My MacBook Pro shows two video cards

[demoxpert]

15" Macbook Pro5,1 (late 2008)
Hello,
I looked to see what graphocs card this MacBook Pro had in it and in the hardware listings it showed an Nvidia GeForce 9400m and a Nvidia Geforce 9600m GT. It's apparent that the 9400m is what is in this Macbook Pro, but was wondering why it showed both of these. I attached images, just incase I did not explain it well. Thanks for your time.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Because you have two video cards, one Integrated Graphics Processor (IGP) and a dedicated GPU.

The powerful new 15-inch MacBook Pro at only 0.95-inches thin and weighing just 5.5 pounds offers ultimate performance and extensive expansion features in a remarkably portable design. Starting at $1,999, the MacBook Pro uses the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors available, running up to 2.8 GHz, and a new graphics architecture that allows users to switch between the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor for better battery life and the powerful NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT discrete graphics processor for higher performance. The new MacBook Pro is available in two models: a 2.4 GHz model with a 250GB 5400 rpm hard drive and a 2.53 GHz model with a 320GB 5400 rpm hard drive.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/10/14macbook.html

 

[maflynn]

Yep that's because on the unibody MBPs, apple has a discreet GPU for performance, and an integrated GPU for battery life, low power needs.

 

[demoxpert]

Awesome, thanks for the quick reply and information. Would I select the 9600 graphics card by switching to higher performance in the energy saver window?

 

[maflynn]

I would suspect that you would be better suited with the more powerful GPU/vram when going to a multiple monitor configuration.

 

[demoxpert]

I wish not to run multiple monitors from the MacBook Pro, but just to be able to enable the 9600 card for running certain programs that require a little more juice.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

I wish not to run multiple monitors from the MacBook Pro, but just to be able to enable the 9600 card for running certain programs that require a little more juice.

Works on my 2009 MBP without problems: http://codykrieger.com/gfxCardStatus

 

[demoxpert]

Cool, thanks for the input and info guys.

 

[davidlv]

... Would I select the 9600 graphics card by switching to higher performance in the energy saver window?

Yes, but you have to log out and back in to activate it. Or reboot.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Yes, but you have to log out and back in to activate it. Or reboot.

Not anymore:

Works on my 2009 MBP without problems: http://codykrieger.com/gfxCardStatus