Program for customizing radeon dual graphics cards. AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics technologies. Windows Standard Features

AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is a technology based on AMD CrossFireX™, available only on AMD APU-based systems installed with AMD Radeon discrete graphics cards. To review the latest list of APU-based systems and discrete graphics cards that support AMD Radeon Dual Graphics technology, div. http://www.amd.com/dualgraphics.

When AMD Radeon Dual Graphics integration is enabled, the graphics processor in the APU works together with the discrete graphics card to improve graphics speed and productivity, especially for gaming programs. To view additional information about how these components work together, div.

Enable/enable AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics technology

Visit the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics page to enable or enable the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support.

When AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is enabled, the discrete graphics card is paired with the APU to improve capacity and improve graphics performance (where possible).

Note: If AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is enabled, Control Center will automatically restart.

  1. Skip to page AMD Radeon Dual Graphics:
    • Standard tax - Productivityі Play > Productivity in games.
    • Expanded manifestation - Productivity and play.
  2. Select your preferred option from the directions below:
    • Enable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics- Allows multiple graphics processors to perform full-time work by reducing capacity and increasing graphics productivity. Displays connected to an additional graphics card are automatically turned on. For Windows® 8.1, AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is enabled only for programs and games with the standard AMD profile or the customer profile. To enable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics for all games and programs - select those that do not have a program profile - select the item Disable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics for programs without a profile.
    • Vimknuti AMD Radeon Dual Graphics- Allows additional displays on an additional graphics card to be made smaller (intended not to result in increased productivity or reduced graphics performance).
  3. To unlock support for displays connected to an additional graphics card, click and drag on the bar if necessary. Not all AMD Radeon Dual Graphics configurations support unlocking of displays connected to an additional graphics card. You can also connect all displays to the main graphics processor and (if required) unlock the displays connected to the secondary graphics processor.
  4. Press the Freeze button.

AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is enabled or disabled as a matter of course. By selecting AMD Radeon Dual Graphics, you can choose to display or select the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics indicator.

Illustration/appearance of the AMD Radeon™ Dual Graphics logo

With the additional support for AMD Radeon Dual Graphics, you can choose to display the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics logo for 3D programs and games that run in full screen mode. This logo appears at the top right corner of the screen and indicates that AMD Radeon Dual Graphics support is enabled. When AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is enabled, the logo is not displayed.

  1. Right-click the Control Center logo in the Windows® notification area.
  2. From the menu, select the graphics card associated with the APU, select AMD Radeon Dual Graphics Parameters and select Show the icon for AMD Radeon Dual Graphics (to be stuck) to display the AMD Radeon Dual Graphics logo when AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is enabled. To add the logo first, when AMD Radeon Dual Graphics is turned on, remove the ensign.

Did you know Drukar's mercy? See text and press Ctrl+Enter

A look at AMD Dual Graphics Hybrid CrossFire, re-engineered

Decision, like AMD is now the cry Dual Graphics, Previously called Hybrid CrossFire. From a technical point of view, even the name was precise, since the function uses AMD GPU decal technology to scale the productivity of the APU behind additional discrete graphics.

This means that you can take an APU-based system, add a Radeon video card, combine them into one configuration and use the total resource of graphics productivity that is available to achieve higher frame rates, lower same components okremo.

Decision Dual Graphics was presented by AMD with GPU Llano in 2011; You can find a complete overview on our resource. While we understand the benefits of Hybrid CrossFire, the first implementation revealed a number of shortcomings. Then we got insurance and looked at the technology Dual Graphics if you become mature. The next hour, the architecture of Llano was sacrificed in favor of Trinity, and was finally replaced by Richland.

It took AMD three generations to further refine its hardware and software warehouse technologies. So we thought that the time had come to protest Dual Graphics more resolutely. I'm sorry, AMD should try to make bold statements about the potential advantages of this function. The slide below is taken from the presentation accompanying the Richland premiere:

Over the past two years, we have accumulated immaterial food Dual Graphics. For example, AMD does not recommend pairing APUs with video cards higher than that Radeon HD 6670 through a possible imbalance of graphic resources. However, mi chuli, scho Radeon HD 7750 miraculously complements the array Dual Graphics. How can you connect an APU with a VLIW5 graphics architecture and a discrete GCN-based card with the same technology? If so, then it’s more expensive to secure the cards Radeon HD 6670 What are the results, how do you justify the overpayment? How to be free Dual Graphics, What kind of vartos do you know? From which material we will try the evidence for this power supply.

We also wanted to include our analysis based on the FCAT utility, which, in addition to video storage, shows a large number of missing and short frames (too small to be detected with an indestructible window), which are generated by configurations from several GPUs. Unfortunately, we were unable to use the utility to successfully process the video from Dual Graphics. AMD said that the problem we encountered could not be fixed by anyone close to us. As you remember, in review AMD A10-6700 and A10-6800K The problem was that the bits of small frames were shown there, but they were not supposed to go something like this:

What is the difference in the image? We can’t cope with such a situation, they have found a way to objectively assess the effectiveness Dual Graphics: We have been vikorizing video storage, which requires FCAT to generate data. You will be amazed by the unsatisfactory results (accepted bulls). Next, we’ll talk in more detail about video demonstrations.

A look at AMD Dual Graphics Demo video, test bench and benchmarks

We always wanted to show the very same picture that we need with the equal capacity of the output of various graphics adapters. The problem is that video storage without waste at a frequency of 60 Hz with a separate image of 1920x1080 pixels creates a great video file, too great for attention. In addition, when a file is viewed on YouTube, the frame rate is reduced to 30 FPS, losing half of the information from the original file. Fortunately, those who have been testing YouTube on HTML5 have found a way out. It is necessary to activate the beta function by moving for the sake of it, and click the “Join before testing HTML5” button:

After logging in, close and restart your web browser. Now you need to deny access to HTML5-based video management via the settings button in the lower right corner of the created video window:

We recorded our results at half the rate. Therefore, at the “normal” speed settings on YouTube (30 FPS), you can clearly see the result at a lower speed than in reality and there is a slight difference. Then, if you want to improve the image so that it appears as it looks during testing, set the video speed to 2x (60 FPS). As a matter of fact, we have a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the power of play at a refresh rate of 60 Hz, and the readers will benefit from what we look for when collecting results.

From now on we would like to start testing HTML5. Re-connect so that the video is completely engrossed, first open it at speed 2x. For this, as a rule, a wider channel is required, the fragments of the clipping and the hang-up can be returned to normal image processing. We were also aware of the situation if YouTube did not register changes in the configured data without re-installing the page. And, I agree, we recommend that you first watch the video at normal speed, and then at advanced speed. This way, it is much easier to improve the smoothness of frame rate changes.

We are currently testing drivers in version Catalyst 13.6 Beta instead of Catalyst 13.8 Beta, which adds frame adjustment functions for smoother and more stable display. AMD confirms that the new driver does not affect configuration Dual Graphics. It works with just a few discrete GPUs. In another program, the security of other system components has been updated to the latest versions.

Test bench configuration
Processor AMD A10-6800K (Richland), base frequency 4.1 GHz, 4.4 GHz in Turbo Core mode, equipped with Radeon HD 8670D (844 MHz)
System board ASRock FM2A85X, Socket FM2, chipset: AMD A85
RAM AMD Gamer Series Memory, 2 x 4 GB, DDR3-1866, CL 13-13-13-34
Nakopichuvach Western Digital Caviar Black 750 GB 7200 rpm, 32 MB cache, SATA 3Gb/s
Merezha Introducing a Gigabit LAN controller
Video card AMD Radeon HD 6670 DDR3, GPU 800 MHz, 1 GB GDDR5 at 800 MHz (1600 MHz effective)
Life block ePower EP-1200E10-T2 1200 W ATX12V, EPS12V
OS Microsoft Windows 8 Pro x64
DirectX DirectX 11
Graph. drivers AMD Catalyst 13.6 Beta 2
Test and adjust
Metro: Last Light Version 1.0.0.0, DirectX 10, benchmark installed
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Version 1.6.89.06, Version 1.5.26.05, 25 p. Fraps
Tomb Raider Version 1.04, THG benchmark, 60 p. Fraps
F1 2012 Version 1.2, Direct X 11, benchmark, 60 p. Fraps
BioShock Infinite Version 1.0.1441711, benchmark, Fraps
Company Of Heroes 2 Version 3.0.0.9804, benchmark, Fraps

All laptops come with at least one graphics solution - a built-in video card. However, for comfortable work with programs (video, games), it is recommended to use an additional one rather than the built-in video system. It can be called differently: external, discrete, etc. The essence of this does not change: this video card is a fixed block, and since it does not integrate with a laptop, it does not have the same interfaces that are typical for a laptop card.

Its liquidity does not depend on the level of sophistication of laptop devices and is determined only by the internal design. In addition, it uses free memory and does not take up the RAM of the laptop.

A discrete video card in a laptop is a new analogue of a primary video card in a stationary PC, or in another design.

The article will look at how to install a discrete video card on an AMD laptop.

The main feature of the discrete adapter is that it is moved equally with the supplied speed code. Sometimes the productivity increase increases up to 200-300% when switching to a discrete card.

Of course, when the energy consumption of the system increases, which leads to a decrease in the mobility of the laptop, and in such cases, when high speed video system speed is required, it is only possible Yeshenya.

Methods for mixing a discrete video card on a laptop

There are a number of ways to remix the graphics processor that is being tested:

  1. System details that are included in the Windows operating system.
  2. You can use a program to adjust the configuration of a low-level laptop - BIOS or UEFI.
  3. The supply of special software that comes with the laptop.

The skin method has its own characteristics of stagnation, and in some cases it may not be enough. For example, it is not possible to make a switch in the operating system, since the external adapter is “tightly” plugged into the BIOS.

Let's take a closer look at the skin method:

Windows Standard Features

To switch to a discrete card in the Windows operating system, you need to plug in the installed card first, and then restart the laptop. After this procedure, you will switch to the discrete video adapter.

This option is available in the Device Manager under the “Video adapters” section. All you have to do is select the integrated card, press the right mouse button on it and select the “Turn” option.

Important! This is less likely to work if offending cards are displayed in the device manager! If only one is displayed, then press the button to BIOS.

UEFI or BIOS

If the BIOS is being configured, you need to go to the peripheral setup (it can be called Peripherals, Advanced Configuration, etc.) and select the graphics device that is being configured. The menu item for selecting an adapter can be called Graphics device, Video Adapter, Display ... etc.

Respect! In systems where the UEFI interface is used instead of the BIOS, the algorithm for changing the adapter is similar, however, in which the information can be either text messages or displayed in icons.

Vikoristannaya software that is installed simultaneously from the drivers

Configuration of one or another adapter can also be done with the help of special software, which is supplied with the OS on the laptop. For AMD adapters, you can use the Catalyst Control Center program.

In the Catalyst program panel (which can be accessed by clicking on it in the system tray), select the “Toggle graph” item. adapters”, where you select the video card that is being tested. An alternative would be the “Productivity” item, which has an integrated card in the “Dual Graphics” section.

Decision, like AMD is now the cry Dual Graphics, Previously called Hybrid CrossFire. From a technical point of view, even the name was precise, since the function uses AMD GPU decal technology to scale the productivity of the APU behind additional discrete graphics.

This means that you can take an APU-based system, add a Radeon video card, combine them into one configuration and use the total resource of graphics productivity that is available to achieve higher frame rates, lower same components okremo.

Decision Dual Graphics was presented by AMD with GPU Llano in 2011; You can find a complete overview on our resource. While we understand the benefits of Hybrid CrossFire, the first implementation revealed a number of shortcomings. Then we got insurance and looked at the technology Dual Graphics if you become mature. The next hour, the architecture of Llano was sacrificed in favor of Trinity, and was finally replaced by Richland.

It took AMD three generations to further refine its hardware and software warehouse technologies. So we thought that the time had come to protest Dual Graphics more resolutely. I'm sorry, AMD should try to make bold statements about the potential advantages of this function. The slide below is taken from the presentation accompanying the Richland premiere:

Over the past two years, we have accumulated immaterial food Dual Graphics. For example, AMD does not recommend pairing APUs with video cards higher than that Radeon HD 6670 through a possible imbalance of graphic resources. However, mi chuli, scho Radeon HD 7750 miraculously complements the array Dual Graphics. How can you connect an APU with a VLIW5 graphics architecture and a discrete GCN-based card with the same technology? If so, then it’s more expensive to secure the cards Radeon HD 6670 What are the results, how do you justify the overpayment? How to be free Dual Graphics, What kind of vartos do you know? From which material we will try the evidence for this power supply.

We also wanted to include our analysis based on the FCAT utility, which, in addition to video storage, shows a large number of missing and short frames (too small to be detected with an indestructible window), which are generated by configurations from several GPUs. Unfortunately, we were unable to use the utility to successfully process the video from Dual Graphics. AMD said that the problem we encountered could not be fixed by anyone close to us. As you remember, in review AMD A10-6700 and A10-6800K The problem was that the bits of small frames were shown there, but they were not supposed to go something like this:

What is the difference in the image? We can’t cope with such a situation, they have found a way to objectively assess the effectiveness Dual Graphics: We have been vikorizing video storage, which requires FCAT to generate data. You will be amazed by the unsatisfactory results (accepted bulls). Next, we’ll talk in more detail about video demonstrations.

A look at AMD Dual Graphics Demo video, test bench and benchmarks

We always wanted to show the very same picture that we need with the equal capacity of the output of various graphics adapters. The problem is that video storage without waste at a frequency of 60 Hz with a separate image of 1920x1080 pixels creates a great video file, too great for attention. In addition, when a file is viewed on YouTube, the frame rate is reduced to 30 FPS, losing half of the information from the original file. Fortunately, those who have been testing YouTube on HTML5 have found a way out. It is necessary to activate the beta function by moving for the sake of it, and click the “Join before testing HTML5” button:

After logging in, close and restart your web browser. Now you need to deny access to HTML5-based video management via the settings button in the lower right corner of the created video window:

We recorded our results at half the rate. Therefore, at the “normal” speed settings on YouTube (30 FPS), you can clearly see the result at a lower speed than in reality and there is a slight difference. Then, if you want to improve the image so that it appears as it looks during testing, set the video speed to 2x (60 FPS). As a matter of fact, we have a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the power of play at a refresh rate of 60 Hz, and the readers will benefit from what we look for when collecting results.

From now on we would like to start testing HTML5. Re-connect so that the video is completely engrossed, first open it at speed 2x. For this, as a rule, a wider channel is required, the fragments of the clipping and the hang-up can be returned to normal image processing. We were also aware of the situation if YouTube did not register changes in the configured data without re-installing the page. And, I agree, we recommend that you first watch the video at normal speed, and then at advanced speed. This way, it is much easier to improve the smoothness of frame rate changes.

We are currently testing drivers in version Catalyst 13.6 Beta instead of Catalyst 13.8 Beta, which adds frame adjustment functions for smoother and more stable display. AMD confirms that the new driver does not affect configuration Dual Graphics. It works with just a few discrete GPUs. In another program, the security of other system components has been updated to the latest versions.

Test bench configuration
Processor AMD A10-6800K (Richland), base frequency 4.1 GHz, 4.4 GHz in Turbo Core mode, equipped with Radeon HD 8670D (844 MHz)
System board ASRock FM2A85X, Socket FM2, chipset: AMD A85
RAM AMD Gamer Series Memory, 2 x 4 GB, DDR3-1866, CL 13-13-13-34
Nakopichuvach Western Digital Caviar Black 750 GB 7200 rpm, 32 MB cache, SATA 3Gb/s
Merezha Introducing a Gigabit LAN controller
Video card AMD Radeon HD 6670 DDR3, GPU 800 MHz, 1 GB GDDR5 at 800 MHz (1600 MHz effective)
Life block ePower EP-1200E10-T2 1200 W ATX12V, EPS12V
OS Microsoft Windows 8 Pro x64
DirectX DirectX 11
Graph. drivers AMD Catalyst 13.6 Beta 2
Test and adjust
Metro: Last Light Version 1.0.0.0, DirectX 10, benchmark installed
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Version 1.6.89.06, Version 1.5.26.05, 25 p. Fraps
Tomb Raider Version 1.04, THG benchmark, 60 p. Fraps
F1 2012 Version 1.2, Direct X 11, benchmark, 60 p. Fraps
BioShock Infinite Version 1.0.1441711, benchmark, Fraps
Company Of Heroes 2 Version 3.0.0.9804, benchmark, Fraps

AMD Dual Graphics Review Test Results

Tomb Raider

Our analysis begins with Tomb Raider. This is, undoubtedly, the best option for Dual Graphics, the fragments of the game were promoted by AMD. Before that, she’s really cool.

Theoretically, the results of this benchmark will show what Dual Graphics make a significant contribution to the productivity and capabilities of an integrated APU or discrete GPU. According to AMD, Radeon HD 6670 will ensure better price and productivity in pairs APU A10-6800K, demonstrating 100% acceleration in alignment with a discrete card.

The speed increase with GDDR5 cards is less noticeable. However, regardless of the mixing of VLIW5 and GCN architectures, there is a clear reduction in productivity indicators.

The frame rate graph of the dynamics does not show anything new, although it is clear how it has changed Dual Graphics Ensure a higher frame rate increase, lower APU or discrete video card.

Now let’s take the time between frames to our respect. It doesn’t matter to note that Dual Graphics will ensure proper locking of the last frame changes. These blurs may cause missing or short frames to appear, which reduces the benefit of a high frame rate.

The video below shows exactly the same results APU A10-6800K(Average frame rate 24.1 FPS), APU A10-6800K h Radeon HD 6670 DDR3 in mode Dual Graphics(average frame rate 43.3 FPS) and single Radeon HD 7750(Average frame rate 49.2 FPS).

AMD Dual Graphics Test - Tomb Raider

The video at two lower speeds will provide a clear demonstration of what the Fraps display cannot say: configuration Dual Graphics will ensure the same “periodicity” of visors as a single APU A10-6800K The higher average frame rate is unimportant in both cases. Tim for an hour, Radeon HD 7750 Display a perfectly smooth picture. This effect is not so pronounced at all times, but is still noticeable.

Even during the first test game, it becomes obvious that there is a fundamental discrepancy between the displays of utilities such as Fraps and the actual images that are produced. The increased movement between frames confirms our hypothesis. Dual Graphics,It is possible that a large number of frames are rendered per second, but there are a lot of missing frames and short frames during the actual gameplay, which is not noticeable.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

A company representative has already stated that this driver does not interfere with the function Dual Graphics to promote the regulation of personnel flow. Version 13.8 is focused on discrete video cards in CrossFire connections.

Before we get to the bottom of this, we spent the last day video-logging with the Catalyst 13.8 beta driver.

AMD Dual Graphics test with beta driver 13.8 - Tomb Raider

AMD Dual Graphics test with beta driver 13.8 – Skyrim

AMD Dual Graphics test with beta driver 13.8 - F1 2012

AMD Dual Graphics test with beta driver 13.8 – Bioshock

As you know, the new driver does not change anything Dual Graphics, as stated by an AMD representative

Review of AMD Dual Graphics Good for benchmarks, but not for gaming

You can use a discrete video card in addition to the APU to increase the frame rate in games when activated Dual Graphics? Suitable for Fraps, point without fail.

How can we achieve smoother gameplay that is visible on the screen? Those who have tried this type of game with different functions, we respect that it is not. Well, so as not to be unfounded, we found a way to demonstrate this. FCAT fragments do not work through problems with the AMD driver, and we vikorized the video, which was initially passed through FCAT. І results for Dual Graphics appeared uninteresting.

Between the higher frame rate of Fraps and the fact that you actually watch video output via DVI, there is no connection. It’s too early to talk about this AMD function, but Dual Graphics It’s too little to survive your children’s illnesses. We don’t know how many gamers bought a video card to use with APU Llano, Trinity or Richland, since it seems like it would be a good idea to get rid of the game, other than what we were getting, additional expenses were mostly spent zroblenі marno.

Thus, the Fraps indicator seems to show that the average frame rate is increasing significantly. Tim is not a mensch, this paradox itself has already become the goal for creating the FCAT. How the program treats skin gaps and a short frame from the average frame rate Dual Graphics, you do not remove the liquid bark from the scraps of frames (as in the pictured item), which will significantly increase productivity.

We don't have to worry about AMD. At that time, as about such artifacts as other “galmization”, there are already a lot of fates, the isolation of data that may have a sense for real observers is a recent phenomenon, noted by the team of the portal The Tech Report, and then a lot of readings from the FCAT utility, developed by Nvidia. I'm glad that AMD has taken these problems seriously and developed a special driver for them. We'll soon be testing the remaining Catalyst beta driver with the same technology to see if gameplay can improve on the ever-stable frame rate. If so, we are happy to praise the AMD software product development team.

Tim no less, the new driver will not improve the situation Dual Graphics. The problems with this technology are even more serious, we thought before planning this analysis. We hope that the company will soon be able to correct its work Dual Graphics, as a result of the improved CrossFire robots with two discrete GPUs. In fact, AMD is introducing a function that will reduce the test results, but not the gameplay itself. This is not correct.