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    Gpu question

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by wrathofdeath, Aug 20, 2011.

  1. wrathofdeath

    wrathofdeath Notebook Evangelist

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    I was wondering how I can tell what gpu I am running. I have no clue

    Thanks,

    Wrath
     
    wrathofdeath, Aug 20, 2011
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  2. ThwartAbyss54

    ThwartAbyss54 Notebook Consultant

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    Try and play something. You could unhook it from the wall so its on battery and if its using intel youll have like 6 hours nvidia youll have 4
     
    ThwartAbyss54, Aug 20, 2011
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  3. wrathofdeath

    wrathofdeath Notebook Evangelist

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    Any other ways? And btw off the plug is 8hrs so I am using intel...
     
    wrathofdeath, Aug 20, 2011
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  4. ThwartAbyss54

    ThwartAbyss54 Notebook Consultant

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    Try and run a game if you know the nvidia runs it perfectly and your running it poorly your using intel. Also GPUz
     
    ThwartAbyss54, Aug 21, 2011
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  5. Rockwell B1

    Rockwell B1 Notebook Evangelist

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    You can actually add an icon to your systray that when you hover over it will tell you if anything is using the nvidia gpu, then when you left click it you can see exactly which programs. If nothing is listed then the Intel chip is whats being used.

    1. Right click your desktop and select "nvidia control panel"
    2. Click "Desktop" in the menu at the top
    3. Check "Display GPU Activity Icon in Notification Area"

    It isn't going to help if you are in-game, but you can tab out and the game will be listed if you check the icon. Although if you're in a game and it is whitelisted then you should be on the nvidia anyways.
     
    Rockwell B1, Aug 21, 2011
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  6. wrathofdeath

    wrathofdeath Notebook Evangelist

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    I was also wondering another thing is it normal for the fan to kick on and off while browsing..
     
    wrathofdeath, Aug 21, 2011
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  7. Rockwell B1

    Rockwell B1 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yup, completely normal. One thing I do is I go into the nvidia control panel and make it so my internet browser is limited to the intel chipset. Otherwise the browsers of today activate the nvidia chip and drains more power. The intel chip in the SB processors is more than powerful enough to handle most, if not all, web stuff.
     
    Rockwell B1, Aug 21, 2011
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  8. wrathofdeath

    wrathofdeath Notebook Evangelist

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    How do I check my gpu and cpu temps?
     
    wrathofdeath, Aug 21, 2011
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  9. Rockwell B1

    Rockwell B1 Notebook Evangelist

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    The easiest way is with a program called HWMonitor.
     
    Rockwell B1, Aug 21, 2011
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  10. wrathofdeath

    wrathofdeath Notebook Evangelist

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    Ill download that now... HWMonitor
     
    wrathofdeath, Aug 22, 2011
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  11. wrathofdeath

    wrathofdeath Notebook Evangelist

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    wrathofdeath, Aug 22, 2011
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  12. Rockwell B1

    Rockwell B1 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yup, that is the program. It will just show a list of hardware and their current temp/min temp/max temp. And it also shows some battery info like voltage and stuff.

    The only downside is the nvidia gpu won't show up unless another program has activated it before opening HWMonitor. So to check the nvidia gpu you can start a game and then windows key/alt tab out and open HWMonitor and it will be listed.
     
    Rockwell B1, Aug 22, 2011
    #12