Dedicated/Integrated Graphics Question

I'm getting a Sager NP5125 notebook, already ordered and everything coming in next week. Looking at Xoticpc's review for it he was talking about the button to switch between the dedicated and integrated graphics. I know what they both mean, but I was wondering, are integrated graphics useful for anything? I play a lot of games (WoW, CS, RPGs and such) but I'm on the web a lot too like youtube and facebook. Or should I just leave the dedicated on all the time without having any problems? I totally messed up my current laptop, it's kinda my test dummy that I've been learning my lesson on and dealing with for the past 4 years (Toshiba Satellite A215, decent laptop, terrible for gaming) so I'm trying to do whatever I can to keep this new one going for at least a couple years. Thanks in advance!

 

The button doesn't switch between the dGPU and iGPU; it switches between Optimus on and Optimus off (more precisely, it switches the power plan in W7 Control Panel to "UMA Mode: System force iGPU only"). When Optimus is on either the dGPU or iGPU will be used depending on how demanding the application being run is. So, you don't have to worry about pressing the button. Just always have Optimus on and Nvidia will decide which GPU to use. (You also have some control over how Optimus behaves in Nvidia control panel.) But Intel's integrated graphics are great for all normal computer use besides gaming. I can't tell the difference between watching 1080p videos with the iGPU or dGPU. Because I don't game currently, I disabled Optimus in BIOS to save power, which means only the iGPU is used on my laptop. (Note: you cannot turn the iGPU off and only use the dGPU.)

If you have any more questions regarding the np5125 check out the owners' lounge.

 

Yup, integrated graphics save butt loads of power compared to dedicated. I guess the other benefit is that if the dedicated GPU fails, the IGP can still work as a backup in theory. I don't think it can work the other way around though if the IGP is built into the Northbridge, and I have no idea if the integrated on die GPU in i3 and i5 processors effects whether the CPU cores can if it fails.

 

It wouldn't. Optimus uses the display controller of the IGP even when the discrete GPU is running all the hard work. So Optimus isn't really IGP or dGPU, it's IGP or IGP+dGPU.

 

wahhhhhhhhh if your dedicated fails your IGP can take over?

 

thanks everyone, I definitley appreciate the help I'm looking to major in computers and I know a lot of things just not enough yet >.<

im a HUGE gamer and this will be my first gaming computer, so its very exciting. I can hardly even wait this 1 week for it to come in!

 

Well, there really isn't a 'Northbridge' anymore, the IGP is on the CPU package (at least for i-core series CPUs that support Optimus). If the IGP failed I doubt the CPU would work at all (especially since the memory controller is on the same die as the IGP).

The NP5125 looks like a decent machine, but the 330m doesn't really count as a gaming laptop. A true 'gaming' laptop would be something up in the 360m range.

 

i wasnt looking for a TRUE gaming laptop, if i was i wouldnt only be spending 1k on it. i just barely got my first job and im still in college so something of a higher price range would have to wait. but as far as gaming is concerned, all i want is to be able to run at least something like mass effect or oblivion decently. be the judge please. the game i play most is WoW but thats a given

1GB DDR3 Nvidia GeForce GT 330M GPU with Optimus Technology / Embedded Intel HD Graphics with Shared Memory up to 1.7GB
Intel® Core™ i5-450M Processor ( 32nm, 3MB L3 Cache, 2.40GHz / 2.66GHz Turbo Mode )
4GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 2 X 2GB

btw i chose this thing in place of the M11x, which looks like it was the better choice

 

I'm not trying to say that the 330 is bad, you should be able to play most non-Crysis or Metro 2033 games on medium at 768p or 900p resolutions, though it'll have problems at 1080p. It should be plenty for WoW or Mass Effect.

However, I will say that you can get the much more powerful ATI 5650 in laptops in the same price range.

 

kobalt in the uk are shipping the upgraded GT425M on the GS510/NP5125 & GS710/NP7110 at no extra cost and and also upgraded the cpu to i5 460 for free as well so you are getting old stock.

 

well im pretty nooby in the computer world and I've never bought my own computer before so I didn't really know what to look for. next time I'll do some more research and probably come on here to get peoples opinions. Kinda makes me wish I asked on here before I bought hehe