GPU switching is a mechanism used on computers with multiple graphic controllers. This mechanism allows the user to either maximize the graphic performance or prolong battery life by switching between the graphic cards. It is mostly used on gaming laptops which usually have an integrated graphic device and a discrete video card.
Most computers using this feature contain integrated graphics processors and dedicated graphics cards that applies to the following categories.
Also known as: Integrated graphics, shared graphics solutions, integrated graphics processors (IGP) or unified memory architecture (UMA). This kind of graphics processors usually have much fewer processing units and share the same memory with the CPU.Sometimes the graphics processors are integrated onto a motherboard. It is commonly known as: on-board graphics. A motherboard with on-board graphics processors doesn't require a discrete graphics card or a CPU with graphics processors to operate.
Also known as: discrete graphics cards. Unlike integrated graphics, dedicated graphics cards have much more processing units and have its own RAM with much higher memory bandwidth.
In some cases, a dedicated graphics chip can be integrated onto the motherboards, B150-GP104 for example. Regardless of the fact that the graphics chip is integrated, it is still counted as a dedicated graphics cards system because the graphics chip is integrated with its own memory.
Most Personal Computers have a motherboard that uses a Southbridge and Northbridge structure.
The Northbridge is one of the core logic chipset that handles communications between the CPU, GPU, RAM and the Southbridge. The discrete graphics card is usually installed onto the graphics card slot such as PCI-Express and the integrated graphics is integrated onto the CPU itself or occasionally onto the Northbridge. The Northbridge is the most responsible for switching between GPUs. The way how it works usually has the following process (refer to the Figure 1. on the right):[1] [2]
The Southbridge is a set of integrated circuits such Intel's I/O Controller Hub (ICH). It handles all of a computer's I/O functions, such as receiving the keyboard input and outputting the data onto the screen. The way how it usually works usually has two steps:[3]
The reason why the second step can be optional is that sometimes the rendered the data is outputted directly from the discrete graphics card which is located on the graphics card slot so there is no need to output the data through the Southbridge.
GPU switching is mostly used for saving energy by switching between graphic cards. The dedicated graphics cards consume much more power than integrated graphics but also provides higher 3D performances, which is needed for a better gaming and CAD experience. Following is a list of the TDPs of the most popular CPU with integrated graphics and dedicated graphics cards.
| Platform | |||||||
| Integrated Graphics | Dedicated Graphics Cards | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intel | TDP | Nvidia | TDP | AMD | TDP | ||
| CPU Model & Frequency | Intel IGP Serie | ||||||
| Intel Core i7-6700K @ 4.00 GHz | Intel HD Graphics 530 | 91W | GTX 1080 | 180W | Radeon R9 Fury | 275W | Desktop |
| Intel Core i5-6600K @ 3.50 GHz | Intel HD Graphics 530 | 91W | GTX 970 | 145W | Radeon R9 Nano | 175W | |
| Intel Core i7-4790K @ 4.40 GHz | Intel HD Graphics 4600 | 88W | GTX 780Ti | 250W | Radeon RX 480 | 150W | |
| Intel Core i7-6700HQ @ 2.60 GHz | Intel HD Graphics 530 | 45W | GTX 1080 | 165W | Radeon R9 M485X | 125W | Laptop |
| Intel Core i7-6500U @ 2.50 GHz | Intel HD Graphics 520 | 15W | GTX 980M | 100W | Radeon R9 M470X | 75W | |
| Intel Core i5-6200U @ 2.30 GHz | Intel HD Graphics 520 | 15W | GTX 880M | 103W | Radeon R9 M470 | 75W | |
| Intel Core i5-5200U @ 2.20 GHz | Intel HD Graphics 5500 | 15W | GTX 870M | 103W | Radeon HD 7950M | 50W | |
The dedicated graphics cards exhibit much higher power consumption than the integrated graphics on both platforms. Disabling them when no heavy graphics processing is needed can significantly lower the power consumption.
See main article: article, Nvidia Optimus and AMD Hybrid Graphics.
Nvidia Optimus™ is a computer GPU switching technology created by Nvidia that can dynamically and seamlessly switch between two graphic cards based on running programs.
AMD Enduro™ is a collective brand developed by AMD that features many new technologies that can significantly save power. It was previously named as: PowerXpress and Dynamic Switchable Graphics (DSG). This technology implements a sophisticated system to predict the potential usage need for graphics cards and switch between graphics cards based on predicted need. This technology also introduces a new power control plan that allows the discrete graphics cards consume no energy when idling.[4]
In personal computers, the IGP (integrated graphics processors) are mostly manufactured by Intel and AMD and are integrated onto their CPUs. They are commonly known as:[5] [6]
The most popular dedicated graphics cards are manufactured by AMD and Nvidia. They are commonly known as:
Most common operating systems have built-in support for this feature. However, the users may download the updated drivers from Nvidia or AMD for better experience.
Windows 7 has built-in support for this feature. The system automatically switches between GPUs depending on the program that's running. However, the user may switch the GPUs manually through device manager or power manager.[7]
In the Linux systems, a patch named vga_switcheroo[8] has been added to the Linux kernel since version 2.6.34 in order to deal with multiple GPUs. Here, the switch requires a restart of the X Window System to be taken into account.
Ubuntu Control Center allows the user to access vga_switcheroo functionality through a GUI.
Mac OS has built-in support for this feature since v10.5 Leopard. Since OS X Mountain Lion, Apple has integrated the GPU monitor into the Activity Monitor.[9]