AMD Dual Graphics: analysis of test results. AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics Technologies How to disable dual graphics on a laptop

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:

  1. System tools that are part of the Windows operating system (OS).
  2. Using the low-level laptop configuration program - BIOS or UEFI.
  3. 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.

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

AMD Dual Graphics Review | Test results

tomb raider

We start our analysis with Tomb Raider. This is probably the best option for Dual Graphics, since the game was sponsored by AMD. Plus, she's very entertaining.

At least in theory, the results of this benchmark show that Dual Graphics has a significant impact on performance by boosting the capabilities of a single APU or discrete GPU. According to AMD, Radeon HD 6670 provides the best price-performance ratio when paired with APU A10-6800K, offering 100% speedup over a discrete card.

The speed boost with GDDR5 cards is less impressive. But, despite the mixing of VLIW5 and GCN architectures, there is a clear improvement in performance indicators.

The frame rate graph in dynamics did not show anything new, although it can be seen how the configurations Dual Graphics provide a noticeable increase in frame rates than the APU or discrete graphics card alone.

Now let's take into account the time fluctuations between frames. It is easy to see that Dual Graphics provides a significant delay in the change of successive frames. These delays can cause dropped or short frames, which negates the benefit of a high frame rate.

The video below shows a direct comparison of the results APU A10-6800K(average frame rate 24.1 FPS), APU A10-6800K With Radeon HD 6670 DDR3 mode Dual Graphics(average frame rate 43.3 FPS) and single Radeon HD 7750(average frame rate 49.2 FPS).

AMD Dual Graphics Test - Tomb Raider

Video at half the speed provides an impressive demonstration of what the Fraps score cannot say: the configuration Dual Graphics provides the same "intermittent" output as a single APU A10-6800K, despite twice the average frame rate. Meanwhile, Radeon HD 7750 produces a perfectly smooth image. This effect is not as pronounced at full speed, but still noticeable.

Already during the first tested game, it becomes obvious that there is a discrepancy between the readings of utilities such as Fraps and the real impressions of the reproduced image. An increase in time fluctuations between frames confirms our hypothesis. Dual Graphics, perhaps increasing the number of frames rendered per second, but since it is mostly skipped and short frames, it is not noticeable during actual gameplay.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

A company representative has already stated that this driver does not affect the function Dual Graphics, even despite the introduction of frame rate adjustment. Version 13.8 targets discrete graphics cards in CrossFire bundles.

But to make sure of this one hundred percent, we spent an extra day on video capture with the Catalyst 13.8 beta driver.

AMD Dual Graphics benchmark with 13.8 beta driver - Tomb Raider

AMD Dual Graphics Benchmark with 13.8 Beta Driver - Skyrim

AMD Dual Graphics Benchmark with 13.8 Beta Driver - F1 2012

AMD Dual Graphics Benchmark with 13.8 Beta Driver - Bioshock

As you can see, the new driver does not change anything regarding Dual Graphics, as the representative of AMD said.

AMD Dual Graphics Review | Good for benchmarks, but not for games

Does installing a discrete graphics card in addition to the APU result in increased frame rates in games when activated Dual Graphics? According to Fraps, definitely leads.

But does this result in smoother gameplay based on the image seen on the screen? Having tested several games using this feature, we think not. But not to be unfounded, we found a way to demonstrate it. Since FCAT is not working due to AMD driver issues, we used video that we would normally run through FCAT. And results for Dual Graphics turned out to be disappointing.

There is no connection between the higher frame rate in Fraps and what you actually see when outputting via DVI. AMD has been talking about this feature for almost two years now, and Dual Graphics should have already experienced her childhood illnesses. We don't know how many gamers bought a graphics card to pair with an Llano, Trinity, or Richland APU, believing it would improve the gaming experience, but from what we've seen, the extra cost was mostly wasted.

Yes, the Fraps score says that the average frame rate is increasing significantly. However, it was this paradox that inspired FCAT in the first place. If the program counts each dropped and short frame from the average frame rate Dual Graphics, you won't get any benefit from frame chunks (as in the image above) that artificially increase performance.

We're not trying to pick on AMD. While artifacts such as minor "stutters" have been known for years, isolation of data that makes sense for real-life experiences is a more recent phenomenon that has been noticed by the portal team. The Tech Report, and then quantified by Nvidia's FCAT utility. We are very pleased that AMD took these problems seriously enough and developed a special driver to solve them. We will be testing the latest Catalyst beta driver of the same technology soon to see if the gameplay experience will improve with more stable frame rates. If so, we would be happy to commend the AMD product software development team.

However, the latest driver does not improve the situation with Dual Graphics. The problems with this technology are even more serious than we thought before planning this analysis. We hope that the company will responsibly approach the correction of the work. Dual Graphics, as is the case with CrossFire improvements with two discrete GPUs. Right now, AMD is pushing a feature that improves benchmark scores, but not gameplay itself. And this is wrong.

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.

  1. Go to the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics page:
    • Standard representation - Performance And Games > Gaming performance.
    • Extended view - Performance and Games.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

  1. Right-click the Control Center logo in the Windows® notification area.
  2. 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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