Disable Optimus in bios for linux

I just bought a new Dell XPS15 with an Intel Sandy Bridge processor and an NVIDIA Geforce 540M graphics card in it. I cannot use my NVIDIA graphics card in Linux owing to the Optimus feature which is for Windows. I need to use it for CUDA programming, so I am going to sell this computer.

According to the information below from http://developer.download.nvidia.com/compute/cuda/4_0_rc2/drivers/docs/README_Linux.txt, it is possible to use NVIDIA graphics cards in Linux if disabling the Intel GPU in the BIOS.

"Some designs incorporating supported GPUs may not be compatible with the NVIDIA Linux driver: in particular, notebook and all-in-one desktop designs with switchable (hybrid) or Optimus graphics will not work if means to disable the integrated graphics in hardware are not available. Hardware designs will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so please consult with a system's manufacturer to determine whether that particular system is compatible."

I have been looking at laptops from other producers. Asus N53SV ( ASUSTeK Computer Inc. - Notebooks - ASUS N53SV) is one candidate. Do you know if this computer can disable the Intel GPU? Do you any other producer whose computers allow it?

Thanks in advance.

 

As far as I know, only Lenovo makes laptops which can have Optimus disabled. In order to use one of the GPUs on an Optimus system, an additional mux is required. Since companies want to save as much money as possible, I doubt many laptop manufacturers will put in that addition mux.

EDIT: I don't think the Intel GPU in the Asus N53SV can be disabled. According to the Linux Mint forum, neither the Intel GPU nor the nVidia GPU will work in Linux.

 

Note that most machines with higher end NVidia GPUs don't switch. Such as the Asus G53SW/G73SW, the MSI GT680, Toshiba Qosmio w/ Nvidia. Also if you just need a decent GPU you can look for things like refurbed Asus G72 or G52 machines which are going for ~$600 at Microcenter.

 

Thanks for this. My primary concern is to use CUDA. I need to compile and run CUDA executable files. Everything else is secondary (perhaps it is important, but not at this moment).

Any computer with an Geforce 5xxM graphics card that can be shown to compile and run a CUDA executable is of interest.

 

You should have a look at the Lenovo W520. You can set it to discrete only for sure.

 

Has everybody seen this?

Linux Hybrid Graphics: Linux Nouveau intel/nvidia working with github.com/awilliam module for Asus UL30VT - Asus UL50VT - Asus UL80VT 1 0 - HP dm3 - HP SLIC-MPC - Lenovo T410 2516CTO - Lenovo T410s - Lenovo T510 - Sony Vaio VPCZ136GG - Sony Vaio VPCZ

There is a new module that provides hybrid graphics functionalities
using the nouveau drivers. Both the Intel and Nvidia cards can be used
with this method. It has been tested on an Asus UL30VT, but should
work for the following laptop models:​

I'm curious if anyone has tested it out...Perhaps it will help. The N53SV is on the list...

 

Yes, I have seen that elsewhere. Perhaps that N53SV can be hacked and NVIDIA graphics cards with Optimus be used in Linux.

This is an alpha and it would be nice to see the project progress a little bit further before using it. I do not have time for hacking, I am a programmer.

I am thinking of buying a Sony Vaio F series with an i7-740QM processor and GeForce 425M. There is no integrated graphics card, therefore no Optimus. This is my safest bet.

 

Yes, Lenovo makes computers where the graphics card can be set in the BIOS ( Lenovo Support - NVidia Switchable Graphics adapters vs NVidia Optimus Graphics adapters - ThinkPad T410s, W510). It seems like their computers are quite expensive though.

 

Agreed that it'll work and you may save a pretty dime by buying last year's tech. But those quad-cores were quite power hogs compared to sandy bridge.

 

I really do no have much choice. I must have an NVIDIA graphics card for CUDA programming now.

Ideally, I would run Linux graphics with Sandy Bridge and some BOINC application with NVIDIA. The NVIDIA graphics card is also for CUDA programming.

 

The author writes in reference to the N53SV but should work for the following laptop models:. I believe the N53SV has a mux-less Optimus implementation so would not provide a way of using the NVidia gpu in Linux.

 

Take a look at #60 in this page: http://forum.notebookreview.com/linux-compatibility-software/473915-no-support-nvidia-optimus-linux-6.html

"There was no BIOS business here.
I installed the latest nvidia dev drivers, but did not allow it to modify xorg.conf file.
This basically will load the required nvidia modules for you.
Post that install CUDA 3.0 Toolkit + GPU Computing SDK code samples based on the instructions and compile the sample code.
I have tried cuda 3.0 on Ubuntu 10.10 on my Sager 5130 which has 425M + Intel HD
So basically you can use your GPU with CUDA for comuting based tasks.
However,
Opengl based applications do not work, as 425m is not being used as the Display Card.
The reason is your LCD is connected to iGPU and not dGPU."

I am thinking of trying that on my computer. Can anyone confirm if it works? That would save me from buying a new computer.