Question Why does the iGPU draw power when it's at 0% utilisation ?

[Elliah246]

GPU 0 appears to be the integrated graphics from the CPU.
GPU 1 the PCI-E device being the graphics card.

Whenever i launch any game, in msi afterburner i'll be able to monitor that integrated graphics runs at 0% utilization, but still draws power.
How does that make sense?
See the attached screenshot below for clarification why i'm confused.

 

[SkyNetRising]

Is this a laptop or desktop pc?
If desktop, then you should disable integrated graphics in BIOS.
This will free up ram reserved for iGPU use.
And you will not have to worry about iGPU drawing any power.

 

[Elliah246]

Is this a laptop or desktop pc?
If desktop, then you should disable integrated graphics in BIOS.
This will free up ram reserved for iGPU use.
And you will not have to worry about iGPU drawing any power.

Desktop PC.
How do i disable integrated graphics in amd/asus bios? Never mind the question, by the time someone explains it i've likely figured it out already.
The thing is, the utilization of the iGPU is always at exactly 0% so it doesn't seem to be active, but why does it draw power? Maybe msi afterburner isn't showing information correctly?

 

[Aeacus]

but why does it draw power?

Because it is part of the CPU.

How do i disable integrated graphics

There are many ways:

Device Manager - Display adapters
Right-click on your integrated graphics (e.g., Intel HD Graphics) and select "Disable device."

NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Radeon Settings
Global Settings: In "Manage 3D settings" (NVIDIA) or similar settings (AMD), you can often set the "Preferred graphics processor" to "High-performance" or "Integrated Graphics" to force usage of the dedicated GPU.

Specific program settings
You can also set specific preferences for individual programs by selecting the .exe file of the desired program and choosing "High performance".

However, do note that disabling the iGPU is generally not recommended for normal operation, since it can lead to reduced performance and potential display issues if the PC relies on it for basic functions. You may even cause boot issues with this.

Also, since iGPU doesn't consume much power, disabling it for power saving doesn't yield significant results.
I'd leave it be.

 

[Elliah246]

Because it is part of the CPU.


There are many ways:

Device Manager - Display adapters
Right-click on your integrated graphics (e.g., Intel HD Graphics) and select "Disable device."

NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Radeon Settings
Global Settings: In "Manage 3D settings" (NVIDIA) or similar settings (AMD), you can often set the "Preferred graphics processor" to "High-performance" or "Integrated Graphics" to force usage of the dedicated GPU.

Specific program settings
You can also set specific preferences for individual programs by selecting the .exe file of the desired program and choosing "High performance".

However, do note that disabling the iGPU is generally not recommended for normal operation, since it can lead to reduced performance and potential display issues if the PC relies on it for basic functions. You may even cause boot issues with this.

Also, since iGPU doesn't consume much power, disabling it for power saving doesn't yield significant results.
I'd leave it be.

Thanks

 

[SkyNetRising]

Device Manager - Display adapters
Right-click on your integrated graphics (e.g., Intel HD Graphics) and select "Disable device."

NVIDIA Control Panel/AMD Radeon Settings
Global Settings: In "Manage 3D settings" (NVIDIA) or similar settings (AMD), you can often set the "Preferred graphics processor" to "High-performance" or "Integrated Graphics" to force usage of the dedicated GPU.

Specific program settings
You can also set specific preferences for individual programs by selecting the .exe file of the desired program and choosing "High performance".

No.
The only way to properly disable integrated graphics is in BIOS.

How do i disable integrated graphics in amd/asus bios?

There are different motherboards with different BIOS layouts.
You have to read BIOS manual for your specific motherboard.
You can find it on motherboard manufacturer support web site.

 

[Aeacus]

No.
The only way to properly disable integrated graphics is in BIOS.

As i said, many ways. Up to OP to decide which one to use. After all, it's their PC.

I, personally, wouldn't disable it. 14W of power is peanuts.

 

[SkyNetRising]

As i said, many ways.

Ways you listed are not proper.

Disabling in Device Manager will just disable the driver. IGPU will still use minimal amount of power.
Nvidia Control panel and power settings - just set preferred gpu. It doesn't disable iGPU.

Only proper way to disable iGPU is in BIOS.

 

[Elliah246]

Ways you listed are not proper.

Disabling in Device Manager will just disable the driver. IGPU will still use minimal amount of power.
Nvidia Control panel and power settings - just set preferred gpu. It doesn't disable iGPU.

Only proper way to disable iGPU is in BIOS.

I disabled integrated graphics in device manager and it's gone from msi afterburner and hardware monitor. If it still draws power, i can't see it.
Which bios setting exactly is it?

EDIT:
Found it in bios, disabled integrated graphics there.
Now instead of showing up as disable in devicemanager, it doesn't show up at all, it's also entirely gone from hardware monitor.
I'll see if i'll encounter any issues along the way now that integratedgraphics are off.
Just curious, does disabling integrated graphics affect only the OS or also the BIOS, the bios also shows a GUI on the monitor, how is that rendered? With integrated graphics? What happens if i remove my gpu while integrated graphics are disabled in bios, wouldn't that theoretically mean the screen will stay black?

 

[Elliah246]

Are there any reports from amd's side to keep integrated graphics enabled combined with an amd gpu? The power draw from integrated graphics even with 0% utilization, i still don't understand where that's comming from. Can anybody explain?

 

[Aeacus]

also the BIOS, the bios also shows a GUI on the monitor, how is that rendered? With integrated graphics?

With current active GPU (be it dGPU, iGPU or eGPU).

E.g CPUs that doesn't have iGPU (any F-suffix Intel CPU), will still show image and BIOS when dGPU (or eGPU) is hooked to the PC and monitor to that.

What happens if i remove my gpu while integrated graphics are disabled in bios, wouldn't that theoretically mean the screen will stay black?

When MoBo can't detect dGPU but does detect iGPU and monitor cable behind MoBo, BIOS should override the iGPU disable, making image still appear.

 

[Misgar]

Are there any reports from amd's side to keep integrated graphics enabled combined with an amd gpu?

I leave the iGPU in my 7950X enabled alongside my GTX 4070. When running Topaz Video AI, the program uses both GPUs, as indicated by HWMonitor.

Although the iGPU is less powerful than the discrete GPU, it augments video processing and reduces transcode times slightly. I really need an RTX 5090.

I could fit one of my old AMD RX580 cards and check if Topaz still uses the iGPU, but it's a major hassle getting the RTX4070 out.