Auto select Onboard / Dedicated graphics by application, w/ single monitor.

[illumind]

Hi all, just a very basic/silly question I couldn't find a simple answer for... NB. I'm new to this stuff!

I have a GAZ68, i5 2400 CPU and GTX570 GPU (Win 7 64b). Currently running a single HDMI cable from the monitor to the dedicated GPU so it's always running on dedicated GTX 570 graphics.

If I wanted to use both on-board (guessing HD2000) and dedicated graphics together, through the same monitor, but have it auto select which to use based on the application, how would I do that? I'm currently guessing I'd need to manually plug the cable into whichever graphics I want to use before booting up, but surely that isn't right? If I plug into the GTX 570, then surely it can't use the on-board graphics without itself running? And, if I plug into the mobo directly then I'm finding the GTX570 won't work, so I'm lost on such a simple thing! ...What am I missing here.

A simple answer (matching simple question) would be much appreciated! Thanks all.

 

[SkyNetRising]

There is a software that can do this - Lucidlogic Virtu.
But your motherboard may need specific BIOS version for that to work.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/19993/Lucid-Virtu-

Why don't you tell us, why are you even considering this option?

And which exactly Gigabyte Z68 motherboard it that? Gigabyte has at least 30 different Z68 models.

 

[illumind]

Thank you, and apologies - it's a Z68MA-D2HB3. As to 'why', I thought it might be worth doing to save power and excessive usage of the dedicated card. I figure why use it when >90% of the time the on-board will suffice.

So it's an unusual thing to do it seems?.. If that's the case then maybe I won't worry. I just thought it would be a really normal thing to save usage of a dedicated GPU which might only be utilized < 5% of the time for occasionally gaming. I'm likely ill-informed about how/why these things operate as they do.

I guess my only further question would be 'if' I was to go ahead with the driver (link above) then what would be the cable setup I'd use? Where would I plug the HDMI, into the mobo I'm guessing..

 

[illumind]

Still unsure of where HDMI goes in above example... Anybody? If plugged into the mobo can it still use the dedicated GPU when required?

 

[SkyNetRising]

GTX 570 idle power usage is ~ 25W. I don't think you can lower that idle power usage even with Virtu software.
If the gpu is present in the system, it will draw this minimum no matter what.

With Virtu software you can plug monitor into motherboard video output and still use discrete gpu capabilities.

Personally I'd disable integrated gpu and use GTX 570 only.

 

[illumind]

GTX 570 idle power usage is ~ 25W. I don't think you can lower that idle power usage even with Virtu software.
If the gpu is present in the system, it will draw this minimum no matter what.

With Virtu software you can plug monitor into motherboard video output and still use discrete gpu capabilities.

Personally I'd disable integrated gpu and use GTX 570 only.

That's perfect info and advice... I'm new to GPU/hardware configuring, so I appreciate the concise response and will leave everything as is.