NVIDIA's refreshed Optimus interface sheds more light on what your GPU is doing

There's no question that NVIDIA's Optimus system -- which enables a discrete GPU to operate when a machine is taxed and a power-sipping IGP to function when you're involved in less strenuous tasks -- has changed the way the world looks at laptop graphics, but it hasn't been able to avoid a fair amount of criticism about the controlling interface. With the July release of the monthly Verde drivers, the company has just rolled out a revised UI that provides "even more visibility into how Optimus is working and allows you even more control over how Optimus operates." The newest Optimus control panel, as well as a brief demonstration of what's been tweaked, is available for viewing just after the break, but it's on you to hunt down drivers for whatever rig you call your own.

See more video at our hub!

[Stormstrike Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:40PM]

Optimus ?

Nvidia, release some decent mobile DX11 accelerator already...

And no I don't mean the mobile 480 that costs almost 3 times as much as a mobile 5870 and runs hot like a small powerplant!

[Blackflag486 Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:38PM]

@Stormstrike
Exactly.. I've been all about the ATI since the 3k series video cards.. Even tho my 3870 wasn't all that wonderful... But it was really cheap!

[huskie fluff Posted Jul 28th 2010 9:26PM]

@Stormstrike thats nvidia for you.
been using ati since my x800 with a partially broken gpu (had to be underclocked or else major artifacts) 2.0 shaders, and even lower clocks. beat out my 6800 gs overclocked to 425 mhz, and 3.0 shaders.
4870x2 owner now and its still beating everything iv seen (especially nvidia)

[huskie fluff Posted Jul 28th 2010 9:27PM]

@Stormstrike im still pissed off atm becuase apparently i cant use an older system in sli anymore.
fing nvidia disabled sli for older cards like the 6800 pci e version. so basicly i cant play tf2 on this old thing, BECUASE THEY DISABLED SOMETHING THAT WAS USEFULL :/ tired of nvidia, this and the physx disabling if you have an ati gpu (for the dedicated ppu too, not just using a video card of tehres as a ppu)

[liquidkernel Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:41PM]

This changes everything.

[skyblaze Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:45PM]

@liquidkernel

....again

[fel Posted Jul 28th 2010 5:01PM]

for real though this time

[DaHarder Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:43PM]

Sweet... Makes you feel like a digital 'Peeping Tom'.

[bahoo Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:45PM]

This optimus stuff seems like it would be really useful. I just wish i had a laptop with it so that I could actually use it.

[gutt3 Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:50PM]

so is the computer using both when the optimus gpu is activated?

[Templarian Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:58PM]

@gutt3 nope. It's a smooth switch.

I'm sure there is a point where both are on for a split second.

[RobbieS Posted Jul 28th 2010 8:55PM]

@Templarian
Actually they are both on when the NVIDIA GPU is on. The integrated Intel GPU never turns off. It is the one running the display. The NVIDIA GPU does the rendering, and the Intel GPU displays it.

[rmbrown09 Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:51PM]

Apple should roll out some way to tell what GPU is in use for their proprietary optimus.

I always wonder, and don't want to have to install 3rd party apps to see.

[blenderx360 Posted Jul 28th 2010 3:51PM]

This is what I call technology...not some Justin Beiber riding on a scooter.

[Exodite Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:03PM]

Shouldn't Nvidia be rolling out Optimus for desktop graphics as well?

Come Sandy Bridge we'll all be sporting integrated graphics and being able to power down the discrete GPU in my desktop when not gaming would be an excellent advantage.

[j2daake Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:20PM]

@Exodite Personally, I think that laptops are more of an issue. As soon as Optimus is perfect for laptops, only then should they move on to desktops, because which is more important: 4 hours of extra battery life or saving $12 a year on your electric bill (unless you love Fermi, in that case make it $50).

[Stormstrike Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:44PM]

@j2daake

And what about heat and noise ?

Didn't think about that, did you ?

:-)

[Exodite Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:44PM]

@j2daake

Oh, absolutely!

I merely meant that it's of interest, not just due to power concerns but - perhaps more importantly - heat and noise. Personally I'm not going for notebooks with discrete graphics anyway but needless to say I can see Optimus being more important for those kind of rigs than desktops.

I foresee AMD wanting to push something similar to Optimus with Fusion though, rumors seem to indicate it'll be possible to CrossFireX integrated and discrete graphics and even current CrossFire setups have an option to completely disable the second card/GPU.

[Exodite Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:45PM]

@Stormstrike

Doh, beaten to it by mere seconds!

[Stormstrike Posted Jul 28th 2010 6:18PM]

@Exodite

Lol, thats what she said !

^_°

[Ducman69 Posted Jul 28th 2010 6:33PM]

@Exodite

Amen. If I'm not rendering in Premiere, playing 1080P vids, or busting out the latest games, the GPU requirements are negligible.

Many case and CPU fans are already variable RPM based on chassis temperature, so you could have a frugal silent and cool running eco-machine when farting around, and a rip-roaring beast when needed.

[Someguyperson Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:19PM]

You would think a graphics company would make a 1080P video...

[glamajamma Posted Jul 28th 2010 4:41PM]

Optimus will show us his matrix.

Gross.

[Psyclotr0n Posted Jul 28th 2010 5:23PM]

but when will their GPUs come with built-in egg friers?

[E30 Kid Posted Jul 28th 2010 6:00PM]

So when will someone hack Optimus support in Bootcamp onto the i5/i7 MBPs?

[Ginormous Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:47AM]

@E30 Kid

wouldn't it already be supported if you update the graphics drivers in bootcamp?

[Rescuer Posted Jul 28th 2010 6:06PM]

what the hell is wrong with the audio on this video? did they record it whispering? i can't hear it at all

[BigD145 Posted Jul 28th 2010 11:13PM]

1215N! Now!

[lnm4444 Posted Jul 29th 2010 7:39AM]

@BigD145 1215N Yesterday! When I fist saw that netbook I was glad I waited.