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Do my eyes deceive me?! (Chrome Related)

WonkyPanda

WonkyPanda

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 29, 2010
155
0
Has chrome stopped using the dedicated gpu?! This is madness!!! Awesome if this is true, or my gfxstatus is just crapping on me.
 
yes, chrome improved a lot. I thought it was due to upgrading to 8GB RAM, but maybe it was a chrome update.

I have to go to very weird websites to activate the discrete GPU now.
 
snazzyiphoneguy said:
stupid question but how do you tell what is using the dedciated graphics card
Click to expand...

you can either use gfxcardstatus or "About this Mac" -> "More Info" to find out which GPU is currently in use (only one of them can be active at the same time)

When no program is running and the laptop is idle, the integrated GPU is being used. Then you start one application, and check the status again. If after starting an application the dedicated GPU is active, you know that application uses the dedicated GPU.


@WonkyPanda

Can you play the "dark knight rises" trailer from http://www.thedarkknightrises.com/ , viewing options -> flash high definition, in full screen, without the mac switching to the dedicated GPU?
 
I see... I downloaded it too, but it keeps showing the "a" icon in my dock, which stands for AMD graphic card... why though? I just woke my MBP from sleep and I only have my Mail App and Firefox with 3 tabs open......
 
jon08 said:
I see... I downloaded it too, but it keeps showing the "a" icon in my dock, which stands for AMD graphic card... why though? I just woke my MBP from sleep and I only have my Mail App and Firefox with 3 tabs open......
Click to expand...

You can click on ''a'' and see for what program is in use. I really hope SKYPE to use only the integrated card.
 
Oh, of course... stupid me. Since it's hooked to the external monitor, I guess it's pretty obvious that it will utilize the dedicated GPU....
 
jon08 said:
Oh, of course... stupid me. Since it's hooked to the external monitor, I guess it's pretty obvious that it will utilize the dedicated GPU....
Click to expand...

Since it's connected to an external, and by that I'm assuming it's also connected to power, why would you want to use anything but the discrete card? The integrated card is really only good for extended battery life.
 
So that it wouldn't constantly burden the dedicated GPU and thus add to the MBP heat and consequently cause the fans to start running at more rotations than usual... ;)
 
jon08 said:
So that it wouldn't constantly burden the dedicated GPU and thus add to the MBP heat and consequently cause the fans to start running at more rotations than usual... ;)
Click to expand...

It's all within spec, and thus won't hurt the computer. Some people here seem to think that the fans running is something to be avoided... the less heat the better, yes, but at idle the discrete GPU puts out barely more heat than the integrated GPU. Apple has designed these computers for work, and those fans can run at maximum speed for a very, VERY long time.
 
I see... so I guess an average temp. of 65C is ok for a GPU? I guess I'm also slightly uneasy about my CPU avg., which is between 70-75C, though....
 
iThinkergoiMac said:
It's all within spec, and thus won't hurt the computer. Some people here seem to think that the fans running is something to be avoided... the less heat the better, yes, but at idle the discrete GPU puts out barely more heat than the integrated GPU. Apple has designed these computers for work, and those fans can run at maximum speed for a very, VERY long time.
Click to expand...

I don't care about heat, but I prefer no noise ;)
I like how I can put load on one core without the machine getting loud :)
 
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