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Monitors using GPU and integrated graphics

Tags:
  • Graphics
  • GPUs
  • Monitors
  • CPUs
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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November 28, 2013 7:15:32 PM

I have two monitors one connected to a discrete GPU and the other using the integrated graphics of the CPU. My question is if I'm gaming on the monitor using the GPU, is my CPU not being used to render anything but the other monitor? So if I do game on the CPU-monitor the integrated graphics card is being used independently from the GPU?

More about : monitors gpu integrated graphics

November 29, 2013 10:28:23 AM

Which version of windows are you using? From what I've seen, 8.1 pushes the rendering for every monitor onto your discrete GPU. If you are on 7, I believe the GPUs will only render monitors that are directly plugged into them. On 7 I was able to display video streams on my secondary monitor without any impact to my main monitor's FPS, but now that I'm on 8.1 I notice quite a large framerate drop if I play video on the secondary while I'm gaming on the primary.
November 29, 2013 3:23:07 PM

xenthan said:
Which version of windows are you using? From what I've seen, 8.1 pushes the rendering for every monitor onto your discrete GPU. If you are on 7, I believe the GPUs will only render monitors that are directly plugged into them. On 7 I was able to display video streams on my secondary monitor without any impact to my main monitor's FPS, but now that I'm on 8.1 I notice quite a large framerate drop if I play video on the secondary while I'm gaming on the primary.


I'm using windows 7 and have a monitor and a TV hooked up directly to the GPU. While my second monitor, which is never used for gaming, is connected to the motherboard for integrated graphics. I've used the second monitor to occasionally stream Netflix while playing and haven't noticed any framerate issues; but I just want to make sure my GPU is being properly used while I'm gaming on either my TV or monitor.

PC: i5 3570k, HD7870
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November 29, 2013 3:30:58 PM

If you want to be absolutely sure, I'd look in your bios and make sure your primary display adapter is set to your 7870, but if you haven't seen any frame rate issues then I think you're fine. I don't believe windows 7 offloads the rendering, so your discrete GPU should be doing all the rendering for the monitor and TV.
November 29, 2013 3:39:18 PM

Thanks for the help. I think you're right, I'll check it later.
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