Intel HD Graphics & Video Card Question...

[ttechf]

Hi,

I had two questions.

1. I've heard and read on various other places that say you have a i7-4770k that has Intel's HD 4600 graphics and a video card, that you can use BOTH in harmony with each other so you don't "lose" the HD 4600 graphics. That they will work together automatically? Is this true? Not true? Do you need to set it to run together?

2. Let's say I have a nice video card and one day I know I will not be doing any gaming, is there a way I can completely shut off the video card to not even run by just a program or application or something? do I need to manually turn it off?
Or do I not even need to bother because graphics cards are "smart" and will barely run if I am not even gaming or doing anything graphically intensive?


Thank you!

 

[BigChickenJim]

1. Some computers--usually laptops--do indeed include "switchable graphics" that will run both the integrated and discrete graphics in tandem (pseudo-CFX) to boost performance in demanding applications. Some laptops will automatically select dual graphics on a per-application basis, others need each application to be configured manually.

I haven't heard of such a configuration being used on a desktop, but that doesn't mean it isn't possible.

2. If you are using switchable graphics, the discrete GPU *should* be automatically put into idle during non-intensive tasks. Even if it isn't it will hardly be used, therefore making a manual disable unnecessary. That said, yes you can manually disable a graphics adapter if you should so choose. Why you'd want to is a better question.

 

[zir_blazer]

Assymetric or different brand/generation MultiGPU systems are usually a pain in the ass to set properly because you're 100% bound to OS support and Drivers, more than any real Hardware limitations. I'm not talking about using both to work on the same game like in SLI or Crossfire, but for each to work independently. For example, I have recently migrated to a Dual Monitor configuration, and if for some reason I want to play TWO games simultaneously, and had two GPUs, I would prefer the integrated GPU to take care of the less demanding one (Or Desktop, Youtube Flash Hardware acceleration, etc) and the discrete GPU on the other game, like if you were setting CPU Afinity in the Task Manager. However, it doesn't work like that as far that I am aware, and the current support for these types of setups is poor, so its generally easier to just rely on one powerful GPU that trying to make two or more work in a more flexible way.

One of the things I recall is that if you disabled the IGP in order to use the discrete Video Card, you missed the QuickSync from your Processor IGP, that is extremely good in what it does. Virtu had some Software that allowed you to connect the Monitor to the IGP, but games were processed on the discrete GPU then copied to the IGP framebuffer, so you could use both simultaneously. Don't remember good enough how it actually worked and if it was decent enough to use 24/7 or had glitches. There were a lot of articles about it two years ago or so.

 

[2is]

I'm using both my IGP and 680 at the same time but not the way you have described in #2. I simply have my second monitor connected to the IGP and my primary to my 680. This frees up a small bit of VRAM and allows the 680 to downclock lower when its idle. With 2 monitors connected it never clocks down as low as it can.

 

[chadashcroft22]

1. You must be talking about lucid mvp software http://www.lucidlogix.com/index.html Seems most people have artifacts/problems but ymmv.

2. If talking about a desktop then the auto setting should work as long as your monitor is plugged into the gpu you want to use. If you want to fully disable just go into bios and turn it off there.

 

[Crow550]

I was just pondering this myself. I had heard if you hook up your display/s to the integrated video card like Intel then if using like an AMD video card in Catalyst you'd just make profiles for what apps / games use what card either integrated or discrete.

You can do this on Desktops too.

I don't know if some games or apps will have issues and try to use the integrated one by default or if Catalyst has better support now? I remember reading a Catalyst update for Intel integrated GPU support.

If using the integrated card does save a lot of energy I would be interested in doing this on both my PCs.

I have another PC with an integrated AMD card as well as discrete AMD card too. I assume it would work the same....

 

[Mushkins]

I'm using both my IGP and 680 at the same time but not the way you have described in #2. I simply have my second monitor connected to the IGP and my primary to my 680. This frees up a small bit of VRAM and allows the 680 to downclock lower when its idle. With 2 monitors connected it never clocks down as low as it can.

This feature depends on the BIOS and the video card. Some BIOS will automatically disable the IGP and yell at you if you try to boot with something plugged into the VGA on the motherboard. Typically business workstations with cards using those goofy molex y splitters do this.

On most consumer boards you actually have to go into the BIOS and select "disable on-board graphics" or it'll still sit there powered up ready to go even with a discrete GPU. Usually a good idea to disable it if you're not gonna use it.