NVIDIA Optimus - FAQ from NVIDIA

After seeing some questions regarding NVIDIA's Optimus technology, I wanted to take a moment and share some facts and some helpful tips which will help you understand the technology and get the most from your system.

Q: Is there any way I can tell when Optimus has turned on the GPU?
A: NVIDIA built a useful tool into the Verde drivers which shows you when the GPU is active and what program(s) are using it. You can view a YouTube video I created here which outlines how to enable and use this feature (along with the other features listed above within the NVIDIA Control Panel). I apologize for the low volume...

YouTube - NVIDIA Optimus Driver Tutorial

Q: Can I just disable the IGP and run the GPU 100% of the time?
A: Optimus leverages the IGP and GPU to provide the best performance along with the longest battery life possible. If for some reason you didn't want to reap the benefits of the additional battery life, you cannot disable Optimus by disabling the Intel IGP in the Windows Control Panel. Even when the GPU is being used, Optimus uses the display controller portion of the IGP to render to the system's LVDS panel and the remainder of the IGP remains off. As a result, the IGP can never be fully disabled as you'd have no output to the screen.
(the display is routed to the IGP and literally isn't connected to the GPU)

Fortunately, you have the ability to customize nearly every aspect of Optimus within the NVIDIA Control Panel. Here, you can enable the ability to right-click on an application's .exe and choose whether you want it to run on the IGP or GPU. In addition, you can modify existing Optimus application profiles and create new profiles to force them to run on the IGP or GPU. You can view a YouTube video I created here which outlines how to enable and use this feature (along with the other Optimus features listed within the NVIDIA Control Panel). I apologize for the low volume...

YouTube - NVIDIA Optimus Driver Tutorial

Q: Are NVIDIA Verde drivers more recent than the drivers from my OEM?
A: If your notebook is supported by Verde, these drivers will always be the most recent. If not yet supported by Verde, please check with your notebook vendor for the latest driver.

Q: When will my notebook be supported by NVIDIA's Verde driver?
A: NVIDIA aims to support a notebook within 30 days of launching. You can always download the latest Verde driver at this location: Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

( Note: Non-WHQL drivers will be classified as "Beta" and listed under that section from the driver download page. WHQL drivers will be located under the main driver download section.)


With thanks,

Sean

Sean Pelletier
Senior Technical Marketing Manager - Notebooks
NVIDIA

 

Hi Sean,

Great that we have some NVidia representation on Notebookreview.

Can I request that you consider posting in the http://forum.notebookreview.com/gaming-software-graphics-cards/418851-diy-vidock-experiences.html thread any statement of intention by NVidia in regards to extending the Optimus driver for DIY ViDock purposes. Ie:

1. unlocking the x1 performance tweak for ALL systems upon detecting a x1, x2 or x4 link. At the moment it only engages if it detects a 4500MHD, Intel HD or x3150 primary video card. Perhaps it could be an option that can be switched on in the control panel?
   
   
2. enabling internal LCD functionality "cloning" without the this watermark

See the NVidia Optimus + DIY ViDock post for all that we know of adapting the Optimus driver for this functionality. This includes the case 100822-000049 logged which is in a pending state of "we'll look into it".

If the above functionality could be added to the NVidia driver then a NVidia DIY ViDock solution would be far more desirable than a ATI one.