How do I change the primary graphic card on XPS 15 L502X?

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  1. Posts : 80
    Windows 10 10.0.19045.2311
    Thread Starter
       #11

    Bat 1 said:
    That's how it's supposed to work, some just don't ADDED: Might be my little 635m isn't much of a improvement over the Intel 4000
    Can you elaborate?
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  2. Posts : 80
    Windows 10 10.0.19045.2311
    Thread Starter
       #12

    Bat 1 said:
    If you go into BIOS at boot you'll see the choices for graphics. On most laptops the choice will only be between the integrated GPU and Switchable. And switchable is really a hybrid type system. The laptop display will always run on the integrated GPU unless pushed really hard by 3D then the discrete GPU is run though the integrated one. On my laptop the only way I've found to get the discrete card to actually do anything is by using a external monitor Go into the BIOS and see what your setting are.
    that is very strange. Ill look at it, I didn't even open BIOS yet.
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  3. Posts : 2,715
    Windows 10
       #13

    According to Dell that is an Optimus laptop, about 6 years old.
    Normally the switching of Graphics is automatic based upon what is set in the Optimus version of the Nvidia Control Panel.
    gives windows 8 drivers for it. Thus I presume you are getting yours from Windows Updates, or are you using compatibility mode on the Windows 8 drivers.

    You give us the details.

    Dell's guide gives details of Optimus and how it works.
    No idea what Dell's BIOS contains, but mine has no graphics settings within to change, and it is a somewhat newer Optimus Laptop.

    With the components you have there you would expect the Nvidia graphics to be roughly twice as fast as the integrated Intel one, in terms of fps.(HD4600 -> GT740M). I have done comprehensive tests on mine (HD4600 -> GT740M).

    You won't know about incompatibilities until further up the knowledge road.
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  4. Posts : 80
    Windows 10 10.0.19045.2311
    Thread Starter
       #14

    Helmut said:
    According to Dell that is an Optimus laptop, about 6 years old.Normally the switching of Graphics is automatic based upon what is set in the Optimus version of the Nvidia Control Panel.
    gives windows 8 drivers for it. Thus I presume you are getting yours from Windows Updates, or are you using compatibility mode on the Windows 8 drivers.
    You give us the details.Dell's guide gives details of Optimus and how it works.
    No idea what Dell's BIOS contains, but mine has no graphics settings within to change, and it is a somewhat newer Optimus Laptop.
    With the components you have there you would expect the Nvidia graphics to be roughly twice as fast as the integrated Intel one, in terms of fps.(HD4600 -> GT740M). I have done comprehensive tests on mine (HD4600 -> GT740M).
    You won't know about incompatibilities until further up the knowledge road.
    This one is ancient it was apparently sold in may 2011, I bought it for 260 Euros. Its working well but I don't know what to do with the graphics, I worry about the nvidia card. There's no setting for the nvidia card or the integrated in this BIOS either, I just checked. So I dont have a clue what else can be done.
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  5. Posts : 1,327
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #15

    What is the resolution of your screen? Have you tried doing this:

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  6. Posts : 1,327
    Windows 10 Home x64
       #16

    Have you checked your GPU to see if its working correctly? And,......... well simplest things first .... have you went into game settings and set it for full screen? The game itself is fairly old and may not automatically choose full screen with your cpu/gpu combination.
    Last edited by indianacarnie; 01 Feb 2018 at 14:01.
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  7. Posts : 80
    Windows 10 10.0.19045.2311
    Thread Starter
       #17

    indianacarnie said:
    Have you checked your GPU to see if its working correctly? And,......... well simplest things first .... have you went into game settings and set it for full screen? The game itself is fairly old and may not automatically choose full screen with your cpu/gpu combination.
    How do I check if I cant know if it is even being used???

    Of course I tried to change all settings in the game there is no doubt that the Intel gpu is used instead of Nvidia.
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  8. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #18

    Steffan said:
    1) I didnt, I bought it in a store. I DID run in compatibility mode. Nothing changes. As far as I know these are the freshest drivers. Literally downloaded and installed yesterday together with the W10.
    What nVidia and Intel graphics drivers did you install?

    The newest ones that I see on the US Dell support site are for Windows 8, and they are roughly 4 years old. I guess those are the ones I'd try; not sure how well generic ones would play in an nVidia Optimus (dual) setup.
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  9. Posts : 80
    Windows 10 10.0.19045.2311
    Thread Starter
       #19

    bobkn said:
    What nVidia and Intel graphics drivers did you install?The newest ones that I see on the US Dell support site are for Windows 8, and they are roughly 4 years old. I guess those are the ones I'd try; not sure how well generic ones would play in an nVidia Optimus (dual) setup.
    It most likely seems to be the problem. The driver installed is the one that the system downloaded automatically. So I would asume that its much newer than the one that is supported by this laptop. Probably I will just install W7 and give it a try.
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  10. Posts : 2,715
    Windows 10
       #20

    "How do I check if I cant know if it is even being used???"

    I do know with mine, only a have a few games mostly oldies, don't have that particular game on mine, but do have one from around that era.
    What you can do is run something like HWMonitor(from CPUID) in the background, I use that for max temperature indication, but it has other uses as well as it shows whether the Nvidia Graphics is being used.

    Another way, at least on mine is the Windows 10 Task Manager > Performance Tab > GPU 0(HD 4600) and GPU 1(Nvidia) is now shown.
    The pre-requisite for that is WDDM 2.0 or later, I think ???.
    That you can find out by putting "dxdiag" in to the run box. Look at the Display Tab. On mine that gives WDDM 2.O for HD 4600, and 2.1 for Nvidia GT740M.

    After 4 years I'm some way down that learning road. I was at your point some 4 years ago.

    Graphics Drivers - You and others probably won't believe me, but all I have done in 4 years is used Windows 8.1 and 10 updates for both Graphics drivers, it works fine(and Optimus), it really does. I'm using the Laptop now.
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