Asus R500VD - Various Questions --

Hi All-

I just picked up an R500vd Asus Laptop. i7, 8gm ram, and a Nvida video card.

In device manager it is showing I have a Intel HD4000 card as well, which I understand is the on board card.

I called Asus and they said the cards work in tandem. OK, great. However going into the Nvidia control panel there is an option to enable only the Nvidia card.

The 'external' card was something I was looking for in a laptop purchase. Why would I not want to enable it full time?

Video with both cards enabled is the biggest bottleneck in the performance test. Haven't tested with just the Nvida card enabled, yet.

Can anyone give any insight as to why two cards and why not disable the on board?

To make it more confusing for me I've read around the web that the intel hd on board card is actually desired by quite a few people. I'm lost......

 

Basically, the Optimus technology was implemented as a means to conserve battery. Having the discrete GPU engaged constantly drains the battery faster than the iGPU (Intel HD graphics).

The only thing the Intel HD iGPU handles regardless is output to external displays via HDMI or VGA.

 

Thanks for your reply!

I rarely ever use the laptop unplugged, it's mostly used as a desktop with external display. Sounds like you're saying the only way to use an external monitor is via the iGPU, correct?

FYI - I couldn't get the graphics score up with the Nvida settings on preferred. Kinda sucks because it's a 6.9 and all of my other scores are in the high 8s.

 

Yep! Your monitor will be receiving a picture courtesy of the Intel HD graphics, although any major rendering is still handled by your discrete graphics; the iGPU simply takes care of the output.

If you're referring to the Windows Performance Index, I wouldn't worry about what rating it gives. It's about as relevant as a cherry scented gasoline. The real test is benchmark results via stress tests and heavy load applications.

 

Do you know of a way to auto disable all Nvida setting should I hop onto battery power?

Example-- 99% of the time I'm desktop plugged in. I want to enable Nvida to always use said card, as is available in the Nvida settings. However, since I'm plugged in most of the time I will never remember to change back to iGPU for power savings when I hop over to battery power.

A simple way to accomplish this or no?

 

The Optimus technology works behind the scenes, so even if the NVidia settings are implemented for max performance, when on battery, your iGPU should take over instead of the NVidia discrete GPU.

Basically, unless Optimus is disabled or unavailable on the laptop, you shouldn't need to fret over any configuration. If you're greatly concerned about battery life, you can also look into BatteryCare:

BatteryCare

 

Thanks for the info! This laptop is awesome, minus looks and portability which I rarely use these days!


Have you used this battery care software? As a tech, would you suggest taking the battery out if I'm plugged in 99% of the time or?????

 

I've never personally used it, though it seems to be the authoritative in battery care (aptly named ). When I purchase a new laptop, I intend on looking into it, as I'm sure I'll be both mobile and stationary with the unit when I get it.

If you're concerned about preserving the battery as much as possible, then yes; remove it and run off your AC adapter. While modern power management is good about not "overcharging" batteries these days, the battery will still receive a constant trickle charge once it's at 100%, in order to keep it there. Over time, that will wear the capacitors down. So, if you won't be mobile, you might as well remove it and run strictly off the brick.