So, this concerns only laptop users, and the problem is more relevant with Intel + AMD configurations than AMD+AMD.
Long story short, it's broken since Windows 7. Windows 8 users have lots of trouble using drivers other than the ones supplied by the OEM, which are usually very old and eventually cause problems.
And even when things work, it's very likely that you can't control the brightness on your screen using the AMD GPU and that the screen won't wake from sleep, which on a laptop is very annoying.
To add insult to injury, AMD completely broke switchable graphics support for many users after 14.4, and attempts at using 14.4 or older drivers on Windows 10 have failed so far. There is a very real risk of AMD screwing thousands of users by not having a working driver for Windows 10. Considering that Windows 10 is a free upgrade, it's a very big deal. I think a solution will come, but from modders, not AMD.
Yes, you can argue that OEMs have a responsability on the matter. But then you look at AMD's competition, Nvidia, and the problem is pretty much non-existant there. So, the OEMs argument is invalid.
The modding community has done a great job. Leshcatlabs have supported users with (barely) working switchable drivers, but they now hit a wall with 14.4. Worst of all, they are trying to get word out to AMD of the issue and get nothing but silence.
So, what's the point of this thread? AMD switchable sucks, avoid at all costs, go Nvidia, it works (mostly) fine. It's becoming clear that AMD will abandon thousands of users, so don't buy AMD switchable graphics. I'll gladly retract this statement if they make a little effort in getting their drivers to work, but I'm not seeing enough media/user base to change things.
Hope someone from AMD reads this or somehow realises that it's this kind of things that makes them lose marketshare. I for one will avoid AMD based laptops, I will glady spend extra for Nvidia Optimus.
I'm also interested in knowing your opinio. I'm not anti-AMD, I'm anti-being-screwed-by-AMD-when-Nvidia-solution-works, so hold the flames guys.
Long story short, it's broken since Windows 7. Windows 8 users have lots of trouble using drivers other than the ones supplied by the OEM, which are usually very old and eventually cause problems.
And even when things work, it's very likely that you can't control the brightness on your screen using the AMD GPU and that the screen won't wake from sleep, which on a laptop is very annoying.
To add insult to injury, AMD completely broke switchable graphics support for many users after 14.4, and attempts at using 14.4 or older drivers on Windows 10 have failed so far. There is a very real risk of AMD screwing thousands of users by not having a working driver for Windows 10. Considering that Windows 10 is a free upgrade, it's a very big deal. I think a solution will come, but from modders, not AMD.
Yes, you can argue that OEMs have a responsability on the matter. But then you look at AMD's competition, Nvidia, and the problem is pretty much non-existant there. So, the OEMs argument is invalid.
The modding community has done a great job. Leshcatlabs have supported users with (barely) working switchable drivers, but they now hit a wall with 14.4. Worst of all, they are trying to get word out to AMD of the issue and get nothing but silence.
So, what's the point of this thread? AMD switchable sucks, avoid at all costs, go Nvidia, it works (mostly) fine. It's becoming clear that AMD will abandon thousands of users, so don't buy AMD switchable graphics. I'll gladly retract this statement if they make a little effort in getting their drivers to work, but I'm not seeing enough media/user base to change things.
Hope someone from AMD reads this or somehow realises that it's this kind of things that makes them lose marketshare. I for one will avoid AMD based laptops, I will glady spend extra for Nvidia Optimus.
I'm also interested in knowing your opinio. I'm not anti-AMD, I'm anti-being-screwed-by-AMD-when-Nvidia-solution-works, so hold the flames guys.
The Switchable Graphics Issue (Avoid AMD)
