Switchable graphics in laptops allow for the use of both a low-power embedded graphics chip and a high-power discrete graphics card, with the ability to switch between them. This technology saves energy and allows for longer battery life while still providing robust 3D rendering for gaming. Third-generation switchable graphics are automatic and virtually instantaneous, with processes built into the kernel to seamlessly switch between available graphics devices for optimal performance. This evolving technology is available in slimline and full-size laptops.
Switchable graphics refers to laptop computers that have both a low-power embedded graphics chip and a high-power discrete graphics card, with the ability to switch between them. The integrated chip does an excellent job with everyday applications and videos, reserving energy, allowing longer periods of work on battery power. The discrete graphics adapter is capable of the robust 3D rendering required for gaming, while sacrificing horsepower for performance.
A common embedded graphics chip in many laptops is the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA), also known as an integrated graphics processor (IGP). The chip is great for everyday use and will save juice when 3D rendering isn’t needed.
A free, discrete graphics card, often of the Raedon or Nvidia® type, uses an internal PCI bus and comes with its own onboard memory, drivers, and software interface. Such a card is referred to as a graphics processing unit (GPU) and does not overload a computer’s processing unit (CPU) with activity or overload, or steal system resources like an integrated graphics chip. Instead, it brings processing power and RAM to the rear, delivering great performance, but requiring more horsepower.
In the past, you had to choose between buying a laptop with an integrated chip or choosing to upgrade to a discrete card at the sacrifice of performance or horsepower. This unsatisfactory choice led to the development of switchable graphics with the ability to use the right graphics device for the right job.
The Sony® Vaio SZ-110B was the first switchable graphics hybrid to hit the market, featuring a GMA 950 IGP discrete GPU and nVidia® GeForce Go 7400. While a welcome option, switching from one graphics device to The other requires the activation of a hardware switch located above the keyboard, followed by a reboot.
Gen 2 switchable graphics are managed in software, foregoing the need for a physical switch or reboot. However, a momentary pause is required as graphics tasks migrate from one processor to another. The handoff is accompanied by screen flickering, and if an open application is blocking the current processor, it may require closing.
Third-generation switchable graphics are transparent, automatic, and virtually instantaneous. Optimus by Nvidia®, for example, uses processes built into the kernel to seamlessly switch between available graphics devices for optimal performance. The kernel level library maintains an index of objects and classes along with associations to a particular graphics device. The routing layer handles all open applications, feeding workloads to the IGP or GPU based on application requests. The Optimus index is updated regularly, but users can optionally override this behavior and create custom profiles, assigning certain games or applications to the IGP or GPU as desired.
Another example is AMD® Switchable Graphics Technology. Computers with this integrated design automatically use the low-power IGP when the machine is on battery power, switching to the discrete Radeon GPU when the machine is plugged into an AC outlet. According to AMD®, this behavior can be overridden based on user preference, and like previous technology, the switch is smooth and virtually instantaneous.
Switchable graphics is an evolving technology with a trend toward self-management that doesn’t require user intervention, designed to avoid yesterday’s power-hungry or poor-performance compromise. The technology is available in slimline and full size laptops.
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