Dell Alienware M11x R3 (Early 2011) - Manual (Page 49)

CHAPTER 3: USING YOUR LAPTOP
47
NVIDIA Optimus Technology
Your Alienware M11x laptop is equipped with the NVIDIA Optimus technology. The 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 GPUv
while running graphic-intensive applications such as 3-D games. The NVIDIA GPU is turned
on only for preset applications and thus extends the battery life.
The Optimus technology is enabled through an application profile. When an application is
launched, the video drivers check to see if the application has a profile associated with it.
• If an application profile exists, the NVIDIA GPU is turned on and the application runs in
performance mode. The NVIDIA GPU is turned off automatically when the application is
closed.
• If an application profile does not exist, the integrated Intel GPU is used.
The default list of application profiles is updated frequently by NVIDIA and is automatically
downloaded to your computer when you are connected to the Internet.
You can also create application profiles for any application on your computer. This may be
required for newly released games or applications that do not have a default application
profile.