Questions on the GPU issues when running Windows

Tl;dr: Can I make the EFI enable the iGPU instead of the dGPU in bootcamp?

I'm contemplating to get the top of the line rMBP with the dedicated GPU, and I'm planning to boot Windows as well. However, I've been told and read a lot about the GPU issues when running Windows.

After reading numerous explanations, I get the idea that the iGPU is turned off by the EFI when running BootCamp, and if I install Windows via EFI or BIOS, both GPUs will get detected, please correct me if I'm wrong here.

So, I'm just wondering, can I make the EFI enable the iGPU instead of the dGPU in bootcamp? I read that the MacBook Pro's battery life suck on Windows largely because its running dGPU all the time, but I need bootcamp because I code on Visual Studio. Also, after seeing Office on Macs, I think I prefer Office 2013 a lot more on Windows. I don't pay games and I hope to squeeze as much battery as I can get while in BootCamp.

Also for those who have successfully installed Windows 8.1 on the new rMBP, how long does it lasts unplugged?


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Well, the way that most laptops implement Optimus (and Enduro) is that the dGPU "runs through" the iGPU, then to the screen. As in, the iGPU is the only one connected to the display in most laptops.

However, Apple implemented it in such a way that both the iGPU and the dGPU are connected to the display (so I've been told). If that is the case, there isn't going to be any way to use just the iGPU in the rMBP with Windows since Windows will assume that if there's Optimus, then the iGPU is where the image data is coming from. No iGPU (due to the EFI), Windows assumes that it only has a dGPU, uses that, and that's the end of that, since Apple hasn't done anything to accompidate Windows users on their products besides allowing you to dual-boot.

 

In a word, no.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. So is it true that both gpus get detected if installed via BIOS? If so, is it possible to install Windows alongside Mac OS this way?



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You mean through the EFI since Macs don't have a BIOS? I believe both graphical options are detected through the EFI but only one is used (likely the Intel option). Unfortunately the answer to your question is still no. The only way you can really do this is through Bootcamp. Although you can install Windows through other means, there are still issues that come up. You still can't switch between the graphics options, the GPU (not the Intel IGP) will still always be used. Both will be visible to Windows but, due to Apple's implementation, only the dedicated GPU can be used. You can't get around this limitation no matter how you try to install Windows. There are also issues with getting sound out of Windows and they can't be solved, that's through a direct EFI installation like you are talking about.

 

Thanks for the detailed clarification! Looks like I will have to learn to live with it or use Parallels...

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Or you could get something like the new Dell Precision M3800 that has a Retina-like display and full Optimus support.

 

Or any of the other higher-quality Wintels out there. If you absolutely need a non-VM install of Windows, or primarily use Windows, why get a rMBP?

 

As much as I like Windows, frankly its impossible to find any hardware that comes close to the rMBP. Anyway, thanks again guys.

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Business-class laptops surpass rMBP build quality?

 

Um, I just mentioned one.

 

Sorry I should make my statement clearer. To be frank I've never owned a Mac so my experience with MacBooks is entirely based on my hours of hands-on with the MacBooks at a local retailer. I'd say I'm looking for a laptop that's powerful, feels and looks luxurious? All my life I've been waiting for Windows OEMs to come up with a match for the MacBook and the closest I've felt was the Asus Zenbook, but even that was a little underpowered for my liking.

I don't play games but I'd like to sometimes so the XPS 15 would be a better choice for me as it has a conventional GPU as opposed to a compute card. Thing is the XPS 15 if plagued with issues like its rippling screen, problematic touchpad and touchscreen, inferior keyboard, and wifi issues. The MacBook's battery life also a huge plus.

 

Well, keep in mind that there's a difference between "build quality" and "feels luxurious". Build quality is an objective measure, whereas luxury is entirely subjective, though build quality and luxurious are not always mutually exclusive. You can easily find a powerful laptop with all OEMs, and shouldn't be that hard considering they're all using the same parts internally (CPU, HDD/SDD, RAM, mainboard, display, etc.). Hell, all laptops are pretty much made by the same small group of Tawianese/Chinese ODMs (Clevo, Compal, Foxconn, Pengatron, Quanta, etc.). So really the only *true* difference between an Apple laptop and Wintel laptop would be the OS.

I'm not going to sit here and bash you (or anyone else) for buying a MBP or whatever you buy. Computers are simply tools and shouldn't be worshiped simply because of what OEM it happens to come from. I just wanted to make some corrections to previous posts.

 

Save for a few small things, a GeForce and Quadro are virtually the same on a hardware level. It's mostly the software that differs. A Quadro can handle light to moderate gaming more than adequately.

 

I'm more than able to play then-modern games on my Quadro 2000M. It's pretty much equivalent to the GeForce 555M, and the current K2000M is roughly a 750M or so.

 

The 2012 K2000M was comparable to a GT 650M (DDR3 version).
The 2013 K1100M is comparable (has slower clock speeds IIRC) to a GT 750M.

Notebookcheck says this about the K1100m

And this about the K2000m

 

Ah, I shifted it by a generation. My bad.