Advanced Optimus

NVIDIA's automatic, no-reboot MUX that switches between the iGPU and discrete GPU on the fly.

Advanced Optimus is the smarter version of a MUX switch. A hardware multiplexer driven by the GPU driver detects when you launch a game and routes the discrete GPU directly to the display, then switches back to the integrated GPU for desktop work, all without a reboot.

Because the switch is automatic, you get the frame-rate and G-SYNC benefits of direct GPU output while still keeping long battery life when you are just browsing or on video calls.

Why it matters when buying

Look for Advanced Optimus if you hate rebooting to change graphics modes. A plain MUX still works but forces a restart each time; Advanced Optimus handles it seamlessly and is common on premium 2026 models.