Nvidia Optimus: Primed to transform laptops as we know them

 

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Posted on 9 Feb 2010 at 17:31

Nvidia has announced its new Optimus power saving technology, which enables laptops using it to switch between the integrated and discrete graphics chips without the user ever knowing it has happened.

This is a big deal and, from the preliminary testing we've done so far, it's going to be a must-have technology if you want to play games or watch HD movies while you're on the move.

Switchable graphics aren't anything new, but this is 'the holy grail' as far as we're concerned. Previous implementations have forced users to jump through more hoops than there are in a multi-pack of Hula Hoops and, as a result, most have either given up or been forced into helpline hell.

The earliest systems needed users to reboot their system every time they want to play a game or watch an HD movie in order to fire up the more powerful graphics chip. Later versions allowed users to switch without rebooting, but any application using the graphics card needed to be closed down and the screen flickered while the change was happening. Users don't want to jump through hoops and that's why Optimus is primed for success.

It's designed not to get in the way of users; instead allowing them to focus on enjoying their computing experience, but also saving them precious battery life in the process.

The premise is simple: the more powerful discrete graphics chip will be completely shut off unless it's required by a particular application and the laptop will resort to using the more power efficient integrated graphics chip. As soon as Nvidia's software detects that an application needs the power of its discrete graphics processor, it's automatically sprung into action.

The change is completely seamless and you will not notice anything untoward when you're using the laptop. Nvidia has achieved this by routing the display through the integrated graphics chip even when the discrete GPU is in use. What's more, Nvidia says that it will be continually updating its list of applications that require the GPU "a bit like an anti-virus update" - they'll be automatic, in other words.

It's a classic case of "why hasn't someone else done this before?" but it's taken a lot of work behind the scenes. Currently, this technology is only available in systems using Intel processors and integrated graphics chipsets; this includes the latest Core i3, i5 and i7 "Arrandale" chips, as well as the 45nm Core 2 Duo and Atom N400 series processors.

We have an Asus UL50vf laptop in for review at the moment and we are waiting for Asus to confirm that the laptop we have has the correct specification. As soon as we have that and clarification on the UL50vf's pricing, we will publish our review.

Author: Tim Smalley