Switch Graphics Card message

Hello,

I have a strange thing happening with my AW17. With optimus enabled, if I am on AC power and switch to battery power I get a message saying for optimal battery life, press fn+f5 to switch to integrated graphics. I am pretty sure it is already on integrated graphics as the NVidia gpu is not detectable in the HW monitor. I don't think this message was always here - so how do I get rid of it?

 

No worries All models with integrated graphics comprise that message you see displayed (even some that don't). Moreover, you can switch between dedicated and integrated graphics while on batter (hence the message the pops up saying you can get better battery life if you switch). You can disable this message by disabling OSD at the process level or registry level, but I doubt you want to do that

 

Thank you - so are you saying that you get this message as well and it is all working correctly for me? Sorry just want to be clear in my mind.

I have the gpu activity monitor in my system tray and that says no gpu activity

 

Yes Vortex, we all receive this message However, what do you mean by "no gpu activity" Is this before or after you unplug your rig? And does the activity start recording once you plug it back in?

 

It is always no activity if I am just on the Internet and not using the nvidia gpu. However when I go into a game it shows up as activity in the monitor. Does that make sense? It makes no difference if I am plugged in or not (though in game the frames lower a bit as I assume it down clocks the nvidia gpu)

It's a bit annoying as if I followed that message I would just be using the nvidia graphics as it would switch optimus off!

 

Hmmm... which gadget are you using to monitor your GPU? Is it the one from addgadgets.com? That sounds like your GPU monitoring software may be the culprit in this case. And frames lower a bit due to the gpu throttling is "normal" (well according to Dell hahahaha). People are even reporting the 780m being throttled (view the 17 owner's lounge thread). Ever card I've had with Alienware has been throttled... from the 460m, 580m, and 680m (reportedly the 780m as well). So no worries

 

I am only using the acitivity monitor that comes with the nvidia control panel. Nothing special. When I have optimus on (and can see both intel and nvidia when right clicking) the message comes up saying switch if I unplug power. I think the nvidia card is definitely not being used when not in a game or something as this monitor doesn't say it is - but if everyone gets this message I guess there is nothing that can be done it just makes no sense because if your already on optimus hitting fn and f5 will run with only the nvidia gpu!

 

Try downloading the gpu monitoring gadget from the link I provided

 

Thanks I have downloaded and installed - how do I show the gpu monitor?

 

Ok I have the monitor running.

This is what I get on the desktop or browsing and this is what I get in game for a bit (though usage at 0 because I had to return to desktop to screen cap the meter)

Does that confirm optimus is working as intended? If so, battery life is pretty poor! 3 hours on full charge [stupidly I was downloading from steam when I checked this - exiting from Steam puts it up to 4 hours! so it must be working]

 

Yeap, it must be work And many people don't purchase a 17 or 18 looking for awesome battery life... hahaha just imagine the Alienware 17 and 18 with the battery life of a macbook air or pro. That would be awesome

 

When do we get that :d

 

When we can successfully place people on Mars hahahahaha.