Apple :: 's Automatic Graphics Switchingnot Optimus

Apr 19, 2010

Up until recently, many suspected that Apple was just using Nvidia's Optimus technology for its new 15" and 17" MacBook Pros. However, there are key differences which prove this cannot be the case, and Apple themselves have said their technology is different. Unlike Optimus, which sends data from the discrete graphics to the IGP framebuffer, and hence needs to keep the IGP on in discrete graphics mode, Apple's solution powers down the IGP entirely. This means that Apple must actually be using a hardware multiplexer at the back end, just like in all switchable graphics before Optimus.

As far as I can tell, Apple seem to have pulled a coup d'etat with their multiplexer, though, because their switching is supposedly just as seamless as Optimus. I'm guessing that Apple runs both adapters for a short time before making a transition in order to avoid a noticeable delay or flickering. I'd be interested to see how they got over the issue of blocking programs, though.

In any case, Apple's solution has the clear advantage of lower power consumption when running the discrete graphics. However, this comes at the cost of being entirely reliant on Apple's proprietary technology. In particular, Apple hasn't released switchable graphics drivers for Windows, so you're stuck with discrete graphics only if you have some need for dual-booting with Windows. Additionally, Apple's technology doesn't seem to give you a way to change which applications run on which GPU. This means that even if you have a 3D application that you know will run well enough on Intel's GMA HD, you're still stuck using the discrete GPU.

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Apple :: MacBook Pros Use Nvidia's Power-Saving Optimus Graphics Tech

Feb 19, 2010

Looks like our hunches about what's inside the next MacBook Pros are panning out: AppleInsider hears that Apple's got new MacBook Pros running that can switch between integrated and discrete graphics automagically, which exactly describes Nvidia's Optimus dual graphics tech.

If you remember, the unibody MacBooks from Oct. 2008 were the first to use Nvidia's GeForce 9400M, a combination chipset/integrated GPU that ridiculously outperformed Intel's own integrated graphics, and the Pro models at the time could switch between power-saving integrated and beefier discrete graphics, though it requires a logout.

Nvidia got cockblocked from making chipsets for Intel's latest-gen chips (read: Core i3, Core i5, Core i7), ruling out using Nvidia's better integrated graphics; Nvidia canned their chipset business entirely. So! Nvidia's Optimus tech works with Intel's crappier integrated graphics that are built onto the same die as the newer Core processors, but even more seamlessly than before—the computer automatically switches between Intel's power-sipping integrated and Nvidia's monster discrete graphics, depending on what you're doing. No logouts required.

In the demo we saw on a Windows machine, the automatic part of the tech has some drawbacks—namely, it's entirely dependent on software to tell your computer which graphics card to run. But Apple's obviously worked pretty closely with Nvidia on graphics before, so it seems logical they're doing so here, too. Though I don't expect we'll know until the new MacBooks finally arrive, whenever that happens (hopefully, soon).

Source:
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Sony :: Z11NVIDIA Optimus

Mar 22, 2010

Optimus is new technology from NVidia that will greatly simplify hybrid graphics solutions for users and manufacturers.

Here are some links:

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From my point of view as future Z owner, most important thing about optimus drivers is not been dependent on Sony for NVidia drivers, especialy now when Z is more capable gaming machine..............

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Lenovo ThinkPad L R/SL :: L440 With Optimus - BIOS Option?

Sep 29, 2010

There are a few configurations of L440 laptops with Nvidia GT 720M grafic cards and Optimus (e. g. 20ASS01G00). Is it possible to change the used graphic system in the BIOS (Intel only/NVidia only/Optimus)? And which card is hardwired to the external ports (VGA, mDP)?
 
(Do this differ from the T440p or the Edge Series, E540?)

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Acer Aspire V5-573G :: Nvidia Optimus Does Not Switch

Nov 16, 2014

I'm currently using Acer Aspire V5-573G, which uses Nvidia GT750M.

Whenever I run games or graphics-intensive program such as the adobe premier pro, the program will continue to run using the Intel HD graphics and not the Nvidia driver.

I've tried changing the settings in the Nvidia control panel to use Nvidia graphics driver for all programs, but running the optimus tool will show me that the Nvidia GPU is not being used for any of the programs.

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Dell Inspiron 14R 5420 :: How To Disable Optimus Technology In BIOS

Apr 9, 2013

I need to disable the optimus technology on my dell inspiron 14R 5420, but can't find a way to do it in bios. My bios version is A15. Can I upgrade to another bios with more options?

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Lenovo 11e E/Edge :: E540 - Can Disable Discrete Gpu (Optimus) From BIOS?

Jul 15, 2014

I'm thinking of buying a Thinkpad E540 with a discrete nvidia gpu. I am planning to install linux on it and I don't really need optimus for it (nor is it well supported) but I'd like to occasionally be able to use it on windows.
 
I'd like to know if it's possible to completely turn off the nvidia gpu from the BIOS so it works only with the integrated intel one or should I buy one with intel gpu only.
 
I have read that the lenovo changed the dual gpu implementation on the latest generation thinkpads.

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Lenovo P/Y/Z Series :: Y570 Physically Disabled Optimus Switch

Jun 17, 2014

I have a problem with my laptop Lenovo y570. I had a defective disk. After repair and return from warranty service, the Optimus switch on the right side of the notebook blocked or broken. I don't know. The computer used both graphics cards, but after installing the latest drivers works only integrated graphics. It seems that the Optimus switched, but I do not know how to switch it back when it is blocked. I tried install older driver and driver from recoverydisk for both GPU

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Lenovo T400 / T500 :: T440p - NVidia Optimus Does Not Work On Windows 8.1

Dec 16, 2013

I recently purchased my new notebook (Lenovo T440p) which comes with OPTIMUS integrated Intel graphic card coupled by GeForce GT 730M 1GB. I tried to play some games; however for some reason in game options show, that my Intel HD card is being used as a default graphic card. This suggests that OPTIMUS technology is not switching the graphic card properly. System running on windows 8.1 Pro 64bit. How to enable Optimus switching?

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HP Envy 17t-j100 Display :: Can Disconnect Optimus Technology And Only Use NVIDIA Card

Aug 17, 2014

I have a HP ENVY 17t-j100 Leap Motion QE CTO Notebook PC (ENERGY STAR) with optimus technology.Can I disconnect the optimus technology and only use the NVIDIA card?

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Lenovo T400 / T500 :: T510 4384-DS9 - Cannot Find Any OPTIMUS Options In The BIOS

Sep 3, 2014

I was originally under the impression that my laptop (Thinkpad T510 4384-DS9) had NVIDIA Optimus display technology, however, I cannot find any OPTIMUS options in the BIOS under display (or any other section for that matter).
 
The reason I would like to know is that I have recently purchased a docking station (model: 4338) and 3 external monitors which I would like to use simultaneously.
 
Forgetting the fact that I'm using Linux, and that for most people this wouldn’t be a challenge worth undertaking, I would just like to know if my system actually supports 3 external monitors and the laptop screen concurrently using the docking station.
 
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Apple :: Graphics On A Mac

Feb 21, 2009

I'm looking for a simple to use program that will allow me to make avatars, signitures, banners, resize png and jpeg images etc... on my mac.

Nothing too feature loaded, as the above isn't really that complicated at all. I'm really only talking about things such as adding a glass effect to an image like a userbar etc...

Basically, i'm looking for a mac equivalent of Paint.NET for windows.

It's important that it's native however. I'm done with the whole messing about thing with Windows. I'm keeping things simple and native with my mac. So for that reason discount the gimp as it requires X11.

I've done some google searching, and all i've come up with is Seahorse, which hasn't been updated for about 2 years and is reported to be quite buggy with Leopard?

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Apple :: MBP New Graphics Card

Jul 5, 2009

if Apple will implement a new graphics card anytime soon on their macbooks.Is it worth buying the macbook pro now or should I wait?

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Apple :: Mac Graphics As Compared To PC Components

Jun 12, 2009

I'm looking at buying a new laptop, and I'm curious about one issue when comparing a MacBook Pro to any brand of high-end PC: the graphics.

In looking at PCs, each has a graphics card option in customization, namely the ATI Radeon 3870/4870 or the nVidia Geforce GTX 260m/280m. As Mac's don't support PC components, they do not have the same customizable option.

What exactly powers the graphic performance in a MacBook Pro and how does it compare to the aforementioned graphics cards found in high-end PCs?

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Apple :: Graphics User Looking To Switch To Mac

Mar 30, 2009

I am a graphic designer and I a longtime PC user. I am looking to make the switch and since I have a 22" LCD monitor, the macbook is very appealing to me because when at home i can just hook it up to that and also have a very nice portable laptop.

As far as which macbook model to get is where I am having problems I know the entry level aluminum one is the P7350 @2ghz and the high end one is P8600 @ 2.4ghz. Either way I will be most likely upgrading the ram to 4gb but which processor should i go with? I get mixed reviews from apple friends some say I will definitely notice the cpu difference while some say it is only marginal in real world use. MY most intense program will be illustrator/photoshop / multi-tasking.

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Apple :: Upgrading Win 7 Graphics Drivers On MBP

Nov 26, 2009

Is there a way to use the stock nVidia laptop driver upgrades on a MacbookPro? The bootcamp drivers are fairly out-of-date.

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Apple :: Macbook - Graphics Card Just Broke

Jul 9, 2009

my roommate's macbook's graphics card just broke (according to apple store), so we're trying to get it replaced.

Before doing that, we want to back up her data.
Since upon bootup, the LCD does not display anything for her macbook, we're trying to run in target disk mode.

The apple store printed out instructions for us to do this via firewire cable, but we cannot locate he firewire cable at the moment.

Can this be done by means of ethernet cable?

Alternatively, we're thinking of using the video adapter to view her macbook's screen on an alternate monitor, not sure if this is possible or not due to the bad graphics card.

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Apple :: MBP - Graphics Card Dead - No Display

Jul 8, 2009

I think it was time for my 8600M GT to die as well... I restarted my 2007 MBP and no display came up on my monitor (connected to MBP). So, I restarted and tried again...no display. I proceeded with unplugging my monitor and restarting to see if anything came up on my MBP display; it remained black. I tried resetting PRAM three times and still, no display came up. I have lost my display before, but not after this many attempts on trying to "revive" it.

I guess I need to take it in to have the graphics card replaced as well as the Superdrive as it is spitting all CDs and DVDs out (mind you, they worked perfectly on another MBP). I have a password at the log-in screen. That shouldn't be a problem for the guys repairing my MBP, will it?

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Apple :: Will Ditch NVIDIA For Intel Graphics

May 27, 2009

I'm planning on making the switch to a Mac but I don't need a new notebook till Q3 09/Q1 2010. I know the next major hardware refresh is coming soon and I want a Macbook to last through uni but I don't know Apples sales strategies.

My main concern is the integrated graphics that the MB may come with when it is refreshed. What I wanted to ask is if anyone knows the likelihood that Apple will drop NVIDIA and go back to Intel.

Because if that was to be the case, I might as well buy one now (or once SL is released) because i'd rather have a Centrino 2 based MB w/ NVIDIAs iGPU then go back to Intel (harsh, i know... but it's the truth).
Even with all the benefits the Calpella chipset/Westmere CPU would bring i.e. USB 3.0, SATA-III, Bluetooth 3.0, native SSD support, removal of FSB, integrated memory controller, DDR3-1600, improved wireless tech (w/ finalized 802.11n spec), lower power consumption, 32nm Nehalem.

Man I wish Apple would stick with NVIDIA for their next platform. NVIDIA has greater compatibility than anyone else and I know for a fact that the integrated graphics that will come with Arrandale are just a higher clocked 4500MHD so it will still be a lot weaker then even todays Macbook offering (9400m) which is like taking two steps back.
Would be frickin AWESOME if we could get Calpella with a variant of Arrandale without its integrated graphics core. Instead, couple it with a 40/32nm shrink of the current 9400m based on the G300 architecture.............

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Apple :: What Graphics Card Could Go Into The New Macbook Pros

Jan 6, 2010

I'm trying to figure out what graphics card could go into the new Macbook Pros if they did a refresh on Jan 26th. The 230m gt? Or possibly unveiling a new card a 330m or 340m? What do you guys think? Do we have any word on the new cards Nvidia is releasing in the short term coming up here? I know the Asus G51J series just had the 360m card put in them, and that makes me think it is possible Nvidia might be dropping a 300 series card into the next MBP line.

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Apple :: 17" I5 - Bootcamp Graphics Card

May 16, 2010

I just got this baby in today, as usual it's perfect all around. Installed windows 7 64 bit, the bootcamp drivers installer. Tried Unreal III. Maxed out the graphics and resolution. Performance was acceptable (20-30FPS) however on intense action and levels with water, green liquids, performance was cut in half. Basically I want to install the best possible drivers, but nvidia won't let me because of apple's lock. The correct driver installer does not recognize my 330M. I am totally new to modifying INF's etc. I went through a mac rumors post, but I had to stop when I did not have the 330M'S phrase, I don't know. If someone could explain exactly what to do for this specific laptop it would be great. After installing these new drivers I want to overclock, if I still need a boost. I installed ntune, but was greeted with a BSOD on starting it. I also need to monitor my graphics card tempture, but I could not find where in rivatuner that was displayed, and if I did it was blank? I unistalled it... is thier something more simple like CPUZ for graphics cards?

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Acer :: Aspire 2930z Automatic Power Off

Mar 3, 2010

I have Acer aspire 2930z with Windows 7 ultimate (64 bit) installed, the problem I face is sometimes, when I play games on it (the Need for speed undercover). The laptop gets very hot and automatically goes power off, I have to unplug the AC adaptor wire, replug and then only I can switch on the pc or else if I try to switch on without un plugging, nothing happens.

This is a problem for what I am really worried, well sir, I use my laptop with my battery but it is connected to electricity all the time as we have some electric break down problem(s) here, so do you think the pc gets heated because of battery plugged?

Infact before when I got this laptop new, I used to play for 3-4 hours the game and nothing used to happen.

I bought the laptop exactly a year back in march 2009.

I have 4 GB or ram, 320 GB hard and 2.17 dual core processor.

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Dell Inspiron 14R :: Automatic Wireless Disconnect

Oct 2, 2011

Laptops automatically disconnecting them from a wireless network and then no longer being able to access that network?I have an inspiron 14R (N4110) and thus far almost every wireless network I've tired eventually gets booted and then I can't connect to it again. [Yes I've tried about everything in the book on the network/modem/router side, and they only work for maybe 15 minutes.] 

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Apple :: New Midrange Laptop Graphics Cards From Nvidia

Jun 17, 2009

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any chance that apple will put some of the new graphics cards in the macbooks/macbook pros?

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Apple :: Macbook Pro 2008 Graphics Card Upgrade

Feb 23, 2009

I was thinking to buy a MBP soon and im wondering if the 9600m GT graphics card is upgradable? I heard it was choppy Playing L4d, Far cry 2.

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Apple :: New MBP's - Make Poor Graphics Switching Decisions

Apr 22, 2010

MacBook Pros with NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M silicon making questionable graphics switching decisions

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engadget

"With every choice you make, ask yourself: is this a good choice, or is this a bad choice?" That's the sage advice we were constantly given as tykes -- and it's advice that replays in our feeble brains every day as we write news. Turns out it's also a piece of wisdom Apple's latest round of MacBook Pros would be wise to heed, because currently, they're making some awful decisions about when to turn on that power-sapping NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M discrete chipset. Read on to see what we mean........

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Apple :: Which Graphics Card Is More Capable - G210m Or 320m (mac)

Apr 25, 2010

I need a new laptop, and am torn right now between the Macbook 13" or the Asus UL30VT. I know they are completely different animals. I like the 13.3" size of laptop. One thing I really like about the ULV notebooks is the battery life. I have owned a unibody Macbook 2.4ghz (old model), and the performance was great, but the integrated card lacked a little. The new ones are supposed to be quite an improvement though. Anyways, if you were just to compare the G210m in the Asus vs the new integrated 320m, which will preform better? I know these aren't high performance but I would like to do full HD video with no lag, and maybe some slight gaming.

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Apple :: Applications That Trigger Discrete Graphics - 2010 MBP

May 5, 2010

I just got my new MacBook Pro 15" (with auto graphics switching) and was a bit surprised that the discrete graphics card was always on... so I started investigating what apps might be triggering that! As far as I could tell, I wasn't running anything graphics intensive... so it was a surprise to me what I found out

There are a lot more apps causing this than the ones I listed initially... a more complete and up-to-date list can be found at this thread on MacRumors forums.

It's possible to know what graphics card you're currently using by installing GPUInfoMenu or gfxCardStatus, the latter also allows to force switching from discrete to integrated, or vice-versa.

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Apple :: Photoshop CS4 Corrupt Graphics - Does This Mean My 9600 Is Faulty

Jan 2, 2009

So Photoshop CS 4 is giving me corrupt graphics. It's very random, I've only come across it a couple of times.

Here's the picture: Click! (1Mb png)

Does this mean that my 9600 is faulty, since CS 4 is using my GPU?

(the only reason I linked the picture is because it's 1680x1050 and 1MB, and I didn't want to stretch the page)

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Acer :: Windows 7, 3- Automatic Graphic-switch Does Not Work

Mar 26, 2010

I need to clarify some few simple things about win7 x64 and 4810TG with su9400 and HD4330.

The batterylife sucks. Up to 3 hours maximum.

Seems like the automatic graphic-switch does not work. I play CS:Source with 20fps with everything on low.

HDMI does not work.

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