dGPU Switch and Freeze Problem

[RBalt1]

Hi,

there is a problem with laptops which have Intel CPU + GTX 1050/1050Ti/1060/1070/GT 640M. The problem is, whenever you try to do some action on the OS, discrete GPU is triggered and it causes a 0.5s freeze.

Some actions, which cause the dGPU to wake up and lock up the whole system for about 0,5 seconds are:

• Left click on battery-icon in task-bar
• Opening Chrome-browser
• Opening Windows Image Viewer (app + classic Foto viewer)
• Opening system control panel
• Provocation any animation on task bar (e.g. thumbnail-preview, ...)
• Loading a new tab in Firefox

Here is a video demonstrating Display Setting Freeze:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7K1SpCQgAY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7K1SpCQgAYAnother video showing dGPU switch on a lot of simple tasks:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-euiZmHZwlc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-euiZmHZwlcAnother one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txQZWfWFhlc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txQZWfWFhlcWe have tried updating every software possible, but no luck.

• Intel driver
• NVIDIA driver
• Chipset driver
• BIOS
• Firmware

The problem can be found on all laptop brands: ASUS, Acer, Clevo, Dell, Gigabyte, HP, Lenovo, MSI, Razer.The problem can be solved by either disabling Intel GPU, which forces the system to always work with NVIDIA, or disabling NVIDIA GPU. Both of them is not an option though, as if you disable Intel, not only you will drain the battery faster, but also some games will stop working. If you disable NVIDIA, then what is the point of buying a laptop with a discrete GPU?There is a also a workaround: configuring https://github.com/jobeid/TrayPwrD3 TrayPwrD3 to always work with NVIDIA in the backgound. This keeps the NVIDIA GPU alive but also drains battery faster. And there is no poaint in that as it renders Optimus useless!So, manufacturers have to come up with a fix.Thank you.

Reported Models:

• Acer VN7-793G

• Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-51-536M)

• Acer Nitro 5, i5 7300HQ, GTX1050 Ti

• Acer Predator Helios 300 (PH317-51)

• ASUS N580VD

• Asus GL503VD

• Asus GL503

• Alienware 13 R3

• Alienware 17 R4

• Dell 7567

• Dell XPS L521x

• Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming 7577

• Dell 7510 (Early 2017)

• Gigabyte Aero15W

• GIGABYTE P37XV6

• Gigabyte P35 v6

• Gigabyte Aero 15

• HP Omen 15

• HP Omen HD630 + GTX1050

• HP Pavilion

• Lenovo Y720

• Lenovo Y520

• Lenovo W530

• Lenovo P51 Xeon

• MSI GE63VR 7RF Raider 4K

• MSI GS60 2PE

• MSI GS43VR 7RE

• MSI GS63VR 4K

• MSI GS73VR 7RG Stealth Pro

• MSI GS73VR 7RF

• MSI GP62MVR 7RF

• MSI GE72MVR 7RG

• MSI GE73VR 7RE

• MSI GE73VR 7RF

• MSI GP72MVR

• MSI GX63VR

• Monster ABRA A7 V7.2 (Clevo)

• Razer Blade 14

• Razer Blade 14 2017

• Razer Blade 2017

• Samsung Odyssey i7 7700 + GTX 1050

• XMG A517-dnj

• XMG P507

Non-Effected Models:

• MSI PL62 7RC

Effected Windows Versions:

• W...

[smoha251]

I guess ill wait till april update. Most changes might come

[BMade]

Tried newest driver from intel(15.65.5.4982) and Windows Spring Creators 17133 build, everything is same like before, no improvements at all.

[AHabi3]

In the release notes of that driver, 4982*, it says the following under key issues fixed: "Intermittent stutter may be observed on systems with discrete graphics."

I assume they are addressing the issue we are having

Intermittent (fancy words): occurring at irregular intervals ~ occasional

[RBalt1]

Yes, they are still working on the issue. Here is the latest status update:

Intel did find something that they were able to modify/resolve, which they have implemented in the latest driver and it fixed the initial right click freeze issue. They are aware of other freezing issues and are continuing to detect the root cause. Intel is working with Microsoft on the issue but Microsoft didn't give any information yet (surprised?). NVIDIA was also contacted and Intel is also investigating with them but this problem can also be seen on Intel + AMD setups -regardless of graphics vendor.

At the moment it is still not determined who owns fixing the issue. But looking at the developements so far, rest of the issues are not resolvable by a graphics driver workaround or fix.

So, again, it is highly possible that Microsoft owns fixing the rest of the issues.

I'll keep posting updates on the issue.

[smoha251]

I observed it since 942.

[smoha251]

No sorry it was 4974

[idata]

I just created an account after experiencing this problem with a Dell 7577. Had all the aforementioned issues. I had to cave in and return it. Still waiting for my refund. One thing I noticed with the dell, is that the realtek drivers were the biggest issue. Also does anyone know if the "Asus GL503VM" is safe to purchase? Please.

[BM2]

@ Coffie All laptops have this issue. Buying another laptop with NVIDIA + Intel graphics will not help.

Realtek drivers are a whole different story, they are not related to the GPU.

[MZaho1]

It is safe, because it uses G-Sync technology that directly connects your dgpu to the screen, so Nvidia Optimus is not available on that laptop, which will result in poor battery life. I had that laptop and returned it because I need better battery life, so dont expect more than 2 hours, even after tweaking. But yeah, it doesnt stutter.

[JRobe1]

I can also confirm that the Windows SCU (build 1803) and the latest intel drivers don't help this issue as of today. Oh well, maybe we'll get a fix in October.

[CInte1]

October?!

[JLine1]

Yup. Delay, delay, delay, delay, just as I said a month ago...

Just dropped by to say...

lol

that is all.

I don't have the emotional fortitude to care anymore. This will go on, ad infinitum.

What a disaster.

[KLong1]

LOL, agreed, what a disaster, and I read articles this morning that Apple is planning to drop Intel.

So Intel can thank Microsoft for losing business. LOL. I guess Microsoft is their biggest customer so it pays to protect them.

It just stuns me that there are no reports on this. Wonder how much they get paid to keep quiet.

[AArbo1]

Wanted to post a weird quick solution to this issue without disabling the dGPU or downloading additional software.

1) Enable Built-in Administrator account and set a password

2) Restart PC

3) On login page, switch to Administrator account and put in password you set

4) Lag is gone

When I tried this, I noticed when signing into the admin account that my screen flickers for my Dell 7567 and when logged in, no lag. If you sign out and back into your regular account, the lag is still gone. If you try and restart the PC again and you were last signed in as the admin account, the screen doesn't flicker and lag is there. It's weird but there is something with being last signed into your regular user account and signing into the Built-In Admin account that fixes the lag at least for me on the latest Windows Insider 17133.1 with Intel 4982 and Nvidia 9135 driver.

[RBalt1]

I'll give it a try. Thanks.

[SShi7]

@ AndrewArbour Wait. What? This actually worked.

[RBalt1]

Oracle:

OK, now I'm supposed to say, "Hmm, that's interesting, but..." then you say...

Neo:

..."but what?"

Oracle:

But... you already know what I'm going to tell you.

Neo:

I'm not The One.

Oracle:

Sorry, kid. You got the gift, but it looks like you're waiting for something

Neo:

What?

Oracle:

Your next life, maybe. Who knows? That's the way these things go.

OK, enough fun. I've checked your method. At first, it looks like a dream came true. But then I run the Optimus state viewer and the GPU is always on in admin account:

After logging off and then logging into my user account, this GPU state goes on for a while. Battery freeze looks to be gone but it is still there like a ghost. Comes up to light sometimes.

So, not a solution, sorry.

[BM2]

So it's more like another bug. LOL.

[RBalt1]

Exactly A new bug that solves an existing one

[MMora7]

This problem is present in nb with linux distros?

[CInte1]

mdanielm, it is not present on linux or macos.