching capability which is still working fine.

However in the past I was able to configure switching - definately from the intel tray tool (igfxtray?) and possible from the AMD catalyst control panel. I cannot remember which driver I had installed at the time, it may have been a "hacked" one, or one in which I'd manually tried to update one component or another.

Does anyone have a recipe that might allow this capability in the intel/amd drivers to be exposed? Right now launching 'igfxtray' is ineffective, along with most of the other intel processes -- I'm definate the capability was there.

Ideas welcome!

[awolfe63]

I have a W500 with combo Intel/AMD switchable graphics.

I'd like to set the system to automatically switch to high performance graphics on mains power, and back to intel in low power.

In particular at the office I have an external DVI monitor (connected via the advanced dock) which requires the high performance adapter -- so alternative mechanisms that allow for an appropriate event to be detected, and a command that causes a switch would be appropriate

As of a few days ago I had the latest official switchable graphics driver installed -- I think it was from around May. I experiences a couple of 3D issues and upgraded the ATI drive (in ATI mode) -- this though had no effect on the manual switching capability which is still working fine.

However in the past I was able to configure switching - definately from the intel tray tool (igfxtray?) and possible from the AMD catalyst control panel. I cannot remember which driver I had installed at the time, it may have been a "hacked" one, or one in which I'd manually tried to update one component or another.

Does anyone have a recipe that might allow this capability in the intel/amd drivers to be exposed? Right now launching 'igfxtray' is ineffective, along with most of the other intel processes -- I'm definate the capability was there.

Ideas welcome!

Not a supported feature. You need to switch manually.

[Colonel O'Neill]

Use RMClock.

a) It'll undervolt the CPU for lower temperatures and longer battery life.
b) It has a AC-event and battery-event for which you can assign the following command line options as you see fit:

"C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities\PWMUIAux.exe" /HighPerformanceGpu
"C:\Program Files\ThinkPad\Utilities\PWMUIAux.exe" /EnergySavingGpu

[awolfe63]

Interesting plan! Have you made it work?

[Colonel O'Neill]

It should work in principle, never bothered to try it.

It does do the whole screen flashy thing everytime, and if there is a program running that blocks the change, it won't change, so it's not perfect.

[awolfe63]

Also - if you are running a 64-bit OS then you need to use the Program Files (x86) directory instead.