What is MUX Switch?
What the Mux Switch does is let you choose between using Integrated Graphics or Dedicated Graphics. This is a new feature available on most of the latest laptops from 2021. This is a switch that’s built-in to the motherboard of the laptop more specifically gaming laptops. Depending on your usage and how heavy the task is, you can make use of the switch. This switch cannot be installed or downloaded to your laptop, because it’s a hardware feature. Also based on the brand of the laptop, you’ll be able to use the mux switch in different manners. Some laptops will have their proprietary software to control the switch, while others might have this option within the BIOS menu. With the MUX Switch on, you will be able to send all the rendered objects from the dedicated GPU right away to the laptop’s display. It no longer needs to pass through the integrated GPU to display the output onto the screen. Also, you can select the dedicated GPU to be used if you are using an external display. Using the dedicated GPU is useful when you might be doing some graphically intensive work. While you get more power from the dedicated GPU you will lose a lot of battery backup, but then, it would be sensible to have the laptop plugged into its power source. Using a MUX switch will also bring in some good performance in your games. Like you can get anywhere between 10 to even 30% improvements. Now that you know how useful a MUX switch is, let’s take a look at how you can use the MUX Switch on different brands of Laptops.
How to Enable MUX Switch on Different laptops
ASUS
All ASUS gaming series laptops from 2021 have the MUX Switch. You can find this option available in the Armoury Crate. It will be visible under the System Configuration menu.
Acer
The Acer Predator series of gaming laptops have Predator Sense, a software designed by Acer for their Predator gaming laptops. All you need to do is launch the software and then click on the Settings icon. Simply toggle the switch to where it says Discrete GPU only.
Lenovo
The Legion series of gaming laptops from Lenovo also makes use of its own software whenever you would want to switch the GPUs. Simply fire up the Lenovo Vantage app and you will see the Hybrid Mode option. Toggle it to enable or Off to disable it.
Aorus
Aorus is a gaming brand by Gigabyte. They also manufacture a number of gaming laptops. All Mux Switch-supported gaming laptops by Aorus can make use of the Aorus Control Center. The option will be available under the Manage tab and will be displayed as Graphics Switch. Click on it to change the modes.
MSI
MSI has a number of gaming laptop series. If you are using one that has a MUX Switch, you will be able to make use of it via the MSI Dragon Center, a software developed by MSI themselves to be used on devices that have the MUX Switch. Click on the GPU Switch option to change what GPU you want to use.
HP
HP has its own subbrand of gaming laptops under the OMEN brand. All compatible Omen laptops that have the MUX Switch can make use of the Omen Gaming Hub Software. This switch is available under the Graphics Switcher tab where you can choose what GPU you wish to choose.
Razer
Razer is a popular gaming brand that manufactures gaming peripherals and laptops. The Razer gaming laptops, make use of Synapse, A Software developed by Razer to manage your gaming laptop. If your Razer laptop has a MUX Switch, you can use this software to switch from an integrated GPU to a Discreet one.
Other Brands
Some other third-party brands that manufacture gaming laptops will be using Control Center software that can be used to switch from an iGPU to a dGPU.The option is visible only if your laptop has a MUX Switch.
Dell and Alienware
Now, if you have a laptop that has the MUX Switch present but no dedicated software to enable it, you will need to boot into the laptop’s BIOS menu and enable it from there. It should be present under the Advanced tab and will be displayed as Enable Hybrid Graphics.
List of Laptops with MUX Switch
Aftershock Vapor 15XAlienware M15 R4Alienware M15 R7Alienware M15 R6Alienware M17 R5Alienware x14Alienware x15 R1Alienware x15 R2Alienware x17 R1Alienware x17 R2Acer Nitro 5 AN515-46Acer Nitro 5 AN517-42Acer Predator Helios 300Acer Predator Triton 500 SEAcer Predator Triton 300Asus ROG Flow Z13Asus ROG Flow X16Asus ROG Strix G15 G513Asus ROG Strix G17 G713Asus ROG Strix Scar 15 G533Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G713Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 SE 2022Asus ROG Zephyrus S17 2021Asus ROG Zephyrus G15 GA503Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 GX650Asus ROG Zephyrus G14Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2022Asus ROG Zephyrus M16Asus TUF Dash F15 2022Asus TUF Gaming A15 2022Asus TUF Gaming F15 2022Asus TUF Gaming F17 2022Asus TUF Gaming A17 2022Aus Vivobook Pro 16X OLEDDell G5 SE 2020Dell G7 7700Dell G15 5515Dell G15 5520Dell G16Dell XPS 17 9700Eluktronics MAX 17Eluktronics Mech 15 G3Eluktronics Prometheus XVIIGigabyte A5Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XCGigabyte Aero 16Gigabyte Aero 17Gigabyte Aorus 15GGigabyte Aorus 17 XE4Gigabyte Aorus 17 XHP Omen 15 2020HP Omen 15 2021HP Omen 17HP Pavillion 15HP Victus 16Lenovo IdeaPad 5 Pro Gen 7Lenovo Legion 5 17Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 7Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 16Lenovo Legion 5i 15 2021Lenovo Legion 5i 17 2921Lenovo Legion 51 15 Gen 7Lenovo Legion 5i ProLenovo Legion 5i Pro Gen 6Lenovo Legion 7 16Lenovo Legion 7 Gen 7Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 6 16Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 7Lenovo Legion Slim 7 15Lenovo Legion Slim 7i Gen 7Lenovo L340 2019Lenovo Slim 7i Pro X 14Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 3Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5MSI GE66 RaiderMSI GE76 RaiderMSI GE77 RaiderMSI GE76 Raider Dragon EditionMSI GL66 PulseMSI GL76 PulseMSI GP66 LeopardMSI GP76 LeopardMSI GP66 VectorMSI GS66 StealthMSI GS66 Stealth 2022MSI GS76 StealthMSI GT77 TitanRazer Blade 15 Advanced EditionRazer Blade 17 2021Razer Blade 14 2022Razer Blade 15 2022Razer Blade 17 2022XMG Neo 15 E21XMG Neo 15 M21
The list was first prepared on 10th April 2022.
Conclusion
And this is everything you need to know about MUX Switches on gaming laptops. We hope this guide has helped you to know how to enable and switch your GPUs and also show you which next MUX Switch gaming laptop you should consider for your next purchase. Do let us know in the comments below if you have a laptop that has the MUX Switch but isn’t mentioned in this list. Also Check:
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