Issues Involving AMD Power Express Switchable Graphics for the Dell Precision Mobile M4800 and M6800 Systems

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What is Switchable Graphics?

Many Dell portable systems have an option for switchable graphics that allows the system to utilize Intel Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) graphics for applications that do not require the Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) or nVidia dedicated graphics processors. This option is available as a power-saving measure as the Intel UMA graphics are ideal for battery operation and where saving-power is a preference.

• In AMD equipped systems, switchable graphics are called AMD Power Express.
• In nVidia equipped systems, switchable graphics are called Optimus.

Both switchable configurations allow for Intel Unified Memory Architecture (UMA) graphics to save power.

Switchable Graphics are enabled by default, but the latest generation requires adding applications to the list within the AMD or Nvidia control panel. Once added, it will trigger the transition to the performance discrete Graphics Processor Unit (GPU) from the power saving integrated Intel GPU.

Issues Reported to Dell Involving AMD Power Express Graphics Configurations:

1. M4800 system with AMD Graphics - The AMD graphics driver would crash every time Google Earth was opened.
2. M4800 system with AMD Graphics - User was unable to set AMD graphics to associate with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) application
3. M4800 system with AMD Graphics - When configuring quad external displays in a two over two configurations. The displays would not retain position and returned to a four in line configuration.
4. M6800 system with AMD Graphics - Projector connected to High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port would not function.
5. M6800 system with the M6100 AMD Graphics - Graphics driver must be reinstalled in order to display video on external monitor.

Troubleshooting of these issues included updating the system BIOS to the latest version and the latest Dell certified AMD Firepro M5100 or M6100 driver. None of these provided a solution to the issues.

The final resolution reported to Dell to resolve the issues were to disable the AMD Power Express "Switchable Graphics" option in the Video subsection of the BIOS.

If you have further questions about this solution, contact Dell Technical Support.