T410s switchable graphics - how to switch, is it Optimus ?

[amardeep]

This might seem like a pair of dumb questions, but ...

(1) how do you switch graphics card ? I thought it was under Power Manager somewhere ?
(2) how would you know if you had Optimus switchable graphics ?

Thanks !

[Colonel O'Neill]

If you bought it after October 6th (Not sure, don't quote me) then it is Optimus enabled. You should find an Optimus labelled video adapter in Device Manager.

If it doesn't show up under the Power Manager "right-click on the battery icon" menu, then it either suggests the switchable driver is improperly installed for non-Optimus models, or that Optimus no longer switches using that menu anymore.

Dunno; I haven't used an Optimus T410/T510/T410s ... yet.

[amardeep]

OK, I'm convinced that the ability to switch between integrated and discrete graphics depending on power source (battery or AC) was under Power Manager (in Advanced mode) somewhere, I think under one of the Power Plan categories (System settings, Idle timers, Advanced settings, Events, Alarms). Can someone tell me where it is ? I'm curious as I've received a replacement laptop due to a fault, and can't find the option (which may mean I have an Optimus model, or I've just forgotten where that setting was, or Power Manager has changed). I have Power Manager 3.30.

Oh, there's nothing relevant directly on the menu that appears when right-clicking on the battery gauge either.

[SHoTTa35]

With Optimus models it controlled automatically by the system. There should be a setting to do it though.

[amardeep]

Found the settings, they're now under "NVidia Control Panel / Manage 3D Settings". There's a "Global Settings" tab with a "Preferred Graphics Processor" drop-down menu (choices of "High-performance NVidia Processor" and "Integrated graphics"), and a "Program Settings" tab where the setting can be customised per program (choices as before plus "Use global setting"). Programs can also be added to the already long list that NVidia provide via an "Add" button which opens a file browser, and there are also "Remove" and "Restore" buttons.