Maybe some of you might already know this, but some probably don't know: For those who have notebooks with Radeon mobile GPUs along with IGP (Dynamic Switchable Graphics/Enduro platform/MUXless Dynamic), I just found out how to unlock those aplications (with a padlock icon) like browsers and media players (such as WMP and Media Player Classic), so you can set them to run in high perfomance (with dedicated GPU): 1-copy the desired software executable file and rename it: 2-go to switchable graphics controle panel and manually browse and add the renamed executable you have just created. I tried this with Chrome (renamed to "chrome (radeon).exe" and placed a desktop shortcut): I started MSI Afterburner and let the CPU/GPU monitor activated, opened the renamed executable and played a Full HD 60 fps video in YT. Core and memory clocks, as well as GPU1 (Radeon GPU) usage % instantly raised, confirming the dedicated card was being used. The playback was flawless, unlike before, where there was some stuttering when running only with IGP. Did the same procedure with Media Player Classic, run a 1080p 60 fps sample video and the GPU1 % raised to 70-80%, while CPU usage was lower than running with only IGP.
Thanks for the suggestion, but I was reading the UnifL Catalyst forum thread and there were several users reporting issues or BSODs. I tried to install those drivers once but they didn't fix my power state issues on my Dell laptop. Only the combination of OEM Intel HD Graphics + Catalyst 14.12 Omega modded by ******* did.
Np but you most likely read reports from users who didn't know better or were not able to install 14.12 on Windows 7 because of the broken MS SHA2 patch. Point being is that the power state issues are fixed by MS (if you read the release notes / topics you can find the link to the original MS fix). This fix was made for Dells and works by modifying the Intel driver because AMD does not support Runtime Power Management for Dell. "This issue occurs because the AMD driver does not support Runtime Power Management (RTPM), but the Intel driver does support RTPM." http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2990029 So in effect you are running old OEM Intel HD drivers and a PXAI menus + Dx9 dwords modded? 14.12. Always pays to try things out for yourself ; ) You can do the following: Install the latest Intel HD driver and apply the MS patch... then proceed to use any 14.12 / Dell amplifier (since it has newer profiles).
I followed your suggestion and tried UnifL drivers. Performed a full wipe with DDU (safe mode) and installed your drivers package due to unlocked profiles. No issues so far: no RTPM issues, no BSODs and all desired apps are unlocked, such as Chrome and MPC-HC. Didn't even need to disable force driver signature mode as stated by the installer. I'm also running the latest HD Graphics drivers. I can only say thanks for your effort, this is a a very useful software and will only install it from now on :thumbup:
Been using UnifL for years without major problem with my 6770m. Thanks to Alex, FunnyMike and everyone else that involved with the project.
ty too! :3. As long as everything is running smoothly for you. You could still try the official Intel driver + MS patch + Dell Amp driver just to see if games will be better for you since it has newer profiles! BTW: I haven't quite figured this out but does Chrome work better for you on High Performance? It seems to me that not all PXAI (AMD + Intel) configs can make use of the application unlock for some specific apps. For example: I get a performance bump with MPC-HC if it uses DirectX and naturally with setting MPC-HC to High Performance in CCC. (AMD monitor / MSI confirm that the AMD card is being used). It is the same case for IE (leaving it on Intel) but setting the Flash (plugin-container) to AMD. Also gives me a performance bump. However with Chrome I have had no luck whatsoever. Maybe it also depends on how new the PX technology is. Might have to read into the PX sheets again. Thank you for those kind words to both of you! : ) We very much appreciate it but understand that not everything can be perfect.
I have another method to choose apps to be in high performance. (But not as quick and easy as OP's renaming method) -First wipe old drivers with ddu and install older AMD 13.4 whql. -Then choose all the apps that need to be set to high performance. Reboot. -Then install the latest drivers directly on top of AMD 13.4 drivers without doing a clean install. This method works without renaming apps but I cannot set the locked apps to something else unless I do a clean install all over again. So ksio89's method is brilliant to be able to get around that with renaming app, thanks OP! Use his method to compare different settings. In my method, you need to know beforehand which apps need to be set to high performance. The locked apps will remain locked on the new settings chosen eg. high performance. Like funkymike said, nothing is perfect. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I have a question: Does "Based on power source" setting mean an app will run in high performance when plugged into power outlet, and run on power saving mode when using battery? I chose this setting on many of my games & apps since I assumed the above & thought they could run problem free on battery. eg. IE, Firefox, KodiXBMC, mpchc, mplayerc, powerdvd, quicktimeplayer, wmplayer, ArcsoftTotalmediaPlayer, Skype, WindowsMediaCenter; But I chose Chrome to run on High performance. (My assumption may be wrong ...just tested Firefox was running on integrated gfx, so I may have to change my above apps back to high performance. Also note Some programs run smoother/problem glitch free on integrated gfx & when on battery. So figure out which programs run best on each respective setting. Use Ksio's renaming method to compare different settings.) I was annoyed by the locked app problem for over a year, so glad Ksio shared another method to get around this and enjoy our apps at any setting we choose.