Switching GPU in BootCamp ?

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Level 1

13 points

Switching GPU in BootCamp ?

I understand that in BootCamp, the discrete GPU (mine is Radeon HD 6770M) is a defaulted Graphic Display Component.

Even when the battery was full-charged, it was reported just 3hrs remaining (versus 8 hrs advertised for MBP in OSX), and it really lasted about 3 hrs with battery alone.

It would be very helpful if there is an ability to (manual or automatic as in OSX) switch to the integrated GPU (Intel 3000 Graphic chip) in normal, less-intensive graphic applications, only use the discrete GPU when need, then the MBP battery would last longer ?

Perhaps, something bigger needed to do in Windows OS ?

Educate me, please 🙂

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5), late 2011 15-inch model 6770M GPU

Posted on Nov 15, 2013 8:41 AM

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Answer 1

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Nov 15, 2013 8:45 AM in response to Tlmlvr

The is a feature that is not available in Windows installed on Mac. Apple has restricted Windows to using only the discrete graphics card if the system has a discrete graphics card included.

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Answer 2

Tlmlvr Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 15, 2013 8:47 AM in response to LowLuster

If used Windows via VMWare or Parallel, the switching feature would be there ?

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Answer 3

LowLuster

Level 6

12,105 points

Nov 15, 2013 8:53 AM in response to Tlmlvr

No in any VM the only graphics available to the OS installed in a virtual machine is the virtual machine software programs Virtual graphics. Not the physical hardware in the system the VM is running on.

Yes it is available to OS X as OS X is the HOST for the VM and running on the physical hardware..

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Answer 4

Tlmlvr Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 15, 2013 9:31 AM in response to LowLuster

Thank for sharing your excellent knowledge, so it is a big drawback on using BootCamp...

As read on the other thread, using the discrete GPU intensively may cause the 2011 MBP malfunctioned, I am worry my MBP may get "fried" soon.

I am seriously to think switching to VM because most of time I'm working on Windows environment, OSX side is only for entertainment, home use... but VM environment has prevented some of development works on Windows.

Oh boys, I may need 2 laptops then.

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