Are you tired of your computer lagging when you’re trying to watch a movie or play a game? You may think that the only solution is to buy a new computer, but did you know that you can use your onboard graphics and video card at the same time?
While it’s usually not necessary to use both at the same time, there are times when you might want to do just that because you might think that using both would hog up resources and cause problems, that’s not always the case.
If you’re like most computer users, you may know this already, however, in order to use them both at the same time can get a little tricky.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to use both your onboard graphics and video card for the best possible performance.
We’ll also discuss some of the pros and cons of doing so. So whether you’re looking to get the most out of your computer or are simply curious about how this works, read on!
Knowing The Brands
Before we proceed, first we need to understand there are two brands of computer graphics cards – Nvidia and AMD.
And Both Nvidia And AMD have their own methods to be used in conjunction with an Integrated Video Card in one system. We’ll take a look at both methods to see which one is better.
For Nvidia Graphics Cards
If you have an Nvidia graphics card, then the best way to use it in conjunction with your integrated video card is to use what’s called “NVidia Optimus”.
What NVidia Optimus does is it automatically switches between your high-performance NVidia graphics card and your integrated video card based on what application you’re using.
For example, when you’re playing a game, it will use your NVidia card because games need a lot of graphics processing power.
But when you’re just browsing the internet or watching a movie, it will switch to your integrated video card because those applications don’t need as much power and they will run just fine on your integrated video card.
This is a great feature because it saves you a lot of money on your electric bill since your NVidia card uses more power than your integrated video card.
It also prolongs the life of your NVidia card because it doesn’t have to work as hard when you’re not using applications that need a lot of graphics processing power.
To use NVidia Optimus, you need to have an NVidia card that supports it and you also need to have the latest drivers installed.
You can download the latest drivers from NVidia’s website. Once you have the drivers installed, you need to go into the NVidia Control Panel and enable the “Optimus” feature.
However, If you don’t see the Optimus option in the NVidia Control Panel, then your NVidia card doesn’t support it.
For AMD Graphics Cards
If you have an AMD graphics card and want to use it with your Onboard Integrated Video Card, then you need to use a technology called “AMD PowerXpress”.
Just like NVidia Optimus, AMD PowerXpress automatically switches between your high-performance AMD graphics card and your integrated video card based on what application you’re using.
To use AMD PowerXpress, you need to have an AMD card that supports it and you also need to have the latest drivers installed.
You can download the latest drivers from AMD’s website. Once you have the drivers installed, you need to go into the Catalyst Control Center and enable the “PowerXpress” feature.
If you don’t see the PowerXpress option in the Catalyst Control Center, then your AMD card doesn’t support it.
So, which method is better?
Overall, we think NVidia Optimus is the better solution because it’s more seamless and it just works better in our opinion.
However, if you have an AMD card and it supports PowerXpress, then that’s a perfectly fine solution as well.
Both NVidia and AMD offer great solutions for using your onboard graphics and video card at the same time. It’s up to you to decide which one is best for you.
How To Use Onboard Graphics And Video Card At The Same Time
Here’s a look at how to use both your onboard graphics and video card for the best possible performance.
- Once you have your card, it’s time to install it on your computer.
- Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid damaging your card or voiding your warranty.
- Connect your monitor to the graphics card. Once your card is installed, you’ll need to connect your monitor to the graphics card. Most graphics cards have multiple ports so you can connect multiple monitors.
- You might need to do some configuration by yourself, this includes choosing the resolution, refresh rate, and other options. You may also need to install drivers for your card.
- Use both dedicated and discrete video cards for different tasks. One of the benefits of having two graphics cards is that you can use each card for different tasks.
- For example, you can use the onboard graphics card for basic tasks and save the video card for more demanding tasks. Or, you can use both cards at the same time to get the best possible performance.
Advantages of Using Both Onboard Graphics and Dedicated GPU
Here’s a look at the pros and cons of using both your onboard graphics and video card.
Better Performance
When you use both your onboard graphics and video card, you can see a significant boost in performance. This is because each card can handle different tasks.
For example, your video card can be used for gaming while your onboard graphics card can be used for watching movies or browsing the internet.
More Options
When you have two graphics cards, you have more options when it comes to choosing which one to use. You can use the onboard graphics card for basic tasks and save the video card for more demanding tasks. Or, you can use both cards at the same time to get the best possible performance.
Flexibility
Having two graphics cards gives you more flexibility when it comes to upgrading your computer. If you want to upgrade your video card, you can do so without affecting your onboard graphics card.
Disadvantages of Using Both Onboard Graphics and Dedicated GPU
Cost
One of the biggest downsides to using two graphics cards is the cost. Buying a separate video card can be expensive, and it may not be worth the investment if you’re only going to use it for occasional gaming or other demanding tasks.
Power consumption
Using two graphics cards can also increase your power consumption, which means your electricity bill will be higher.
Heat
Two graphics cards can produce more heat, which means your computer will require better cooling. This can add to the cost of using two graphics cards.
Final Word
Now, It’s up to you to decide whether the benefits outweigh the downsides. If you’re a power user who wants the best possible performance, then using both cards is a good option. However, if you’re on a budget or don’t need the extra power, then using one card may be a better choice.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy the article about how to use both your onboard graphics and video card for the best possible performance, Feel Free to ask any questions you may have about the blog in the comments below.
As always, thanks for reading!