Dual video cards: Intel 4000 HD + 680m.

[dubstepdeejay]

Hey guys. Just bought a Sager laptop with dual video cards. Came with the Intel HD 4000 and nvidia GTX 680M (4096MB GDDR5)

Don't know anything about these integrated/dedicated dual machines, but if my mild research proves correct, Intel gets used for desktop appliations and the GTX kicks in when one runs a game, so I guess my question is has anyone disabled the Intel 4000 completely and solely ran the 680m? This a bad idea?

Because I don't understand why one would need this Intel video card running. Naturally I'm accustomed to a PC, like at home my 780 runs everything.

Also, due to my ignorance on the laptop end, if this Intel needs to be kept running, what happens when I run a game in window mode? Can't imagine the 680m running a game in a window while the Intel resumes the Windows environment.

Appreciate any feedback.

[_I_]

notebooks that use the intel hd xxxx gpu use them all of the time
even with an nvidia card

the nvidia gpu will write to the intel igp frame buffer to be displayed

if you disable the intel 4000 the pc will not recognize the monitor

[dubstepdeejay]

Well, that answers that. Understood.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

U basically can't fully disable the Onboard GPU or you will have problems. You just set the NVIDIA GPU to be the preferred default from within NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings if that's how u want it.

[Long Ago [Linux]]

The Intel graphics uses less power and generates less heat. In Nvidia Experience it will either automatically recognize games to use the Nvidia graphics, or you can add games that it does not recognize. Typically your power LED will change color depending upon which is being used, on my laptop blue for Intel and amber for Nvidia.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Well a typical issue is that when u launch games through Steam, NVIDIA CP doesn't see that the game .exe is launching since it is Steam that is launching the game .exe

So you pretty have to force NVIDIA GPU as the preferred one for gaming purposes for it to work correctly. Otherwise u will have to add each of your games so they are listed in NVIDIA CP and then set each one manually be run off the NVIDIA GPU. Simply setting the NVIDIA GPU as the default Globally easily gets around having to do alot of extra config work.

If you wanted to run with prolonged battery life and get most from the battery when not gaming, then simply set the GPU back to either Auto or Intel GPU in NVIDIA CP; as needed.

[Pomelo]

Bad-Motha の投稿を引用：

Well a typical issue is that when u launch games through Steam, NVIDIA CP doesn't see that the game .exe is launching since it is Steam that is launching the game .exe

So you pretty have to force NVIDIA GPU as the preferred one for gaming purposes for it to work correctly. Otherwise u will have to add each of your games so they are listed in NVIDIA CP and then set each one manually be run off the NVIDIA GPU. Simply setting the NVIDIA GPU as the default Globally easily gets around having to do alot of extra config work.

If you wanted to run with prolonged battery life and get most from the battery when not gaming, then simply set the GPU back to either Auto or Intel GPU in NVIDIA CP; as needed.

Never happened with Steam games on my laptop. HD4600+760M here. Actually, I forced a few less demanding games to use the iGPU.

Otherwise 99% of my games are correctly using the Nvidia GPU automatically.

[dubstepdeejay]

Thank you for all the feedback. I almost understand now. One question, though:

Let's take for instance the game Grim Dawn. If I go into the video options, the only option for a video card is the Intel 4000. Now does that mean the 680 will take over once the game starts, considering I do have the 680 selected as the prefered card in Nvidia Control Panel, or this particular game just doesn't see the 680?

[Pomelo]

Nah that's somewhat a detection issue. Many games will only detect the HD4000 as GPU while the Nvidia GPU is actually running.

Dunno, might be because it's "registered" as the video output GPU.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

U can always ensure of which GPU is being used; by running GPU-Z in the background. After u launch an OpenGL or DirectX app/game; switch back to GPU-Z to look for the NVIDIA GPU being utilized. If for some reason it is not being used; u may have to force it by setting the Preferred GPU to the NVIDIA one in NVIDIA CP.

Overall u should just set it to that anyways. Auto hardly ever works properly, especailly with games run through Steam.

[Pomelo]

Bad-Motha の投稿を引用：

U can always ensure of which GPU is being used; by running GPU-Z in the background. After u launch an OpenGL or DirectX app/game; switch back to GPU-Z to look for the NVIDIA GPU being utilized. If for some reason it is not being used; u may have to force it by setting the Preferred GPU to the NVIDIA one in NVIDIA CP.

Overall u should just set it to that anyways. Auto hardly ever works properly, especailly with games run through Steam.

I've owned two laptops (1: i7, HD4000, 660M; 2: i7, HD4600, 760M) with Optimus over the past few years and among my friends there are a few more being used (e.g. one with i5, HD4400, 740M), none ever had big issues with Auto. And we all mainly use Steam for games.

If anything, I actually forced it to run some less demanding games on the iGPU because then it was easier/possible to play them on battery.