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Ordering Top Spec 15" w/o 750m
- Thread starter hapt
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Thanks for the help guys. Brick, I might be reading your post wrong, but are you saying you are not able to force iGPU-only? Did you get the 8 hours only running apps that don't require the dGPU?
I would really feel silly not getting the dGPU, but I would so rarely need it that dealing with the not-really-functional integrated-only mode seems a little annoying... Maybe I should get the dGPU model and see how it works out with gfxCardStatus?
*Correction*
I just tried it with mine, and works for now!
I haven't tried running games or high graphic usage apps yet. I will sure update that as soon as possible.
BTW, it doesn't work with my mid2010 since last year, maybe because old iGPU is not strong enough to drive everything. Iris Pro on the other hand, is pretty powerful for sure.
*Oh sweet!
I just tried it with mine, and works for now!
I haven't tried running games or high graphic usage apps yet. I will sure update that as soon as possible.
BTW, it doesn't work with my mid2010 since last year, maybe because old iGPU is not strong enough to drive everything. Iris Pro on the other hand, is pretty powerful for sure.
*Oh sweet!
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yup - thats it....run a majorly intensive rendering powerhouse which usually forces the 750 GPU to engage, for example Chrome (!!!) and your Mac will remain in integrated CPU rendering mode. 
Other lighter weight apps, i.e benchmarking apps remain in iGPU mode too.
Other lighter weight apps, i.e benchmarking apps remain in iGPU mode too.
yup - thats it....run a majorly intensive rendering powerhouse which usually forces the 750 GPU to engage, for example Chrome (!!!) and your Mac will remain in integrated CPU rendering mode.
Other lighter weight apps, i.e benchmarking apps remain in iGPU mode too.
Chrome is not graphically intensive at all and benchmarking is extremely intensive, you have it backwards.
I can confirm gfxCardStatus works on the 2013 rMBPs with Mavericks. I used it to run benchmarks on the Iris Pro at the Apple store on the top 15" with the 750m.
It is not at all intensive for sure, but it obviously triggers dGPU for no reason if you don't use iGPU only mode.
yup - thats it....run a majorly intensive rendering powerhouse which usually forces the 750 GPU to engage, for example Chrome (!!!) and your Mac will remain in integrated CPU rendering mode.
Other lighter weight apps, i.e benchmarking apps remain in iGPU mode too.
Chrome does request the dGPU though. The gfxCardStatus dev even mentions that specifically on his website. Of course he's on the Safari team at Apple so he might be just a bit biased
.Thanks for sharing your tests. I think the only remaining concern I have is whether some apps override the force-integrated setting. (You cannot connect to a projector in iGPU mode, for example.) It's seeming to me though that if the software works as expected, then getting the dGPU option is a no-brainer (since I definitely want 16GB/512GB). The problem is whether the software will keep working / keep being supported for the life of the computer... there were already those issues with Mountain Lion.
I might be making too big a deal out of this, but it's a lot of money and I want to be as sure as possible that I will enjoy my computer for several years.
That's actually a hardware configuration. Intel allows to use iGPU on desktop motherboards if it has monitor output equipped(if not, only you need GPU card), but in this case I assume that apple designed their motherboard to have monitor output directly trough dGPU bus channel, therefore any of monitors or projectors cannot be connected with iGPU only mode.
*I simply assumed this based on the fact that Boot Camp Windows actually doesn't support iGPU at all on any of those dual GPU machines.
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All it needs to do is use an OpenGL the iGPU doesn't like, which can suck.
Sorry, obviously strange Brit fed too much Monty Python as a youngster.
Where did you get that?
I've watched like two episodes of Monty Python years ago. I'm an American and I've always lived in the US.
So I guess the only thing left to do is to find someone with both 5200-only and dual-gpus rMBPs and check the difference between the two in terms of battery life and heat. Not that hard, right?
And get constant results? Good luck!
AnandTech should have good tests someday.And get constant results? Good luck!
Ha yeah. Anandtech got a dGPU model, but the guy is so smart he can probably give good advice.
But I'd like the advice before Saturday and he took two weeks for his Macbook Air review.
I'm impatient
.Ha yeah. Anandtech got a dGPU model, but the guy is so smart he can probably give good advice.
But I'd like the advice before Saturday and he took two weeks for his Macbook Air review.
I'm impatient
Same. I'm still fuming from the iPad Air review this morning. Part of the unfortunate iOS-ification of the techno-journalism universe...
I just talked with my friend, who has 2012 retina for a while.
He said that it didn't force iGPU with some Apple Apps under Mountain Lion, but it is now working correctly under Mavericks.
BTW, D3 is working fine under iGPU only.
Dota2
It provides decent amount of Graphic power and at the same time, drains less battery compare to the dGPU.
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Exactly
I wish it wouldn't have any difference, as a dGPU model owner.
He said that it didn't force iGPU with some Apple Apps under Mountain Lion, but it is now working correctly under Mavericks.
BTW, D3 is working fine under iGPU only.
Dota2
It provides decent amount of Graphic power and at the same time, drains less battery compare to the dGPU.
----------
So I guess the only thing left to do is to find someone with both 5200-only and dual-gpus rMBPs and check the difference between the two in terms of battery life and heat. Not that hard, right?
Exactly
I wish it wouldn't have any difference, as a dGPU model owner.
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I just talked with my friend, who has 2012 retina for a while.
He said that it didn't force iGPU with some Apple Apps under Mountain Lion, but it is now working correctly under Mavericks.
BTW, D3 is working fine under iGPU only.
Image
Dota2
Image
It provides decent amount of Graphic power and at the same time, drains less battery compare to the dGPU.
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Exactly
I wish it wouldn't have any difference, as a dGPU model owner.
I wish it wouldn't have any difference as a buyer! Would sure make life easier for me.
That's good to knowthanks! I'm glad iGPU-only works under Mavericks, but will it work for 10.10?
My non-dGPU model will be available for pickup tomorrow but I'm gonna let Apple hold on to it until I read the Anandtech review. Hopefully I'll be able to make up my mind at that point. I'm leaning toward no dGPU for the simplicity, battery life, heat, and noise, but part of my brain is still telling me that's a stupid idea. I was also worried about the GPU frying once I get out of warranty but I'm going to go ahead and get Applecare, so that plus my extra year of warranty from my credit card makes that point moot in terms of repair costs (though not convenience).
Im not your brain, but I think its a silly idea. Its nice to have the GPU when your plugged in and can have the power. When your unplugged or need the battery... you have the choice to go iGPU only. That flexibility is what makes it worth it! Now if gfxCardStatus didn't exist... thats a different story.
That's exactly what I'm worried about and why this thread is so interesting to me. If gfxCardStatus works as it should, and I can keep the laptop in iGPU-only mode, then I would obviously go with dGPU with absolutely no hesitation. I'm mainly concerned about gfxCardStatus not being able to keep up in a future version of Mac OS for whatever reason. For instance, there were those issues with Mountain Lion causing the iGPU-only mode to get overridden by other software. Supposedly the dGPU requests are much less aggressive now than they were in the past, but I would hate it if for a year I was stuck using the dGPU because Chrome decided it needed it.
On the plus side, it's been up and working for a while now, and it required no modification for Mavericks or the new rMBP, and the dev actually works at Apple. Perhaps Apple will add the option in the future to control the dGPU? I'd say it's unlikely because of complications like the dGPU being required for projector use (and the fact that Apple seems to be trying hard to get rid of the dGPU altogether), but it's not outside the realm of possibility.
Also the last thing I want to do is choose the non-dGPU model because that's what I happened to have bought already (and so it's effectively the default). I can wait a few weeks more (been saving up since February). Or if one person tells me that my choice is fine and I cave (popular opinion is definitely much against the iGPU-only option). So I'm just waiting to see what Anandtech says and if the verdict is that the Iris GPU is adequate for my needs (I don't do any 3D and very little gaming) then I'll stick with that. I'm fully expecting it to be a very cautious verdict though, and cautious is enough to make me go the dGPU route since I want this machine to last several years.
Man I can feel my opinion changing already
. Thanks everyone.
If your a developer like I am, get the model with the dedicated card. It will help with multiple monitor set ups.
But you're giving misinformation.
Don't give advice if you won't even have the correct information to give.
BTW, here's some reference for you guys. I've run Cinebench on both iGPU only mode and dGPU.
It clearly shows me a huge difference on the same machine.
It clearly shows me a huge difference on the same machine.
I was incorrect about why they don't allow you to run in integrated preeminently but the app he is asking about does not force the Mac to use integrated graphics, as stated above.
Hello all,
Long time lurker, first time posting.
I just placed an order for a 15" 2.6/16/512 machine with the 750m (basically up spec'ed high end model on store), but I'm reading some posts here and I'm getting doubts regarding the need for the dGPU.
I'm not into gaming (this is a development machine/vm host), and I guess I just figured why not get it as its the same price as the same spec 2.0 Ghz upgraded but without the 750.
There were also some posts about when going to the 2.3+ you automatically get the 750m but I'm doubtful about their authenticity
What would you guys do? Less heat/power and switching headaches, or a free dGPU in that case?
Thanks.
For the same price you might as well get it, and shut it off unless you need it.