CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP
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nVidia Optimus Technology
Your Alienware M11x laptop is equipped with nVidia’s Optimus technology. e Optimus
technology is designed to maximize performance and user experience on your computer,
while minimizing the impact on battery life. It enables you to combine the graphic processing
capability of the integrated Intel
®
graphic processing unit (GPU) with the discrete nVidia GPU
while running graphic-intensive applications such as 3-D games. e nVidia GPU is turned on
only for preset applications and thus extends the battery life.
e Optimus solution is enabled through an application prole. When an application is
launched, the video drivers check to see if the application has an application prole associated
with it.
If an application prole exists, the nVidia GPU is turned on and the application runs in •
performance mode. e nVidia GPU is turned o automatically when the application is
closed.
If an application prole does not exist, the integrated Intel GPU is used.•
e default list of application proles is updated frequently by nVidia and is automatically
downloaded to your computer when you are connected to the internet.
You can also create application proles for any application on your computer. is may be
required for newly released games or applications that do not have a default application
prole.
