Does turning on the discrete graphics card make applications faster?

[Brandon263]

Hello,

Sorry for the incredibly stupid question, but I just got the gfxCardStatus application for my i5, and was wondering whether turning on the NVIDIA video card will make applications like Mail, Firefox, etc. faster?

I read something about OpenCL, but am not really sure whether it works for all applications.

I find that turning on the NVIDIA card, instead of using the integrated Intel one, makes my laptop hotter.

 

[cluthz]

Hello,

Sorry for the incredibly stupid question, but I just got the gfxCardStatus application for my i5, and was wondering whether turning on the NVIDIA video card will make applications like Mail, Firefox, etc. faster?

Mail and Firefox will likely be just as fast with or without the discrete enable.
On the other hand, Photoshop, Movie Editing, 3D apps and gaming will perform better on discrete.

I read something about OpenCL, but am not really sure whether it works for all applications.

I find that turning on the NVIDIA card, instead of using the integrated Intel one, makes my laptop hotter.

OpenCL is pretty new, I guess we'll see more of it soon.
Yes, the nvidia graphics are more powerful, uses more power and runs hotter, if it didn't, why bother with both?

 

[maflynn]

Sorry for the incredibly stupid question, but I just got the gfxCardStatus application for my i5, and was wondering whether turning on the NVIDIA video card will make applications like Mail, Firefox, etc. faster?

No, only applications that need 3D type processing. Most regular apps like mail and the web browser will see no benefit using the discreet GPU

I read something about OpenCL, but am not really sure whether it works for all applications.

An application must be coded to take advantage of the OpenCL API. To date very little (read none) have.

I find that turning on the NVIDIA card, instead of using the integrated Intel one, makes my laptop hotter.

Yes, discreet GPUs consume more power (less battery power) and produce more heat. I have a 2008 MBP that I have to manually set the GPU. I find that when I switch to the 9600m (discreet GPU), my MBP temps increase by 10c

 

[Brandon263]

Thanks for the clarification on OpenCL!