Can newer core processors accelerate media even WITH a discrete GPU?

[Jonathanese]

I have an i5-3570K, and one issue that was always present was the fact that if you had a discrete GPU, then you would not be able to use the integrated GPU to use Intel's media acceleration.

My old motherboard had a workaround where it would render games on the GPU, run it through the integrated GPU, and then output from the integrated graphics. But it was hackish and lacked support.

I haven't seen much regarding this specific feature, but new newer chips like Skylake and maybe Kaby Lake allow you to use the integrated GPU processing, even while a discrete GPU is installed?

 

[Ecky]

It's on a case to case basis. However, most discrete GPUs have the same media acceleration so it's a moot point.

 

[TJ Hooker]

Why would you want to use the integrated graphics if you have a discrete card?

 

[k1114]

Even before in sandy you can use the igpu + dgpu without needing what I assume you are talking about virtu. You don't need a monitor in the igpu either depending on the software options. But as said the dgpu can do it so what's the reason?

 

[Jonathanese]

Yes, Virtu!

It seemed like there was a lot of software that used intel-specific instructions to use the iGPU for things like video conversion to quadruple the throughput. I remember that these features couldn't be used with a dGPU installed because it shut off the iGPU entirely.

I figure if the iGPU shuts down, that sucks for things like the future of DX12 which can hopefully utilize the iGPU for additional processing. Perhaps for something massively parallel but non-graphical like you would see in Total War games.

 

[k1114]

It's not the case and virtu was never needed. Most mobos called the feature igpu multi monitor. Without that, virtu wouldn't even work. Enable it and your igpu stays on. No bloatware needed. Quicksync is intel but was never that good quality wise. Nvidia and amd have their own video encoding anyways. There's nothing else that is intel specific.