Switchable graphics options

So I've found this option in the RB17 Pro 2019 - is it possible to switch either of these options to run the laptop as if it just has a RTX2060 in it and no IGPU?



(see "Primary Display" and "Internal Graphics")

also this strange option out by itself:



any of you Notebook buffs out there care to explain "Mux" and "Muxless" to me? @hackness

 

Yes. However since the final screen display is handled by iGPU you will be most likely presented with a black screen. I didn't have the balls to try it, but that's how it should work. Not very usable. However I use this option to disable dGPU when at home connected to eGPU, or when I travel and need battery life more than anything.

Mux (multiplexer) is a hardware device that can switch two signal sources. Like between iGPU and dGPU. Muxless means there is no mux, and graphic switching is done by software.

 

I also saw these options in my unlocked BIOS and considered what they'd do, but Like @Thysanoptera I didn't have the balls to try it, lest I end up with a black screen that I can't see how to turn the iGPU back on. But I suppose a CMOS battery pull would reset it...

 

For what its worth, when I unlocked the BIOS on my Razer Blade Pro 2017 with 7700/1060, there was only an option for muxless. If you have the option of switching muxless to muxed, that would be a solid win as you could run the dGPU without optimus and increase framerates. What you should do is figure out how to navigate the bios blindly to reset to default settings (memorize or write down the keystrokes needed to reach load optimal defaults, save, and exit)

 

The GPU is physically routed to the iGPU before the signal reaches the internal screen panel. So no you cant go dGPU only. But using an external display port screen is basically the same.

 

Is there a way to resolder the GPUs in these machines so that they're connected directly?

 

Nope, there are multiple PCB layers with traces and a lot of extra components such as resistors that make things work like they do now.

 

Just to clarify - do you know if its safe to flip this option over? Is there a chance of a perma black screen or some other bug?

 

Be brave, test and let us know. Like i said, record the steps on paper or something to know exactly how to reset BIOS defaults blindly with the screen off. test before flipping unknown options. If all else fails you can remove CMOS battery and main battery, hold power button down for 5 minutes and reconnect everything. That should trigger a BIOS reset

 

Someone at reddit suggested that external display is hooked directly to dGPU, I checked that with dGPU disabled I don't get any signal on external screen, took a deep breath, flipped the primary display to PCI and it works fine. iGFX is disabled, internal screen black as expected, but external is fine, shows even the bios screen.

Summary:
SG - switchable graphics, optimus works
iGFX - Nvidia disabled, removed from device manager, only Intel GPU visible, internal screen works, external screens don't work
PCI - Intel GPU disabled, only Nvidia GPU visible, internal screen doesn't work, external screens work.