Found way to know what GPU is in use!

[bitninja]

yes that was the one. Using a base 17" MBP i5. However I had a couple other apps (mail, safari, itunes) open and the issue happened right when I quit VLC after watching an avi file. I don't know what happened, but theese programs are usually very stable for me, never tried gfxCardStatus before though. I was just curious if anyone else experienced this? This baby is 1 day old and things like that make me very nervous.

Well, you're in the right place - 90% of this thread is about gfxCardStatus at this point. Make sure you've got the latest version (v1.7, just hit check for updates in the menu). It's extremely unlikely that the kernel panic was anything but temporary - probably just a minor glitch. I just checked my download stats...over 12,000 users have downloaded v1.6.1, and you're the first one I've heard of that had a kernel panic. There's a chance it might not even be related, but I won't rule it out...it's possible. gfxCardStatus only does things specifically when you tell it to - it never performs any action without your permission, which is why I'm guessing it may have been the fault of another application. If you experience it again, please don't hesitate to let us all know, but I wouldn't be too worried about it.

Don't be nervous -- computing is messy, especially when you are using hacks like these (granted this is a very well made hack, but one none the less). Don't baby your mac like its a child and fret over every time it sneezes. Computers crash -- doesn't mean their broken.

Chris is right - no need to panic. Like I said though, please do let us know if it happens again and the situation that led up to it so we can try to diagnose the problem. Thanks!

Cody

 

[MBHockey]

You must download the special Plex Binary that contains the HA code and manually replace the original Binary in Plex.app package.

Check the second link i gave in my previous post to download it and install it.

Ah, ok thanks!

 

[Quicksilver867]

I'm not entirely sure about this theory - I have graphics switching enabled, with just Firefox open to these forums, and it still says that the 330m is the one running the display. What's up?

 

[BrianRecchia]

I'm not entirely sure about this theory - I have graphics switching enabled, with just Firefox open to these forums, and it still says that the 330m is the one running the display. What's up?

What dependencies does gfxCardStatus mention?

 

[MBHockey]

I'm using it mainly with the keyboard or sometimes with the remote.

It does consume much less battery power than VLC.

1080p h264 MKV (8000Kbps video bitrate) file playing on MBP 15" i7:

VLC 1.0.5 = ~65% of a Core
Plex 0.8.5 + GPU HA = ~38% of a Core

(sorry for the off topic)

Ok so I got the GPU decoding working and you're right, CPU time dropped to about 30%. Interestingly, though, this didn't correspond to less overall power usage. I unplugged my computer and fired up Plex and started playing the movie. I let it play for 5 minutes so the estimated time left on the battery could settle. It finally settled around 3:15.

I then closed Plex and fired up mplayer, let it play for 5 minutes, and watched the time left estimation go up just over four hours.

I also noted the battery wattage being used in each situation:

Plex with GPU decoding: 26.17 watts

mplayer with no GPU decoding: 22.94 watts

This is after it had been playing for a few minutes to let the values adjust. So it's pretty clear that Plex's GPU decoding is good for dropping CPU usage, and probably offers smoother playback on older machines while plugged in, but it does not correspond to better battery life. Overall, it uses more power.

Also of interest, QuickTime X played the same MKV file (w/ Perian installed) and the battery was at 32 Watts. VLC showed 18-20 Watts consistently. So I guess it's best to use VLC or mplayer to watch MKVs on battery power!

 

[ThinkThink]

I also noted the battery wattage being used in each situation:

Plex with GPU decoding: 26.17 watts

mplayer with no GPU decoding: 22.94 watts

You are right, i thought that the 330M was consuming less power than the i7.
The only difference is in term of rendering quality.
Plex has the best one (CPU or GPU).
I could even go down under 20.00 watts by switching on Intel HD and using VLC 1.0.5. Surprisingly the video was playing smoothly and the framerate was consistent.

Looks like GPU Decoding while running on battery mode is definitely not a good idea.

 

[MBHockey]

You are right, i thought that the 330M was consuming less power than the i7.
I get similar results.
I could even go down under 20.00 watts by switching on Intel HD and using VLC 1.0.5. Surprisingly the video was playing smoothly and the framerate was constant.

Looks like GPU Decoding while running on battery mode is definitely not a good idea.

Yeah I was surprised by this also, but it's good to know. I didn't try VLC or mplayer with forced Intel. I'll try that too.

Edit: Yup, when I force intel with gfxCardStatus I see a few watts less being used by the battery (I thought it would be more). Both VLC and mplayer OS X extended showed around 15-18 watts for a very high-packed action scene in my mkv when on intel only. I know how i'll be watching my movies on the flight now!

 

[mixvio]

yes that was the one. Using a base 17" MBP i5. However I had a couple other apps (mail, safari, itunes) open and the issue happened right when I quit VLC after watching an avi file. I don't know what happened, but theese programs are usually very stable for me, never tried gfxCardStatus before though. I was just curious if anyone else experienced this? This baby is 1 day old and things like that make me very nervous.

I've been using it every day for about a week and I've not had a kernel panic. This is different from the screen locking up though and you having to power down-- when you get a kernel panic, you know it.

That said if it was one, you can find the log file here, which will give you information on what caused the panic:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2546

 

[bitninja]

I've been using it every day for about a week and I've not had a kernel panic. This is different from the screen locking up though and you having to power down-- when you get a kernel panic, you know it.

That said if it was one, you can find the log file here, which will give you information on what caused the panic:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2546

Right on - I'd like to see that log if you can post it please, The Final Cut.

 

[MyRumors]

Switching gfx cards manually is awesome, thanks!
$10 donated to you my man

 

[bitninja]

Switching gfx cards manually is awesome, thanks!
$10 donated to you my man

Thanks a lot! I appreciate it.

 

[Libertine Lush]

For anyone using Cinch, good news: As of moments ago, it was just updated to no longer use dedicated graphics. It doesn't appear on the gfxCardStatus' Dependency list anymore.

 

[ThinkThink]

It's confirmed in Cinch Release Notes.

 

[2contagious]

Hey guys, I just received my new 17" MBP.. finally with an acceptable display without dead pixels or stuck ones.

I was wondering if the colour problem (people have described it as "it looks like 24bit colours vs. 32 bit colours") when using integrated graphics is normal (as in.. present on EVERY macbook pro or just on some?). Do you think there will be a fix for it?

 

[bitninja]

Hey guys, I just received my new 17" MBP.. finally with an acceptable display without dead pixels or stuck ones.

I was wondering if the colour problem (people have described it as "it looks like 24bit colours vs. 32 bit colours") when using integrated graphics is normal (as in.. present on EVERY macbook pro or just on some?). Do you think there will be a fix for it?

Haven't seen any sign of this at all - mine looks great. Did your other MBPs (before you got an acceptable one) have the same issue? Sounds like you have really bad luck. :/

 

[2contagious]

Haven't seen any sign of this at all - mine looks great. Did your other MBPs (before you got an acceptable one) have the same issue? Sounds like you have really bad luck. :/

do you have spotify? if so, go to a playlist and look at the bar that says "share" at the top.. on integrated graphics it looks like a 16bit graphic, on nvidia graphics it looks like it should. same with the finder window (slight banding in the grey gradient that says the title of the window).. you have no such problem?

I know that some people did have this problem..I read about it here somewhere.. where are you guys?

 

[bitninja]

do you have spotify? if so, go to a playlist and look at the bar that says "share" at the top.. on integrated graphics it looks like a 16bit graphic, on nvidia graphics it looks like it should. same with the finder window (slight banding in the grey gradient that says the title of the window).. you have no such problem?

I know that some people did have this problem..I read about it here somewhere.. where are you guys?

I don't have Spotify, but I don't see the banding you're talking about in the Finder. I'm curious now...wonder how many people are experiencing this.

 

[2contagious]

I don't have Spotify, but I don't see the banding you're talking about in the Finder. I'm curious now...wonder how many people are experiencing this.

I just found this thread about it again:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/905151/

Can more people with 2010 MacBook Pros please comment on this? It is something that only happens when Intel graphics (integrated) are active.. gradients seem more choppy - not fluid.

 

[ThinkThink]

No difference here on 15" i7 MBP (Coconut Battery 2.6.6 says it's 2 months old)

 

[mixvio]

I notice absolutely no changes in the screen switching between either GPU.

 

[bitninja]

Hey ah (if you're still watching this thread):

I'm not really sure what's causing this at all, so I figured I'd ask...attached are 2 kernel panic logs. The only users (to my knowledge) experiencing the issue on any kind of regular basis are the 9400M/9600M GT users. The only kernel panic I've seen on an i5/i7 system is the one mentioned a few posts back by The Final Cut.

Also, is there any particular reason that you can think of off the top of your head why 9400M/9600M GT users wouldn't be able to switch GPUs while in clamshell mode?

Thanks,
Cody

 

[MattMJB0188]

I was just wondering when the next version is getting released? Thanks

 

[wandrer2]

I was just wondering when the next version is getting released? Thanks

I was just wondering what feature you need that this version doesn't offer? Thanks

 

[BrianRecchia]

I was just wondering what feature you need that this version doesn't offer? Thanks

Well said.

 

[huythanhv2]

For me as I mentioned in another post, the program can remember last setting so when I shutdown and turn on again, it not come back to use Nvidia by default.