I'm just curious as to how this automatic switching of the GPU works? Say if I only want to use the integrated gpu all day, would automatic switch conflict with this from conserving battery life?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
So, now the BIG question is how does this automatic switch of the GPU work?
- Thread starter jjahshik32
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Seems to switch based on the demand. If you're using Safari and iTunes all day then it won't use the dedicated GPU.
What happens is that the OS will consider the resources/processes running and make the switch depending on what's needed.
So if you're running simple applications it will remain with the Intel HD GPU. Anything else, the GeForce 3xx kicks in.
So if you're running simple applications it will remain with the Intel HD GPU. Anything else, the GeForce 3xx kicks in.
What about for using expose/widget stuff? All of those animations are a bit choppy for me on 9400m based machines, and the integrated stuff in these new machines is worse right? Curious how that will work.
It basically is Optimus for Mac... It's unsure has Apple developed it on their own or did nVidia do the biggest work..
Basically it is... but it isn't...
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/04/13/nvidia_says_new_macbook_pro_graphics_switching_isnt_optimus.html
How many widgets do you have and how many windows choke Exposé?
I have the 17" uMBP with the 9400M running most of the time and I don't experience any choppiness unless I have a lot of windows open.
You can turn automatic switching off, which means only the most powerful solution will be used.
On a side note I've been looking for a solution for choppy 9400m graphics, and after running the quartz debug tool (from the Apple developer tools), everything was actually tonnes better. You can also disable beam sync from there for improved performance, which is what I intended to do, but everything was so much better after just opening the debug tool that I left it alone.
I don't know what happened, but the graphics on the 9400m are silky smooth now!
i guess there will be settings for using only integrated in the preferences window. i also guess that most users won't care about this at all or permanently switch on the dedicated GPU.
On every 9400m machine I've used, two laptops, and a mac mini, it was choppy with just 1 or 2 windows. I'm talking the difference between 30fps, and 60fps. When you know what the super smooth 60fps looks like, anything less just looks bad.
I wonder if there will be glitches from certain applications that will trigger the nvidia 330m gt card when it isnt a desired choice and people will be complaining about 3 hour battery life on the go.
laptopmag indicates that the new laptops do NOT have automatic switching graphics. Can anyone else confirm?
http://blog.laptopmag.com/apple-announces-new-macbook-pro-line
Apple's website does not mention the automatic switching either.
http://blog.laptopmag.com/apple-announces-new-macbook-pro-line
Apple's website does not mention the automatic switching either.
You beat me to it!! lol.
Whatcha downloadin there, mister? Something illegal?
On a serious note, I am very curious how these gpus will perform in the new MBP, along side their iprocessors. I'm satisfied with my current MBP (early april 2009), beyond considering an upgrade, but I do want to see how these guys perform. Does anyone know if they're being sold at local apple stores yet?
Nope. Perhaps in the future but as of right now, the only options are automatic and discrete.
Understand how you feel. I would love the control too. I don't feel comfortable having the computer do things for me. I mean, the switching technology has to be VERY intuitive in a way that the discrete isn't triggered by something like watching YouTube or something.
Exactly. When I'm in the train I want to be sure to save as much power as possible.
As far as I'm concerned, in boot camp I'll be using only the 330M but switching would be nice as well. I hope Apple will provide drivers for Windows.
