Add a third graphics options to bios? (R1)

I think it’s pretty much a given that us R1 owners will be lucky to see one more official driver update if at all for our switchable drivers from Dell. While we can always run in “dedicated" mode and use the latest nvidia drivers, doing so seriously cripples battery life.

From what I understand, in "switchable" mode both the integrated and dedicated graphics are running and it’s the actual driver that tells the nvidia gpu to power off. This is why you can install regular Intel drivers in switchable mode and have them work, but battery life is still crap as the nvidia gpu is still running in the background.

I'm wondering if it’s possible hardware wise to add a third "integrated" only graphics mode to the bios that will essentially turn the nvidia gpu off, but still leave the integrated Intel graphics visible to the OS. If that is possible, we would be able to run the latest drivers for either gpu and still be able to manually switch between them in the bios. Sure you would have to restart your pc to do so, but that is a much better compromise then running in dedicated mode all the time and losing our otherwise impressive battery life.

I think it would make sense on Dell's part if technically possible. Dell would only have to create and test one last bios update as opposed to releasing and certifying several driver updates a year (which they wouldn't do anyway). It would be greatly appreciated by customers such as myself and prove that Dell is serious about keeping Alienware a proper gaming/enthusiast brand.

 

Ummm...

What exactly is the benefit of doing it the way you suggested, over the current Fn+F6 method? It sounds like all you're asking them to do is to add another (harder to reach) A/B switch for the graphics in the BIOS, on top of the A/B switch they already gave you in the keyboard.

 

You should probably check your source on that one.

 

The trade off would be losing the ability to switch GPU's in windows, in exchange for being able to run the latest drivers from Intel or Nvidia's website.

 

I'm pretty sure the last time I was messing around with drivers the latest from Intel.com worked fine, however energy use was still high and the Nvidia GPU still appeared in device manager. Which led me to believe that when in “switchable” mode in bios, both GPU’s are enabled and its the dell supplied driver that “turns off” the dedicated GPU for power savings. I’m not sure thats how it works though, which is why i’m asking here.

 

I highly doubt that Alienware, or any other company, would do something like this. Both nVidia and Alienware already made it clear that they are moving on from switchable graphics and focusing on Optimus instead, because Optimus is required for any laptop with an Arrendale processor (Core i3/i5/i7).

It makes absolutely no business sense for them to spend time and money to develop / support a new BIOS feature like you mentioned for the aging Core 2 Duo platform.

 

Is an option that essentially just disables the Nvidia GPU really a new Bios feature that has to be developed from scratch though? I know the desktop boards i have setup that have intergrated graphics all have the option. I'm pretty sure my buddies work laptop pretty much has its Bios options setup that way (ie, Intergrated, Dedicated and Switchable) though that was an ATI setup.

I suppose your right about it making business sense for them, just sucks to have an otherwise sweet little "gaming" ultra portable, that will probably never see another driver update.

 

One idea that I'm not sure if it would work or if it's been tried is a partitioned hard drive with a dual boot setup. One install of Win 7 with drivers for the GT 355m only, and another install on the other partition with drivers for the Intel only, just an idea. If it was possible I would do a stripped down install to save space.

 

I like your idea Roach - but unfortunately it wont happen.

I use RigelKent's combo install instead.