Sony Z11 - NVIDIA Optimus

[igorstef]

Discussion started on My discoveries on VaioZ's Hybrid Graphics. but I think that it deserves new topic.

Optimus is new technology from NVidia that will greatly simplify hybrid graphics solutions for users and manufacturers.

Here are some links:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/optimus_technology.html
http://www.anandtech.com/mobile/showdoc.aspx?i=3737
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fdb2VrUdT4k

From my point of view as future Z owner, most important thing about optimus drivers is not been dependent on Sony for NVidia drivers, especialy now when Z is more capable gaming machine.


For start this is what our road worrier Zoinks manage to do so far:

I'll try now.

1. Set the tri-switch to Speed (both adapters only show when the tri-switch is set to speed.)
2. Uninstall everything
3. Install the latest Intel drivers
4. Install the Nvidia Optimus driver pack

For #4, the nv_disp.inf now appears to be nvram.inf. What's the best course of action here to get the installer to recognize the card? A little CTRL-C/CTRL-V for the pci\ven bits?

Well, something happened.

Device manager, in SPEED mode after installing (EDIT: uninstalling):


Installed the Intel HD Driver


Copied the following from the Sony driver's NVMVSZ.INF

[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.0]
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A2B.01% = Section003, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A2B&SUBSYS_905A104D 
%iILKGM0.0% = iILKM0, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0046&SUBSYS_905A104D

[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1]
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A2B.01% = Section004, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A2B&SUBSYS_905A104D 
%iILKGM0.0% = iILKM0, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0046&SUBSYS_905A104D

Into the nvam.inf in the Optimus driver dir

[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.0]
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A35.01% = Section069, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A35&SUBSYS_12521043 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A35.02% = Section069, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A35&SUBSYS_12721043 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A72.01% = Section073, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A72&SUBSYS_13321043 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A74.01% = Section075, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A74&SUBSYS_12A21043 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0CAF.01% = Section069, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0CAF&SUBSYS_12B21043
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A2B.01% = Section003, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A2B&SUBSYS_905A104D 
%iILKGM0.0% = iILKM0, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0046&SUBSYS_905A104D 

[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1]
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A35.01% = Section070, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A35&SUBSYS_12521043 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A35.02% = Section070, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A35&SUBSYS_12721043 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A72.01% = Section074, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A72&SUBSYS_13321043 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A74.01% = Section076, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A74&SUBSYS_12A21043 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0CAF.01% = Section070, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0CAF&SUBSYS_12B21043
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A2B.01% = Section004, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A2B&SUBSYS_905A104D 
%iILKGM0.0% = iILKM0, PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0046&SUBSYS_905A104D

Installed, rebooted and now have this in Device Manager (machine only boots when AUTO is selected in the tri-selector):


View from the Nvcpl


I'm guessing this is the multiplexer setting you folks were talking about


I did a real simple test with FurMARK. It shows that the Renderer is the Intel, but the GPU temp and util for the Nvidia showed activity


What can I do to further test?

Also here are some advices form Nautis on tweaking inf file:

Really seems like it is working judging by these screenshots. I emailed you a new INF to try. You also may want to make sure updatussetup.exe is run. As I said in the email the reviews use a nvidia provided test tool. (We probably won't be able to get a hold this optimus test tool without contacting a reviewer.) You can try 3dmark like Nvidia shows in their optimus comparison video. You can also try to set each "Preferred graphics processor" and test for the benchmark or game you are testing and check the performance difference. Is the light next to auto still light after removing the hybrid graphics drivers btw?


The proper changes to the INF should be:

Add the following lines:

(this one really is not needed as it is for Windows Vista) Under [NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.0] add 
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A2B.01% = Section069, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A2B&SUBSYS_905A104D (end vista code)

Under [NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1] add
%NVIDIA_DEV.0A2B.01% = Section070, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0A2B&SUBSYS_905A104D

Under [Strings] at the bottom add
NVIDIA_DEV.0A2B.01 = "NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M"

The iILKM0 stuff is for the Intel drivers and is not needed in the nvidia driver INF.

We are not sure yet but seems like Optimus drivers are working on the new Z.


EDIT: Nautis opened section on LaptopVideo2Go related to Optimus on new Z and other Hybrid Graphic laptop candidates:

http://forums.laptopvideo2go.com/top..._128386__st__0

EDIT: Latest, most successful instructions so far from Nautis on optimus enabling for Z11

Download the latest Intel HD drivers: Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for Windows 7* 64 and Windows Vista* 64 (zip)
Download the Notebook 257.15 drivers: NVIDIA DRIVERS 257.15 BETA
Switch the tri-selector to SPEED
Uninstall the Nvidia drivers, reboot
Install the Intel HD drivers, reboot
Extract the Nvidia notebook drivers, delete all INF files in the Display directory. Download Nautis' modified INF (rename from .TXT) and place in the Display directory
Install the drivers, reboot

Results:
Windows boot - fast, issue resolved
Context menu option - working
Automatic GPU switching - working
Graphics overlay - Demo text remains
Function key brightness - Working

[MJFlash]

Hi, Igorstef!

I think you've unintentionally said even more than you meant. Indeed, nVidia's Optimus is more like "theology" than it is technology, at least for Vaio Z11xxx owners. While it's quite beneficial for folks who don't already have the ability to switch graphics technology on the fly without rebooting, folks who insist on this for the new Vaio Zs surprise me. Reaching all the way across the keyboard (say 3 inches for most folks) and waiting one second are far too annoying? While nVidia's come up with a cool little DMA hack here, was manual switching really that painful for you? Zounds!

Cheers!
Mark

[kevinhk]

Hi, igorstef. Thanks for the detailed instroduction of the optimus driver.

But after installing the Nvidia Optimus driver,

1. Will I have to start the machine in "Auto" mode? Or what will happen?
2. Will the tri-switcher still properly work in Windows 7?
3. CURRENTLY, is the graphic card performance under Optimus driver better than or at least similar to the Sony driver?

[igorstef]

Hi, Igorstef!

I think you've unintentionally said even more than you meant. Indeed, nVidia's Optimus is more like "theology" than it is technology, at least for Vaio Z11xxx owners. While it's quite beneficial for folks who don't already have the ability to switch graphics technology on the fly without rebooting, folks who insist on this for the new Vaio Zs surprise me. Reaching all the way across the keyboard (say 3 inches for most folks) and waiting one second are far too annoying? While nVidia's come up with a cool little DMA hack here, was manual switching really that painful for you? Zounds!

Cheers!
Mark

Sorry Mark my English isn't that good (I am relying too much on spell check ).

Anyway I actually prefer manual switch on new Z since switching GPU based on application is more gimmick that real life feature. If we ever make it work properly on new Z I will set profile to mimic Z auto switch.

But as you probably know Sony will release new hybrid drivers and therefore NVIDIA drivers usually when Microsoft release new OS . You will not be able to use new GPU drivers from NVIDIA site. This is unexceptable if you plan to play some games on Z. This is my main reason for trying to use Optimus drivers so I can avoid playing with ini files in order to make Sony hybrid drivers to work with new NVIDIA drivers.

[igorstef]

Hi, igorstef. Thanks for the detailed instroduction of the optimus driver.

But after installing the Nvidia Optimus driver,

1. Will I have to start the machine in "Auto" mode? Or what will happen?
2. Will the tri-switcher still properly work in Windows 7?
3. CURRENTLY, is the graphic card performance under Optimus driver better than or at least similar to the Sony driver?

1. I am not sure, Zoinks can tell us this.
2. Nop since Optimus work without using multiplexer. That said, maybe somewhere down the road we will be able to set custom functions for hybrid switch.
3. Curently GPU performs identicly under Sony or optimus drivers but if NVIDIA do any updates on drivers for 330M you will have to wait on Sony or some other 3rd party to update hybrid drivers. With Optimus drivers you dont have that problem.

As I already said we are not sure if Optimus even work with new Z. Zoinks will need to do some more tests for us if we want to find out.

[MJFlash]

Hi, Igorstef!

No sweat (meaning no problem at all - that no apologies are necessary)! I was just yanking your chain (meaning that it was a fun joke with you - not against you)! Indeed, hearing your reasons, this path of exploration makes complete sense, and I completely agree with you on your conclusions. I too prefer manual graphics switching over any program telling me when I should.

With regard to English skills, trust me that whatever your native language is (Russian/Eastern European?), mine are far worse (as in almost none). You're doing great!

Best Wishes!
Mark

[ZoinksS2k]

Didn't see this thread, two more posts. (I'll start feeding into this thread from here on.)

Nice, missed that.

Ayup


Edit: I ran FurMark in both modes. Performance looks on par with that you'd expect between the Intel and Nvidia GPU's. There were NO screen flickers when switching, looks seemless.

Edit 2: 3DMark05 does the same thing. Craptastic performance when selecting the Intel, reasonable on the Nvidia.

Now, if we can just get the reboot delay problem resolved....

Ok, so we have the reboot problem.

Add issue 2:

[ZoinksS2k]

Hi, igorstef. Thanks for the detailed instroduction of the optimus driver.

But after installing the Nvidia Optimus driver,

1. Will I have to start the machine in "Auto" mode? Or what will happen?
2. Will the tri-switcher still properly work in Windows 7?
3. CURRENTLY, is the graphic card performance under Optimus driver better than or at least similar to the Sony driver?

1. Nothing, the tri-selector isn't functional but that is kind of the point with Optimus
2. See #1
3. I haven't benchmarked much yet. All I can say is that the auto-switching seems to work.

[ZoinksS2k]

Last post for a while...

The display brightness Fn keys are working.

[igorstef]

Didn't see this thread, two more posts. (I'll start feeding into this thread from here on.)

Great, thanks Zoinks

Hm Interesting . Seams like Optimus drivers are ruining in demo mode on vaio Z. Maybe that is also reason why Z is straggling with rebooting.

Seams like task for Nautis . We need to find what is forcing optimus to demo mode when those drivers suppose to be production version.