AMD Dual Graphics Review | Hybrid CrossFire, reboot
The solution that AMD is now calling Dual Graphics, formerly known as Hybrid CrossFire. From a technical standpoint, the former name was more accurate as the feature uses AMD's multi-GPU technology to scale APU performance with discrete graphics.
This means that you can take an APU-based system, add a Radeon graphics card, combine them into one configuration, and use the resulting combined graphics performance resource to achieve higher frame rates than those components alone.
Solution Dual Graphics was introduced by AMD along with the Llano GPU in 2011; you can find the corresponding review on our resource. While we understand the appeal of the Hybrid CrossFire, Several bugs were found in the first implementation.. Then we expected to revise the technology Dual Graphics when she becomes more mature. As time went on, the architecture of Llano gave way to Trinity, which, in turn, was replaced by Richland.
AMD had three generations to refine and improve the hardware and software components of the technology. So we thought it was time to test Dual Graphics more thoroughly. After all, AMD is making some pretty bold claims about the potential benefits of this feature. The slide below is taken from the presentation accompanying the Richland premiere:
Over the past two years, we have accumulated a lot of questions about Dual Graphics. For example, AMD does not recommend pairing APUs with graphics cards above Radeon HD 6670 due to possible imbalance of graphic resources. However, we have heard that Radeon HD 7750 perfectly complements the array Dual Graphics. Is it even possible to pair an APU with a VLIW5 graphics architecture and a GCN-based discrete card using this technology? If yes, will the cards provide more expensive Radeon HD 6670 worthwhile results that justify the overpayment? If any restrictions Dual Graphics worth knowing about? In this article, we will try to answer these questions.
We also wanted to include our analysis based on the FCAT utility, which uses video capture to measure the amount of dropped and short frames (too small for the naked eye) generated by multi-GPU configurations. Unfortunately, we were unable to get the utility to successfully process videos from Dual Graphics. AMD has said that the issue we're experiencing cannot be fixed for the foreseeable future. If you remember, in AMD A10-6700 and A10-6800K review the problem manifested itself in the fact that the bits of adjacent frames were shown where they should not be, something like this:
See the gap in the image? We do not agree with this state of affairs, therefore we have found a way to objectively evaluate the effectiveness Dual Graphics: We used video capture, which is usually used by FCAT to generate data. You will be amazed at the unexpected results (at least we were). Next, we will talk more about video demonstrations.
AMD Dual Graphics Review | Demo video, test bench and benchmarks
We always wanted to show exactly the picture that we see when comparing the output quality of different graphics adapters. The problem is that lossless video capture at 60Hz at 1920x1080 pixels creates a huge video file that is too big to download. In addition, when uploading this file to YouTube, its frame rate is reduced to 30 FPS, throwing out half the information from the original file. Luckily, thanks to YouTube's HTML5 testing, we found a solution. You need to activate the beta feature by going to link, and click the "Join HTML5 testing" button:
After logging in, close and restart your web browser. Now you need to access the HTML5 based speed control through the settings button in the lower right corner of the video playback window:
We recorded our results at half the speed. So on YouTube's "normal" speed settings (30 FPS), you can carefully examine the result at a slower than real speed and feel the difference. Then, if you want to see the output image as it appears during testing, set the video speed to 2x (60 FPS). With this technique, we have a great opportunity to showcase the experience of playing the game at 60Hz refresh rate, and for readers to see what we see when collecting results.
But first, we'd like to give you some tips on HTML5 testing. Make sure the video is fully loaded before playing it at 2x speed. To do this, as a rule, you need a wider channel, since jumps and freezes will interfere with the normal perception of the picture. We also observed situations where YouTube did not register changes in speed settings without reloading the page. And finally, we recommend that you first watch the video at normal speed, and then at high speed. This makes it much easier to see differences in frame rate smoothness.
In testing, we are using Catalyst 13.6 Beta drivers instead of Catalyst 13.8 Beta, which adds frame adjusting for smoother, more stable output. AMD claims new driver does not affect configurations Dual Graphics. It only works with a few discrete GPUs. Otherwise, the software of other system components has been updated to the latest versions.
Test stand configuration | |
CPU | AMD A10-6800K (Richland), 4.1 GHz base clock, 4.4 GHz Turbo Core, integrated Radeon HD 8670D (844 MHz) |
Motherboard | ASRock FM2A85X, Socket FM2, chipset: AMD A85 |
RAM | AMD Gamer Series Memory, 2 x 4 GB, DDR3-1866, CL 13-13-13-34 |
Storage device | Western Digital Caviar Black 750 GB 7200 rpm, 32 MB cache, SATA 3Gb/s |
Net | Built-in Gigabit LAN controller |
video card | AMD Radeon HD 6670 DDR3, 800 MHz GPU, 1 GB GDDR5 at 800 MHz (1600 MHz effective) |
power unit | ePower EP-1200E10-T2 1200W ATX12V, EPS12V |
OS | Microsoft Windows 8 Pro x64 |
DirectX | DirectX 11 |
Graph. drivers | AMD Catalyst 13.6 Beta 2 |
Tests and settings | |
Metro: Last Light | Version 1.0.0.0, DirectX 10, built-in benchmark |
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim | Version 1.6.89.06, Version 1.5.26.05, 25 p. Fraps |
tomb raider | Version 1.04, THG benchmark, 60 s. Fraps |
F1 2012 | Version 1.2, Direct X 11, built-in benchmark, 60 s. Fraps |
BioShock Infinite | Version 1.0.1441711, built-in benchmark, Fraps |
Company Of Heroes 2 | Version 3.0.0.9804, built-in benchmark, Fraps |
All laptops have at least one graphics solution - an integrated graphics card. However, for comfortable work with applications (in particular, gaming ones), it is recommended to use not the built-in video system, but an additional one. It can be called differently: external, discrete, etc. The essence of this does not change: this video card is a separate unit that is not integrated into the laptop, so it is not subject to the restrictions specific to the laptop card.
In particular, its performance does not depend on the degree of workload of laptop devices and is determined only by the internal design. In addition, it has its own memory and does not take up the laptop's RAM.
In general, a discrete video card in a laptop is a complete analogue of a conventional video card in a stationary PC, but made in a different design.
This article will cover how to enable discrete graphics card on an AMD laptop.
The main feature of a discrete adapter is its increased performance compared to the built-in one. Sometimes the increase in performance when switching to a discrete card is up to 200-300%.
Of course, this significantly increases the energy consumption of the system, which leads to a decrease in the mobility of the laptop, but in cases where it requires a high speed of the video system, this is the only possible solution.
Methods for switching a discrete graphics card on a laptop
There are several ways to switch the GPU in use:
- System tools that are part of the Windows operating system (OS).
- Using the low-level laptop configuration program - BIOS or UEFI.
- Using special software supplied with the laptop.
Each method has its own application features, and in some cases it may not be enough. For example, you cannot make a switch in the operating system if the external adapter is "tightly" disabled in the BIOS.
Consider the application of each method in more detail:
Standard Windows Tools
To switch to a discrete card in the Windows operating system, you must first disable the built-in card, and then reboot the laptop. After this procedure, it will switch to using a discrete video adapter.
Disabling is done in the Device Manager in the "Display Adapters" section. It is enough to select an integrated card, right-click on it and select the "Disable" item.
Important! This should only be done if both cards are displayed in the device manager! If only one is displayed, you must first enable discrete in the BIOS.
UEFI or BIOS
In the case of using BIOS switching, you must go to the peripheral settings (it may be called "Peripherals", "Advanced Configuration" and the like) and select the graphics device used. The menu item for selecting an adapter may be named "Graphics device", "Video Adapter", "Display...", etc.
Attention! In systems where the UEFI interface is used instead of BIOS, the algorithm for changing the adapter is similar, although the information can have both a textual representation and be displayed in the form of icons.
Using Software Installed with Drivers
One or another adapter can also be configured using special software, which, as a rule, comes with the operating system on a laptop. For AMD adapters, this might be the Catalyst Control Center.
In the panel of the Catalyst program (which is called by clicking on it in the system tray), select the item “Switchable graph. adapters", where the choice of the used video card is made. An alternative would be the "Performance" item in which the integrated card is disabled in the "Dual Graphics" section.
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AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is an AMD CrossFireX™ based technology available only on AMD APU based systems installed with AMD Radeon Coordinating discrete graphics cards. For the latest list of APU-based systems and discrete graphics cards that support AMD Radeon Dual Graphics Technology, see http://www.amd.com/dualgraphics .
When AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is enabled, the integrated graphics processor in the APU works in conjunction with the discrete graphics card to improve graphics quality and performance, especially for gaming applications. For more information on how these components work together, see .
Enable/Disable AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics Technology
Use the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics page to enable or disable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support.
When AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is enabled, the discrete graphics card is used in conjunction with the APU to improve graphics quality and performance (when possible).
Note: When AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is enabled, the Control Center application automatically restarts.
- Go to the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics page:
- Standard representation - Performance And Games > Gaming performance.
- Extended view - Performance and Games.
- Choose the appropriate option from the following:
- Enable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics- Allows multiple GPUs to work together to improve graphics quality and performance. Displays connected to an optional graphics card are automatically disabled. As of Windows® 8.1, AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is enabled by default only for applications and games with the Standard AMD Profile or Custom Application Profile. To enable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics for all games and applications - even those that do not have an application profile - select Enable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics for apps without a profile.
- Disable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics- Allows you to enable additional displays on the optional graphics card (this action does not improve performance or improve graphics quality).
- To unlock support for displays connected to an optional graphics card, optionally click and drag the slider. Not all configurations of AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support unlocking displays connected to an optional graphics card. Note: For optimal performance when starting 3D, applications, connect all displays to the primary GPU and (if necessary) unlock displays connected to the secondary GPU.
- Click the Apply button.
Support for AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is enabled or disabled as appropriate. When enabling AMD Radeon Dual Graphics, you can choose to show or hide the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics indicator.
Display/Hide the AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics Logo
With AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support enabled, you can choose to display the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics logo for 3D applications and games running in full screen mode. This logo appears in the upper right corner of the screen and indicates that AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is enabled. When AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is disabled, the logo is not displayed.
- Right-click the Control Center logo in the Windows® notification area.
- In the menu that appears, select the graphics card associated with the APU, select AMD Radeon Dual Graphics Settings and choose Show AMD Radeon Dual Graphics status icon (if applicable) to display the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics logo when AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is enabled. To always hide the logo, even when AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is enabled, clear the checkbox.
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