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    W520 + 2000M + Revit = gigantic headache

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by MoonFallsDown, Jul 28, 2011.

  1. MoonFallsDown

    MoonFallsDown Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just picked up a W520 with 2000M graphics. It is to my understanding that when the graphics are set to Optimus in the BIOS, the driver used will be automatically picked depending on the software launched. The Nvidia control panel is set up so that logical programs will use the discrete card like AutoCAD, Revit, Photoshop, etc.

    It's also to my understanding that when you launch a program on an external monitor, it always uses the discrete card. Cool.

    My problem is that when I launch Revit on the main display, it ALWAYS uses the integrated graphics, and consequently makes spinning around in 3D very painful. It will use the discrete card on an external monitor, but not on the Thinkpad display. I'm feel like other software is doing the same thing; I only know Revit is using the HD card instead of the 2000M because it tells me so.

    Currently, the BIOS is set to Optimus, and Revit is set to use the discrete card according to the Nvidia control panel. Revit will detect the HD graphics only when using the Thinkpad display, but the 2000M works fine on the external.

    I know the 2000M isn't certified by Autodesk yet, but I feel like there has to be another reason why the proper driver isn't being used. I've tried both the latest OEM driver and the latest driver from nvidia.com

    Any thoughts?
     
    MoonFallsDown, Jul 28, 2011
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  2. MoonFallsDown

    MoonFallsDown Notebook Enthusiast

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    Well, if I set the graphics to discrete in the BIOS, it works good, but that's not really practical for battery life and pretty much defeats the purpose of Optimus.

    Open to suggestions...
     
    MoonFallsDown, Jul 28, 2011
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  3. sgt_deacon

    sgt_deacon Notebook Consultant

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    Shot in the dark but have you tried right clicking > run with dGPU on the Rivet exe?
     
    sgt_deacon, Jul 28, 2011
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  4. Thors.Hammer

    Thors.Hammer Notebook Enthusiast

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    What is the setting that requires you to use Revit on battery power?
     
    Thors.Hammer, Jul 28, 2011
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  5. sr1650nx

    sr1650nx Notebook Consultant

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    I'm pretty sure you can customize which application uses which graphics card in the graphics drivers. Look around, you should be able to change the default GPU to your 2000M
     
    sr1650nx, Jul 28, 2011
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  6. MoonFallsDown

    MoonFallsDown Notebook Enthusiast

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    It's set by default to run in with the 2000M. Even when I tell it to run with the dGPU, Revit still recognizes it is the Intel HD. I don't get it.
     
    MoonFallsDown, Aug 1, 2011
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  7. THS

    THS Notebook Consultant

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    1) Get latest drivers (from nvidia site not lenovo)

    2) Right click and choose which GPU to run it on.
     
    THS, Aug 1, 2011
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  8. MoonFallsDown

    MoonFallsDown Notebook Enthusiast

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    Done and done. Problem not solved. I guess Revit hates Optimus.
     
    MoonFallsDown, Aug 2, 2011
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  9. BrendaEM

    BrendaEM Notebook Consultant

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    If Revit has challenged the graphic hardware and software in such a way, that the Optimus graphic card switching is not working, then Autodesk should know about it as well.

    nVidia's newer drivers seemed to help in this tread:
    Nvidia Optimus - Autodesk Discussion Groups
     
    BrendaEM, Aug 2, 2011
    #9