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In which XMG laptops can NVIDIA Optimus be disabled?

Disabling NVIDIA Optimus

Disabling NVIDIA Optimus will require the laptop to consume more energy in idle because the dedicated graphics card can no longer turn itself off. The advantage on the other hand is slightly increased FPS values in gaming, especially at low resolutions (1080p) and reduced quality settings. This review from early 2020 (Jarrod's Tech on Youtube) gives some good examples of this.

Whether NVIDIA Optimus can be deactivated can be found in the data sheet of the respective laptop. There is then, for example, the following note in the graphics card area:

  • "Display connection: direct or via NVIDIA Optimus (MUX switch)"

A corresponding overview can also be found here: XMG & SCHENKER | Portfolio Overview and Feature Comparison

Bypassing NVIDIA Optimus by using an external monitor

NVIDIA Optimus can be bypassed with external monitors if the external connections (HDMI and DisplayPort, incl. USB-C and Thunderbolt) in the laptop are connected directly to the dedicated graphics card. This information can also be found in the data sheet of the respective laptop and the above product overview.

If an external display connection (e.g. Thunderbolt) is hardwired to the iGPU, NVIDIA Optimus also applies to the external display. This means that the NVIDIA graphics card can be used to render 3D content, even if its images are then output via the iGPU on the external monitor.

Advanced Optimus: MUX switch without reboot

Some models have the so-called NVIDIA Advanced Optimus (emphasis on "Advancedu201d). This is also based on the MUX switch on the mainboard - i.e. the option to deactivate Optimus. However, with Advanced Optimus, the MUX switch can also be flipped without rebooting, which allows the switching between the display connection of the iGPU or dGPU to be automated.

  • With the launch of an ever-growing number of supported games, the NVIDIA driver automatically flips the MUX switch. The laptop's display is then connected directly to the NVIDIA card so that the iGPU (integrated graphics unit) is no longer responsible for the image output.
  • When the game is finished, the NVIDIA driver automatically switches back to traditional NVIDIA Optimus with image output via iGPU. The NVIDIA graphics card can then go to sleep, unless it is still needed by other software.

When switching, the screen freezes briefly (for 1 to 2 seconds). The NVIDIA driver then displays an automatic status message at the edge of the screen confirming the successful switchover.

Alternatively, this switching can also be done manually via the NVIDIA control panel (see screenshot). A restart is also not necessary for this.

This description only applies to models where "NVIDIA Advanced Optimus" is noted in the data sheet and it only applies to the screen in the laptop itself, not to external screens. MUX switches for external screen connections are technically possible, but very unusual due to the additional engineering effort.