Sony Z11 - NVIDIA Optimus

I have tried that yesterday late in the evening exactly like described

First test - integrated graphics = less than 1000 3D Mark06 Points
Second test - Nvidia G210M = cca 3500 3D Mark 06 Points

So this works

However, I still cannot find a way to tell if the Nvidia GPU is turned off when not used.

Another funny thing is, that I have read Nvidia Optimus White Paper, but I did not find any text mentioning that Integrated Intel GPU turns off, when the NVIDIA is turned on...

 

That only applies after you have actually installed the drivers - I cannot even get to that stage...

 

It probably newer turns off. Output always goes trough IGP even when NVIDIA is used although I am not sure if power consumption is significant when IGP is just passing trough output from NVIDIA.

 

And that's what I am thinking. Just because the device is showing up in device manager does not necessarily mean it is on.

The same thing has always happened with Hybrid Graphics when switched to SPEED. Remember on our notebooks Intel is the IGP (integrated graphics processor) or mGPU (motherboard GPU) and Nvidia is a dGPU (discrete GPU). This means the Nvidia part is 'like' an addon card while the Intel part is integrated.

Unless there are some power tests to show something is wrong it is assumed this is the way it should be.

 

I was also unable to install the unsigned drivers, until I used the workaround No.3
After that install went fine

 

results? It work?

 

OK - I'll give it a go. Are you saying that everything is working fine now? No startup delay and watermark?

 

Holy hell.. No more late night modding for me. The INF I posted was for 197.16 not 197.13. I have spent most of my morning fixing posts I have made last night. Geeze. Sorry everyone.

 

We'll let it slide

I should be good to test this evening

 

The last nvam.inf for 197.13 or 16 does not work.
It does not even install.

The version with Optimus drivers 189.42 works,
but watermark stays there.

On Asus UL80VT, I have experienced no startup delays.

 

Will take another look at the 197.16 INF probably a typo or something if it is not installing.

 

It doesn't recognize the 330m either

 

Fixed 197.16 INF see here.

 

No joy.

Used:

• Intel HD- WinVista7_64_15171
• 197.16_notebook_winvista_win7_64bit_international_whql - Extracted, copied
  updatus.exe from 189.42_optimus_notebook_win7_64bit_international, dropped in your nv_disp.txt, renamed to nv_disp.inf, installed.

Installs fine, the right-click context works. Opening the nv control panel, the preview animation was black.

Launched FurMark and 3dmark05. Both launched with the Intel GPU regardless of which option I chose.

 

Same here - tried this and got the same results...

 

Hmm well at least it installed. Interesting stuff.

I will have to do some more investigating.

 

Does anybody know if it's possible to somehow merge newer NVidia drivers with the Sony install, and not have Optimus? I ask because I'd like the newer drivers from a development point of view but I actually prefer being able to swap at will...

 

You can still swap at will with Optimus.

 

Can you guy who have Optimus working clarify something for me. Is there a way of forcing the notebook to use integrated graphics?

For example if the power plan is switched to power saver does it always use integrated graphics?

There may be a way to configure it further using advanced power options:
open power options
click change plan settings
click change advanced power settings
look for something like GPU Settings

I know it can be done on a program by program basis using right click or profiles.

Explaining this may help those who are worried about losing this ability transition to Optimus if and when they need to.

 

I agree. Sorry if this is the wrong thread, but I've been reading pages and pages of notebook review forums and it's killing me! Interesting tho!

I installed the 197.16 NVIDIA drivers by modding the inf file on my Z117 but now the dynamic graphic switch doesn't work. It will switch to and from NVIDIA card in Speed mode but won't switch to the Intel graphics in Stamina mode. The green light next to Speed changes appropriately to Stamina but the screen goes, and stays, blank. It will switch back to speed mode fine.

Is there any way to have the newer NVIDIA drivers but enable the dynamic switch?

Cheers!

 

Just posting here to see if it might help

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=472664

 

Ok just spent some time with Alienware users to get Optimus working on the M11x. Interestingly they do not seem to have the delay issue, so it may somehow be related to the hardware switch or difference in Intel GPUs.

I am going to build an Optimus package with 197.41 to see if it works.

 

Please do. I'll give it another go

 

Good stuff.. upping now.. this is a full package with UpdatusSetup.exe included in the package.

197.41 Win 7 64bit
Giv'er a go. Fingers Crossed.


*Pic from a M11x running Optimus with 189.42

 

I'll be back in a few reboots

 

No joy. Installs fine, but the nvidia driver doesnt load. I'll try to troubleshoot in the morning.

 

I may have to track down someone who has a genuine Optimus notebook to see if they work on it. The Optimus stuff all seems to be there. I kind of worry what that might mean if it works fine on standard Optimus notebooks though.

 

Guru3d shows that 197.14 is only for the new GTX cards.

I'll try them on my 295 and see what happens.

 

No go on the new package. It would probably work with a modified display.inf, but I won't try it.

I'm looking to download the newest Asus package for the N82Jv. Asus quite possibly has the worst site on the planet. It is a pain to navigate and only works sporadically. I'll try again later

 

This is all just a guess at this point since I cant find anyone who has an Optimus notebook to test for me.

Some of the issues we are seeing are most likely due to the multiplexer that the standard Optimus notebooks do not have. The long pause I assume is probably due to the hardware switch on the Z. The M11x does not seem to experience this long pause. Now it may very well be the case that the 189.42 version of the drivers has experimental code in it that allows it to work with the multiplexer while the new 197 series drivers do not. This would also explain the overlay text since it is not being displayed on standard Optimus notebooks. Let us hope this isn't the case though.

fnord0 who is one of the people testing on the M11x has found something interesting.

I am still looking into things I have some 197.41 Hybrid Graphics drivers I am putting together for testing on the VPCZ11 and a whole bunch of other things in the works.

The Asus page for the N82Jv seems to be broken. It always gives that too many connections error.

 

The new macbookpro have the same components as Vaio Z11. May they release optimus driver in windows for their bootcamp ?

 

The new macbook pro's do not use optimus for the automatic videocard switching; rather, apple themselves came up with their own dynamic graphics switching system.

 

Possibly but it seems awfully similar to Optimus. Strikingly so in fact. The only real difference being powering down the IGP when switched to the dGPU. (and that difference is debatable) There is a lot of false information going around about the differences between Apple implementation and Optimus. Information like Optimus requires a whitelist which is false.

From the Optimus Whitepaper:

 

If they're powering down the IGP, then they would need a hardware multiplexer. The automation is probably similar to Optimus, though.

 

Optimus also eliminates the Multiplexer. Hybrid Graphics utilizes the Multiplexer. <- haha nevermind im tired. I dont think I know what I am typing anymore. You are correct.

I expect it will be extremely difficult finding any reliable information on apples implementation. Most articles have gotten the information on Optimus wrong so far. Sounds interesting though.

 

So in theory then when apple release new updated bootcamp drivers for the intel HD + 330 (if they ever do) we could use that as a base config for the Z11?

I had a 'old' macbook pro 15 with a 9400 + 9600 and apple disabled the 9400 totally under windows so fingers crossed they won't do the same thing for these new models.

 

In theory, yes, but the main problem would be getting Apple's drivers to interface with Sony's multiplexer. Unlike Nvidia Optimus, the hardware multiplexers are proprietary designs, and I doubt they would interface at all similarly.

 

I agree I think apple would use a proprietary design but like Nautis said it does sound awfully similar to optimus and even if it does not work it might give you guys some insight into hacking something together to work on the Z11.

I will be keeping a lookout for 'leaked' bootcamp drivers and will see what I can come up with as well.

Even I am a newbie I am willing to give it a shot.

 

I noticed this under the supported products tab for the 197 notebook drivers today:

Has it always said that about the Sony?

 

Never saw that before either.

 

No that is new. But Nvidia will NOT be releasing Hybrid Graphics drivers.

 

189.64 is up on Asus for the U30JC. It gives the same overlay as 189.42. It has a more complete INF with it so I know generally which settings correspond to which GPUs a bit better. I will be updating my INF for Optimus for it. In the mean time my modified INF should work just change the DriverVer string.

EDIT:

Ok so I have uploaded a 197.16 Optimus set to test. No guarantees it will work.

I have not adjusted the 189.64 inf yet.

And I was wondering if anyone can test the following with Optimus installed.

Code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\nvlddmkm]
"DisableHybridMux"=dword:00000001

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\NVTweak]
"NvCplSetOptimusOverlayRegistry"=dword:00000001

You can always copy what is in the code box and paste it to a text file. save the text file as optimus.reg and then run it. this will import it into your registry.

Be sure to check the control panel and things for new Optimus settings.

 

Hello,

I uninstalled my video drivers, then installed intel HD driver, and then i tried to install your package. Everything was fine since I could see both graphic cards in my device manager but the NVIdia control panel doesn't want to install with the following error:
"Setup failed to read the required dislplay driver to be used with this package".

What I did wrong ?

Just try to give some help since I'm pissed with vaio graphic drivers,

Thanks,

 

Did you reboot after installing the Intel video drivers and then install the Nvidia ones?

 

Which Optimus drivers did you install?

 

I tried both.

197.16.


Anyone else tried to install ?

 

@Nautis tried your latest 197.16 optimus drivers and everything worked a treat just a couple of issues.

1. looks like the reg keys make no difference unfortunately.
2. battery life suffers I get 2 hours less from the battery when using optimus
3. no right click use this graphics processor context menu on apps (3dmark)
4. very weird problem with chrome and a avutil-50.dll (does not happen when using opera and/or the intel driver under optimus)

 

They installed fine for me here which model of Z11 do you have?.

 

I'm on a VPCZ11Z9E/B.

I could get the GT330M installed but same as you I couldn't get the right click graphics processor context menu on apps and the nvidia control panel working.

 

Interesting so 197.16 has the same "Nvidia Confidential.. blah blah" overlay?