Question about integrated/discrete graphics

My m17x r4 arrived today. I have the nvidia 660m discrete graphics card + the build in intel HD. I read some about optimus while I was waiting for my laptop to arrive. Does my laptop have it? How do I turn it on/off? What is the i/d gfx button for. I assume this is to manually switch between integrated and discrete graphics but how do you tell which card is currently enabled?

 

You can switch between the cards with FN+F7. You can see in Device manager which one is active, and you'll definitely notice in performance
You can also disable the integrated card in your bios if you'd please (first thing I do when I get a new system, I never use it on battery and always want the discrete card)

Optimus is something else, which you also have.
It basically adjust the clocks of your card (memory, core etc) based on performance needed. If you work in word, it clocks down and saves battery life, if you play a heavy game, it clocks up as it needs the GFX power.
Here's some more info about it: Optimus Technology

I don't believe you can turn this off without modding the bios/vbios. I'm also not sure why you'd want it anyway (assuming, Optimus functions correctly), why would you want your card to run full power 100% of the time, while it's not needed.

 

As far as I know, the I/D GFX button does exactly NOTHING on laptops with Optimus enabled, and is only used on AMD systems. As you have a 660m, that button is not used.

Optimus is a technology that allows automatic, seamless switching between the integrated and dedicated graphics cards on a mobile system. There isn't a way to toggle between the cards manually, but you can set specific applications to use the dedicated card in the Nvidia settings panel. You can also right-click an exe and select "Run with High-Performance Graphics Processor". Or like jiggymf said, you can turn off/on the IGP completely in the BIOS. (this may require a modded BIOS)

To tell which is currently enabled, you can set the Nvidia icon to show permanently. It'll change color based on which GPU is active.

 

Here is some more information about Optimus and how to set up games to run better with it.

 

Thanks for your help guys. I figured it out with your help Unfortunately my GPU has kicked the bucket in less than 24 hours (see my post in the forum titled disappointed). It's off to the repair depot < 24 hours old!

 

How exactly does this work? You're in windows, you hit FN+F7, and...? Do you hold down function, then hit F7, then restart the system normally and when it comes back up, Intel's video is disabled?

 

No, that disables/enables the discrete card (AMD 7970m). If you have an Nvidia card Optimus will take care of this and the button will be useless.

The intel GPU will always be on unless it's disabled in the BIOS (and unlocked BIOS as Dell's official BIOS versions don't support this)

 

Oh dang, there's no way to disable Optimus with a GTX 680m?!? I'd read that worked with Nvidia cards too.

I've got an M17x on order, but I don't know, I may try to cancel it or return it

 

If you ordered the 3D screen the Intel card will be disabled for good as it can't output 120hz, if you didn't order the 3D screen you'll find that optimus isn't so bad after all.

Of course I'd rather have just the nvidia card running all the time, but as long as you configure your driver properly you shouldn't have any trouble dealing with Optimus.

 

I wouldn't accept a depot repair on a new system..

Sent from my SPH-L900 using Tapatalk 2

 

Nope, this configuration came with the standard 1080p screen :-/

I honestly thought you could disable Optimus on this system. Not sure what I'm going to do now. I already bought a spare power supply that's on its way.

 

Why so much hate for Optimus? What can't you do with it?

 

At best it's pointless for me. But adds complexity, compatibility issues, etc. Part of why I went with this was to avoid it...I thought.

 

Anything specific? Otherwise I'd have to disagree, I've found that Optimus gets complex if you get complex.

As long as you keep it simple it will all work like a charm.

 

I believe in the Nvidia Control Panel you can change the setting from "Auto" to "Integrated" or "Discrete". This forces the system to use one or the other and not switch. I have done this a few times and it seems to work well. I normally leave it on Auto and only had one instance where I wanted it to use the Nvidia card, but it did not switch automatically. You can set-up a rule in the control panel to fix this though.

 

Better than nothing, but it's still using Optimus, still routing through the Intel video, and will still have the same compatibility issues it would have otherwise :-/

 

wolfpup is this m17x from costco the r4 as the photo on the web site shows an older model. im getting ready to place an order

 

I've got the 680M - couple of questions:

I don't see anywhere in the NVIDIA Control Panel where I can set specific apps to run using the 680M. All I see are 3D settings (I don't have a 3D display), Display options, and Video options (e.g. video color and video image settings.)

What color is the NVIDIA Icon in the systray when the 680M is running?

Thanks.

 

Where is this in the Nvidia Control panel? I see no options in terms of setting Auto or Discrete, etc. nor settings on specific programs.

 

Under Manage 3D settings

 

Actually I have to correct you here. Fn+F7 on AMD systems disables/enables the integrated adapter. The discrete card is always enabled. Your information is true only on Optimus systems where it toggles the discrete card.

 

Ah, OK - I assumed that was only for, well, 3D apps.