Laptop using both GPU’s?

Brazo · 22 Mar 2021 at 00:08

I was slightly disappointed with the graphical performance of my 1660ti earlier in an Asus G14 (around 60fps at 1080p medium settings il-2) then I realised it was actually using the Ryzen Vega built in gpu (kudos to that!) rather than the 1660ti). Upon sorting this out the 1660ti gave me a solid 120fps on high settings but afterburner was reporting the 1660ti at 90% and the vega gpu at 20%.

What was going on and why do both gpu’s need to be in use at same time?

d_brennen · 22 Mar 2021 at 01:06

Probably something to do with the display out being routed through the SoC, although I don't know for sure. The iGPU will need to be ready to fake over graphics duties at any time.

ljt · 22 Mar 2021 at 11:06

d_brennen said:
Probably something to do with the display out being routed through the SoC, although I don't know for sure. The iGPU will need to be ready to fake over graphics duties at any time.

Yup correct. It'll be nvidia optimus as the nvidia gpu won't have a direct connection to the laptop display (unless the laptop has a mux switch, which a lot don't) so all frames output from the nvidia gpu that's heading for the laptop screen will be routed via the igp on the cpu first, hence the usage showing for the vega igp

Brazo · 22 Mar 2021 at 14:10

Thanks guys that makes sense.

When the vega graphics are on and the Nvidia off the 1660ti shows as 0% so all makes sense!

Have learnt something new so appreciated.
Tbh the vega graphics are actually really good like far better than Intel igpu, almost no need to have a discrete gpu for my uses!