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    NVIDIA Optimus with a G-Sync display

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Pete Light, Dec 29, 2016.

  1. Pete Light

    Pete Light Notebook Deity

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    Hey guys,

    Today is the big day I receive my new laptop (AW 17 r4 w/ 1080 and QHD 120hz g-sync)!
    Will do some benchmarks later for you to let you know if they've improved the temps (going to repaste with LM anyway) but I also have two questions regarding NVIDIA Optimus and G-Sync panels in general
    1. Why doesn't NVIDIA Optimus work with G-Sync panels?
    2. Is it likely G-Sync panels will be supported by NVIDIA Optimus in the future?
    Of course I'm interested in this because of the much improved battery life when switching to the iGPU.

    Thanks Pete
     
    Pete Light, Dec 29, 2016
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  2. don_svetlio

    don_svetlio In the Pipe, Five by Five.

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    On laptops with Optimus the iGPU serves as a pass-through for the dGPU and thus controls the display. Seeing as how Intel iGPUs don't support G-sync, I'd say it's not possible without a MUX switch. MUX switches allow changing the display controller dynamically.

    Personally, I am more excited about Zen + Polaris laptops as AMD iGPUs support Free-sync so there should be no reason for Enduro + Free-sync being impossible on those machines
     
    don_svetlio, Dec 29, 2016
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    Pete Light likes this.
  3. Pete Light

    Pete Light Notebook Deity

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    Hey thanks! When you said "Intel iGPUs don't support G-sync" I'm not sure that's true is it given that you can switch between iGPU and dGPU when purchasing an AW 17 r4 with a non G-Sync panel?

    So can you also directly answer questions?

    Thanks!
     
    Pete Light, Dec 29, 2016
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  4. don_svetlio

    don_svetlio In the Pipe, Five by Five.

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    It all depends how the laptop was designed - but for Intel iGPUs have no support for adaptive refresh rate as of the end of 2016.
     
    don_svetlio, Dec 29, 2016
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  5. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    It's not possible to use optimus on machine with gsync factory setting, even swapping in a different lcd panel (no gsync) will result in optimus still being permanently disabled
     
    Mobius 1, Dec 29, 2016
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  6. Pete Light

    Pete Light Notebook Deity

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    Ok thanks guys
     
    Pete Light, Dec 29, 2016
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