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    MBP Dynamic Graphic Switching

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by cdcohen, Oct 28, 2010.

  1. cdcohen

    cdcohen Notebook Consultant

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    So, its been about 4 days since I got my new MBP15, and I love this thing. I took advice from others and installed gfxCardStatus because I wanted to monitor the GPU. However I have questions.

    When is the Intel suppose to kick on?

    When is the Nvidia suppose to kick on?

    I originally believed that the Nvidia would turn on if I was doing something graphically intensive, but leaving it on dynamic switching showed me that if I am just staring at my desktop the Nvidia turns on... which I tested and it draws alot more power. The computer is unplugged and it still turns on.

    For right now I just force the Intel graphics on when its unplugged. I love gfxCardStatus just for this reason.

    Any explanation for this?
     
    cdcohen, Oct 28, 2010
    #1
  2. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    It's still a normal hybrid GFx system, as far as I know. Seperate outputs for both the GPUs, and still requires switching for both (iirc, in the sys preferences? I only have a MB13 with the old C2D/9400m)
     
    jeremyshaw, Oct 28, 2010
    #2
  3. ajreynol

    ajreynol Notebook Virtuoso

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    some applications automatically turn on the nVidia card for example:

    [​IMG]
    You see where it says "Dependencies"? those are the applications that currently want to force the nVidia card and will do so if I let the computer switch like it wants to. Right now, "HyperDock" has my nVidia card enabled. If you want the computer to be on the integrated chipset you would have to in such a scenario, you have to:

    a.) Shut down the offending program

    b.) Manually select "Intel Only"

    In my case, I don't want to shut down HyperDock, so I'll have to live with it for now (it's beta software) and manually switch to integrated graphics when I need to. You'd be surprised at what applications force the Nvidia card.
     
    ajreynol, Oct 28, 2010
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  4. doh123

    doh123 Without ME its just AWESO

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    It doesn't switch by how much graphics power you need.. directly... it switched depending on what APIs or Frameworks running programs are calling... there are several apps out there, built incorrectly, that are linked to frameworks they don't really need to be, and kick the GPU on for no good reason. that is why gfxCardStatus is a must.
     
    doh123, Oct 28, 2010
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  5. cdcohen

    cdcohen Notebook Consultant

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    I just remembered that I do have HyperDock as well... As far as forcing the card, I have already been doing that, and all is well.

    Thank you guys for the explanation, now I understand a little bit better.
     
    cdcohen, Oct 28, 2010
    #5