This post is more than 5 years old
4 Posts
0
1291
March 25th, 2019 08:00
17 R5, Dual GPU's multiplexed?
Are the GPUs on the Alienware 17 R5 in a multiplexed configuration, or Optimus-based?
In other words, is the discrete Nvidia GPU wired up to the built-in display, or to the integrated graphics processor?
No Events found!
Eimy_B
6 Operator
•
4.4K Posts
0
March 26th, 2019 09:00
Hi @temtem
There's no Optimus on this machine. The nVidia card controls the Display. The iGPU is there only for the USB C.
temtem
4 Posts
0
March 28th, 2019 06:00
Thank you!
jphughan
11 Legend
•
14K Posts
•
79.9K Points
1
March 28th, 2019 07:00
@Alienware-Eimy, if the iGPU is wired to the USB-C output, then what happens when someone wants to use an external display connected via USB-C and play games on it? If there's no Optimus available, then that would mean that the NVIDIA GPU couldn't be used to accelerate content on the external USB-C display, which seems a very unlikely limitation for an Alienware system. Are you sure that Optimus wouldn't be used even in that situation?
Eimy_B
6 Operator
•
4.4K Posts
0
March 29th, 2019 16:00
Yes, it is a hardware limitation. The design is to prevent the AGA (Alienware Graphics Amplifier) from being disabled if the external display is attached to a USB Type-C device.
You need to use the mDP or the HDMI for external display usage, if you want the external to work with the Nvidia card.