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    Discrete graphics, how to tell which is running

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by steve1ddd, Mar 13, 2011.

  1. steve1ddd

    steve1ddd Notebook Evangelist

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    Short of looking at the display properties, has anyone come up with a good way to tell if you are on your 6970 or the intel? i tried the tray icon but when i switch to intel, they are both in my tray. anyone come up with a slick way of having a visual reminder of which card is active? also, is there a way to have it go intel when on batteries automaticly and AMD on plugged in? i cant find it if there is.
     
    steve1ddd, Mar 13, 2011
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  2. lzykocp1002

    lzykocp1002 Notebook Consultant

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    it should be a function key, take a look in the manual, i know in a m17x theres a function key that switches integrated to dedicated
     
    lzykocp1002, Mar 13, 2011
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  3. steve1ddd

    steve1ddd Notebook Evangelist

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    no, you misunderstand. i know how to switch...i am looking for some sort of visual indication to see quickly which is active....
     
    steve1ddd, Mar 13, 2011
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  4. QuadX

    QuadX Notebook Consultant

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    Wouldn't a program like GPU-Z tell you which card was active?
     
    QuadX, Mar 13, 2011
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  5. steve1ddd

    steve1ddd Notebook Evangelist

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    yes but i want to know at a glance.....somthing like asidbar widget or somthing....you would think alienware would have had a light on the unit to indicate which was active.....

    i dont really need to run gpu-z....i can go to display properties in a few clicks...im jsut looking to see if anyone has come up with somthing that doesnt require any clicks...
     
    steve1ddd, Mar 13, 2011
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  6. Joebarchuck

    Joebarchuck Notebook Virtuoso

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    When Intel graphics is running it tells you on the right side bar in the icons. The icon might be hidden so you have to click on the up arrow usually next to the battery icon or wifi icon...
     
    Joebarchuck, Mar 13, 2011
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  7. steve1ddd

    steve1ddd Notebook Evangelist

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    both icons show up if you are on the intel card....jsut the ATI if you are on the 6970.....i guess i can live with that but i was hoping someone had something better.....
     
    steve1ddd, Mar 13, 2011
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