Aero 15x discrete GPU doesn't actually do anything

[denniS_redbeast]

Recently I purchased a  Gigabyte Aero 15x v8 (link to the page.) GTX 1070 max-Q, 4k screen, 16gb ram, 8750H. Of course I undervolted the CPU immediately, however, there is a an issue that is bugging me. The discrete gpu sits at idle most of the time. Tracking the usage of the integrated gpu and the discrete gpu with task manager and HWiNFO, I have noticed that the 1070 max-q is only used when in photoshop, premiere pro or when gaming. However, if I'm watching a 4k video in full screen on youtube, the discrete gpu is at 0% usage and the integrated gpu is pegged at 100% usage and still dropping frames. However, if I connect an external monitor, and play the same 4k video from youtube in full screen on an external monitor, the discrete gpu is actually used. My frustration and annoyance is why cant the discrete gpu run the laptop's native screen. 

I have updated GeForce Experience, and in the NVIDIA control panel, I have enabled program settings for Google Chrome to use the discrete gpu.  Yet this problem persists. What the point of a gorgeous 4k IPS calibrated display if I can't even watch a 4k video of youtube with dropping a bunch of frames and constant stuttering. 

 

Edit://in my despair, I've even tried out right disabling the integrated graphics, however, this only results in the cpu itself rendering the display, and the 1070 remains at idle. 

Edited March 20, 2019 by denniS_redbeast

[Jurrunio]

Just turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome, unless Nvidia fixes the conditions for Optimus to activate the Nvidia GPU there's no solution for now.

[Mira Yurizaki]

I would check to see if other browsers are using the dGPU for decoding. If they're working fine, then it's a problem with Chrome.

[denniS_redbeast]

23 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

Just turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome for now, unless Nvidia fixes the conditions for Optimus to activate the Nvidia GPU there's no solution for now.

Hardware acceleration is already off in chrome, if you turn it on, youtube will just display a black screen and only the audio will play

[denniS_redbeast]

13 minutes ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

I would check to see if other browsers are using the dGPU for decoding. If they're working fine, then it's a problem with Chrome.

edge has the same exact problem. 

[Jurrunio]

4 minutes ago, denniS_redbeast said:

Hardware acceleration is already off in chrome, if you turn it on, youtube will just display a black screen and only the audio will play

is this Nvidia driver version 419.35? Also check if Chrome is up to date. Restart the laptop too.

[Theguywhobea]

4K videos in YouTube should run fine on the iGPU since 7th gen and newer Intel CPU's all support HEVC and VP9 decoding in hardware. I would think if a 4K video is using 100% of your iGPU and still dropping frames you have a larger issues. Even the i5-7200u in my Dell XPS 13 can play 4K like it's nothing.

[genexis_x]

49 minutes ago, denniS_redbeast said:

However, if I'm watching a 4k video in full screen on youtube, the discrete gpu is at 0% usage and the integrated gpu is pegged at 100% usage and still dropping frames.

Weird issue...can be due to many reasons

 

Try reinstalling Nvidia driver (use older drivers) and Chrome

33 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

Just turn off hardware acceleration in Chrome for now

I left it on and have no problems

[Mira Yurizaki]

9 minutes ago, denniS_redbeast said:

edge has the same exact problem. 

After digging around, it looks like at some point NVIDIA disabled having web browsers using the dGPU by design in Optimus (https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/573374/geforce-drivers/official-nvidia-326-80-beta-display-driver-feedback-thread-released-8-20-13-/post/3895121/#3895121)

 

The only explanation I can think of is because since browsers are always something you're using, it'd be a colossal drain on the battery to keep the dGPU up.

 

EDIT: You might be able to override this in Edge: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-force-microsoft-edge-use-best-gpu-windows-10-april-2018-update

[denniS_redbeast]

6 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

is this Nvidia driver version 419.35?

 

2 minutes ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Try reinstalling Nvidia driver (use older drivers) and Chrome

 

I was on 419.35, when trying to deal with this issue, I installed 417.71 (release date 01/05/19), but that didn't fix anything so I'll be reinstalling 419.35. 

Chrome is up to date. 

[Jurrunio]

5 minutes ago, GeneXiS_X said:

I left it on and have no problems

now thinking about it my iGPU-less Pascal GPU laptop also have problems with YT when I first got it. Some time later the problem is gone and I'm never quite sure what I did that fixes it. Maybe it's just a software glitch?

[denniS_redbeast]

6 minutes ago, Theguywhobea said:

4K videos in YouTube should run fine on the iGPU since 7th gen and newer Intel CPU's all support HEVC and VP9 decoding in hardware. I would think if a 4K video is using 100% of your iGPU and still dropping frames you have a larger issues. Even the i5-7200u in my Dell XPS 13 can play 4K like it's nothing.

It plays them fine in theater mode. but as soon as I go into a full screen player, there is a clear stutter and delay between the video and audio. Perhaps you are aware of any solutions. 

[denniS_redbeast]

9 minutes ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

After digging around, it looks like at some point NVIDIA disabled having web browsers using the dGPU by design in Optimus

The only explanation I can think of is because since browsers are always something you're using, it'd be a colossal drain on the battery to keep the dGPU up.

It makes sense, but its definitely not comforting. 

But in a desktop, with a cpu that doesnt have integrated graphics, how does the browser run off the dGPU?

[Mira Yurizaki]

15 minutes ago, denniS_redbeast said:

It makes sense, but its definitely not comforting. 

But in a desktop, with a cpu that doesnt have integrated graphics, how does the browser run off the dGPU?

It's not running Optimus at that point.

[denniS_redbeast]

1 hour ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

It's not running Optimus at that point.

are all max-q drivers optimus based. is there a way to install non optimus drivers on a laptop?

i know that running off battery would be an issue. but still. 

[Mira Yurizaki]

16 minutes ago, denniS_redbeast said:

are all max-q drivers optimus based. is there a way to install non optimus drivers on a laptop?

i know that running off battery would be an issue. but still. 

The problem with Optimus laptops is the display is wired to the iGPU's output. So if you disable Optimus, the only way to use the dGPU would be to use the external monitor (though not all laptops are wired up this way)

[denniS_redbeast]

Just now, Mira Yurizaki said:

The problem with Optimus laptops is the display is wired to the iGPU's output. So if you disable Optimus, the only way to use the dGPU would be to use the external monitor (though not all laptops are wired up this way)

I was not at all aware of this. So how is the dGPU able to take over when I launch a game? 

[Mira Yurizaki]

10 minutes ago, denniS_redbeast said:

I was not at all aware of this. So how is the dGPU able to take over when I launch a game? 

Optimus detects when certain API calls are made and intercepts them. Then when the GPU is done rendering the image, it copies over to the iGPU's frame buffer.

[denniS_redbeast]

5 minutes ago, Mira Yurizaki said:

Optimus detects when certain API calls are made and intercepts them. Then when the GPU is done rendering the image, it copies over to the iGPU's frame buffer.

I didnt know that, but it does make sense. One last question, other than the thunderbolt port (which definitely runs through an intel controller) do the video out ports (HDMI and mini DP) run directly off the dGPU without any funny business with optimus? 

[Mira Yurizaki]

18 minutes ago, denniS_redbeast said:

I didnt know that, but it does make sense. One last question, other than the thunderbolt port (which definitely runs through an intel controller) do the video out ports (HDMI and mini DP) run directly off the dGPU without any funny business with optimus? 

If the outputs are wired to the dGPU, then yes, it avoids Optimus altogether. Which is why Chrome uses the dGPU if you're running it on the external monitor.

 

Also depending on how things are wired up, the Thunderbolt output may come from the dGPU. Thunderbolt actually needs a source from a GPU to carry DisplayPort data.

[genexis_x]

11 hours ago, Jurrunio said:

Maybe it's just a software glitch?

Should be. Youtube with Optimus issue has been a while (already know it since using my first laptop - Legion Y520)