So I recently decided to install windows 8 on my retina macbook pro because I heard its so easy and I need to work with visual studio 2012 for my MCSD certification.
Installed everything and got windows 8 working correctly, also installed all the drivers that Mac OSX gives you the option of downloading before the process.
My question is in regards to gpu switching, it seems that only the 650m is activated under windows 8, is there any way to enable gpu switching? even if its not on the fly, because I would prefer to have better battery life as I don't need the 650m for what I am doing.
Edit: After reading a bit I see that it is not possible to have gpu switching, but is there a way to just force the intel gpu? get rid of the nvidia gpu completely under windows?
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saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate
In many words, folks have been looking for a way to do this since Apple introduced switchable GPUs for OS X back in 2010 with essentially zero success. Some have gotten both the Intel iGPU and NVIDIA dGPU to appear in device manager by attempting an EFI install of Windows but with minimal to no functionality otherwise. -
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kornchild2002 Notebook Deity
I'm even running into the issue of the 650m kicking in when I'm using Windows 7 under Parallels 7. Windows XP doesn't trigger the switch to the Nvidia GPU but Windows 7 does for some reason. Another odd note: my 2011 13" MBP and mid-2011 13" MBA all ran Windows 7 through Parallels just fine and they relied solely on Intel's IGP. Either way, you're SOL until Apple releases a solution and that is doubtful as people have been wanting switchable graphics, through Bootcamp, for 3 years now.
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saturnotaku Notebook Nobel Laureate
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If you haven't already, open the VM options dialog and under Optimization/Power change the setting from better performance to longer battery life. If that doesn't work, you can turn off 3D acceleration entirely or just use gfxCardStatus to force integrated graphics. -
kornchild2002 Notebook Deity
Right now it isn't bothering me as I have to plug my Mac in when using Parallels anyway as that's when I'm running a series of programs under Windows 7 and OS X. My MBP would last a measly 2 hours on its battery with what I'm doing. I will keep that in mind though I'm pretty sure I have already adjusted those settings in Parallels 7.
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with a VM in OSX you can use gfxCardStatus to force on your Intel GPU before launching the VM and have it run using Intel only.
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In bootcamp you can also user NVIDIA Inspector to down clock the 650M to very low speeds which will save battery life.
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So I gave up on bootcamp, other than playing games virtualization has the advantage.
Better battery life (Able to force IGP through GfxCardStatus)
Instant Access through OSX
No need to choose what to boot to during start up
Can run windows apps as if they were on OSX (Parallels)
No need to create a fixed partition
Did I mention better battery life? -
That's what got me to trade off my RMBP. Shame really.
First time bootcamp user
Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by mobiousblack, May 14, 2013.