What’s a MUX Change in a gaming laptop computer?

MUX Change and disabling Optimus are two phrases you’ll have come throughout with growing frequency when you’ve spent any time researching gaming laptops, however what do they really imply? Learn under for a full rundown of those phrases and why they’re essential for getting essentially the most efficiency out of your gaming laptop computer.

We’ve additionally steered some top-notch gaming laptops with MUX Switches / Superior Optimus when you’re available in the market for a brand new machine. Do be sure you additionally try our Black Friday gaming laptop deals information for extra.

What’s Optimus?

Nvidia Optimus (generally often called MSHybrid) is a function which is designed to ship essentially the most optimum stability between your laptop computer’s energy draw / battery life and its efficiency. The identical know-how in AMD GPU laptops is named Dynamic Switchable Graphics or just AMD Switchable Graphics, however Optimus is the commonest shorthand for this function.

Nearly all of gaming laptops have two GPUs: the devoted/discrete graphics card (a.ok.a. dGPU), which is essentially the most highly effective and power-hungry GPU that’s wanted to run video games at the perfect FPS, and the onboard/built-in GPU (a.ok.a. iGPU) which types part of the processor, is way much less highly effective (in workload phrases), but in addition far more energy environment friendly (by way of its electrical draw).  

Optimus mechanically selects essentially the most acceptable GPU to course of a workload relying on its intensiveness. In case you’re simply typing away / internet shopping / watching YouTube movies, then Optimus will swap to your iGPU to save lots of electrical energy utilization and lengthen your laptop computer’s battery life. In case you’re gaming / rendering one thing in a inventive workflow / 3D modeling then the duty might be routed to your dGPU and higher energy utilization will happen in consequence.

What’s a MUX Change? Learn how to allow / disable Optimus

Enabling / disabling Optimus is the aim of a MUX Change (a.ok.a. multiplexer swap). “Why would you need to disable Optimus?” I hear you ask, given it purportedly promotes effectivity acceptable to the workload? Effectively my wordy good friend, the principle concern with having Optimus turned on is that each one graphical output, even when it has been rasterized and rendered throughout the dGPU, should first cross by means of the iGPU earlier than reaching the show. This sadly implies that the output might be bottlenecked by the iGPU, resulting in a discount in FPS efficiency.

The MUX Change can disable Optimus, which means the output can bypass the iGPU and go instantly from the dGPU to the laptop computer’s show, eradicating the bottleneck. This may be carried out previous to gaming to extend efficiency, then afterward Optimus might be enabled once more to save lots of on electrical energy.

Typically, you possibly can allow/disable Optimus by utilizing the onboard software program of your gaming laptop computer, although some require you to enter the BIOS and alter the setting there. In each situations, you will want to then restart your laptop computer for the change to happen on the {hardware} stage and the connection between your dGPU and laptop computer’s show to be rerouted away from the iGPU.

MUX Change efficiency distinction

How a lot additional efficiency you get by means of the inclusion of a MUX Change relies upon very a lot on each the laptop computer, and the sport, however it’s virtually all the time a major improve. At a minimal, you possibly can count on a rise of 10-15% throughout most titles if you disable Optimus. As proven in our evaluation of the XMG Neo 15 although, we bought a median of round 25% FPS uplift throughout a spread of various titles, with essentially the most excessive examples being in Rainbow 6 Siege and CS:GO, the place we noticed as much as 50% efficiency uplift. In brief, MUX Switches make a giant distinction to efficiency, and it’s virtually all the time value having them.

Optimus on vs off battery life

As you’d count on, given the rationale for the function within the first place, enabling or disabling Optimus could make a giant distinction to laptop computer battery life. In case you determine to make use of your MUX Change to disable Optimus, you possibly can usually count on to lose round half of your battery life, although precisely how a lot depends upon what devoted GPU you’re operating (what TGP it has i.e. how energy hungry it’s) and the effectivity of your laptop computer’s battery within the first place.

What’s Superior Optimus?

Superior Optimus is actually an computerized MUX Change, which not solely means you don’t need to reboot your laptop computer each time you need to disable/allow Optimus, however (in concept) you don’t even have to change it on or off each time you play a sport – the Nvidia Management Panel does it for you. When you’ve got Advanced Optimus you possibly can go into the Nvidia Management Panel in your desktop and both set it to all the time use the iGPU, keep away from the iGPU totally and all the time use the dGPU (i.e. disable Optimus), or give you a listing of functions and determine for every which your desire is. At any time when these functions are loaded, Superior Optimus ought to select the proper GPU.

Does Superior Optimus work?

Sadly, the Automated Choose function, the place the proper Optimus configuration must be picked in line with which sport you’re taking part in, has not all the time functioned correctly in laptops traditionally, although we think about these points might be ironed out in later fashions. Manually deciding on Optimus/Nvidia GPU solely although throughout the Nvidia Management Panel does often work simply tremendous.

No MUX Change? Use an exterior monitor to your laptop computer

In case your laptop computer doesn’t include a MUX Change, one other method you might be able to bypass the iGPU is by connecting an exterior monitor. For this to work, you want to have an appropriate port (HDMI, DisplayPort and many others.) which connects on to the devoted graphics card (dGPU). Though most laptops do have a port that does this, some will as an alternative hook up with the iGPU, which is not any good – you’ll need to do some digging in your particular laptop computer mannequin to learn the way it’s related. 

If the port does hook up with the dGPU, then the visible output to the monitor will bypass the iGPU bottleneck and may run video games at the next FPS. Word: you want to be sure that your laptop computer’s display is disabled for this to work – both by closing the lid or utilizing inner software program / Home windows settings in your machine.

Finest laptops with MUX Change / Superior Optimus

With annually that passes we’re seeing increasingly more gaming laptops with MUX Switches or Superior Optimus coming onto the market, which is nice information. Beforehand this was restricted to high-end or at the least higher mid-range gaming laptops, nonetheless we’re now beginning to see extra correct mid-range choices, and even the odd price range choice like the brand new Acer Nitro 5 with RTX 4050 include a MUX Change.

Beneath is a shortlist of what we contemplate to be the perfect MUX Change laptops presently obtainable, with a quick description of every and a hyperlink to a extra detailed rundown. If these don’t tickle your fancy, an extended listing is supplied additional down this web page.

Premium 17-inch choose

ASUS ROG Strix G17 (240Hz QHD, Ryzen 9 7845HX/7945HX)

AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX / 7945HX

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 / 4070 / 4080

16GB/32GB DDR5 RAM (4800MHz)

The ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 17 stands out as presently essentially the most highly effective gaming laptop computer inside ASUS’s lineup, with the choice for essentially the most high-end laptop computer CPU cash should purchase: the AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU, plus both the vastly spectacular RTX 4080 laptop computer GPU or the much more highly effective RTX 4090 laptop computer graphics card (although we’d often solely suggest this card for inventive/workstation use).

Regardless of the high-end parts, the RTX 4080 mannequin truly affords superb worth given the extent of efficiency it delivers. The inclusion of Superior Optimus helps develop its efficiency additional, together with DLSS 3.0 assist. In case you require higher-spec SSD and RAM configurations, these are additionally obtainable for extra prices.

The laptop computer contains a 17-inch 1600p 240Hz show with a median grey-to-grey response time of 5.5ms. Whereas it doesn’t totally eradicate ghosting at this refresh charge, it’s a commendable efficiency for a laptop computer show. The display affords good brightness and spectacular coloration replication in each sRGB (100%) and DCI-P3 (97%).

Mid-range 16-inch choose

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16

Intel Core i5-13500HX / i7-13700HX

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 / 4060

We had the chance to do an in-depth review of the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, and it’s a wonderful worth mid-range machine, that punches effectively above its weight on a price-to-performance ratio. We’d suggest the RTX 4060 variant with Intel thirteenth gen i7-13700HX processor. This setup delivers glorious efficiency for its class, and the presence of Superior Optimus, a function not sometimes discovered on this worth vary, additional enhances its capabilities.

One other spotlight of this laptop computer is its high-quality show, providing a outstanding peak brightness of 500 nits, comparatively correct coloration replica, a 1600p decision with a 16:10 side ratio that enhances vertical display area, and a most refresh charge of 165Hz. G-Sync assist is an additional benefit. Furthermore, the laptop computer impresses with its battery life, delivering round 7 hours of typical use in battery-saving mode.

Although the followers might be noisy when the Turbo mode is lively, customers can customise settings throughout the onboard software program to strike a stability between in-game efficiency and noise ranges. Whereas there are some minor drawbacks just like the construct high quality of the bezels and a considerably hefty energy adapter, these compromises are affordable contemplating the general worth the laptop computer gives.

14-inch choose

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2023)

AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS / 9 7940HS

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 / 4070 / 4080 / 4090

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a constant presence in our annual best-of guides, sometimes securing the highest place as one of many best 14-inch gaming laptops, regardless of growing competitors from manufacturers like Razer and Alienware. The 2023 iteration comes with the next most refresh charge of 165Hz, Nvidia GeForce 40-series graphics playing cards, AMD Ryzen 7000 collection processors, and numerous minor enhancements over the already glorious 2022 version we did an in-depth review on. It contains a vibrant 16:10 display with response time, strong coloration replication, a decent collection of ports given its compact measurement, together with a MicroSD slot, and surprisingly first rate audio system, a rarity in gaming laptops.

Workstation choose

ASUS Zephyrus Duo 16 2023 (240Hz QHD+, Ryzen 9 7945HX)

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 / RTX 4090

Like its 15-inch predecessor the ASUS Zephyrus Duo 15 (which additionally comes with a MUX Change), the 16-inch ASUS Zephyrus Duo 16 is a robust workstation machine that has a few uncommon options. The obvious of those is the secondary contact display which tilts up under the principle show and is nice for modifying timelines or different inventive workflows, or for streamers who need to view different data while they sport. The primary show is an exceptionally vibrant 700-nit display, with an much more dazzling 1400 nits for HDR content material, operating at a clean 240Hz. This Mini-LED display is provided with each FreeSync and G-Sync. With full protection of 100% sRGB and 100% DCI-P3, plus coloration accuracy starting from 1.7 to 1.2 ΔE, relying on calibration, it’s a perfect alternative for color-intensive workflows.. The Duo 16 additionally comes with the most recent RTX 4080 or RTX 4090 graphics playing cards, the vastly highly effective AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX CPU, and liquid metallic cooling. It’s, nonetheless, very expensive.

A listing of laptops with MUX Change / Superior Optimus performance

The under listing contains all laptop computer fashions that we positively know have a MUX Change. This isn’t an exhaustive listing – there could also be fashions not listed right here which even have this function – these are simply laptops we all know positively have it. We might be including to this listing over time as new fashions are launched.

Word: if one of many fashions listed under has particular specs then this implies the MUX Change is restricted to solely this loadout. Keep away from shopping for the identical mannequin of laptop computer with totally different specs (together with show decision/refresh charge measured in Hz) and assuming a MUX Change might be included.

• Acer Nitro 5 (2023): (RTX 4050 model & above)
• Acer Predator Helios (2021-2023): RTX 3070 model & above)
• Acer Predator Triton (2021 – 2023): RTX 3070 model & above)
• Alienware m15 R5 (2021-2023): (Ryzen 7 5800H, RTX 3070 model & above)
• Alienware m15 R6 (2021-2023): (i7-11800H, RTX 3080 model & above)
• Alienware m17 R4 (2021-2023): (RTX 3080 model & above)
• Alienware X14 (2022-2023)
• Alienware X17 (2021-2023) (RTX 3080 1080p model & above)
• ASUS ROG Flow Z13 (2022-2023): (i7-12900H, RTX 3050 Ti model & above)
• ASUS ROG Flow X16 (2022-2023): (RTX 3050 Ti model & above)
• ASUS Zephyrus Duo 15 (2021-2023): (i9-10980HK, RTX 2080 Tremendous model & above)
• ASUS Zephyrus Duo 16 (2022-2023): (RTX 3060 model & above)
• ASUS Zephyrus G14 (2022-2023): (Ryzen 9 6900HS, RX 6800S)   
• ASUS Zephyrus S17 (2021-2023): (RTX 3080 model & above)
• ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 17 (2021-2023): (RTX 3080 model & above)
• Dell G15 5515: (RTX 3060 model & above)   
• Eluktronics MAX-17 (2020-2023): (Intel i7-10875H, RTX 2060 model & above)
• Eluktronics Prometheus XVII (2021-2023): (Ryzen 9 5900HX, RTX 3080)
• Lenovo Legion 5 (2019-2023): (Ryzen 7 4800H, GTX 1660 Ti model & above)
• Lenovo Legion 5i (2021-2023): (i5-11400H, RTX 3060 model & above)
• Lenovo Legion 5 Professional (2020-2023): (RTX 3060 model & above)
• Lenovo Legion 7 (2020-2023): (RTX 3060 model & above)
• Lenovo Legion 7i (2020-2023): (Intel i7-10875H, RTX 2070 model & above)
• MSI GE66 Raider 10SGS (2020-2023): (Intel i9-10980HK, RTX 2080 Tremendous)
• MSI GE76 Raider 10UH (2020-2023): (RTX 3060 model & above)
• MSI GE76 Raider 11UH (2020-2023): (RTX 3060 model & above)
• MSI GE76 Raider 12UHS (2020-2023): (RTX 3060 model & above)
• MSI GP76 Leopard 10UG (2020-2023): (RTX 3070 model & above)
• MSI GS76 Stealth (2020-2023): (RTX 3060 model & above)
• Razer Blade 17 (2020-2023)
• Razer Blade 15 Superior (2020-2023)
• Razer Blade 14 (2022 & 2023)
• XMG Neo 15 / Eluktronics Mech-15 G3 (2021-2022): (RTX 3070 & above)
• XMG Neo 16 / Eluktronics Mech-16 GP (2023): (RTX 4060 & above)
• XMG Neo 17 / Eluktronics Mech-17 GP (2022-2023): (RTX 3070 Ti & above)

Closing Phrase

This has been our MUX Change & Superior Optimus information. We hope any questions you had on tips on how to disable Optimus and what a MUX Change is and does have been answered, and also you are actually experiencing a further enhance in your gaming laptop computer’s efficiency for completely free! Ensure to take a look by means of our best gaming laptop web page and different gaming laptop guides if you would like to check out different machines that aren’t listed right here.