M17x R3 Integrated Intel SB GPU *IS Disabled* w/Optional 120Hz 3D WLED

Question: Can Optimus be enabled on the 120Hz/NV 460 3D Bundle?

Answer: No. See responses below...

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OFFICIAL M17x R3 OWNERS MANUAL (PAGE 50):

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OFFICIAL DELL/ALIENWARE RESPONSE:

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OFFICIAL NVIDIA RESPONSE:

 

On the other thread, someone uploaded the bios picture of his r3, and its clearly shown that the integrated GPU is not detected. That implies the optimus technology is not available for the r3 with the 3D screen right?

 

i have seen that, but again would think only while the 3d vision (glasses) are activated (which would obviously require the notebook to be operating with the discrete gpu) that optimus would be disabled, and optimus re-enabled when the 3d vision (glasses) were deactivated and use of the integrated gpu was once again available.

it's hard for me to believe that the purchase of the 3d wled screen would disable all of the optimus hardware already in the notebook. hopefully some official insight (erawneila? ) can be shed onto this issue soon...

 

so can anyone confirm this?

 

Posted again upon request:

 

yep, with the search function down atm, let's try to get an answer to this specific question right here (for all potential M17x R3 customers to see) that might get missed in a different topic/thread. this might also help alienware (dell) avoid some needless (hopefully) cancellations/reorders or straight out returns...

alienware/dell reps are currently pushing both optimus and 3d, so clarification as to whether or not they are features available together (regardless if optimus is temporarily disabled or not when the 3d vision (glasses) are turned on) in what seems to be this most popular M17x R3 configuration should seemingly be a priority...

 

My guess (posted this before) is that the 17xR3 will take advantage of Optimus (even with the 3D panel). What it will not do is utilize Optimus (meaning the Intel GPU) when running a 3D application. Its going to shift to the NV GPU (obviously).

Will you be able to have the 120Hz display and be running the Intel GPU only while surfing the web? My gut says yes since its not doing anything which the NV GPU would be better suited for.

Now, I can be 100% wrong of course. Lets just wait and see. Just because that BIOS screenshot shows the Integrated Graphics as 'not detected' means nothing. The Intel Driver may not have been installed, something may have been disabled, we just dont know. Wait for it and see instead of freaking out.

BTW, the drivers are already posted on support.dell.com. Looks like there is an Intel Driver listed under the VIDEO drivers section.

(Before someone raises that the description for that drivers states "Intel HD 3000 Graphics driver for non-Switchable graphics", please - think about it. You think they are going to ship the system without a NV or AMD GPU? )

 

i totally agree, all of the necessary optimus hardware should be in each system. the (china) reviewer might have it disabled in some manner so as to avoid any integrated gpu/optimus conflict with benchmarking the discrete gpu...

 

Thats an educated guess right there.

and I guess you are right batboy, under the video driver, there is a driver for the integrated graphics sandy bridge listed as optional.

 

Interesting... I was starting to think the 3D Vision (and possibly 3DTV Play) was the conflicting component.

I have the nVidia 3D Vision on my desktop system with 260 in sli and the AW monitor. The 3D can be enabled and disabled from the nVidia control panel or from a button on the external transmitter (built in to the display panel on the AW). We certainly have specific driver issues getting the 3D Vision to work correctly. Incidently, the 3D on the AW monitor is ONLY available via the DVI input and not the HDMI input. So I have also ordered the mini port to DVI adapter to test that possibility.

I am wondering if the nVidia driver is the same for the 3D system vs the non-3D system. I had not considered that the issue might be a function of what it takes to drive the 120 Hz screen.

Systems using nVidia 3DTV Play (and that may include our R3) still must generate the 120Hz ** dual image for left/right eyes through the HDMI 1.4 connector regardless if they have the 120Hz display. This technology also requires the use of the nVidia card to create the synchronized images for both eyes even though it uses the 3D technology on the 3D TV to display it. The reason I bring this up is that it may be possible to acquire this aspect of 3D without having the 120HZ screen and also have the ability to utilize the Optimus technology when not using 3DTV Play. This will be a feature that I am personally interested in as I also have a 3D TV with the HDMI 1.4 input.

** -Actually a function of fps and not Hz as I have been recently reminded-

 

I know I might sound like a broken record when it comes to optimums technology the Mobile Manual clear states that "NOTE: The nVidia optimus technology is not supported on computers that use nVidia 3D vision."

I think if there was an exception like turning off 3D vision it would have been specified in the manual.

 

Here's a question that I have, which I'm not really sure where to find an answer for: M17xR3 + Nvidia _____ + Any screen = Optimus? The blank is for the gpu obviously. Anyone know if the GTX 460M is the only "higher-end" Nvidia card to support Optimus?

Also, does the intel hd 3000 have 3D capability on its own? Or does 3D require a higher-end gpu (in our case, the Nvidia GTX 460M for Nvidia's 3D vision app)?

 

Even though the hd 3000 is a lot stronger GPU offering than Intel has put out thus far I can't think of anything it's capable of actually generating at 60+ fps. It's definitely not going to drive a single game at those rates so while yes technically it probably could do 3D, no it's probably not going to be strong enough and will probably lack the software support as well.

 

idk, but if the integrated intel gpu (for optimus) can't handle the 120hz neccessary for the 3d wled screen, then the unit should be able to be switched back to 60hz when done using discrete nvidia gpu for 3d vision (glasses), re-enabling optimus just as it would for all other non-discrete gpu applications...

there's no reason this should be a problem, unless (while unlikely) they omit the integrated intel gpu's altogether from 120hz 3d wled screen equipped systems, to enable the 120hz for customers full time. this is really the area of concern. that would mean they are supporting two distinct variations of the M17x R3 in the wild, and that would seemingly not be cost effective (not really dell's frugal style). this all leads me to believe two M17x R3 variations are not the case, and that all M17x R3's (including 120hz 3d wled units) should be equipped for optimus (hopefully) even if it (integrated intel gpu) is simply disabled.

again, we'll just have to wait and see if some official light can be shed on this, or wait for a unit with 3d to hit someone's hands (soon)...

 

so after hearing about this optimus thingy, I told my sales rep that I'm going to return mine once it arrived (lol). And then he proceeded to talk with the dell tech, and this is what he said

"I called and spoke with Tech support and they said it is enabled and ready to go. The integrated graphics shows as “not detected” because it is now integrated onto the Intel chip.

I have no doubt you will be pleased with it."

I'm not really sure what he meant by "it is now integrated onto the intel chip"..

 

Yes, I'll look into the Optimus functionality with those of us who have the 460 and 120hz screen. Getting mine Wednesday. Now, I also have a pregnant wife who could go into labor today or tomorrow so that might complicate things. Will try to encourage her to hold out till Thursday.

 

^ lol

how cool its gonna be if your baby and the alienware are delivered at the same time.

 

(epic) congratulations!

 

yes, two babies in the same week... in the end one will be waaaay more expensive than the other. someone is getting theirs tomorrow though apparently.

 

I was told no matter if you had the 3d screen or not the optimus will indeed work. Just tell her to hold on and you have some other things you need to do quickly.

 

would you mind letting us know who told you that?

 

You order one too Moo? i really want to know if optimus is going to support the 120hz screen even if it has to run at 60hz

 

Congrats. When my wife was in labor back in the late 90s, I had a laptop with a ricochet modem playing Asheron's Call...

 

I am torn between the R-3 and Outlet M17x I have my eye on.... RGB + 5870's ... Sub 2k....

I will go with the R-3 more then likely ... I could always come look at yours ...only 3 hours away Speedy.

 

Yea, I'd be torn between the two as well, but I'm waiting to see the R3 reviews and such. Though I happy with my R2 setup for the moment. I just perfer 16:10 and RGB.

 

i am not exited to get a single 460m but if the r3 gets a refresh with 485m then is going to be a monster

 

//offtopic:

What is your battery life with a single 5870 ?

I do not see how the screen could be a issue when you can force the 3d screen to 60 htz ?

 

Thats a good question. I never actually use it on the battery unless I'm moving it from the desk, so I couldn't tell you. As far as screen, I've just grown acustomed to a 16:10 rather than 16:9. Feels odd to me, and would take some getting used to. I'm not a fan of change.

 

The intel chip = the Cpu. HD3000 is integrated onto that cpu chip, right? So I think what your salesperson told you is technically correct. Just kinda weird that it says "not detected" if it's actually/physically there on the 2630qm chip. STRANGE indeed!

I'm not sure, but Optimus is a software thing, which shouldn't work in the BIOS. The bios is the bios, separate from the Windows environment, which is what Optimus is working/running on, right?

I defer further discussion to everyone else, as ya'll the proz. I'm just here to incite convo

 

well, it (currently) seems there's no optimus for 3d wled equipped M17x R3's, despite the hardware being capable (and touted) of supporting the battery life extending technology - hopefully this can be corrected with some sort of near future (within 21 days of delivery? lol ) bios/driver update...

 

Yep it seems its not supported for some reason. Aren't there other Sandy Bridge / NV systems out there which offer 3D? If so, it'd be interesting to see if they support Optimus. I just found this thread over in the Asus forum -

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asu...3jw-optimus-enabled-not-how-can-you-tell.html

Looks like it also does not support Optimus yet one person posted the N73SV does support Optimus. Since I know nothing of Asus I cant confirm. If anyone can comment who has info, much appreciated.

 

after having a read through all the pages in that thread, it was like déjà vu - must be something up with intel not playing nice with nvidia (or vice versa) when it comes to 120hz?

hopefully we can get some official word on this issue (sooner than later) and whether or not it's something that can/will be remedied with (near future) bios/software update, or if those wanting a nice balance between power/portability (aka optimus enabled M17x R3) should swap out for 60hz screens...

dell? alienware? nvidia? intel? anyone?

(crickets chirping... lol )

 

So okay. Let's make a crappy attempt at ending this convo once and for all by answering this question: Optimus or not, will the R3's, since they have the 2nd generation i7 cpus, have longer battery life than the previous generation i7 mobile cpus? If we can pump out at least 3 hours from this thing with the new gen cpus, then I could almost care less about having the Optimus-feature (Intel HD 3000). Could care even less if the 3D model could do 3+ hours.

Someone please chime in.

 

Yes. R3's are getting 3-4 Hrs.

 

Quite impressive, Sandybridge is what the orginal Core i processors should have been i reckon.

 

Is that for the 60hz(regular) or the 120hz(3D) version?

 

When customizing the M17x r3 i notice that if i picked the 3D bundle and screen that i cannot have the ATI GPU with it. So that makes me wonder if the 6970 is even going to allow you to use the 3D mode on the laptop. Seeing as how the 3D is the main allure to the laptop for me. If i were unable to use 3D with this laptop i might have just gotten a R2. I don't know how close the 485m is to the 6970 but if they are decently close and im assuming since its Nvidia it would still be compatible do you really think people would choose the ATI over the Nvidia? just a random curiousity i thought of while customizing. If anyone knows then please help me out. the 6970 is a beast of a video card i just want to make sure i can still run the 3d if using it.

 

I know with the initial release of 3D ASUS laptops and a couple others in the last 6 months the HDMI out only supported 1.3a which means it does not support doing 3d over the hdmi.

So that should help you look the hdmi out must support 3d and or 1.4 spec, thought not all 1.4 spec features have to be supported for 3d to work.

 

The following is a message I received from Dell when I asked about Optimus technology:
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" So Optimus will be a part of that video card’s technology. Maybe the confusion is coming in regards to what Optimus does. Optimus “turns off the video card” when it’s not needed and uses the card that is integrated in the processor. So in that sense technically speaking while 3D is in use Optimus will not be working as you must use the video card to view 3D. However if you close that 3D program and open let’s say MS Word; Optimus would kick in and shut off the primary video card (assuming you don’t have any other video intensive programs running in the background). Does that make sense? "
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I will keep you posted if I hear anything else.

 

pcgeek

technical support answer were really stupid he just explained what is optimus and what do and that's it he didn't answer your question

There is no optimus period with the 3D Screen R3 DURING playing 3D materials or not, there is no option to switch graphic cards (the FN+Fx key for optimus says "not available") it's not available in the bios or even Nvidia drivers or Windows itself, INTEL GPU Does not exist and removed period you don't have access to it, it's "not detected" not "disabled" in the bios

 

if the INTEL GPU does not exist, can we say that the product is defective?

 

You can't because many laptops disable intel gpu and use Nvidia or ati cards instead of it you already have a GPU, plus alienware can get away with it because they market M17x R3 as "Optimus ready" not "Optimus enabled"

Optimus ready means it can support optimus under certain conditions and not that it support optimus 100% in any condition.

 

^..yea smart use of fallacy..

 

That's not true. Intel didn't make specific Dell procs with no IGP just for Dell.

 

My initial questions were sent before anyone had received their system. I can find no reference from nVidia that this is a hot key manual process as has been discussed through out these threads. I am NOT saying there is not some indication that this is possible, but that there is some conflicting information here. Because of this, I was not satisfied that since the hot key is only providing us with a message, the Optimus technology must not available. There are various postings from nVidia themselves on how to select an application and explicitly tell it to use one processor or another, but that it is also a seamless operation. I am therefore trying to explore this from a different angle.

I was hoping to find something definitive that would explain the variance besides they don’t have a clue what is going on. I felt if there was something from a different angle worth exploring, then perhaps someone can take this and explore it a bit further. I will be happy to keep this discussion between me, Dell, and nVidia for now and that way if I am wasting my time, I won’t waste anyone elses.

I will post the response should I find out something verifiable that differs from our current understanding.

 

The gpu and cpu are at the same single chip, everybody knows that what i meant was you don't have access to the GPU part since it's removed via the bios "not detected"

 

exactly!~ thank you mandrake for reaffirming that...

folks, this is quite simply a bios/software issue atm - all of the neccessary hardware is within a gtx 460 equipped M17x R3...

 

lol...I took your post literally.

 

essentially, optimus is being disabled in multiple manufacturers systems optioned with 120hz screens.

the main issue is bios/software related, and nvidia/oem should allow the users to enable this feature (optimus) at their discretion. of course this might mean optimus would only be available whenever 120hz is disabled, as at issue seems to be the inability of intel's integrated gpu to support beyond 60hz.

 

yeah, don't know why there isn't a simple switch on/off just like the R1.