Dell XPS 17 (L701X, Late 2010) - Manual (Page 54)

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Using Your XPS Laptop
NVIDIA Optimus
Technology
Your XPS laptop is equipped with NVIDIA’s
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 GPU while running graphic‑
intensive applications such as 3D games.
The NVIDIA GPU is turned on only for preset
applications and thus extends the battery life.
The Optimus solution is enabled through an
application profile. When an application is
launched, the video drivers check to see if
the application has an associated application
profile.
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.