How to use my iGPU without using my graphics card?

[lerodemmy]

Isn't there some setting that will allow me to use my CPU's integrated graphics for basic tasks, and allow my graphics card to remain idle?  I think there is, but I don't know where to find it.  Is it good to use the iGPU for non-gaming stuff (web browsing, Office, Photoshop, YouTube)?

[Pixelfie]

Is the dedicated GPU AMD or Nvidia? If you are on a laptop it will save battery life. On desktop it really doesn't make much of a difference.

[manikyath]

the question is 'why'... there's not really a reason to do it on a desktop. even if your power cost is ridiculous the difference in power draw is neglible.

[lerodemmy]

2 minutes ago, Pixelfie said:

Is the dedicated GPU AMD or Nvidia? If you are on a laptop it will save battery life. On desktop it really doesn't make much of a difference.

Nvidia.  Desktop.

[lerodemmy]

Just now, manikyath said:

the question is 'why'... there's not really a reason to do it on a desktop. even if your power cost is ridiculous the difference in power draw is neglible.

Just because I notice the GPU temp goes up a couple of degrees no matter what I'm doing.  I thought maybe it would be better to avoid that.  Though I suppose the CPU temp would go up if I was using the integrated graphics.

[BondiBlue]

Just now, lerodemmy said:

Just because I notice the GPU temp goes up a couple of degrees no matter what I'm doing.  I thought maybe it would be better to avoid that.  Though I suppose the CPU temp would go up if I was using the integrated graphics.

The GPU will still use a small amount of power no matter what. I wouldn't bother trying to use the iGPU as well. 

[da na]

Look up 'graphics settings' in start menu

It will come up with something like this

And you can choose what GPU for what app. 

[lerodemmy]

Just now, wat3rmelon_man2 said:

Look up 'graphics settings' in start menu

It will come up with something like this

And you can choose what GPU for what app. 

Thanks!

[manikyath]

Just now, lerodemmy said:

Just because I notice the GPU temp goes up a couple of degrees no matter what I'm doing.  I thought maybe it would be better to avoid that.  Though I suppose the CPU temp would go up if I was using the integrated graphics.

the temp changing a few degrees wont have any sort of measurable impact on anything.

 

trying to switch graphics back and forth on the other hand.. can be quite problematic for some software to deal with.

[da na]

Just now, lerodemmy said:

Thanks!

Glad to help

[manikyath]

Just now, wat3rmelon_man2 said:

Look up 'graphics settings' in start menu

It will come up with something like this

And you can choose what GPU for what app. 

but that wont actually stop the dedicated GPU from running, so it will make even less of a difference...

 

you're essentially just making the software side more complicated, for the sake of making things more complicated.

[lerodemmy]

Just now, manikyath said:

but that wont actually stop the dedicated GPU from running, so it will make even less of a difference...

 

you're essentially just making the software side more complicated, for the sake of making things more complicated.

I'll just leave it alone and let the GPU do its thing.  I just wanted to find out if there was any benefit to using the iGPU and it appears I got my answer.

[BondiBlue]

Just now, lerodemmy said:

I'll just leave it alone and let the GPU do its thing.  I just wanted to find out if there was any benefit to using the iGPU and it appears I got my answer.

With laptops that have dual graphics it's worth the effort to switch them, mainly for power savings, but it won't make any appreciable difference on a desktop.