Integrated Radeon + dedicated Nvidia

[logankeller]

Hello guys.

Sorry for the long post.

I'm currently looking for a replacement of my dad's/sister's laptop (CPU i3 350m, GPU GT 325M, 4GB RAM).
Laptop was always docked at home with accessories and second monitor, so I think about proper desktop now. However, I have been asked for the lowest power draw possible rig under 300€ (price without dedicated GPU).

It would be used for web browsing, office work, music, movies and occasionally playing Sims 3, HOMAM 6 and PvZ .

So I plan to build on AM1 platform:

Case: Fractal Core 1000
PSU: Corsair VS350
MB: ASUS AM1M-A
CPU: AMD Athlon X4 5350
RAM: single stick of Kingston Fury 4GB 1866MHz (overkill for this platform, but as cheap as 1600MHz ones)
Storage: 240 GB Kingston V300 SSD

No need for Mouse, KB, speakers and LCD, I'll take them from laptop.

Integrated Radeon would not be sufficient for anything more than flash games, so I thought about R7 240 Boost GDDR 5 version and Nvidia GT 730. According to Gpuboss website, Nvidia is clearly better and is also cheaper in my local e-shop (pre-order), so it's quite obvious choice, but...

My question:

Will integrated Radeon and dedicated GT 730 switch between themselves when needed, like it worked on laptop, or does Optimus work only with Intel GPU/Nvidia combo? Or should I go for R7 240 for compatibility in this regard?

It's not dealbreaker for me, but it would kind of break the lowest power draw requirement, when only Nvidia would be used all the time.

Thank you for reading all the way here

 

[tical2399]

Hello guys.

Sorry for the long post.

I'm currently looking for a replacement of my dad's/sister's laptop (CPU i3 350m, GPU GT 325M, 4GB RAM).
Laptop was always docked at home with accessories and second monitor, so I think about proper desktop now. However, I have been asked for the lowest power draw possible rig under 300€ (price without dedicated GPU).

It would be used for web browsing, office work, music, movies and occasionally playing Sims 3, HOMAM 6 and PvZ .

So I plan to build on AM1 platform:

Case: Fractal Core 1000
PSU: Corsair VS350
MB: ASUS AM1M-A
CPU: AMD Athlon X4 5350
RAM: single stick of Kingston Fury 4GB 1866MHz (overkill for this platform, but as cheap as 1600MHz ones)
Storage: 240 GB Kingston V300 SSD

No need for Mouse, KB, speakers and LCD, I'll take them from laptop.

Integrated Radeon would not be sufficient for anything more than flash games, so I thought about R7 240 Boost GDDR 5 version and Nvidia GT 730. According to Gpuboss website, Nvidia is clearly better and is also cheaper in my local e-shop (pre-order), so it's quite obvious choice, but...

My question:

Will integrated Radeon and dedicated GT 730 switch between themselves when needed, like it worked on laptop, or does Optimus work only with Intel GPU/Nvidia combo? Or should I go for R7 240 for compatibility in this regard?

It's not dealbreaker for me, but it would kind of break the lowest power draw requirement, when only Nvidia would be used all the time.

Thank you for reading all the way here

If you're talking about a desktop. then I don't believe the integrated gpu and dedicated gpu will switch between each other. In the bios you select between integrated or dedicated gpu and the system will always use that option until you tell it otherwise or the dedicated gpu is removed.

Also, did you mean gt 630? The gt 730 is a mobile chip as far as i can tell and you mentioned a desktop setup as what you want to build, also there is no desktop version of the Nvidia 7xx series that is lower than a 750. For the tasks you mentioned, a gt 630 should be enough. I'm not quite sure about the sims as i've never played it, but i think it would be fine. What resolution would these game be played at?

Just be careful, you're posting this on TH where the answers is usually "buy more expensive shiny thing". I'f all you're going to do is the tasks and games you mentioned, i'd just goggle to see if a gt 630 will handle the sims as it will easily handle the other two games you want.

Remember get what you need, not what the community says you should get based on what they think is a good price performance ratio. If those are the only games your dad/sister will play (you have not mentioned others) don't let the community talk you into a 760 or something you wont need.

 

[das_stig]

Hardware based switched of Intel/MD/Nvidia GPU's by Lucids Virtu technology costs extra and only on a few high end motherboards, Intel/Nvidia software version is free and the desktop version called Synergy not yet ready from nVidia. AMD nothing for the desktop, but most discrete GPU's are very power efficient and use a lot less then most people think especially when idling or under low load.

Also using a single stick of 8GB will reduce memory performance, especially if you use the integrated AMD GPU.

Little in it between the GT730 better than R7 240 especially on lower spec CPU's, although the GT730 uses about 7w of power more.

The X4's internal GPU is basically useless for gaming, as you have said.

 

[tical2399]

Hardware based switched of Intel/MD/Nvidia GPU's by Lucids Virtu technology costs extra and only on a few high end motherboards, Intel/Nvidia software version is free and the desktop version called Synergy not yet ready from nVidia. AMD nothing for the desktop, but most discrete GPU's are very power efficient and use a lot less then most people think especially when idling or under low load.

Also using a single stick of 8GB will reduce memory performance, especially if you use the integrated AMD GPU.

Little in it between the GT730 better than R7 240 especially on lower spec CPU's, although the GT730 uses about 7w of power more.

The X4's internal GPU is basically useless for gaming, as you have said.

Is there even a gt730 desktop card? When did this come out?

 

[logankeller]

Hello guys.

Sorry for the long post.

I'm currently looking for a replacement of my dad's/sister's laptop (CPU i3 350m, GPU GT 325M, 4GB RAM).
Laptop was always docked at home with accessories and second monitor, so I think about proper desktop now. However, I have been asked for the lowest power draw possible rig under 300€ (price without dedicated GPU).

It would be used for web browsing, office work, music, movies and occasionally playing Sims 3, HOMAM 6 and PvZ .

So I plan to build on AM1 platform:

Case: Fractal Core 1000
PSU: Corsair VS350
MB: ASUS AM1M-A
CPU: AMD Athlon X4 5350
RAM: single stick of Kingston Fury 4GB 1866MHz (overkill for this platform, but as cheap as 1600MHz ones)
Storage: 240 GB Kingston V300 SSD

No need for Mouse, KB, speakers and LCD, I'll take them from laptop.

Integrated Radeon would not be sufficient for anything more than flash games, so I thought about R7 240 Boost GDDR 5 version and Nvidia GT 730. According to Gpuboss website, Nvidia is clearly better and is also cheaper in my local e-shop (pre-order), so it's quite obvious choice, but...

My question:

Will integrated Radeon and dedicated GT 730 switch between themselves when needed, like it worked on laptop, or does Optimus work only with Intel GPU/Nvidia combo? Or should I go for R7 240 for compatibility in this regard?

It's not dealbreaker for me, but it would kind of break the lowest power draw requirement, when only Nvidia would be used all the time.

Thank you for reading all the way here

If you're talking about a desktop. then I don't believe the integrated gpu and dedicated gpu will switch between each other. In the bios you select between integrated or dedicated gpu and the system will always use that option until you tell it otherwise or the dedicated gpu is removed.

Also, did you mean gt 630? The gt 730 is a mobile chip as far as i can tell and you mentioned a desktop setup as what you want to build, also there is no desktop version of the Nvidia 7xx series that is lower than a 750. For the tasks you mentioned, a gt 630 should be enough. I'm not quite sure about the sims as i've never played it, but i think it would be fine. What resolution would these game be played at?

Just be careful, you're posting this on TH where the answers is usually "buy more expensive shiny thing". I'f all you're going to do is the tasks and games you mentioned, i'd just goggle to see if a gt 630 will handle the sims as it will easily handle the other two games you want.

Remember get what you need, not what the community says you should get based on what they think is a good price performance ratio. If those are the only games your dad/sister will play (you have not mentioned others) don't let the community talk you into a 760 or something you wont need.

Yes, I was talking about desktop GT 730, though it's just for pre-order in my local e-shop. Yes only those less demanding games will be played on that PC.
And don't worry . I'm not willing to spend more than 60€ for GPU on that kind build, so my choices are pretty narrowed 😀

 

[logankeller]

Hardware based switched of Intel/MD/Nvidia GPU's by Lucids Virtu technology costs extra and only on a few high end motherboards, Intel/Nvidia software version is free and the desktop version called Synergy not yet ready from nVidia. AMD nothing for the desktop, but most discrete GPU's are very power efficient and use a lot less then most people think especially when idling or under low load.

Also using a single stick of 8GB will reduce memory performance, especially if you use the integrated AMD GPU.

Little in it between the GT730 better than R7 240 especially on lower spec CPU's, although the GT730 uses about 7w of power more.

The X4's internal GPU is basically useless for gaming, as you have said.

Is there even a gt730 desktop card? When did this come out?

Yes, I was talking about desktop GT 730. It's in my local e-shop for pre-order. You can check here, but it's in Slovak language
http://www.alza.sk/graficke-karty-s-cipem-nvidia-geforce-gt730/18855187.htm#f&pg=1&pn=1&po=1

 

[logankeller]

Hardware based switched of Intel/MD/Nvidia GPU's by Lucids Virtu technology costs extra and only on a few high end motherboards, Intel/Nvidia software version is free and the desktop version called Synergy not yet ready from nVidia. AMD nothing for the desktop, but most discrete GPU's are very power efficient and use a lot less then most people think especially when idling or under low load.

Also using a single stick of 8GB will reduce memory performance, especially if you use the integrated AMD GPU.

Little in it between the GT730 better than R7 240 especially on lower spec CPU's, although the GT730 uses about 7w of power more.

The X4's internal GPU is basically useless for gaming, as you have said.

Putting just one memory stick is not going to hurt performance on this platform, since all AM1 CPU have just single channel controller. But I would surely put dual channel everywhere else.
And thank you for your opinion on GPU and it's power draw.

 

[tical2399]

Hardware based switched of Intel/MD/Nvidia GPU's by Lucids Virtu technology costs extra and only on a few high end motherboards, Intel/Nvidia software version is free and the desktop version called Synergy not yet ready from nVidia. AMD nothing for the desktop, but most discrete GPU's are very power efficient and use a lot less then most people think especially when idling or under low load.

Also using a single stick of 8GB will reduce memory performance, especially if you use the integrated AMD GPU.

Little in it between the GT730 better than R7 240 especially on lower spec CPU's, although the GT730 uses about 7w of power more.

The X4's internal GPU is basically useless for gaming, as you have said.

Is there even a gt730 desktop card? When did this come out?

Yes, I was talking about desktop GT 730. It's in my local e-shop for pre-order. You can check here, but it's in Slovak language
http://www.alza.sk/graficke-karty-s-cipem-nvidia-geforce-gt730/18855187.htm#f&pg=1&pn=1&po=1

I'm going to look into this to make sure its a just a rebrand card. If it's a new card I might get one since my wife will want to play sims 4 when it come out.

 

[logankeller]

Thank you guys for quick replies on my question. If I could I would mark as solution all of them.
People on this forum are awesome. Have a nice day

 

[logankeller]

Hardware based switched of Intel/MD/Nvidia GPU's by Lucids Virtu technology costs extra and only on a few high end motherboards, Intel/Nvidia software version is free and the desktop version called Synergy not yet ready from nVidia. AMD nothing for the desktop, but most discrete GPU's are very power efficient and use a lot less then most people think especially when idling or under low load.

Also using a single stick of 8GB will reduce memory performance, especially if you use the integrated AMD GPU.

Little in it between the GT730 better than R7 240 especially on lower spec CPU's, although the GT730 uses about 7w of power more.

The X4's internal GPU is basically useless for gaming, as you have said.

Is there even a gt730 desktop card? When did this come out?

Yes, I was talking about desktop GT 730. It's in my local e-shop for pre-order. You can check here, but it's in Slovak language
http://www.alza.sk/graficke-karty-s-cipem-nvidia-geforce-gt730/18855187.htm#f&pg=1&pn=1&po=1

I'm going to look into this to make sure its a just a rebrand card. If it's a new card I might get one since my wife will want to play sims 4 when it come out.

Judging by this comparison, it's looks like a nice upgrade
http://gpuboss.com/gpus/GeForce-GT-730-vs-GeForce-GT-630