Can new i3/i5 IGP switch off graphics card?

[modelCS118]

I read the anand article and I googled and even though places said it was going to happen, I still can't tell if the current H57/H55 boards, switch to the IGP when not in 3D mode, when a dedicated graphics card is present thereby relieving some idle power consumption--- which might be nice if you have like 4800 series ati card. If not, when will this happen?

 

[StrangerGuy]

Even if the IGP processes the 2D, the frames will still need to be routed through the video card, so it's impossible to switch off the card otherwise your will get no video signal at all.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the only logical conclusion?

 

[Hey Zeus]

The IGP can be disabled in the bios on P55 boards. Not sure about H55/57

 

[21stHermit]

I read the anand article and I googled and even though places said it was going to happen, I still can't tell if the current H57/H55 boards, switch to the IGP when not in 3D mode, when a dedicated graphics card is present thereby relieving some idle power consumption--- which might be nice if you have like 4800 series ati card. If not, when will this happen?

Keep in mind that the IGP's video can only be to the MB's back panel connector, so even if it were possible to switch, you'd need two cables to your monitor. To me, that wouldn't be practical.

P55 boards have no video out on the MB, so switching off a Clarkdale IGP might? have some trivial power savings. Keep in mind the memory controller is on that same chip, it can NOT be switched off.

So once you put a discrete video card in a H55/H57/Q57 MB, it is now your only video, good bad or ugly.

 

[edplayer]

that was possible in previous AMD and Nvidia efforts but seem to have since stopped development on such chipsets.

 

[Hey Zeus]

Disabling the IGP had zero effect in processor temps.

 

[modelCS118]

I didn't even think of the video cable, that would be a challenge. It may have just been speculation when the chips were announced and seemed it could be useful.

 

[IntelUser2000]

The mobile Arrandale can, not sure about desktop but likely not.