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    Intel HD Graphics & Nvidia

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by xpsfing, Jun 23, 2011.

  1. xpsfing

    xpsfing Notebook Enthusiast

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    Why do I both Intel HD Graphics and Nvidia GForce GT 540M under Device Manager?
    Should I not just have Nvidia GForce GT 540M?
     
    xpsfing, Jun 23, 2011
    #1
  2. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    You have a system with Optimus technology. The new Sandy Bridge CPUs (which you have) ALL have integrated graphics on the chip, and so can use either that integrated graphics or a separate card (like the 540m). The XPS automatically switches between them for you depending on the graphics load. When just browsing, word processing, etc, you don't need the powerful GPU so the system shuts down that card and uses the integrated. That uses WAY less power, thus generating less heat, and therefore increasing battery life (if on battery) and also reducing how much the fan needs to spin.

    In short, you should see both.

    If you find that a program needing the good graphics seems not to be using it, right-click on desktop and go to NVidia control panel. In there there is a section where you can tell which GPU to use by default (best to leave on auto-select or integrated Intel graphics) and then over-ride this setting on a program-by-program basis.
     
    madmattd, Jun 23, 2011
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  3. luganis

    luganis Newbie

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    How will I understand when nvidia is working. or is there any way to work nwidia by manuel.
     
    luganis, Jun 23, 2011
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  4. zjacobss

    zjacobss Notebook Consultant

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    Go to nvidia control panel> desktop>show notification tray icon.
    when it's in use the icon turns green and when not in use it's grey.
     
    zjacobss, Jun 23, 2011
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  5. luganis

    luganis Newbie

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    thanks. but when I play Avatar.2009.BluRay.1080p.DTS.2Audio.x264-CHD (20 GB) nvidia gpu is not active.wow when will it work?
     
    luganis, Jun 23, 2011
    #5
  6. zjacobss

    zjacobss Notebook Consultant

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    What video player are you using?
     
    zjacobss, Jun 23, 2011
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  7. madmattd

    madmattd Notebook Deity

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    You don't really need the Nvidia for video playback, even the old i5 Intel graphics could handle FHD movies without much trouble. If you insist on needing the Nvidia GPU for your movies, go to the NVidia control panel as I said in my first post (right-click desktop). Under "Manage 3D Settings", it should say that the default GPU is auto-select. LEAVE THIS AS IS. Go to the other tab ("program settings") and add your media player executable (ie vlc.exe) using the add button, and tell it to use the NVidia GPU. You can do this for any program.

    But as I said, video playback is NOT GPU intensive. Intel graphics in the Sandy Bridge are actually tuned really well for videos too.
     
    madmattd, Jun 23, 2011
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  8. zjacobss

    zjacobss Notebook Consultant

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    I prefer to use nvidia for video playback because you can adjust video color settings and video image settings.
     
    zjacobss, Jun 23, 2011
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  9. luganis

    luganis Newbie

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    can you sent your video color settings and video image settings by picture?
    I am new boy :)
     
    luganis, Jun 23, 2011
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  10. zjacobss

    zjacobss Notebook Consultant

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    You just adjust it how you want.

    [​IMG]
     
    zjacobss, Jun 23, 2011
    #10