Operating on the family graphics card

[Steven_21]

Hi, i have a Dell XPS L502x, and its meant to be a gaming laptop, claimed by dell. However the screen on the laptop is operating on a standard intel family graphics card, when it has a NVIDIA GeForce GT 525M. I have found that the NVIDIA is operating through the HDMI port, which means if the nvidia is to work i have to get a monitor. I have tested it on a monitor and it was very poor quality, so does anyone know how to make the nvidia work through the laptop's screen instead of having the intel one?

 

[rolandzhang3]

The Nvidia chip is only used for specific applications, most of the time the Intel HD chipset is being used, it's Nvidia Optimus technology, my laptop uses it too

For example, games are run on the 525m whilst the Intel HD chip is being used for everything else such as web browsing and video watching etc.

The Intel HD is there to save battery when nothing intensive is being run as well as increase the lifespan of the 525m since it would be used less

That is hardly a gaming laptop, it's not a bad performer but still, cheeky Dell 😛

 

[RobCrezz]

Should be running Nvidia Optimus. Have a look in the Nvidia control panel, you should be able to make sure that games are using the Nvidia GPU. You shouldnt need to plug in a monitor.

 

[Steven_21]

Okay, well do you suggest i sell this laptop, and get a PC Tower? 😛

 

[RobCrezz]

Okay, well do you suggest i sell this laptop, and get a PC Tower? 😛

For gaming, yes.

If you like, post your budget and country where you will purchase the parts and we can give you suggestions on what parts to buy for the pc.

 

[rolandzhang3]

That's probably what most of us would suggest 😛, that laptop is alright for everyday use though

 

[Steven_21]

Okay, well do you suggest i sell this laptop, and get a PC Tower? 😛

For gaming, yes.

If you like, post your budget and country where you will purchase the parts and we can give you suggestions on what parts to buy for the pc.

Well, do you know the price this laptop would sell for? When i sell it the money i get from selling it, will go towards the Tower.. So the money from selling the laptop+ i reckon about £200... however if needs be, i will just buy parts at a time, which means any budget.. And i live in Scotland

 

[RobCrezz]

Okay, well do you suggest i sell this laptop, and get a PC Tower? 😛

For gaming, yes.

If you like, post your budget and country where you will purchase the parts and we can give you suggestions on what parts to buy for the pc.

Well, do you know the price this laptop would sell for? When i sell it the money i get from selling it, will go towards the Tower.. So the money from selling the laptop+ i reckon about £200... however if needs be, i will just buy parts at a time, which means any budget.. And i live in Scotland

Looking at ebay they are going for over £400.

 

[Steven_21]

Okay, well do you suggest i sell this laptop, and get a PC Tower? 😛

For gaming, yes.

If you like, post your budget and country where you will purchase the parts and we can give you suggestions on what parts to buy for the pc.

Well, do you know the price this laptop would sell for? When i sell it the money i get from selling it, will go towards the Tower.. So the money from selling the laptop+ i reckon about £200... however if needs be, i will just buy parts at a time, which means any budget.. And i live in Scotland

Looking at ebay they are going for over £400.

well then if it does sell for about £400 or more then thats my budget

 

[rolandzhang3]

Well then we're going to have to go with uk prices for now

Something you could save towards

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/22DO5

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor (£113.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler (£34.94 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£54.84 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£38.23 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£46.42 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card (£229.62 @ Aria PC)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi ATX Mid Tower Case (£49.99 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£48.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive (£10.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £627.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 11:06 GMT+0000)

Something for 400 or so (couldn't add a cooler and still overbudget 🙁)

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/22DRu

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor (£84.55 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£51.56 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£38.23 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£46.42 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card (£136.97 @ Aria PC)
Case: Cooler Master Force 500 ATX Mid Tower Case (£32.87 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£40.00 @ Ebuyer)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive (£10.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £441.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 11:11 GMT+0000)

 

[Steven_21]

Well then we're going to have to go with uk prices for now

Something you could save towards

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/22DO5

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor (£113.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler (£34.94 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£54.84 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£38.23 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£46.42 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card (£229.62 @ Aria PC)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi ATX Mid Tower Case (£49.99 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£48.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive (£10.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £627.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 11:06 GMT+0000)

Something for 400 or so (couldn't add a cooler and still overbudget 🙁)

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/22DRu

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor (£84.55 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£51.56 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£38.23 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£46.42 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card (£136.97 @ Aria PC)
Case: Cooler Master Force 500 ATX Mid Tower Case (£32.87 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£40.00 @ Ebuyer)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive (£10.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £441.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 11:11 GMT+0000)

Well,due to the nature of my work, would it be possible for a business discount sort of thing? As the business i am employed at is my dads, we repair tv's,computers/laptops/other electrical appliances... Do you think there could be any possibility of a business discount? 😉

 

[rolandzhang3]

There would be the possibility of staff discounts, you'd have to ask to confirm that though 😛

 

[RobCrezz]

Well then we're going to have to go with uk prices for now

Something you could save towards

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/22DO5

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor (£113.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler (£34.94 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£54.84 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£38.23 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£46.42 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card (£229.62 @ Aria PC)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi ATX Mid Tower Case (£49.99 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£48.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive (£10.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £627.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 11:06 GMT+0000)

Something for 400 or so (couldn't add a cooler and still overbudget 🙁)

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/22DRu

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor (£84.55 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£51.56 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£38.23 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£46.42 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card (£136.97 @ Aria PC)
Case: Cooler Master Force 500 ATX Mid Tower Case (£32.87 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£40.00 @ Ebuyer)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive (£10.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £441.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 11:11 GMT+0000)

Well,due to the nature of my work, would it be possible for a business discount sort of thing? As the business i am employed at is my dads, we repair tv's,computers/laptops/other electrical appliances... Do you think there could be any possibility of a business discount? 😉

If you buy the parts through the business, then you dont have to pay VAT which would knock 20% off the price - although the parts would effectively be owned by the business.

 

[Steven_21]

Well then we're going to have to go with uk prices for now

Something you could save towards

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/22DO5

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor (£113.99 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC12DX 68.5 CFM CPU Cooler (£34.94 @ Scan.co.uk)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£54.84 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£38.23 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£46.42 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card (£229.62 @ Aria PC)
Case: BitFenix Shinobi ATX Mid Tower Case (£49.99 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£48.99 @ Amazon UK)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive (£10.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £627.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 11:06 GMT+0000)

Something for 400 or so (couldn't add a cooler and still overbudget 🙁)

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/22DRu

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor (£84.55 @ CCL Computers)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£51.56 @ Scan.co.uk)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£38.23 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£46.42 @ CCL Computers)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card (£136.97 @ Aria PC)
Case: Cooler Master Force 500 ATX Mid Tower Case (£32.87 @ Scan.co.uk)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£40.00 @ Ebuyer)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive (£10.78 @ Scan.co.uk)
Total: £441.38
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-15 11:11 GMT+0000)

Well,due to the nature of my work, would it be possible for a business discount sort of thing? As the business i am employed at is my dads, we repair tv's,computers/laptops/other electrical appliances... Do you think there could be any possibility of a business discount? 😉

If you buy the parts through the business, then you dont have to pay VAT which would knock 20% off the price - although the parts would effectively be owned by the business.

True, however this is my dads business so there for, it shouldnt really upset the business 😉

 

[rolandzhang3]

Then go for it 😀

 

[Steven_21]

Then go for it 😀

cheers for the help guys Do any of you have Steam?

 

[rolandzhang3]

Haven't used it in a while 😀

 

[Steven_21]

Haven't used it in a while 😀

What is your steam name, i will add you We can get on a game sometime?

 

[rolandzhang3]

To be honest I don't actually remember my account anymore, last time I played anything on it was 2010 haha

EDIT: same username as here apparently xD

 

[Steven_21]

oh ok i will post back in this to let you know how i got on, yet again guys cheers for the help, much appreciated

 

[rolandzhang3]

Haha have fun mate 😀