G-Sync and Optimus switching in the latest ASUS Zephyrus

Hi,
In my last endeavor to search for a decent gaming laptop,I came across the GM/GX501 from ASUS and they have a spectacular trick up their sleeves.
Which is switching from G-Sync to Optimus and back after a restart which is wonderful.It can also increases battery life when you are on the go and smooth gaming when plugged in.
I wonder how do they work and how is it possible?
Traditionally once a laptop uses G-Sync,it will be like that for the rest of its live.
And I wonder why don't they implemented it to all of their laptops,surely they can use it to their advantages and wash away the gaming laptop's stereotype of:"Their battery life is trash".

 

Not the only laptop which does this.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/all-laptops-with-a-mux-switch.813459/

 

Wow.
I have never heard of this MUX switch before.
So basically what ASUS is doing is switch the mode in the BIOS,right?

 

The switching is done in their software (ROG Gaming Software) which seems to be using some model-specific method(s) to switch between Optimus mode and discrete (GPU) mode, requiring a reboot.

The BIOS on that notebook has no menu entries for switchable graphics entries.

I'd be very interested in knowing how that switching method works (MSR commands, etc) to see if that can be implemented in alternate operating systems such as Linux.

I'll be switching to the GM501 (with the 1070) soon. Should be able to experiment on it then.

 

So, with the Asus GM501, it's using MSHYBRID, that can only be toggled in software as no BIOS option for it exists.

 

Is there any possible hack or tricks to force a G-Sync laptop other than this ASUS to use the iGPU?
Maybe it's just a dumb question since the display is directly connected to the dGPU but I am curious to see what are the results.

 

If such a mux existed, the vendor would most likely present it as an option to allow for switching as its' quite marketable (in the same vein as Asus' method via software and others, through the BIOS, or a combination of both).
There are also specific current-generation Alienware laptops ( @Papusan please verify this if possible, with affected models) that present both the integrated and discrete GPUs without support for either Optimus or MSHYBRID.

Were there a case where the MUX is present, but not availed in either a BIOS option or a software-based solution (again, not a likely scenario unless the same vendor has done this so as to differentiate different SKUs), such an option would most likely be hidden in an SMM variable that can be toggled such that the switching would happen in a manner obscured from the operating system. However, the user would still be required to reboot the system to utilize the new configuration.

You could try tools such as rweverything to mess around with low level functions such as SMM and the ACPI handlers affected by such a change (at absolutely zero warranty, of course).

 

Alienwares latest MESS!

 

Ah, yes.

That abominable filth.

 

From the link... “I dunno why Microsoft didn't provide an option to set which card to be considered default. It would make it a lot easier if we could make the Intel GPU the default”.

Yeees, put the blame on Micro$h4ft and not on Dell for this mess

 

Why do they do it? They only have proper Hardware MUX on Precision, Lenovo P/W series that actually works great on Linux and Windows(7,8.x and 10). Is it because money plays an important factor for SW/HW quality?

 

the older T series with nvidia nvs has MUX switch I think, select hybrid, integrated only, or discrete only

 

IIRC, lokoroxbr has sylake and gtx 1070 non gsync and he has Switchable graphics like non BGA AW models that worked correctly and promised 10 hrs battery on intel gpu. With Kabylake AW removed the option for MUX switching and defaulted to Nvi only.
Can you verify in device manager that you can see USB 3.1 device listed under USB? Even HDMI/DP through TB3 is a hit or miss.

 

Good old days. My friend had a thinkpad with NVS300 for playing counter strike. Did you observe a bug on optimus laptop when someones uses HDMI port and after disconnecting HDMI cable, Optimus continues to use dGPU at p0/p5 until you restart windows explorer or Log off Windows.

 

I'll check with my friend, I have the model without nvidia.

 

So much gore you can hear the eye of Sauron blink

 

LOTR reference???
I have a feeling Intel will bring adaptive sync to give Tear free experience and smoother user experience for Intel/AMD GPUs. So now nvidia will not play nice with adaptive sync.

 

The witch kings of Alienware pushing Azor's turdbooks have been hard at work.

How exactly does Alienware make sales? What dark spells are cast over to mask their current issues with quality control and nonstop throttlebooks that keep selling like candy?

Gotta say, I have an admiration for their marketing department. These guys do deliver.

 

MUX needs to be utilized more often and switchable in the BIOS like the p650hp6-g for example.

How great would it be to have something like the GS65 with its 80WHr battery and 144Hz panel with 5+ hours unplugged then have G-Sync after a quick reboot into the BIOS.

I wouldn't mind the switch to either run the iGPU or the dGPU specifically and not switchable on its own.

Hopefully you all follow what I'm saying.

 

Same thing like Apple/Razer has increased sales year after year.
The problem lies with ambient temps, their QC issues show up or pops up when you're traveling or when you're in High ambient places. Otherwise none will notice it.