What is the difference between the integrated graphics hardware and the discrete GPU?
How do I change the default Hybrid Graphics settings in the Windows Power Plan?
Why does the Hybrid Graphics mode differ from the one specified by the Windows Power Plan?
I'm asked to quit an application, but I don't see it open on my desktop.
How do I enable additional displays on my notebook computer?
NVIDIA® Hybrid Graphics is a technology for managing multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) to accommodate changes in graphics performance and power savings requirements.
There are two Hybrid Graphics modes:
Save power. Under Save power mode only the integrated graphics hardware renders and displays. All discrete NVIDIA GPUs are powered off for reduced power consumption and cooler, quieter operation. On notebook computers this also maximises notebook system battery life.
Increase performance. Under this mode all discrete NVIDIA GPUs are powered on for rendering and displaying to deliver increased graphics performance.
NVIDIA Hybrid Graphics is supported only under Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.
The integrated graphics is integrated into the motherboard chipset - that component which controls core functionality of the motherboard such as storage, audio, and communications.
The discrete GPU is a standalone component that only provides graphics processing functions. The discrete GPU is typically located on an MXM card or on the system motherboard.
The Hybrid Graphics icon appears in the notification area of the Windows taskbar.
The icon indicates the graphics mode as follows:
|
Hybrid Graphics Notification Icon |
Graphics Mode |
|
|
Increase performance mode |
|
|
Increase performance mode, but the Power Plan specifies Save power (This condition does not apply on notebooks that do not control Hybrid modes using the Windows power plan.) |
|
|
Save power mode |
|
|
Save power mode, but the Power Plan specifies Increase performance (This condition does not apply on notebooks that do not control Hybrid modes using the Windows power plan.) |
You can also hover over or click the icon to view a pop-up window that tells you the current graphics mode.
If the pop-up window gives you the option of changing graphics modes, that means that the graphics mode specified by the current Windows power plan cannot be set because a "blocking" condition exists. Click the link and then follow the instructions in the dialogue box to remove the "blocking" conditions.
See also Why does the Hybrid Graphics mode differ from the one specified by the Windows power plan?
Consult the documentation that came with your notebook computer to see if you can switch graphics modes using one of the following methods:
By using a special button on your notebook computer
By using a keyboard shortcut (hot keys)
By using the Hybrid graphics icon in the notification area of the Windows taskbar: Click the icon and then select the Hybrid graphics mode you want to use - Save power or Increase performance.
If these options are not available, then you must use the Windows power plan to switch graphics modes.
Instruction: Click the Power Options battery icon on the notification area of the Windows taskbar to open the battery meter, then select the Windows power plan you want to use.
NOTE: This method is not available if your notebook computer supports one of the non-Windows power plan methods.
You control performance or power savings through the power options in each Windows power plan. The following table shows an example of common NVIDIA Hybrid SLI Graphics modes and save-power options corresponding to each power plan. Consult your notebook documentation for specifics related to your computer, as your notebook may come with different settings.
|
Windows Power Plan |
Graphics Mode |
Put the Discrete GPUs to Sleep After |
||
|
Battery |
Plugged In |
Battery |
Plugged In |
|
|
Balanced |
Save power |
Save power |
15 minutes |
Never |
|
Power Saver |
Save power |
Save power |
Never |
Never |
|
High Performance |
Increase performance |
Increase performance |
Never |
Never |
To configure your own settings, see How do I change the default Hybrid Graphics settings in the Windows Power Plan?
By configuring the Windows power plan, you can set your computer to automatically switch to a particular graphics mode in response to the following actions:
Unplugging your notebook from AC power so that it runs on battery power
Plugging your notebook computer into an AC power supply
Letting your computer remain idle for the time specified by the Windows power plan.
On systems that use the Windows power plan to switch graphics modes, you can customise the Hybrid Graphics settings for each power plan as follows:
Click the Power Options battery icon on the notification area of the Windows taskbar to open the battery meter, then click the More Power Options.
From the Select a power plan page, under the power plan that you want to customise, click Change plan settings.
Click Change advanced power settings.
In the Advanced settings tab categories box, expand the GPU settings category.
To change the graphics mode, expand the NVIDIA Hybrid Graphics category and then make your changes as follows:
Click the On battery list arrow and then select the graphics mode you want to use when your computer is running on battery power under this power plan.
Click the Plugged in list arrow and then select the graphics mode you want to use when your computer is plugged into AC power under this power plan.
To change the automatic save-power settings, expand the Put the discrete GPUs to sleep after category and then make your changes as follows:
Click the On battery list arrow and then select the option you want to use when your computer is running on battery power under this power plan.
Click the Plugged in list arrow and then select the option you want to use when your computer is plugged into AC power under this power plan.
If you want to change the settings for other power plans, click the power plan list arrow located above the categories box, then select the power plan you want to customise and repeat steps 4 - 6.
TIP: You can set your computer to always be in Increase Performance mode by selecting that setting for both power sources under all three power plans - Balanced, Power Saver, and High Performance.
Click OK, then click Save changes.
There may be conditions that are blocking the change to Hybrid Graphics Save power mode. To remove those conditions, do one or both of the following:
Make sure you are using only the built-in display or a display connected to the primary VGA connector. Detach all other displays.
All other displays require the discrete GPU to be active. When the discrete GPU is active, you are not in Save power mode.
Click the Hybrid Graphics icon in the notification area of the Windows taskbar, then click Switch to Save power mode.
It is normal for your screen to briefly freeze or flicker when the graphics mode changes. During this time, the graphics hardware does not update the display. Nevertheless, your computer and its applications continue to operate normally, and the applications will be available once the mode change is complete.
The "!" warning symbol next to the Hybrid Graphics notification icon indicates that the actual graphics mode is out of sync with Windows power plan.
Some applications do not support changing the graphics mode while the application is running. If you change power plans while these applications are running, the graphics mode remains unchanged and the notification icon displays a "!".
NOTE: Only NVIDIA Hybrid Graphics modes are affected by applications that do not support mode changes. All other power plan settings are set.
See also:
Some applications do not support changing the graphics mode while the application is running. If you attempt to change graphics modes in this case, a dialogue box appears that lists the applications you must close before you can switch modes.
If you cannot locate a blocking application on the Windows desktop, task bar, or by pressing [Alt+tab], close the application using the Windows Task Manager:
Press [Ctrl+Alt+Del] , then click Start Task Manager.
From the Windows Task Manager Applications tab, click the blocking application, then click End Task.
You may need to locate the blocking application from the Processes tab.
You can connect an external display to the primary VGA connector without affecting the Hybrid Graphics mode. No special action is required other than enabling the display using the Windows Display Settings page or the NVIDIA Control Panel.
All other external displays are driven by the discrete GPU. In this case, the first time you connect the display, Windows asks whether you want to activate the display. If you select Yes, then the Hybrid Graphics Increase performance mode will be activated and the display will be lit.
If you select No and then later wish to use the display, you must switch to a power plan that specifies Increase performance mode and then enable the display using the Windows Display Settings page.
