M11x R1 Hybrid/Optimus Driver

[RigelKent]

Nvidia 285.38 + Intel 2413

These drivers are for the M11x R1 ONLY, these will not work if you have an R2 or R3.

If your processor is NOT a SU4100 or SU7300 then you are not using an R1, this is not for you.




OPTIMUS SECTION

Pros : Automatic switching on-the-fly
NVIDIA enters a low-power, low clock state while not in use.

Cons : Still not as power efficient as HYBRID mode wherein the NVIDIA gpu powers off completely.


Currently testing :

- An even lower power state for the NVIDIA Gpu while it is not in use. Need further testing if this has any adverse effects.

Prerequisites:

1. Graphics mode in BIOS must be : Switchable
2. Uninstall previous NVIDIA and INTEL video drivers

Instructions :

1. Download and install Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver 15.17.17.64.2413 for Windows 7 64bit

2. Download and install Alienware M11x R1 Optimus Beta Driver - 285.38





HYBRID SECTION

Nvidia 285.38
Intel 2413

Progress :

Everything works except when switching from intel to nvidia, only able to switch if i reset every registry setting back to when it was first installed which is a hassle. Will upload the hybrid version once this major issue is ironed out.


Thats about it, if you experience any bugs inform me right away and I will try to fix it.

[GNandGS]

dloading now

[GNandGS]

Up and running. 1st try at removing intel drivers didnt work. 2nd says worked but it reinstalled again on boot even though I had actually selected the driver removal. Odd. 3rd go was fine.

Control pnl is there... looks like what I would expect an optimus setup to be (but never looked before). 3D GPU selection is set on auto.

[Catzoo]

I'll try it later , can't download it now.

Btw , i never changed any color settings and now it looks burn , like if white were too white.

[some guy]

+1 rep!

[RigelKent]

I'll try it later , can't download it now.

Btw , i never changed any color settings and now it looks burn , like if white were too white.

Intel handles that now, nvidia is used solely for 3D etc, you may set the color settings from the Intel Display control panel. Just right click and select graphics properties

[Catzoo]

It's really random with several reboots / Sleep i made today , sometimes it's ok , sometime it's burn. I'll try to find when my settings are messed up and once they are not ( but i'm still with the old ver' remember , i'll try the new one tonight )

Btw , if you want beta on Hybrid with your fix, i'd be ok ( i don't care about rebooting to switch , the only thing i need is to set Intel for school , and Nvidia @home )

[Azt]

VERY VERY Thanks for your work... i will follow this topic 4ever

[GNandGS]

Ran 3dmark for comparison. Score dropped a little bit but not much. I normally get 64xx every time. Now 62xx. Its ok games might be better or even same.

As I type this there is a slight delay on text so I'll reboot and see if any improvement. Hope its not related.

Odd thing I didn't think about before but isn't a huge shock: plugged in ext mon and fired up 3dmark after test just sitting with results open I unplugged the HDMI cable. Doing so meant my native screen was blank. Had to reconnect and exit 3dmark.

I can tell the GPUs are switching as i see my temps fluctuate! This is good. Also monitoring using the nvidia activity monitor. Battery life is not greatly improved for me but I suspect all my settings are still out of whack from going "max" for testing.

No hangs so far or BSOD so thumbs up on that too.

[Bungletron]

I can tell the GPUs are switching as i see my temps fluctuate! .

In fact you can download the Nvidia state view diagnostic apps here:

Optimus test tools finally in users hands - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

Really useful actually, tells you when the dGPU is on or not, my WHS 2011 launchpad had been incorrectly identified by the NVidia driver as being a game and was forcing the dGPU on the whole time, this app tells you which process running is triggering the switch. One proviso, apparently if you have the diagnostics running whilst gaming some anti-cheat software may flag it and ban you so make sure you close the diagnostics before going logging on to multiplayer.