How does Windows deal with the 2 GPUs ? (in Bootcamp)

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How does Windows deal with the 2 GPUs ? (in Bootcamp)

Hi,

I am planning to buy the new MBP, and I will need to use Bootcamp quite often as I am a Rhino3D software heavy user. Emulated Windows (Parallels, VMware fusion, etc) is not an option as the GPU is only emulated and won't give a good result for OpenGL.

My question is, knowing you have to log out on OSX to switch between the 2 GPUs, how is this going to be dealt on Windows (Bootcamp) ? Is Windows going to use only the 9400M and not even notice the 9600M GT ? Is it going to be possible to switch between the 2 in Windows ?

This is quite important for me as I'm going to make my last decision depending on the answers I get...

Thanks !

MacBookPro (Late2008)

Posted on Oct 15, 2008 6:08 AM

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Answer 1

wyullg

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Oct 15, 2008 6:58 AM in response to momott

I second this - Would be great if Apple and Nvidia could develop some software so that BOTH gpu's could be used together i.e in SLI. Would really make it a worthwhile upgrade as well as an awesome mobile gaming machine!!

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Answer 2

capaho

Level 4

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Oct 15, 2008 8:07 AM in response to momott

You don't "log out" of OS X per se, you boot the computer in Windows. Boot Camp is a boot loader, not a virtual machine like Parallels or VMWare. When you boot your MacBook in Windows, it becomes a fully functioning Windows computer, as OS X is not running.

The Windows hardware support comes from the Boot Camp drivers, which I would expect will fully support the MacBook hardware. I will be installing Windows Vista in Boot Camp on my new MacBook once it arrives because I need it for my work (unfortunately).

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Answer 3

momott Author

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Oct 15, 2008 8:14 AM in response to capaho

Hi Capaho,

I didn't mean you need to log out to move to Windows but from what I read about the new MBP, you need to log out (without rebooting) to move from a GPU to the other (within the OSX system).
Just wondering how it would work on Bootcamp.

Did you order the latest MBP ? I would be curious to know how this dual GPU issue is dealt by Bootcamp...

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Answer 4

capaho

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Oct 15, 2008 8:26 AM in response to momott

I did order an MBP and will hopefully receive it by the weekend. Once I get it and install Windows on it I'll report the result.

Windows Vista is fully functional with all of the hardware of my aluminum iMac, so I am expecting the same for the MBP. I'm not sure how well a dual GPU system is supported in Windows itself, but I'll be finding out soon enough.

Changing the graphics settings in Windows may also require either logging out and logging back in to the desktop, or possibly even rebooting the computer. Windows, unfortunately, frequently needs to be rebooted after making changes to system settings.

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Answer 5

momott Author

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Oct 20, 2008 12:58 AM in response to capaho

Is there any happy owner of the new MBPro who could tell me on which GPU bootcamp runs ?
Thanks !

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Answer 6

Niel

Level 10

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Oct 20, 2008 1:03 AM in response to momott

When the computer is running Windows through Boot Camp, it uses the 9600M card. The 9400M card isn't available to Windows. Click here for more information.

(36723)

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Answer 7

momott Author

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Oct 20, 2008 1:46 AM in response to Niel

Thanks !!

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