The X51 system works with the optimus technology, check this article so you can learn how to configure your games and select the graphics card you want to use to start your games.
- At step #5 look for the executable file for your game (Garry's Mod)
- Check the image included on the article, select the Integrated Graphics
- Hit apply and then Ok
You can also try this.
When you are going to open your game, besides double click, right click on the icon and there should be an option that says, Run with graphics processor from there select Integrated Graphics (Default)
Will the intergrated card save electricity over the Nvidia GTX 555?
I'm still not sure.
Not really, not on a desktop. Not enough to notice anyway unless maybe you were using a laptop on the battery and then it depends on what you are doing with it at the time. Ether the onboard GPU or the dedicated GPU will be needed to run some things. Since Nvidia already uses power management you will not save anything ( or very little ) from not using the GTX 555. It was never needed with Nvidia cards.
Here is a good example. A Toshiba laptop here with Optimus on ( GPU is disabled ) uses 24watts, with the Nvidia dedicated GPU on it uses 18 watts. Why? My guess is the less powerful Intel onboard needs to run faster while the more powerful Nvida does not so switching to the onboard in this case doesn't save anything. I've also notice that optimus doesn't really know which programs not to run with and will kick on the GPU when it's not needed. With some programs I have noticed a saving but it's not as cut and dry as it seems.
Then there is my Alienware Area 51 desktop at home running 3 GTX 680's. It will idle at about 180watts. 2 of the GPU's are pulling zero watts all the time unless I game and the 3rd is just barley noticeable. Most of that 180watts is the CPU, HDD's, fans and lights.
Nvidia cards will go into a low power state to save energy anyway unless it's needed so you will not notice anything. Go into the Nvidia Control Panel and then to the Manage 3D Settings tab. Go down to the Power Management Mode and set it to Adaptive. Read the description on it too while you are there.
I will also use the power management mode tip to save some energy!
And a another thanks to karen for helping aswell!
Your welcome and like I said it's not as cut and dry as one would like. It really depends on what you are running at the time. I also believe the hardware setup and drivers will determine the power savings you will get. The best practice I've found is to turn it on and off manually on a laptop. For a desktop I wouldn't even bother with it since your GPU will enter a low power state. Plus if you use a balance or power saving power plan it will put the pci-e into a low power state too.
EvoGG
1 Rookie
•
48 Posts
0
January 16th, 2013 13:00
Whoops,i switched to phone trying to rate your post a 4 and i accidently hit 1 star and i cannot seem to change,
Sorry!
EvoGG
1 Rookie
•
48 Posts
0
January 16th, 2013 13:00
Karen,i cannot find in the article where it explains how much electricity i save using the intergrated card!
Can you point me to the direction or quickly explain it to me?
And thank you deeply for yor time.
Alienware-Karen
2 Intern
•
433 Posts
0
January 16th, 2013 13:00
Hello EvoGG,
The X51 system works with the optimus technology, check this article so you can learn how to configure your games and select the graphics card you want to use to start your games.
Alienware-Karen
2 Intern
•
433 Posts
0
January 16th, 2013 14:00
EvoGG
Don't worry it actually have 4 stars :)
About the article,
- Click on the Optimus setup for Games and applications link.
- At step #5 look for the executable file for your game (Garry's Mod)
- Check the image included on the article, select the Integrated Graphics
- Hit apply and then Ok
You can also try this.
When you are going to open your game, besides double click, right click on the icon and there should be an option that says, Run with graphics processor from there select Integrated Graphics (Default)
EvoGG
1 Rookie
•
48 Posts
0
January 16th, 2013 14:00
Okay done that..
Final question..
Will the intergrated card save electricity over the Nvidia GTX 555?
I'm still not sure.
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
January 16th, 2013 18:00
Not really, not on a desktop. Not enough to notice anyway unless maybe you were using a laptop on the battery and then it depends on what you are doing with it at the time. Ether the onboard GPU or the dedicated GPU will be needed to run some things. Since Nvidia already uses power management you will not save anything ( or very little ) from not using the GTX 555. It was never needed with Nvidia cards.
Here is a good example. A Toshiba laptop here with Optimus on ( GPU is disabled ) uses 24watts, with the Nvidia dedicated GPU on it uses 18 watts. Why? My guess is the less powerful Intel onboard needs to run faster while the more powerful Nvida does not so switching to the onboard in this case doesn't save anything. I've also notice that optimus doesn't really know which programs not to run with and will kick on the GPU when it's not needed. With some programs I have noticed a saving but it's not as cut and dry as it seems.
Then there is my Alienware Area 51 desktop at home running 3 GTX 680's. It will idle at about 180watts. 2 of the GPU's are pulling zero watts all the time unless I game and the 3rd is just barley noticeable. Most of that 180watts is the CPU, HDD's, fans and lights.
Nvidia cards will go into a low power state to save energy anyway unless it's needed so you will not notice anything. Go into the Nvidia Control Panel and then to the Manage 3D Settings tab. Go down to the Power Management Mode and set it to Adaptive. Read the description on it too while you are there.
EvoGG
1 Rookie
•
48 Posts
0
January 17th, 2013 01:00
Thank you,i will stick to my GTX for more FPS!
I will also use the power management mode tip to save some energy!
And a another thanks to karen for helping aswell!
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
January 17th, 2013 01:00
Your welcome and like I said it's not as cut and dry as one would like. It really depends on what you are running at the time. I also believe the hardware setup and drivers will determine the power savings you will get. The best practice I've found is to turn it on and off manually on a laptop. For a desktop I wouldn't even bother with it since your GPU will enter a low power state. Plus if you use a balance or power saving power plan it will put the pci-e into a low power state too.