Netbook Network

Nvidia’s Optimus technology is a pretty awesome power-saving feature for laptops.  You get two graphics cards – one integrated (Intel) and one dedicated (Nvidia). The Nvidia card will stay off or idle when not in use – then turn on when you need it, like if you need to play a movie or a game. Optimus isn’t perfect, however – sometimes it fails to turn on the Nvidia chip when you need it. Here’s how to force the Nvidia chip to turn on for specific programs.

If it isn’t obvious enough already, this guide only applies to laptops with Optimus technology. Not sure if your laptop has it? Look for an Nvidia Optimus sticker. This guide should work on all versions of Windows, but I’m pretty sure all laptops with Nvidia Optimus are loaded with Windows 7. Oh, and this guide also works if you want to turn off the Nvidia chip for specific programs. Just choose “Integrated Graphics” when you come to the drop down menu.

1. Hit the start button (press your Windows key) and search for “Nvidia Control Panel” and press enter.
2. On the left, choose “Manage 3D settings“.
3. Click on the “Program Settings” tab. The window should look like this:
4. Click on the “Add” button. An explorer window will pop up – choose the program that you want to run the Nvidia chip with.
5. Under the drop down menu, choose “High-performance Nvidia Processor“.

You’re set! Now every time you run the program you selected, Optimus will enable the Nvidia processor. Don’t know if the Nvidia processor is on or off? Check out Optimus Tools.