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    Power consumption and Discrete GPU

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by goatfig, Oct 4, 2012.

  1. goatfig

    goatfig Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does any one know how bad the power drain is for having a low end discrete gpu?

    Does this power consumption change if the gpu is "switchable" so that I could turn it off?(does the power for the GPU actually drop to 0 or is it still drawing idle current)

    My specific case is the Thinkpad T430s with or without the NVIDIA NVS 5200M.

    I get laptop for the same price with or without the graphics. I am more interested in battery life than high end performance since i have a desktop too.

    Thanks guys!!!!
     
    goatfig, Oct 4, 2012
    #1
  2. djembe

    djembe drum while you work

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    Nvidia's Optimus graphics switching is very effective and the battery life on the system with the 5200M should be approximately the same as that on a system with only Intel graphics, as long as you're not using the dedicated graphics while on battery.
     
    djembe, Oct 4, 2012
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  3. sniper_sung

    sniper_sung Notebook Evangelist

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    I can confirm the idle power consumption is identical between my T420s /w discrete GPU (Optimus enabled) and my friend's T420s /wo discrete GPU. They both idle at 8W.

    If I disable Optimus and enable discrete GPU on my T420s, the idle power goes up to 11W.
     
    sniper_sung, Oct 5, 2012
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  4. goatfig

    goatfig Notebook Enthusiast

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    Awesome!!! Thanks you guys are the best :)
     
    goatfig, Oct 5, 2012
    #4