Advanced Optimus and external displays for XPS

Question

Have looked through FAQ and performed several searches and seem to find this question having been asked.

1: Do the latest XPS laptops (currently looking at 9520 15" with geforce 3050) have advanced optimus (ie the nvidia GPU outputs directly to the display rather than passthru via the igpu

2: If so, do the external display adapters also have direct connection to the geforce, or will they passthru the igpu?

3: If external display still requires passthru, Has Dell solved the crippling issues with passthru? Despite buying an absolute top of the line 9560 when it came out, gaming performance is unplayable when connected to external display due to the original optimus architecture and poor integration between the igpu and dgpu

Thanks

happyhanoian · Accepted Answer

Dell have responded. Apparently advanced optimus is only available on the Alienware Range, and no Dell branded laptop has advanced Optimus.

Which means the current information here at time of writing is false:

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/rtx-laptops-advanced-optimus/

Here they mention dell and alienware separately. Dell needs to be removed

ejn63 · Answer

Unless something has recently changed markedly the answer is no -- the only XPS system that has firmware controlled GPU outputs is the 17" 9700/9710/9720 with the RTX GPU option.

If you're looking for that feature set in a 15" system, the 15" Alienware systems do offer it in some configurations.

happyhanoian · Answer

Also firmware controlled GPU outputs I believe only applies to the previous iteration of Optimus (muxing).
If I understand correctly, "Advanced Optimus" is actually distinguished from "Optimus" exactly for its dynamic GPU switching ability (not requiring firmware).
Assuming the above is correct, what I'm drilling down on is the finer details, since by saying "advanced optimus" they may only be referring to dynamic switching via the internal bus (integrated display), and not the external ports

ejn63 · Answer

You'll need to wait until someone publishes a review that tests the feature - it is not documented in the manuals that currently exist. However, historically Dell has not allowed for direct discrete GPU output on 15" XPS models - it's one of the selling points for the Alienware models. Things may or may not have changed but I'd almost be willing to bet the marketing position of the XPS 15 means they have not.

happyhanoian · Answer

Thanks, do you have a source for this?

On Nvidia's website, they reference the RTX series as having advanced optimus. At face value that would include the 15.

Additionally they make a distinction between Alienware and Dell laptops, implying that there are Dell models that do have this.

If you can show any source it would be appreciated. Thanks

happyhanoian · Answer

Thanks,

Do we know if things have improved on the passthru implementation and is there any difference in that implementation in the integrated display versus outputting to HDMI?

I own a 9560 currently, and outputting to external monitor completely destroys gaming performance even though its a much lower resolution monitor. Implies that the passthru works less effectively on HDMI than the integrated, at least on this model. I hope that's not still an issue.

ejn63 · Answer

You've answered your own question:  gaming is a priority so skip the XPS and buy an Alienware system.

happyhanoian · Answer

Actually productivity is main objective. Also I can't take Alienware into boardroom. But I'd like to be able to hook it up to an external display occasionally and play some games, hence the need to find these things out.

happyhanoian · Answer

Thanks once again.

I agree with your logic.

I checked the link but the Alienware 3050 has higher base clock than the xps so it's hard to determine if there's anything else going on.

I've reached out to Dell and will update here if they reply

ejn63 · Answer

There is some information below that suggests the new XPS 15 does not support Advanced Optimus (which is what I'd have expected given that the XPS didn't get a ground-up redesign, but is rather a refresh of the old model).

Given that Dell has a vested interest in differentiating the Alienware models from the XPS models, it would be unsurprising to find out the source is accurate.

https://nanoreview.net/en/laptop-compare/dell-xps-15-9520-2022-vs-dell-alienware-m15-r7

happyhanoian · Answer

Still waiting on response from Dell. Seems they aren't sure.

XPS

Advanced Optimus and external displays for XPS

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