Comments on: ATI FirePro M5800 graphics leaked; coming to HP Elitebook 8540w!

By: Brad

Brad — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 08:49:22 +0000

@HP Envy 17 owner

I sent you an email. Would you mind sending/sharing some pictures?

By: New HP owner

New HP owner — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 07:16:32 +0000

Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 became the proud owner of HP Envy 17″. I didn’t know it was such a special purchase. I can say, that so far I’d rate its worth as at least double what I paid. And, no one would guess where. (I’m embarrassed. I tell friends “never” buy a computer there.)

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:18:18 +0000

Well I’m finding it in production…with a slight chance of arrival by march 3rd hehe, HP hasn’t updated their shipment times, but as the Chinese New Year just started so all shipments are delayed.

I went with the 820QM processor, I have an envy right now, with the same processor and it barely gets 1.5 hours, which doesn’t bother me in the least I knew what I getting into but I am really interested in how the battery life will be on 8540w with the 8 cell.

By: Brad

Brad — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:10:31 +0000

Hi Jerry, congratulations on your purchase! Well, historically, HP usually included “dated” ATI graphics options for the business notebooks compared to more up-to-date Nvidia options, so ATI options have always been cheaper (but less powerful). But generally speaking for typical ATI vs Nvidia comparisons, ATI usually packs more power for a lower price compared to Nvidia counterparts, giving better performance:cost ratio. Seeing this is the first time in ages that HP is including an “up to date” ATI option for their business notebooks, I expect it to be slightly cheaper/same performance or same price/better performance than existing Nvidia options.

Which processor option did you go for with your 8540w and how are you finding the notebook so far?

-Brad

By: Jerry

Jerry — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 02:45:04 +0000

I just purchases an 8540w with the FX1800M, as this is a work station book so I wasn’t too worried about DX11 compatibility though I have always like ATI more than nvidia. That dream color display option sounds incredibly enticing though…sigh, I don’t even do graphics work though…I would totally be willing to buy a “replacement” dream color screen and the 5800M MXM module, but I am sure that would be close to $1000 through 3rd party channels and totally negate the awesome deal I got on my laptop. Are the ATI options usually cheaper than the nivida ones on the CTO options?

By: necrophyte

necrophyte — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:24:48 +0000

thats right, theyre called MXM modules. afaik, there are several hp notebooks with MXM modules (among others the hp compaq/elitebooks 8###), but if possible at all, only gpus listed in the whitelist can be installed (only these will work, you can install any if they fit into the MXM module).

present gpus use the MXM 3.0 module, while theyre all sorted by their “power” into classes (ie. sockets), i think I-IV. so the module generation, as well as the power/performance class have to be equal for the present and the aimed gpu in order to be able to replace a mobile gpu.

By: domiel

domiel — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:44:43 +0000

thanks necrophyte

I’d heard somewhere that the gfx cards were on some kind of module… but I guess that depends upon the manufacturer – it would seem crazy for HP to create different motherboard revisions for each gfx card but I’ve seen sillier things in my time.

By: necrophyte

necrophyte — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:31:34 +0000

@domiel

regarding open source – dont know about official ATI drivers, but there certainly are some. however, ATI is very proud of their linux support, just read their gaming blog..

regarding gpu exchange – we all hope that hp offers another (preferably a mobility radeon 5830) ATI gpu to choose from for the 8540p, which is far better and more widely usable than the only one offered now (nvidia nvs 5100m), as one already can choose from 3 (or 4 with the ATI fire pro?) different gpus for the 8540w.

you could theoretically buy a 8540w with an nvidia gpu now and change it for an ATI one, but there are 2 problems:
1. the gpu may be soldered onto the motherboard (often the case with hp notebooks), hence impossible to be replaced; only get a completely new motherboard with the desired gpu on it (buying a new notebook with the desired gpu would be worthier)
2. hp often has a whitelist inside the bios (/uefi now probably as well) where the hardware components are listed that are allowed to be used and if the desired gpu isnt listed (ie. isnt offered officially by hp for that notebook – no matter whether p/w), it wont work, unless youd want to try to modify that.

By: domiel

domiel — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:52:09 +0000

There is some fortuitous timing with this for open source fans as the drivers for the newest ATI GPUs have been released – sort of: http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Nzk0Ng

Unfortunately for me I’m not planning on using Linux but I am wanting to use Open Solaris. Problem is ATI/AMD don’t seem to even have binary drivers for Solaris.

So can someone clarify for me: I’m of the understanding that I can order an 8540w with a nVidia card and change it out at a later stage for an ATI card. Is this correct?

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 19:39:03 +0000

Another awesome thing about using the R800-series (HD5xxx) GPUs: Eyefinity. That is, they have 3 or 6 CRTCs (“CRT” / display Controllers) on the GPU, so you can use 3 or 6 monitors at the same time; whether the number is 3 or 6 depends on whih specific gpu it is.

Dang, now I’m finding myself really wanting one, despite my current 8530w being enough for my needs.