i5 4460 - shall I switch the Intel GPU Off?

[Necruss]

Hi,

I've just bought my first Intel CPU (i5 4460) with integrated GPU.
One quick question - I have external GPU (GTX970) - shall I switch this Intel GPU off in Bios? Currently my WIndows is showing that there are 2 video cards.

I will be very grateful for the answer.
Kind regards

 

[herrwizo]

You can, although each mobo has a different name for the onboard GPU. Some of them even call it so strange that you would never find the option without a manual

What is the model of your motherboard?

 

[Necruss]

You can, although each mobo has a different name for the onboard GPU. Some of them even call it so strange that you would never find the option without a manual

What is the model of your motherboard?

Gigabyte GA-B85B-D3H

I think I saw this option in BIOS, but was affraid to switch it off, as I did not know if it is not needed somehow.

 

[herrwizo]

The only thing you lose by turning it off is QuickSync technology for faster video transcoding. If you do not use it, integrated GPU can safely be turned off.

Just as a sidenote, if you main graphics card ever malfunctions (god forbid), you will need to reset CMOS to default setting with jumper or by removing mobo battery to enable the onboard graphics again. Onboard is good for backup in case you have no other options 😉

 

[Necruss]

Thank you for the explanation.

Last questions - is this integrated card slowering somehow the whole set? I mean if I switch it off would it be noticeable? If no then correct me if I am wrong but there is no reason to switch it off?
And if the external card is connected - is the Intel HD working? I mean can I connect one monitor to external and game on it. While at the same time plug in the other screen to integrated card for browsing internet f.e?

Sorry if the questions are some kind lame, but as I mentioned this is my first Intel CPU with integrated GPU and I am totally newbie with this.

 

[herrwizo]

They are both active all the time. But you do not have to turn the integrated off, except if you are bothered by the fact that both are visible in device manager 😉

There is also no reason to connect one monitor to integrated GPU and the other one to Nvidia, since Nvidia has multiple monitor output already. No gain here. Unless you plan to use iGPU's QuickSync, of course.

By turning the iGPU off, you also free some RAM. But performance stays the same.

 

[Necruss]

They are both active all the time. But you do not have to turn the integrated off, except if you are bothered by the fact that both are visible in device manager 😉

There is also no reason to connect one monitor to integrated GPU and the other one to Nvidia, since Nvidia has multiple monitor output already. No gain here. Unless you plan to use iGPU's QuickSync, of course.

By turning the iGPU off, you also free some RAM. But performance stays the same.

OK. Thanks for all the answers.