My games seem to perform better when I’m using Optimus mode compared to when I switch to ‘Nvidia GPU only’. Why might this be happening?
Does your monitor support Dynamic Refresh Rate? Check under ‘Advanced Display’ settings. I’ve found that Optimus mode tends to work better with certain displays, especially with VRR enabled, compared to when using Gsync alone.
@Zed
Yes, it does have VRR. I also notice some stuttering in games when I turn off DLSS frame generation. Does that relate?
Paz said:
@Zed
Yes, it does have VRR. I also notice some stuttering in games when I turn off DLSS frame generation. Does that relate?
The stuttering might be due to how Optimus interacts with VRR under Windows, rather than an issue with Gsync directly.
Did you test both settings back-to-back? Sometimes benchmarks perform better on the second run as the system has already loaded most of the resources.
Vesper said:
Did you test both settings back-to-back? Sometimes benchmarks perform better on the second run as the system has already loaded most of the resources.
Yes, I’ve tested them multiple times under the same conditions. The results consistently show better performance with Optimus.
It might be that your laptop’s display only supports adaptive sync, like Gsync or Freesync, when Optimus is active. My laptop behaves similarly.
Tyler said:
It might be that your laptop’s display only supports adaptive sync, like Gsync or Freesync, when Optimus is active. My laptop behaves similarly.
Correct, it supports both.
Are you using different resolutions on internal vs external displays? Also, which games and settings are you using?
Finch said:
Are you using different resolutions on internal vs external displays? Also, which games and settings are you using?
Everything’s at 1080p, max settings, specifically testing on Fallout 4.
@Paz
Can you provide the full specs and the year of your laptop? That might help diagnose the issue.
Finch said:
@Paz
Can you provide the full specs and the year of your laptop? That might help diagnose the issue.
It’s a 2023 model with an RTX 4060, Ryzen 7735HS, and 16GB RAM.
Finch said:
@Paz
Can you provide the full specs and the year of your laptop? That might help diagnose the issue.
It’s a 2023 model with an RTX 4060, Ryzen 7735HS, and 16GB RAM.
The reason you’re not seeing a performance boost with the Nvidia GPU only mode is likely due to how the system manages power between the integrated and dedicated GPUs. If your CPU doesn’t have an integrated GPU, all power is dedicated to the Nvidia GPU, which should normally provide better performance.
@Jet
That’s incorrect.
@Ridley
I got mixed up with another processor model, my bad.
You might want to try using Frame View as an overlay for a more accurate temperature and performance reading than what Afterburner provides.
If Optimus is giving you better performance, I’d just stick with that. I use a similar setup with my Razer Blade and an LG OLED TV, and Optimus works great even at 4K.
Nvidia GPU only mode involves switching to Advanced Optimus, which can be buggy. It’s best to use Standard Mode with Optimus or Ultimate mode if you’re not worried about battery life. Here’s a guide for more info: [Link to GPU modes guide]