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11924
March 29th, 2015 19:00
Dual display adapters
Can anyone explain why there are 2 graphics adapters in my m17 - and why can I turn one of them off?
Intel HD 4600 and NVIDIA GTX 860M
If both are listed in device manager, am I always using both? Is it SLI?
J
Game7a1
4 Operator
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727 Posts
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March 29th, 2015 20:00
It's not SLI. It's more or less "hybrid" graphics. You have two GPUs, an iGPU (on the CPU) and the dGPU (the 860m). In your laptop, either GPU can display the screen you see, meaning you can disable one of them with no problem. Currently, you should be in switchable mode, so while the iGPU is doing the display work, the dGPU will do all of the legwork (like in gaming).
When to use the iGPU only: on battery, trying to save power
When to use the dGPU only: always want the full performance of the laptop
When to use both: anytime, really. The switchable software, Optimus, will know when to tell which GPU should be doing the legwork.
chowdher
3 Posts
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March 30th, 2015 10:00
That's great. Thanks for the explanation!
J