My discoveries on Vaio Z’s Hybrid Graphics

[linus921]

To Sorg:

Thank you very much for what you have done! Now I could see much more features and setting options on my GF9300 and performance get improved as well (it could be told such as quicker response time of right click on the desktiop).

Sorry for asking too much, but I wonder if I could disable the "atuo card-switching" function because it is a little bit annoying to me. Each time I unplug my laptop it will atuomatically switch my power plan and graphic card. Actually I could handle this myself and do not need to leave it like this.

[Nautis]

Sorry for asking too much, but I wonder if I could disable the "atuo card-switching" function because it is a little bit annoying to me. Each time I unplug my laptop it will atuomatically switch my power plan and graphic card. Actually I could handle this myself and do not need to leave it like this.

Linus, download and run the registry file I have posted here and then reboot to disable the hybrid power stuff.

[sorg]

Nautis,
looks like DisableSmartHybrid is not required for manual switch option. Presence of DisableSmartHybrid = 0 removes display control from stanfard windows Display options.

Also, i think that current manual switch dialog is not correct. There is string "nVidia Hybrid SLI" which refers to together using onboard nVidia with add-on nVidia. So, this option is for nVidia Chipsets, not for Intel Chipset.
I think, there is some other combination of registry keys to enable correct dialog for manual swithing without SLI option.

[Nautis]

Sorg, yeah I noticed that about the hybrid SLI string on the taskbar switch. I am not sure if there is a specific dialog for manual switching using hybrid power with the taskbar. Everything I have seen thus far connects the hybrid power with the automatic switching stuff (configured using power options.) Have you found anything that would lead you to believe otherwise? I somewhat stumbled upon the hybrid power stuff and realized that our notebooks use a variant of it. I haven't seen anywhere where nvidia identifies the intel/nvidia as hybrid power specifically (with the exception of the new drivers help file.) Even the dialog when configuring hybrid power on power options refers to (multiple gpus.)

EDIT: Hmm I have found a section referring to what you are talking about under "FAQ: NVIDIA Hybrid Graphics". Under "How do I enable Save power mode?" it says "Click the Hybrid Graphics icon in the notification area of the Windows Vista taskbar, then click Switch to Save power mode." I will investigate further.

[sorg]

Nautis,
there are 2 modes for hybrid graphics:
1) Hybrid SLI. When mother board uses nVidia system chipset with integrated graphics. In this mode integrated and addon cards can be used together in SLI mode.
2) Hybrid Graphics. When motherboard uses non-nVidia chipsets like Intel. In this mode only one car allowed to run.

What i found is that no matter what is displayed (Hybrid SLI or Hybrid Graphics), driver will automatically configure available modes. SLI mode will be mapped to nVidia Video, power save mode will be mapped to Intel Video.
Only difference is that Hybrid SLI mode has manual control, but Hybrid Graphics no.
I've ended by patching nvsvc.dll to enable manual switching for "Hybrid Graphics" mode.

I've attached patched nvsvc.dll with manual control enabled.
It's a little tricky to replace it in system32 folder because it's always is in use.
But replacing in driver set and re-install driver works fine.

[Nautis]

What i found is that no matter what is displayed (Hybrid SLI or Hybrid Graphics), driver will automatically configure available modes. SLI mode will be mapped to nVidia Video, power save mode will be mapped to Intel Video.
Only difference is that Hybrid SLI mode has manual control, but Hybrid Graphics no.

Yeah this was my assumption also, based on my testing. Edit: Are we sure there is no manual control for hybrid graphics though. As I posted the help file for hybrid graphics does mention something about clicking the task bar and choosing "save power". Edit2: Yeah from what I see referenced there has to be a manual switch for hybrid power somewhere. I have attached an export of the stings table from nvsvc.dll. Technically it can be hacked around further (changing string text and dialog references) but if its there I am determined to find it.

I've ended by patching nvsvc.dll to enable manual switching for "Hybrid Graphics" mode.

Hehehe you are always a step ahead of me at this point. I was using a resource editor to look at that file just now. Will test. Nice work.

[Nautis]

I am anxiously waiting to hear the "other ideas" you mentioned.

No worries I havent forgoten about you. I am trying some things to see if we can get the nvidia part to identify in a way the matrox software will work with it. I cant promise anything though.

In 'High Perfromance' (Speed) mode, I have four monitors (two Nvidia and two Intel) and the vaio display is monitor #3. When I connecet to my external display, the external display becomes display #4. These are both listed as "Generic PnP Monitor on NVIDIA GeFrce 9300M GS (Sorg 185.20)".

When I switch to 'SavePowr' (Stamina), I get two monitors, both listed as "Generic PnP Monitor on Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family"

Is this normal? It seems to work OK, but I am struggling to place the monitors in the right layout in Speed Mode.

Gibbo, yeah I get the same thing. Like you said, it seems the both chipsets are seeing two outputs the lcd and hdmi port. Since the intel chipset is integrated it makes sense it only sees the two. I am guessing the nvidia chipset is basically working in sli mode seeing its two outputs and the intel chipset and its two possible outputs. Was it like this with the original sony drivers? Makes me curious for sure.

We may be able to tackle both of these issues at the same time.

[Gibbo]

Hi Nautis,

Was it like this with the original sony drivers? Makes me curious for sure

No, this is definately a 'new' feature. It makes setting up dual screen a bit trickier, but not impossible. The old screen 1 and screen 2 was easier though. I am also confused that the in-built screen is listed as #3.

Gibbo

[linus921]

Linus, download and run the registry file I have posted here and then reboot to disable the hybrid power stuff.

Thanks bro

[sorg]

Nautis,
yeah, i know, there are strings in nvsvc looking like for Hybrid Graphics instead of Hybrid SLI, but i couldn't find how to tell nvsvc to switch to these strings.
Currently, with patched nvsvc.dll (you have to remove HybridPlatformRole and DisableSmartHybrid keys) we have:
1) balloons about using video card - nVidia/Intel - correct
2) dialog to switch between power save and performance - correct.
3) link in that dialog opens correct help option Hybrid Graphics (not SLI)
4) GPU Settings in Power Options have incorrect mentioning about SLI.

so, besides (4), everything else looks ok. (4) can be corrected by editing string. I could made it, but i'm lazy to do this for every language. So i left it as is