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.

    GPU configuration

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by Squeeker the Cat, May 17, 2011.

  1. Squeeker the Cat

    Squeeker the Cat Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    20
    Messages:
    147
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i know ive read it, but how the heck do you determine what video card is being used? i tried GPUz to see all the specs, but it only shows the integrated card.......

    is it better to let the computer determine which card to use? or does it matter if it uses the 555m all the time??
     
    Squeeker the Cat, May 17, 2011
    #1
  2. conscriptvirus

    conscriptvirus Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    89
    Messages:
    334
    Likes Received:
    9
    Trophy Points:
    31
    when using GPU-Z, at the bottom, there is a drop down menu and you can select which video card it shows.

    it doesnt matter which video card the computer uses all the time. its probably better for it to use the integrated since it uses less power and also runs cooler i believe. if you need the GPU power, you can always right click on the shortcut and select the application to run with the GPU power.
     
    conscriptvirus, May 17, 2011
    #2
  3. beertha

    beertha Notebook Geek

    Reputations:
    35
    Messages:
    84
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    You should tell the XPS what GPU you want to run by:
    right clicking the desktop, select Nvidia Control Panel, select Manage 3D settings, then you can choose or add which games/programs to use either the Intel IGP or Nvidia GPU. Dont forget to select "apply" at the bottom.
     
    beertha, May 17, 2011
    #3
  4. Squeeker the Cat

    Squeeker the Cat Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    20
    Messages:
    147
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    thanks guys!!
     
    Squeeker the Cat, May 17, 2011
    #4
  5. rausa

    rausa Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    My 550 card seems to only work with Flash Video, like from ESPN3. When I bring up WMC, the integrated works. Which is kinda weird...

    Using the integrated is supposed to be power saving, but when WMC runs, the CPU spikes and eventually the cooling fan kicks on. I would think that would draw more power than the GPU. With ESPN3, there is no CPU spike and the cooling fan doesn't run.
     
    rausa, May 17, 2011
    #5
  6. DakkonA

    DakkonA Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    30
    Messages:
    448
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The integrated GPU core on the CPU is less power-hungry than the GPU, which isn't just the GPU core turning off but all of the associated VRAM and circuits.

    If you aren't convinced, play a video in WMC with the integrated card and use a program to log the battery charge level over time. Then switch WMC to the NVIDIA card, restart WMC and play the video again.
     
    DakkonA, May 18, 2011
    #6
  7. rausa

    rausa Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    That idea would seem to validate the saving energy idea of the Sandy Bridge and Optimus. Outwardly, it just seems from a heat aspect which would come from electricity used and along with the fan running that would trump the energy savings of CPU over GPU.
    One thing I did note that even though the CPU speed spiked on my 2630QM, the CPU usage was minimal...less than 10% while watching TV via WMC.
     
    rausa, May 18, 2011
    #7
  8. DakkonA

    DakkonA Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    30
    Messages:
    448
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Consider also that the Intel GPU is always on, too, rendering everything on the screen anyway. Plus 2D and video, even HD video, are relatively simple tasks for the most basic GPUs.
     
    DakkonA, May 20, 2011
    #8