Question about g-sync (and Sound Blaster)

I recently got my laptop and it came on discrete mode by default. When I tried turning ON the MSHybrid, most of the settings on Nvidia Control Panel is gone.



Also, does anybody here know where I can get different sound profiles for my Sound Blaster?

 

The behaviour when you change to MS Hybrid mode (also known as Nvidia Optimus) is expected; you'd now see more options in the Intel Control Panel. Nothing wrong there. As for Sound Blaster - I recommend you create a custom profile based on how you perceive your speakers to be. Each person has different tastes, and it's better if you create your own profile to suit how you like your game sounds, music and other system audio to sound like (tinny and high, deep and lots of bass, airy, etc.)

 

Does that mean I have to choose between using Intel CPU or g-sync?

 

What laptop is it? That's the Clevo Control Panel so assuming a Clevo based notebook. First I've seen a hybrid switch option.

And to answer your question, yes you have to choose between an Optimus laptop or a G-sync laptop. G-sync will not work with Intel GPU.

 

The P6xxRx series has a muxx (via bios switch) to switch from MS-Hybrid (no g-sync) to direct dGPU (g-sync) mode.
In the former all traffic will go through the Intel GPU and in the later the Intel GPU will be out of the equation and direct control via NVIDA control panel possible.

 

It's not in the P640RE, or at least the Sager version.

 

That's right! Good that you mention it.
It's the only (current) P6xxRx which has MS-Hybrid but no muxx-switch for dGPU mode.

 

My laptop is P650RE3. Still torn that I cannot use Intel while keeping g-sync. Really feels like I wasted something

 

G-SYNC does not work when there is an Intel Graphics installed/active. You need to disable it to use G-SYNC.

 

Um... Just saying, but there's no real positive benefit out of using the Intel GPU when you want G-Sync. G-Sync is for gaming, and when you are gaming you are usually plugged in. The Intel GPU is for battery savings when you are out and about. So if you want to save some battery when you are going out of the house with your notebook, just restart your computer, go to the BIOS and change the mode... Easy.

 

So what's with the hybrid switch? Do you even need to go into BIOS or just set it there, and restart?

 

At least you have the option. Older Clevos forced you to use Optimus which caused a lot of problems or disabled the Intel GPU entirely (mine is in the latter camp). Even my 2009 Alienware M17xR1 had switchable graphics. Not that I used the onboard graphics option often.

 

The first time I encountered it, it was on ControlCenter but when I switched from discrete to hybrid and back to discrete mode, the hybrid mode seem to just disappear. I tried uninstalling then reinstalling the driver but it still doesn't show up. Not that it is any problem since I'll be on discrete mode so that I can use g-sync