5000 series, switchable graphics?

[RadiusXd]

I am wondering whether any laptops on the market have the capability to switch from a power-hungry card in the ATI 5000 series (preferably higher, like the 5870), to a power-saving motherboard integrated graphics card. I ask because I am looking for a notebook that can handle high graphics while lasting around 4 hours with power saving measures in place.
i would also have no issue with upgrading battery size, if available.

PS, i would like to thank those who post in advance.
to clarify, i meant last 4 hours in the integrated card, not the powerful one, also by switch i meant like the alien ware m11x does (for those not sure).

 

[gl1koz3]

As for docking station solutions... I guess the reason for why there aren't any with x16 PCI Express (needed myself, haven't found) is because the slightest change to the connection would result in absolute software meltdown as in transfer errors, which may result in anything from bad to catastrophe.

Have heard, but haven't looked into some switchable internal graphics solutions. Seems to be like a lot of space to waste, without much performance offering, though.

EDIT: There might be x16 docking solutions, but I just let it go, as they were ***** to find in an officially supported manner.

 

[RadiusXd]

does no answer mean such a thing does not exist?

 

[RadiusXd]

As for docking station solutions... I guess the reason for why there aren't any with x16 PCI Express (needed myself, haven't found) is because the slightest change to the connection would result in absolute software meltdown as in transfer errors, which may result in anything from bad to catastrophe.

Have heard, but haven't looked into some switchable internal graphics solutions. Seems to be like a lot of space to waste, without much performance offering, though.

docking station? please elaborate and simplify.

 

[RadiusXd]

No, that sort of thing isn't possible. The problem with laptop gaming all stems from the fact that all laptop graphics units are going to be limited thanks to the form-factor and the chances of overheating. Switching graphics would be a more difficult task than would make it worth it in terms of battery performance.

the m11x from alien ware can do it, its just they didn't take the concept to a large enough scale.
the screens too small and the graphics aren't quite what I am looking for, but with such a small laptop able to do it for the price you find it at, you can know that the basic concept is possible.

PS, in the reviews the m11x had no problems with overheating, and they noted it to be remarkably quiet.

 

[gl1koz3]

As for docking station solutions... I guess the reason for why there aren't any with x16 PCI Express (needed myself, haven't found) is because the slightest change to the connection would result in absolute software meltdown as in transfer errors, which may result in anything from bad to catastrophe.

Have heard, but haven't looked into some switchable internal graphics solutions. Seems to be like a lot of space to waste, without much performance offering, though.

docking station? please elaborate and simplify.

Docking station: I almost bought something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUUecthuAj0

A box that can contain various stuff. Including a video card. The problem is, it's only PCIe x1. And it's a rather physical limitation of extending such a bus so far from the controller. This means that your 58xx wouldn't be able to communicate with CPU fast enough to do any work.

I tried running even a much slower card at x1 and the result was... stuttering... at every a bit more demanding graphics related place. So bad. You can run quake 2, but that's it.

 

[RadiusXd]

No, that sort of thing isn't possible. The problem with laptop gaming all stems from the fact that all laptop graphics units are going to be limited thanks to the form-factor and the chances of overheating. Switching graphics would be a more difficult task than would make it worth it in terms of battery performance.

there are laptops that run 2 top line cards in SLI or crossfire, i hardly think that 1 high range and 1 motherboard integrated would be a great technological feat, especially when one considers that you can fit all the necessary components to run 7 in 9 inch screen netbooks

 

[RadiusXd]

As for docking station solutions... I guess the reason for why there aren't any with x16 PCI Express (needed myself, haven't found) is because the slightest change to the connection would result in absolute software meltdown as in transfer errors, which may result in anything from bad to catastrophe.

Have heard, but haven't looked into some switchable internal graphics solutions. Seems to be like a lot of space to waste, without much performance offering, though.

docking station? please elaborate and simplify.

Docking station: I almost bought something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUUecthuAj0

A box that can contain various stuff. Including a video card. The problem is, it's only PCIe x1. And it's a rather physical limitation of extending such a bus so far from the controller. This means that your 58xx wouldn't be able to communicate with CPU fast enough to do any work.

I tried running even a much slower card at x1 and the result was... stuttering... at every a bit more demanding graphics related place. So bad. You can run quake 2, but that's it.

will docking stations effect say, keyboard reaction times if i wanted it just for controls and perhaps screen?

 

[gl1koz3]

They won't. Please note that at x1 your 5xxx will run at the speed of GeForce 2. So buy ONLY when you have verified tests for it. You'll be wasting your money otherwise.

EDIT: I just understood what you asked. Stuff you mention will be OK.

 

[RadiusXd]

No, that sort of thing isn't possible. The problem with laptop gaming all stems from the fact that all laptop graphics units are going to be limited thanks to the form-factor and the chances of overheating. Switching graphics would be a more difficult task than would make it worth it in terms of battery performance.

there are laptops that run 2 top line cards in SLI or crossfire, i hardly think that 1 high range and 1 motherboard integrated would be a great technological feat, especially when one considers that you can fit all the necessary components to run 7 in 9 inch screen netbooks

Top-line by laptop standards, and that still drains the batteries like a bilge-pump drains a boat. That's also usually found in a 17" laptop, which is usually so large that it becomes more of a desktop replacement, and there are still horror stories about those sorts of computers overheating like crazy.

As for the M11x, that thing carries an NVIDIA GeForce 335M - or the functional equivalent of a GeForce 8600 GTS, a card I discounted two years ago for being too slow. That might be fine for 1366x768 resolution, but it's not on the level of the 1920x1080 screens becoming common in both larger laptops and desktops.

yeah but it's only 11 inch screen, surely with an extra 5 or so you could fit a better graphics card and a slighty more powerful processor, and still have room for extra battery cells no?

 

[RadiusXd]

They won't. Please note that at x1 your 5xxx will run at the speed of GeForce 2. So buy ONLY when you have verified tests for it. You'll be wasting your money otherwise.

EDIT: I just understood what you asked. Stuff you mention will be OK.

sweet, thats something to think about, especially when you consider that i have to have things just so when I game.

 

[Finnboghi]

It is far from impossible, and has been done with excellent efficiency - the previous generation of MacBook Pros contained both a nVidia 9800 GT for intense work, and was able to switch to a 9400 for most simple work on battery.

The possibility is most definitely there, you just need the hardware to do it.