When ATI finally released some mobile drivers, I jumped on them (well, I downloaded a leaked beta as soon as it appeared) because I wanted to try and get DXVA working. I'm not sure if the driver did it or some other tweaks, but whatever.
The point is that this finally means no issue with buying ATI or NV powered laptops (no thanks Intel), and having updated drivers (finally) to eliminate problems.
With my old (NV - but that's not relevant) laptop I had major trouble with VGA output to a TV but obviously there was no way to try new drivers. Thankfully now both vendors are pushing for driver updates which is great for consumers. It's been far too long.
Intel, unfortunately, manage to put out crap still. I tried to update my Netbook drivers to sort DXVA support. The driver update resulted in a BSOD whenever I tried to play a video which wanted to use DXVA (it's a known problem) and even rolling back drivers didn't fix it.
Now both NV and ATI can give (knowledgeable) consumers the confidence to buy a laptop and not worry about possible driver issues down the line.
Three cheers for both companies managing to do what they should have done a long time ago. Now we just need some pressure on Intel.
Which Intel GPU were you trying to get DXVA to work with? I'd assume the GMA 500, since no other netbooks that I'm aware of have DXVA capability. Anyway, my experience when testing a GMA 500 laptop were questionable at best... it worked fine for video playback sometimes, but the system was prone to crashing.
Many people have been using modding software that configures desktop drivers so that they will install on mobile graphics cards. All of the mobile power features appears to be enabled and work properly.
Is there really any difference between the two drivers if the desktop ones had those features anyways, but were just disabled by the installer?
When I tried hacked/modded drivers in the past, performance was subject to changes on a lot of titles. Some games would work fine while others would be up to 30% slower than the old official drivers. On a gaming laptop, it's probably not as critical, but stuff like Optimus and switchable graphics makes use of anything beyond officially sanctioned drivers unlikely to work. Ultimately, whether hacked drivers were okay or not is made moot by the new ATI and NVIDIA release schedules.
...because AMD isn't actually posting their notebook drivers in the relevant part of their website. Drill through the product selector thingee, and it just tells you to contact your manufacturer-same as before. I know they're on there (or were), but finding them isn't straight forward.
IMO that doesn't bode well for AMD being serious about this. Nor does the fact that even on the desktop AMD has never taken drivers as seriously as Nvidia. I've always been willing to take a lower performing part with Nvidia's superb drivers than something better without, and I've always regretted going AMD when I have, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. (Literally the last time I personally had problems with Nvidia drivers was I think 1998...or 7? in the first two weeks of owning my shiny new RIVA TNT.) ...though obviously this is overall a VERY good development for notebooks!
It's long been ludicrious that companies were selling $1000-4000 gaming notebooks...that couldn't actually game because of lack of drivers. Worse still considering how many people-including us gamers-have for various reasons switched over to laptops (and people claiming laptops can't game are completely out of it). I've never understood the IT thing either, given that you just don't have problems normally with Nvidia's drivers, while you frequently will run into weirdness even in general desktop stuff with drivers shipped with a system. Updating drivers? Usually not a bad thing.
Like overheating your video card when playing Blizzard games? Bad hardware in laptops that failed big time? They BOTH have their weaknesses and strengths. I'd take sub-par drivers over overheating drivers or straight up bad hardware.
I want nVidia to burn in hell. My 7600M is able to play Left4Dead (both 1 and 2) and due to drivers that looks like crap I can't. When nvidia bought 3dfx it was a great driver company, now I don't think it anymore. shame I cant change the gpu on my laptop ...
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Lonyo - Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - link
When ATI finally released some mobile drivers, I jumped on them (well, I downloaded a leaked beta as soon as it appeared) because I wanted to try and get DXVA working.I'm not sure if the driver did it or some other tweaks, but whatever.
The point is that this finally means no issue with buying ATI or NV powered laptops (no thanks Intel), and having updated drivers (finally) to eliminate problems.
With my old (NV - but that's not relevant) laptop I had major trouble with VGA output to a TV but obviously there was no way to try new drivers.
Thankfully now both vendors are pushing for driver updates which is great for consumers. It's been far too long.
Intel, unfortunately, manage to put out crap still. I tried to update my Netbook drivers to sort DXVA support. The driver update resulted in a BSOD whenever I tried to play a video which wanted to use DXVA (it's a known problem) and even rolling back drivers didn't fix it.
Now both NV and ATI can give (knowledgeable) consumers the confidence to buy a laptop and not worry about possible driver issues down the line.
Three cheers for both companies managing to do what they should have done a long time ago. Now we just need some pressure on Intel.
JarredWalton - Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - link
Which Intel GPU were you trying to get DXVA to work with? I'd assume the GMA 500, since no other netbooks that I'm aware of have DXVA capability. Anyway, my experience when testing a GMA 500 laptop were questionable at best... it worked fine for video playback sometimes, but the system was prone to crashing.Nehemoth - Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - link
In another note verde is the word Green just in spanish.Should sound fancy for anglospeakers people
eddyg17 - Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - link
It still sounds fancy even if you speak spanish.Slaimus - Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - link
Many people have been using modding software that configures desktop drivers so that they will install on mobile graphics cards. All of the mobile power features appears to be enabled and work properly.Is there really any difference between the two drivers if the desktop ones had those features anyways, but were just disabled by the installer?
JarredWalton - Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - link
When I tried hacked/modded drivers in the past, performance was subject to changes on a lot of titles. Some games would work fine while others would be up to 30% slower than the old official drivers. On a gaming laptop, it's probably not as critical, but stuff like Optimus and switchable graphics makes use of anything beyond officially sanctioned drivers unlikely to work. Ultimately, whether hacked drivers were okay or not is made moot by the new ATI and NVIDIA release schedules.Wolfpup - Friday, April 30, 2010 - link
...because AMD isn't actually posting their notebook drivers in the relevant part of their website. Drill through the product selector thingee, and it just tells you to contact your manufacturer-same as before. I know they're on there (or were), but finding them isn't straight forward.IMO that doesn't bode well for AMD being serious about this. Nor does the fact that even on the desktop AMD has never taken drivers as seriously as Nvidia. I've always been willing to take a lower performing part with Nvidia's superb drivers than something better without, and I've always regretted going AMD when I have, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. (Literally the last time I personally had problems with Nvidia drivers was I think 1998...or 7? in the first two weeks of owning my shiny new RIVA TNT.) ...though obviously this is overall a VERY good development for notebooks!
It's long been ludicrious that companies were selling $1000-4000 gaming notebooks...that couldn't actually game because of lack of drivers. Worse still considering how many people-including us gamers-have for various reasons switched over to laptops (and people claiming laptops can't game are completely out of it). I've never understood the IT thing either, given that you just don't have problems normally with Nvidia's drivers, while you frequently will run into weirdness even in general desktop stuff with drivers shipped with a system. Updating drivers? Usually not a bad thing.
JackNSally - Saturday, May 1, 2010 - link
Like overheating your video card when playing Blizzard games? Bad hardware in laptops that failed big time? They BOTH have their weaknesses and strengths. I'd take sub-par drivers over overheating drivers or straight up bad hardware.matheusber - Sunday, May 2, 2010 - link
I want nVidia to burn in hell. My 7600M is able to play Left4Dead (both 1 and 2) and due to drivers that looks like crap I can't. When nvidia bought 3dfx it was a great driver company, now I don't think it anymore. shame I cant change the gpu on my laptop ...matheus