AMD’s Radeon 7600M Graphics for New ENVY Laptops

[#1]

[UPDATE: There was a late name change for the cards and it's now been adjusted in the story.]

So I’m a big tease. Recently, when we unveiled the newest breed of ENVY laptops, I only said that that “Video:  [A new AMD graphics processor I can’t tell you yet]” was coming in these new machines. Well, there was some confusion, some speculation and I’m here to now officially put that all to rest: HP’s Cameron Duncan confirmed the ENVY 15 gets the 7690M; The ENVY 17 gets the 7690M XT. As far as notebooks graphics goes, they have worked well in my initial tests. You want more details? Keep reading.

I hooked up with AMD’s Dave Erskine who shared some some across-the-board (PUN!) specs for the Radeon 7600M Series graphics processors. So, for your bullet-pointed pleasure, 7600M graphics…

• Supports DirectX 11 (of course…)
• Yep, it’s using the 40-nm fab process
• Has GDDR5, 128-bit Memory
• Has 480 stream processors
• Supports HDMI 1.4a, DisplayPort 1.2
• Offers UVD3 video decoding - support for XviD and DivX video acceleration
• This is what allows output to three screens – (two DisplayPort and one HDMI on the ENVY 17) with Eyefinity tech
• Provides AMD HD3D and Blu-ray 3D (for those looking at the ENVY 17 3D)

Now, while I haven’t had quality time with the FINAL hardware (I was playing with late prototype units) here’s what I had for a little testing:

ENVY 15 (With the 7690M)
CPU: Intel Core i7–2860QM at 2.5GHz
RAM: 8GB
HDD: 750GB 7200rpm HDD

Quick Gaming Tests:

Just Cause 2: “Dark Sunrise” Test
1920 x 1080,  settings at high – to – ultra:14.72 fps
1600 x 900, settings at medium to high:28.79 fps

Resident Evil 5 “Fixed” Test
1920 x 1080, settings at high – to – ultra: 25.2 fps
1600 x 900, settings at medium to high:58.5 fps

Total War: Shogun 2
720p Balanced, DirectX 11 Benchmark: 15.93 fps

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II – Retribution
1920 x 1080,  settings at high – to – ultra: 31.65 fps
1600 x 900, settings at medium to high:41.9 fps

ENVY 17 (With the 7690M XT)
CPU: Intel Core i7–2670QM at 2.2GHz
RAM: 8GB
HDD: 320GB 7200rpm HDD

Quick Gaming Tests:

Just Cause 2: “Dark Sunrise” Test
1920 x 1080,  settings at high – to – ultra: 27.1 fps
1600 x 900, settings at medium to high:42.2 fps

Resident Evil 5 “Fixed” Test
1920 x 1080,  settings at high – to – ultra 36.3 fps
1600 x 900, settings at medium to high:78.1 fps

Total War: Shogun 2
720p Balanced, DirectX 11 Benchmark: 33.6 fps

Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II – Retribution
1920 x 1080, settings at high – to – ultra 35.06 fps
1600 x 900, settings at medium to high:53.87 fps

Considering that the final, retail units are finally available for order, I plan to revisit a benchmarking story with final hardware, ASAP.

One last thing: I don’t have a last-gen ENVY 17 on-hand that is a proper one-to-one comparison for testing at the moment. I’m working on that – I want to give you a little more perspective – so stay tuned.

Do you have more questions? I’ll do my very best to answer them here.

Darren Gladstone

Darren Gladstone (@Gizmogladstone) TNB's Blogger-in-Chief geeks out over games, gadgets and hot laptops.

[#2]

Thanks for the update Darren! Find it a bit odd that even the envy 15 model with the full hd (1920x1080) display still gets the lower performance gpu. It has the exact same display size as the 17 yet a card that can't produce the same performance on it. Just some thoughts...

[#3]

*Edit* I meant resolution, not size

[#4]

I ordered an envy 15 with the hd radiance display on the basis of the specs from your previous post where you said that it was the 7690xt graphics card. Am I able to cancel my order at this point now that it's the 7650? It's kinda a disappointment to learn that the graphics on these models will just be "ok".

[#5]

amdfan011 & Stevester:

If you look at the above test results (these were also posted in the original ENVY story) you'll see exactly the kind of performance that you're getting in the 15, regardless of what the chip is called. Also, there was a miscommunication earlier. Story now reflects it.

Thanks for understanding.

-Darren

[#6]

I understand, and thanks so much keeping us posted on the details. Would love to see the benchmarks on the retail units once someone gets there hands on one.

[#7]

Dear Darren

This is Kelvin from Hong Kong, I have notice that the Envy 15 for a month. I wonder if you can tell me is there news about Special Beats Edition for Envy 15.

Thanks

[#8]

First, Kelvin, awesome handle. DentedGold = win. Second, I haven't heard anything about an ENVY 15 Beats Edition. Then again, I'm locked in a room and only get to see sunlight once a day. If I do hear news, you KNOW I'm gonna want to share that info.

Thanks for the question!

[#9]

Thanks, Darren. I just decided to buy this laptop now.

[#10]

Hey Darren, Question for you. There is a PDF file on hp's site and it says the envy 15 comes with the 7690. Also I have the second gen envy 15 so should I expect better or worse gaming performance with the 7690 vs my 5830?

[#11]

Darren,

Tell the product manager for the HP Envy line everyone wants a Gaming Edition with a beefy GPU!  I'd throw my wallet at HP.

[#12]

Alishmee:

I don't have a second-gen ENVY 15 w/ 5830 for comparison, but I do have an ENVY 14 w/ a 6000m series and I can say subjectively that the newer GPU runs better. that's just going off eyeball tests at the moment. When I get full retail, I plan to dive a little deeper. Promise.

TheOptimusDime:
You got it...and AMEN! Just sent your comment along to the product manager. FWIW, I know that guy is a gamer, too! 

[#13]

Darren, YOU THE MAN!

[#14]

TheOptimusDime: Seconded! I ordered the Envy 15, but I definitely would have jumped at (and been willing to pay more for) a 15-incher that replaced the optical drive with a beefier GPU that can take better advantage of the 1080p display. Using an external optical drive is no problem, whereas there are no good external GPUs.

---

[#15]

Thanks so much for the update and posting benchmarks Darren, helps a lot, I posted about your update to Laptop Reviews:

http://www.laptopreviews.com/hp-confirms-amd-radeon-7690m-graphics-for-new-envy-15-and-envy-17-2011-...

Keep up the great work!

[#16]

Thanks Darren! For the record i'd be down for an envy with a better gpu to and hopefully they do a gpu refresh once the 28nm models come out. Although my current order ships on the 23rd and the 28nm gpus will likely come out next year. We'll see

[#17]

Darren, us folks over at NBR have been throwing our wallets at alienware for years. I have owned 4 alienware machines in the past three years, would HP like some of that dough?

Please just remove the useless CD drive on the Envy 15 to make room for cooling a bigger graphics card, preferrably a 6990m. If you can make that happen, you will have a cult following of gamers who regularly throw $2000+ at real gaming machines.  

We know that there were complaints of the absence of a CD drive when HP made the first Envy 15. But your average consumers are idiots when it comes to tech. It is almost 2012, we can buy music on itunes, stream movies from netflix, and install windows from a USB stick, which all make CD drives just obsolete. HP needs to be the industry leader to make people realize that. As you will see from time and time again, we enthusiasts will always be at the forefront of demanding the best possible performance, whether it be SSDs, IPS panels, or forever beefier graphic cards. Satisfy our demands and HP will be worshiped.  

Please pass that on to the good folks at the design team. Tell them we have a epic 1,400+ post about this at NBR right now. 

[#18]

I started something with the suggestion of a Gamers Edition for the Envy over on NotebookReview forum, if it becomes a reality I could say that I was the first cause that brought the product into existence (lol).  If HP product development division needs anyone, I  have got plenty of ideas of how to better target segments of the market and ideas that would greatly increase the appeal of any laptop.  Gamers Edition is hist the beginning of the many ideas I have.

[#19]

Darren,

If you're allowed, let us know what the product manager says if he responds :-)

[#20]

I can tell you all that the product manager is listening / reading. But he's currently being restrained and can't get to his keyboard.

[#21]

...and andrewbaxter: Thanks for the props, my man! (and the kind words)