Why do I have two graphics cards?

Solved
adrien88170 Posted messages 22 Status Membre -  
 floflodu89 -
Hello,
so I just received my laptop, a Dell Inspiron, and the website said it has an AMD Radeon HD 7730M graphics card. But in the Device Manager, I have two, I have that one + an Intel HD Graphics 4000. Is that normal? Do both operate? Because in the Windows performance index, I have 5.2 and I find that a bit small....

Thank you for your responses, sincerely, Adrien.

Configuration: Windows 8 / Firefox 18.0

17 réponses

Panoramix. Posted messages 3051 Status Membre 1 098
 
Hello,

Currently, most laptops integrate two graphics cards. The first one, which is low-performing, does not have its own GPU. Graphics processing is managed by the processor (APU). It consumes little power and is sufficient for "normal" use (office work, internet, etc.). The second one, the AMD, is more powerful and has its own GPU. It consumes more energy and can be used for gaming, for example.

Therefore, your two graphics cards do not work in parallel. You can use either one or the other. It all depends on what you want to do.

As for the performance index, it's possible that it is based on the Intel HD 4000 and not on the ATI.

That's it!
12
Superstupideença
 
Excuse me, I have the same problem and in the settings and when I play there is always INTEL. How can I use the other one (AMD Radeon HD 7400 series)? Do I just need to disable the INTEL graphics card???
0
Slahmelah
 
For my part, I have an Nvidia GT525M on a Dell Inspiron. I configure the launch of my games with Nvidia from the "Nvidia Control Panel", otherwise by right-clicking on the shortcut, then "Run with graphics processor", and I choose my Nvidia.
Hoping you can relate to your AMD :D
0
floflodu89
 
Yo, don't worry, it's the Optimus mode and AMD or others, it's annoying but when you know, it's cool! :D

Check that in your BIOS settings, you've set fixed mode instead of dynamic mode; if you don't have that as an option in your BIOS, no worries.

1 - Right-click on the desktop, left-click on configure switchable graphics.
2 - Then, in the new window that appears, choose the 'High performance GPU' processor and then click on 'Apply'.
3 - If you want to play without the power cable, uncheck the box 'Automatically select low power GPU when on battery'. (Consumes more battery).
4 - There you go, everything is ready, all you have to do is enjoy gaming on PC :3
0