Integrated vs discrete gpu

[Agera One]

My Sony VAIO VPCEB34EN has drivers for both integrated and discrete GPUs. Will using only the integrated gpu driver will save some power (by completely uninstalling the discrete GPU drivers)? I never game with this. I'm not aware of laptop configs.

 

[tambeshakunt]

No uninstalling the driver will not save any noticeable amount of power. Just leave the drivers as they are.

 

[dasulman]

leave the drivers alone. just make sure you have your programs set up such that the GPU only comes on when playing games or other multimedia programs

 

[Agera One]

leave the drivers alone. just make sure you have your programs set up such that the GPU only comes on when playing games or other multimedia programs

How to do that?

My thought id to use integrated GPU for browser flash and other video card based works to save some power for high battery life. So, will installing intel GPU driver and not installing the AMD GPU driver help?

 

[hang-the-9]

The laptop will switch over to use the faster card for games automatically, you don't need to do anything. You can disable the faster card if you want though, just don't disable the onboard one. If you disable it it will never switch over for more power if needed.

 

[orlbuckeye]

I have an Alienware and it disables the discrete card automatically when I'm running on battery.

 

[gamerschmamer]

That is in the battery options, I think. It could also be a pre-set on the graphics card software. Nvidia or AMD have the control center where you can change when the graphics card is on or off, whether on battery or not. Check there.

 

[orlbuckeye]

When I connect it to the TV with HDMI i have to turn of the discrete card for it to work. AW has a function key combination to switch back and forth and it forces a reboot.