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    Question about gpu-swapping

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Wintermist, Jul 24, 2010.

  1. Wintermist

    Wintermist Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi I have a question. How does switching between dedicated and integrated graphics (many calls it "gpu-swapping") actually works on notebooks? Does it do it automatically, or is there a button on the notebook that does it? And is dedicated graphics and discrete graphics the same? Thanks for any answers :)
     
    Wintermist, Jul 24, 2010
    #1
  2. e14

    e14 Notebook Evangelist

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    which notebook, they all do it differently, and yeah dedicated and discrete means the same thing
     
    e14, Jul 25, 2010
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  3. Wintermist

    Wintermist Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok thank-you very much :) Umm HP DM4, HP Envy 14, HP DV6 or MacBook Pro I think about getting one for college.
    Not sure which one yet.
     
    Wintermist, Jul 25, 2010
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  4. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    unless your machine has an MXM video card, your gpu will be soldered in.
     
    newsposter, Jul 25, 2010
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  5. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

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    some machines have both integrated and discreet and can swap between them. as for upgrading cards later yes you would need an MXM compatable machine
     
    crazycanuk, Jul 25, 2010
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  6. nikeseven

    nikeseven Notebook Deity

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    Most companies call it "Switchable Graphics". Nvidia's optimus switches between the Intel Integrated and a dedicated Nvidia GPU based on what you need.
     
    nikeseven, Jul 25, 2010
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  7. Wintermist

    Wintermist Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for all the answers, all of them really helps :) Does ATI cards also switch from Intel's integrated graphics
    to ATI's dedicated, based on what's needed?
     
    Wintermist, Jul 25, 2010
    #7
  8. crazycanuk

    crazycanuk Notebook Virtuoso

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    yes, ATI has switchable from both the intel IGP as well as as an integrated for their own AMD Cpu's but theirs is more of a manual switching, if you NEED the extra power you hit a button before running your app or game. AMD/ATI's autoswitching is not due out for a little bit more
     
    crazycanuk, Jul 25, 2010
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  9. Wintermist

    Wintermist Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok thank-you very much :)
     
    Wintermist, Jul 26, 2010
    #9