I've exhausted google to the point I'm frustrated, so I'm hoping to get an answer here.

Just purchased an ASUS laptop with nVidia discrete graphics. Didn't really notice any problems, but went to canyourunit just out of curiosity for a game and it shows up i'm using integrated graphics. I've gone to Asus's website and downloaded the latest nVidia driver, and it also shows up in the device manager as installed and having no issues.

I've searched the web, and apparently most manufacturers have a way to edit the BIOS to determine if you are using integrated or discrete graphics. I can only get into some basic BIOS information by using F2. I keep seeing talk of some "advanced BIOS" to access, but no correct key combination.

Any ideas? Thanks.

12/28/2010 7:55:29 PM

It's nVidia's Optimus technology. The discrete graphics are triggered when the video drivers recognize specific applications. There should be a settings in the drivers to customize when this happens. You shouldn't have to mess with the BIOS settings.

12/29/2010 2:12:53 AM

^ So, basically the computer will boot to integrated, but if I launch an application it will "take over"? I've already set the nVidia control panel to use nVidia as a global preference, I guess I would have to install something to test that out. I didn't see any type of option in the actual device manager, am I missing something there?

Thanks for the reply, that really bothered me last night.

12/29/2010 8:00:57 AM

Yep, it's Optimus. You can set individual programs to run under specific graphics cards through the control panel.

The ThinkPads that I work with that have the option to actually control it through the BIOS (hardware level, not just software level with Nvidia's control panel). Not sure about ASUS.

12/29/2010 9:41:33 AM

some asus have a switch on the side of the laptop to turn on discrete graphics. you have to add an application profile for the exe under application settings of the nvidia panel

12/29/2010 9:55:29 AM

I guess as long as any program I want to use discrete graphics with switched over, it doesn't really matter.

12/29/2010 3:36:23 PM