Disable GPU

[Wingsgb]

Hey Guys,

Straight to the point, is it possible to disable and enable my GPU without powering off my PC? I know in "Device manager" you can disable it but what does this do, i.e will my GPU stop drawing power, will i need to install drivers again?

Reason i am asking is because my new GPU will possibly be going in a system that runs 24/7 and I wouldn't use the GPU as often.

thanks

 

[Hotwired]

All modern GPUs can clock down hugely to reduce power usage for exactly that reason: they are not needed to run at high clock speed all the time. So do CPUs for that matter.

Unless people turn off the power saving modes...

 

[Wingsgb]

I was thinking more about its lifespan then power saving. I wouldn't want it to die just outside of the warranty. Is this silly or will it not make that much of a difference.

 

[Hotwired]

It's a bit sheer luck frankly.

But power usage increases heat and heat is not the best thing for components.

 

[ZeroG]

I was thinking more about its lifespan then power saving. I wouldn't want it to die just outside of the warranty. Is this silly or will it not make that much of a difference.

I wouldn't worry about lifespan, if the machine is idle it's not going to be putting strain on the card. Although it seems strange you're worried about it failing when you say it's going into a machine that's on 24/7.

 

[Wingsgb]

I wouldn't worry about lifespan, if the machine is idle it's not going to be putting strain on the card. Although it seems strange you're worried about it failing when you say it's going into a machine that's on 24/7.

Back home in the UK i had multiple builds. I have been in New Zealand for 2 years now not got the luxury to do that here. I recently got fibre installed in my place, it is 900Mbps down and 500Mbps up. To make the most of it i have built another media server. I am missing gaming and want to throw a gtx 1080ti in there

 

[tommybhoy]

I wouldn't want it to die just outside of the warranty.

Then get Zotac if the 5 year warranty is applicable in NZ-as the gpu will massively depreciate in price come 5 years or again if applicable in NZ-an Evga and extend the warranty but extra cost.