BigDK,

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Here are the benefits of the switchable grahics.

Advantages of using Switchable Graphics are:

Extreme Power Savings for Long Battery Life

As compared to discrete graphics, an integrated GPU requires less energy to operate, yielding better power efficiency and improved battery life. This makes it better suited for situations where the notebook is running on battery - for example when traveling on the road.

Maximum Performance

When the notebook is plugged in to the power socket, AMD Switchable Graphics enables the AMD Radeon™ discrete graphics processor for astonishing performance. The discrete graphics processor delivers high performance and incredible graphics when the notebook is plugged in.

Switchable Graphics is available as part of Catalyst™ Control Center or as a standalone utility.

Assigning Applications to GPUs-Step 2

The Switchable Graphics page contains a list of applications for which the user can assign a graphics processor (GPU). This can be used to specify which GPU is best suited for 3D and video applications. Only the most recently used applications are listed in the page. If the application that the user wants is not listed, they can browse for it on the computer under the Other Applications area.

The GPU selection for most 3D and video applications is predetermined by the graphics driver. If needed, the user can change the current selection. In general, assigning applications that use a lot of 3D graphics or video to the high-performance GPU can help improve application performance. The user can also improve performance by doing the same for applications that seem to run poorly on the power-saving GPU.

When no applications require the high-performance GPU, the GPU is temporarily turned off until it is needed again. Applications that do not require 3D graphics or video, such as simple text editors, are configured to always run on the power-saving GPU and cannot be assigned a GPU.

Steps to assign applications to GPUs

In either Standard View or Advanced View, click Power > Switchable Graphics.

Check that the application for which the user want to assign a GPU is listed in the page. If it is not listed, click Browse in the Other Applications area to browse for and select the application; it is added to the list. Only one application can appear in the Other Applications list at a time.

Click the GPU selection button next to the application to select the appropriate GPU.

Click Apply.

When applications are started, they run on their assigned GPUs. For applications that do not have an assigned GPU, a message dialog box may appear prompting you to select one. In this case, click Configure in the dialog box to select the appropriate GPU.

Thanks for the response DELL JESSE L. I'm still not sure its working correctly.

When I disable the Intel graphics hardware (to force the ATI mobility card to be default) then the screen goes to 800x600 and I can't switch to another resolution or access the CCC.

Also, if I am accessing a game that profiles my hardware, it only has Intel HD integrated graphics listed. Even I switch the program under Switchable graphics to be high performance.

Also, if I download the AMD/ATI driver to automatically tell me what I need, I get an error saying that AMD/ATI cannot update due to incompatible hardware/software...etc.

I've already re-installed the original drivers by doing a clean OS install twice and the same things happen.

I only really care about using the ATI mobility dedicated graphics which is why I bought this setup, but I can't even tell if its working and it seems some programs only use the intel setup anyways.

Any additional thoughts or tips?

Thanks.