Learn how to switch video cards on a laptop

Often several are installed on laptopsgraphics processors, that is, video cards. This is done for many reasons, but we will not deal with this. Let's better talk about how to switch video cards on a laptop to each other. For example, from less productive to more powerful and vice versa. There is nothing difficult, for this you need to be familiar with the basics of owning a PC. You don’t need to do anything manually, but various failures or a “crooked” build of the operating system make it impossible for the graphics processors to switch between them.

Some general information

If your laptop has a switch functionvideo cards, it is obvious that you have several. As a rule, one of them is energy saving, which is designed only for simple tasks, and the second is a high-performance discrete board, it copes with more complex tasks, such as graphics in games, 3D video, etc. Most often, Intel graphics processors are installed and AMD. But there are other ligaments, with which the problems are much more. The users of the Windows XP operating system will have the worst of all; we will definitely tell about this a little later. Each manufacturer has its own characteristics, but we will not talk about which one is better, let's better deal with the question that interests us. First you need to get the right software. It is enough to download the utility Catalyst Control Center.

Integrated and discrete graphics processor

Immediately I would like to note that in qualityexample, we will take the AMD card, which is the base. To enable a more powerful graphics processor, you need to run the Catalyst Control Center. In addition, drivers for video cards are a prerequisite. According to the factory parameters of the laptop, the base priority is received by the integrated video card, that is, the one that consumes less power. To run a game or a high-quality video, a discrete GP is best suited. Since you can switch video cards on a laptop in several ways, we will consider each of them. Launch Catalyst Control Center and minimize the utility to tray. From there you can immediately choose the graphics card that you need at the moment. If you need to switch to the original GP, then the sequence of actions is exactly the same.

How to switch video cards on a laptop: some good ways

Essentially, the graphics processor itself mustswitch. This happens, for example, when you start a certain program or connect a laptop to the network. If you insert the battery, the integrated card will turn on. But it happens that the settings go astray and the required GP is not included. To solve the problem, go to "Bios" and find the function Switchable. It is located in the menu Display mode. If we are talking about a discrete nVidia card, then you need to go to the control panel of the graphics processor and find the 3D control there. Next you need to find the section “Managing 3D parameters” and set a video card for a specific program. If in simple words, if you want to play something, then for this game you need to install a discrete graphics card and save the settings. But if you use the XP operating system, then you need to go to the "BIOS" and manually disable the integrated graphics.

Switching laptop video cards

We will now look at several schemes thatoccur most often. For example, an integrated AMD card and a discrete ATI. In this case, switching the graphics processors to each other is easiest. To do this, you need to use the Catalyst Center program already noted above, where you can easily turn off the weak and enable a powerful video card, and vice versa. If you are running XP, then you need to go to the BIOS, select instead of Switchable, Discreete. It is worth saying a few words about the fact that if you have a mobile card from ATI, then it is advisable to use clean assemblies "Windows". This is because on others, for example ZverDVD, such a sensitive driver will work with problems, and this is a confirmed fact. Keep this in mind and always monitor your operating system.

Switching Intel and ATI graphics cards

Such a bunch is also quite common.As practice shows, there are no particular problems. In our case, the second video card on the laptop is discrete, that is, more powerful. To enable it, you need to go to the Catalyst Center or do it through the desktop. To do this, you need to install special drivers, after which an icon will appear in the tray through which you can turn the graphics processor on and off. If you are completely new and wonder how many video cards are on a laptop, then the answer is very simple. The graphics processor may be one or several. Typically, two adapters are installed to save energy. For example, during autonomous work, the integrated card is turned on, and when the device is connected to the network, it is discrete. This solves many problems, performance problem in particular. It is very convenient, so this solution in most cases pleases users.

Conclusion

That's all that can be said about howSwitch the video card on the laptop. If you have a bundle with the nVidia GPU, then everything is a bit more complicated, since much depends on what technology is used. Certain GPU series work without problems and switch from the desktop tray, while others must be manually set all the time through the control panel of the graphics processor. If for any reason you cannot turn on the discrete card, it is recommended to completely remove and then reinstall the drivers and update them to the latest version. To do this, go to the manufacturer's website and download the latest ones. In addition, it must be done for two video cards. But if nothing happened, then it is recommended to set the settings manually. For example, you wanted to play some game, go to the control panel of the card and select the priority. This should solve all the problems. Pay attention to the OS build, since so much depends on it too. You know how to turn on a video card on a laptop, and that should be enough.