The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    UL30VT GPU question

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by Kolyan, Feb 12, 2010.

  1. Kolyan

    Kolyan Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    32
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Hey guys,
    I was wondering if someone can tell how the GPU switching works, does the screen flicker when the GPU's switch?

    Thanks
    Kolyan
     
    Kolyan, Feb 12, 2010
    #1
  2. Jonathan360

    Jonathan360 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    335
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    On the older version of the Power4Gear Hybrid software, the screen flickers when you change between integrated and discrete. On the newest release of the software, the screen does not flicker. I have the UL80VT, but it's similar enough.
     
    Jonathan360, Feb 12, 2010
    #2
  3. human-being

    human-being Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    2
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Then where can I get the latest release of Power4Gear Hybrid software?
     
    human-being, Feb 13, 2010
    #3
  4. Jonathan360

    Jonathan360 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    335
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    It's located in the software section of the Asus website.
     
    Jonathan360, Feb 13, 2010
    #4
  5. itaru

    itaru Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    128
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I don't think it's possible for the screen not to blink when switching graphics on the ULxxVT models because it involves changing the circuitry connection between the graphics cards and the screen. Only Nvidia Optimus technology can do seamless switching because the screen is always connected only to the integrated graphics even when in discrete graphics mode.

    Are you using V1.1.27 of P4G Hybrid? It has a bug where the graphics settings for all the power modes are reset to the same one. This happens after a reboot or logout/login where the graphics settings for all the power modes gets set to the one you were using when you did a shutdown/logout. For example, changing from battery saving to high performance mode will not switch graphics and that's why the screen doesn't blink. This is what happened to my notebook after installing V1.1.27. After going back to V1.1.25, the power modes are working correctly again.
     
    itaru, Feb 13, 2010
    #5
  6. slumpey326

    slumpey326 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    225
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I can find this on the asus support website, can you please post exactly where to find the new one..
     
    slumpey326, Feb 13, 2010
    #6
  7. itaru

    itaru Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    37
    Messages:
    128
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    itaru, Feb 13, 2010
    #7
  8. Esseti

    Esseti Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    82
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    From what I've gathered from the various videos on the UL30Vt and Optimus technology, only laptops with Optimus can seamlessly switch to the other graphics chip. The old (current) UL30Vt will flicker, and you will have to close all of your 'heavy' applications.
     
    Esseti, Feb 13, 2010
    #8
  9. Kolyan

    Kolyan Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    32
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    So then which of the laptops have the Optimus system already installed, if any?
    Or is there doing to be an upgrade to the UL series in the near future?
     
    Kolyan, Feb 13, 2010
    #9
  10. Esseti

    Esseti Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    82
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    So far ASUS have announced Optimus for these laptops: UL50Vf, N61Jv, N71Jv, N82Jv, and U30Jc.

    UL30Vt was out in September last year, so it's about time for an upgrade. Especially since the UL line is quite popular. All that we can do is wait till ASUS announce it.

    I'm in the same position as you, and many other people. I wanted to buy the UL30Vt recently, but a few days ago nVidia announced the Optimus technology which is really a great deal for laptops. And ASSUS showed the UL30Jt @CES which is ~15-20% overall better than the current Vt. So there is a good reason to wait for it. Unfortunately for me, I'm at college right now, and I need a laptop for writing my Masters, and I'm running out of time to wait for the Jt...
     
    Esseti, Feb 13, 2010
    #10
  11. Kolyan

    Kolyan Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    32
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Ye im in a similar position, i had a G1S and on Dec. 25th it decided that the video card will stop working so im out of a laptop right now
     
    Kolyan, Feb 13, 2010
    #11