Two graphics card on macbook pro which one do I use?

I have two graphics cards on my macbook pro. ADM random 6490m (256mb vram) and Intel HD graphics 3000 (512mb vram). My question is which one should I use? I don't do any hardcore gaming or photoshop. I guess that I am just looking for the best display and least buffering if that even has anything to do with the graphics card. I just want to get the most out of my macbook. I appreciate any advice. Thank you.

Your MBP more or less chooses which graphics card to use automatically. In System Preferences>Energy Saver, check Automatic graphics switching. When it's checked on, it will use the higher power and higher quality dedicated AMD 6490 when you're plugged into the wall, and uses the Intel 3000HD when on battery.
I have downloaded gfxCardStatus to give me more control over which graphics card to use. There are times I might want the AMD while on battery, even though it runs hotter and uses more battery life.
Either card will do well with HD movies, though I notice a lot more artifacts with the Intel 3000 when the movie has a lot of action or explosions or sounds. If you want to do hardcore gaming, you need the AMD of course. Photoshop is more dependent on the central processor rather than the graphics card, so I'm not sure you'd have much issue using either one.

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Can we add graphic card to macbook pro late 2011

can we add graphic card to macbook pro late 2011

I'm sorry, but you can only replace the hard drive and the RAM. The rest of the hardware is soldered onto the logic board, so it's not possible to replace it

HT3249 Can the graphics card of MacBook pro be customized?

Can the graphics card of MacBook pro be customized?

Only at the point of ordering from the Apple store. Select the required Video card at that point, because it can't be changed later.
Stedman

How will i increase the shared memory of the graphic card of macbook pro 13-inch, early 2011 from 4gb memory?

how will i increase the shared memory of the graphic card of macbook pro 13-inch, early 2011 from 4gb memory?

The current version of Mavericks is 10.9.4. To update yours download and install OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 Update (Combo).
You can upgrade RAM to the maximum your model will support. That would be:
Maximum Memory
16 GB (Actual) 8 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots
2 - 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM
About OS X Memory Management and Usage
Using Activity Monitor to read System Memory & determine how much RAM is used
OS X Mavericks- About Activity Monitor
Adding RAM only makes it possible to run more programs concurrently. It doesn't speed up the computer nor make games run faster. What it can do is prevent the system from having to use disk-based VM when it runs out of RAM because you are trying to run too many applications concurrently or using applications that are extremely RAM dependent. It will improve the performance of applications that run mostly in RAM or when loading programs.

Creative Cloud background service constantly uses high-performance graphics card on MacBook Pro

On my MacBook Pro mid-2010, I recently noticed that the high-performance graphics card for some reason was constantly on. In MacBooks as of 2009, there are two graphics cards that can be used, one integrated, one PCIe. The integrated one is less powerful, but is used to preserve battery. The other one is enabled when there is a high demand for graphics power.
I saw that when the Creative Cloud service (with this I mean the general software package that tracks for updates and syncs fonts and files) was loaded into the system, the MacBook automatically starts using this high-performance graphics card, even without any other software running, just freshly from boot. This, of course, drains battery and I don't think that much power is needed to run a background service. The only way to stop the high-performance graphics card from kicking in, is by terminating the complete Creative Cloud service, which is of course not very useful when you use the sync feature a lot.
Is there a solution for this problem, or can you release an update of the software that addressess this issue?
If I need to provide you with logs or other relevant information, please let me know.
Thanks in advance, it's kind of annoying as it is now.
Ruben Delil

Same here. Macbook Retina 15", purchased earlier this year.
Nice (and free) utility to monitor GPU-usage is:
gfxCardStatus from http://gfx.io/
Helped me to notice that it's better to quit Photoshop if not using it because it still uses the nVidia GPU if Photoshop is not even the active application (eg. running in the background).
But still, sometimes after closing Photoshop, gfxCardStatus says that nVidia GPU is in use for process 'Creative Cloud'.
I'm mostly running on battery and nVidia GPU consumes much, much more battery than the integrated, Intel HD Graphics 4000 so this is a big issue for me.

Advantage/disadvantage two graphics cards in Mac Pro?

I'm working on an unfamiliar edit suite. They've installed two graphics cards in a late model Mac Pro. The second monitor isn't responding properly ... it's a black screen when it is supposed to be a full screen display of whatever is on the timeline.
A Mac Tech support article says: "Final Cut Studio applications may exhibit unexpected behaviors when used on a Mac Pro that has more than one graphics card. Unexpected behaviors may include rendering issues, Digital Cinema Desktop display issues, and window display issues."
The Tech support article says to pull one of the graphics cards.
This isn't my system. What is the advantage to having two graphics cards in a Mac Pro?
I want to pull one to make the 2nd monitor respond correctly. But I have to justify this to the owners of the suite.
All ears,
Ben

Hi guys,
I disconnected one card. Working with a single monitor there are is no more crashing with FCP. The card I'm using has a DVI out and two miniDisplayPorts. I'm looking around for an adaptor (or two) to go with the two miniDisplayPort outs. The card is an ATI RADEON 5770; I think it will support up to three monitors, two for sure.
There is no one in the suite here at present ... I've been poking around for the adaptors. I think canceling out the second graphics card may solve all my problems.
Thank you kindly for your help,
Ben

Upgrade Graphics card in MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz Early 2011

Hi,
I'm new to the forums so please don't comment saying that this has already been posted.
Anyway, I Have a MacBook Pro 15" 2.2GHz Early 2011 and would like to play games using Dolphin. I have been using Dolphin for about 3 months but I have to scale my resolution down to 720p for it to run smoothly. So I was wondering if I could upgrade my graphics card to something that could support this on a 1440 by 900 or at least a 1280 by 800.
Edit: Due do other answers, I now realise that it is not possible to change the graphics card but is there any other way of making it fast enough.
Thanks again.
Thanks in advance,
Aaron Leanage
//Message was edited by: Aaron Leanage

Hi Aaron, Two kinds of people in the world, Tool users and tool builders. In this case, the prior responses to the question presume to know you, they are in a context that stereotype the entire reading audience as only able to consume a shrink wrapped utter non tech end user answer.
Responses fail to ask before they answer follow up questions. They fail to set any boundaries of what you or the audience would consider acceptable and worse pass off (with scorn for your asking it) your question as either foolish or as factually materially not technologically possible.
When in reality, it’s just is not your question which is in error, it appears to be the experience of or the presuming of the posters which have limited the material factual discussion of options.
No one asked you if your goal was to get it done with a technicians help or to purchase a completed finished end user installable bits and make it work yourself. No one asked if you had some, none, extensive or access to technicians who do soldering.
The three respondent’s are likely correct in guessing, most people (in general) can't go buy and solder if their lives depended on it. However what the posters did, almost appears intended to confuse or conflate the experience with soldering with it with not being possible, rational, reasonable or desirable.
I don’t know you or the other posters, but I value the question and you more than to dismiss it by answering conveniently based on my assumptions about you.
So out of the box thinking is required, to counter the dismissive one liners .."its soldered in, suck it up and buy new".
Please consider http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_evolution
Soldering irons have been around for over 4,000 years. Up until the late 1800s they were all heated by open flame or burning coals.
1894
The American Electrical Heater Company of Detroit Michigan begins manufacturing electric soldering irons. Shortly after the American Beauty® line of soldering irons appears.
1921
Ernst Sachs (Germany) claims to have developed the first electric soldering iron for industry (see note below) and ERSA begins commercial production of a 200 watt electric soldering iron. [More Details]
Note: I have found an advertisement from 1898 in an issue of "The Electrical Engineer" Vol. XXIV showing a drawing and description of the American Electrical Heater Company's electric soldering iron which pre dates Ernst Sachs electric soldering iron by 23 years.
1926
In December of 1926 William Alferink files for a U.S. patent for a "Combined Holder and Automatic Circuit Breaker for Electric Soldering Irons" (first soldering station?). On July third, 1928 the patent is granted.
1946
Carl E. Weller is granted a patent for his instant heat soldering gun and starts production as the Weller Manufacturing Company in Easton Pennsylvania where he manufactures the first "Speedy Iron" instant heat soldering gun.
1949
The American Beauty "Temperature Regulating Stands" are sold to control the temperature of electric soldering irons.
1951
WEN Products is founded and manufacturers their own instant heat soldering iron.
1954
Weller sues WEN Products over soldering gun patent infringement.
Court finds in Weller's favor. [More Details]
1960
Weller is granted a patent for the "Magnastat" soldering iron which controls the iron's temperature through the use of a temperature sensitive magnetic tip.
1967
Weller begins manufacturing it's W-TCP soldering station with a "Magnastat" iron.
1970
Weller Manufacturing Company is sold to Cooper Industries.
Reference: http://www.stevenjohnson.com/soldering/history.htm
So the actual fundamental concern is not soldering, soldering has been around for a while, finding a technician is not the issue. Then the issue would seem to me to be, "will a card fit"?
If the card fits, it can be soldered in. That’s the bottom line. An expert might take an hour to solder it, An expert might charge $90 - $250 an hour. A person with more than a little experience will appear as an expert to you. Ask for and check references, BBB to reduce your learning curve. Establish a maximum price, Establish criteria with your expert that make it acceptable to agree in advance in writing to only pay a fixed max amount on successful completion.
Does anyone have a reference of it being done?
Does anyone know a contact company that would take the job?
Does anyone know specific parts (have a URL?) that should or are known to work?
Milestones
– Feasibility confirmation
– Locate engineering soldering expertise
– Return here and post your experience.
Notes:
If Apple had Nvidia reduce or reshape the display card specifically to fit the MacBook Pro you’re out of luck however if the MBP card was not customized by Apple then any modern mobile Nvidia board may work if you can find a tech to solder it in.
If Apple changed the already small mobile card form to custom fit the MBP then you’re going to have no luck.
Glad to clear that up for everyone with some material relevant facts for the adults
shldr2thewheel wrote:
the graphics card is not upgradeable.
Kappy wrote:
You cannot upgrade the CPU or GPU on laptops. They are soldered to the motherboard.
Regardless of your being new here, this topic has been discussed before. You might have searched before posting.
Allan Eckert wrote:
If you would have read the threads posted on the right under the heading More Like This, you would have discovered that it has already been posted here.
Allan

Graphic card on MacBook pro 17 inch fails

Hello
my MacBook Pro screen stays black and after check up it is the graphic card nvidia which has failed. It was brought to my attention that Apple had a recall on Mac book pro from 2007 and 2008 and I believe mine is one of them. Now the issue is Apple considers this computer vintage, so a third party will have to do the repair. My question to Apple is: will they pay for this repair?

Nope - you're stuck with the Intel 4000. If you wanted a higher-performance GPU, you should have bought a 15".
Sorry,
Clinton

Considering buying MacBook or MacBook Pro--which one?

Hello,
I am thinking of buying a new computer. I'm university-affiliated, and can get the 13" MacBook for $900, and the 13" MacBook Pro for $1100. It looks like the specs are similar on both as far as HD size, RAM, etc. The main differences seem to be the processors (2.13GHz on the white one vs. 2.26GHz on the aluminum), and the FireWire ports (400 v. 800). Anybody have any thoughts on whether the Pro is worth $200 more? Do either of these machines have some potential known issues? (For example, I have an iBook G3 that has the black screen issue, which seems to be well-known.) I don't do a lot of heavy-duty graphics or anything like that, but I like to have a decent computer.
A follow up question is this: The apple care protection plan is an extra $183 for either computer. It's my impression that this is the same as the computer's 1-year warranty, just extended to 3 years. If one buys on AMEX, the warranty is doubled by the card to 2 years. So is a third year worth $183? Aren't any problems likely to occur by the end of the 2nd year? (If I'm understanding this incorrectly, feel free to correct me.)
Thanks a lot in advance!
Anna

The Pro is absolutely worth the money.
I don't know if this has changed with the current revision of white MacBooks, but my machine (a late-2007) is quite susceptible to scuffs, scratches & chips. I don't have a case on it--which probably would have helped!--but this computer isn't as robust as my iBook G4 or my friend's older PowerBook. I've also noticed that my MacBook runs hotter than his MacBook Pro, but that may be due to different hardware components in each machine (his Pro is newer than my computer).
As for the warranty, it's up to you. I've never purchased Apple Care and all of my Apple products have lasted 5 or more years without issues (aside from a hard drive crash on my iBook within its first year). Do keep in mind that phone support is free with the extended warranty--this would come in handy if you live far from an Apple store.
And if you want to be safe, get Apple Care for that 3rd year--$183 will more than cover even 1 repair by Apple.
~Lyssa

I'm debating between a Macbook Air or a Macbook Pro which one would you suggest?

I'm debating between a Macbook Air (MC965LL/A) or a Macbook Pro (MD313LL/A) which one would you suggest?
I will be using this for college and taking it to class with me. My biggest fear is that I may be too hard on the Air and damage it, but I like that it is lighter and looks cooler. But which one do you believe is more logical and provides the best computer quality overall?

This is an objective comparison,
Meanwhile, we start from the price of their basic models, considering of course that could get discounts as a student in the Education Store. Required about 100 € more to buy an Air with the same screen size of this Pro and already, in some cases, may be enough to make your own choice.
Assuming a score to score, we could say: Pro 1 - 0 Air
Until recently, the beloved laptop for school purposes was the white MacBook.Orphaned "bianchino", now out of the list for some time now Apple, the Mac that is most on the economic front is approaching the Air 11 "(900 € on the edu store). Air 13 "display offers a native that could be called HiRes, identical resolution to that of Pro 15" base:
Air 11 "(16:9) 1366 x 768 = 1,049,088 pixels
Pro 13 "(16:10 format) 1280 x 800 = 1,024,000 pixels
Air 13 "(16:10 format) 1440 x 900 = 1,296,000 pixels
The comparison on the screens is not to be taken seriously. After all, is what we will see during every second of computer work.
And so the challenge back in a tie: Pro 1 - Air 1
For size and weight comparison is merciless. The Pro is a portable slim, well built and, after all, not too heavy. However, this aspect of the Air is unsurpassed. He created a new category of laptops is so small wonder. The weight is also almost halved with 1.3 kg against 2Kg. For those who are always on the go is a godsend for the university and also the difference in the shoulder is remarkable.
We update our score: Pro 1 - Air 2
The battery is offered in both cases with a duration of 7 hours. 2-Air Pro 3. Another aspect that is rather in favor of a tie on the graphics: Both models use the Intel HD Graphics 3000 with 384MB of DDR3 SDRAM condivisa.Pro 3 - Air 4.
In academia, it may not feel quite the need for a Firewire port, but the fact remains that the Air does not have it.
I guess that's the case to score another point: Pro 4 - 5 Air
I scored a little more than necessary to have a complete line of Air, but for the purposes of this comparison we are interested in the value obtained from the Pro 13 'Air base and 13 "base. Both processors are dual core and, as you can see, the little guy gets along very well though with a slower clock. There is also a crucial aspect to consider: these data refer to the computing power but do not take into account the incredible speed-bump-up by SSD. Translated into monetary terms means that if the Pro 13 "is marginally faster when the CPU is under stress (such as video encoding) Air 13" is significantly more responsive in every area. By now you will present the advantages of SSD, as we talk about it constantly, and be assured that we are talking about really obvious differences in the everyday. The advantages obtained clearly outweigh the disadvantage resulting from a delay of a few seconds more in exporting an iMovie or a few seconds to compress a full-bodied zip file (which then increased the write speed scale in part). To assign a score in this area I find then a little 'in difficulty. From the viewpoint of the CPU Pro 13 "is slightly faster but we are sure you can assign an advantage when then every single operation, to start since, requires up to 8 times (the value is clearly approximate) of the time ' Air 11 "? I have no doubt to say that overall performance on the front of the Pro 13 "basis, as configured, is beaten hands down Air 13" base.
I say then: Pro 4 - Air 6 (but wait ... is not over)
Do you know where the above discussion decade? The MacBook Pro is much more expandable: add just € 77 and takes a 60GB OCZ Agility SATA3 that mounts in an instant. At that point, the bill draws on the opposite reactivity with SSD and the difference of the processor, though not so obvious, back to bite. It is also possible to realize different combinations. We have spoken of a disk of only 60GB in effect, but in the Pro can also be used as an adapter to enter the optibay the HDD of 320GB in place of the original SuperDrive. In this way we obtain the speed of the solid disc for the operating system and applications and the increased capacity of a traditional hard drive for archiving. Also, the RAM, which base is 4GB on both, on the Pro can be easily increased to 8GB. To want to do things right we should say that the added cost rises well and lose the initial assumption for which we have assigned a point to Pro for the greater economy.Furthermore, the comparison is based, only the basic models, however, the counter remains a valuable expandability, both now and in the future: if after some time you should decide to improve the performance of your Mac, is with the Aircan only change SSD (mSATA but those are expensive), while the Pro will have more flexibility.
u point for the Pro: Pro 5 - 6 Air
With the 2011 version of the MacBook Air has resumed the backlit keyboard, but still (and will) not have an Ethernet port, Superdrive and the infrared receiver. The absence of the reader / writer is a point against him, this is indisputable
equal footing Pro 6 - Air 6. As Apple moves fast towards a future where this will no longer be necessary (see installation and operating system software via the web) can still be useful today. It must be said that with less than 30 € you take an external drive efficiently (review) but this still requires to carry around another "element". On a personal level each of us will be evaluated differently this absence, there are those who do not tolerate it and who has already got used to (in extreme cases supported by the Remote Disk feature) but it is still a lack of perspective in a single complete computer , at least at present.
For this reason we say: Pro 7 - 6 Air
pull the money (or better scores ) won the pro of a single point.
i hope it can help you ti choose
Francesco

Hi, I want to buy a Macbook Pro, which one is the best for...

Hi, I'm currently studying graphic design... Besides using Adobe collection like Ai, Ps, Dw, Fl, etc., I'm beginning to use After effects, Final Cut, Cinema 4D, basically stuff for audio&video, 3D modelling.. So I'm looking for a Macbook Pro to buy, that allows me to use all those heavy (file size, visual effects) programms.. which do you recommend for me?

High res-anti-glare 15" or 17" with the top end video card, scores 45 points on Cinebench, which is very impressive for a laptop, about half as fast as the fasest current Windows towers.
That most certainly will do the job.
The 17" hight res/anti-glare as the ability to display 1920 x 1080 (1080i HD) on it's 1920 x 1200 pixel screen in actual resolution.
I've got the Early 2011 MPB and I can run a 3D animated screen saver as my desktop all the time, it's a real workstation type machine in a laptop, very very impressive machine.

Graphics card crash - MacBook Pro running Mac OS X Snow Leopard

Hi,
Yesterday I was playing Age of Empires III for Mac, and at the start of a Skirmish mission, where there wasn't much going on yet, the game seized, and then after a while the screen started flickering to black in these big horizontal chunks... I was unable to quit, restart, force quit, nothing.
Pretty much the whole bottom of the screen went black, while a middle part was flashing on and off.
I'm afraid there might be something wrong with my graphics card.
Here's the crash report after I force-shutdown my MBP, and started it again:
Also, the MacBook Pro is only a few months old and there seems to be other problems:
1. There's dust under the glass of my screen!
2. When I try to put a CD in, it gets caught on some stuff, and I have to jimmy it around to get it inside
3. The bottom of the laptop creeks really loud when it's on my lap (which isn't often, but still, worrying and not very Apple-ish noise every time I handle it), the case moves, etc.
What should I do? I've had laptops repaired in the Apple Store a few times before, and they always ended up coming up worse than they went in. New problems, etc.

Hi
The dust & cd & creaking won't get better, regrettably - so back it would go, for me anyway - unless you really feel it'll be made worse.
Later mbp's have an auto graphic switching setting in System Prefs-Energy Saver - try switching that off -
assuming the crashes are repeatable.

Graphics card crash - MacBook Pro - AOE3

Hi,
Yesterday I was playing Age of Empires III for Mac, and at the start of a Skirmish mission, where there wasn't much going on yet, the game seized, and then after a while the screen started flickering to black in these big horizontal chunks... I was unable to quit, restart, force quit, nothing.
Pretty much the whole bottom of the screen went black, while a middle part was flashing on and off.
I'm afraid there might be something wrong with my graphics card.
Here's the crash report after I force-shutdown my MBP, and started it again:
Also, the MacBook Pro is only a few months old and there seems to be other problems:
1. There's dust under the glass of my screen!
2. When I try to put a CD in, it gets caught on some stuff, and I have to jimmy it around to get it inside
3. The bottom of the laptop creeks really loud when it's on my lap (which isn't often, but still, worrying and not very Apple-ish noise every time I handle it), the case moves, etc.
What should I do? I've had laptops repaired in the Apple Store a few times before, and they always ended up coming up worse than they went in. New problems, etc.

Since you haven't had good luck at your local Apple Store, maybe you should consider sending your Mac off to the Repair Depot for diagnosis and repair. Call Apple and tell them about all of the troubles you have been having. You might also try running the extended version of the Apple Hardware test--if you get any error codes, that would point to a specific hardware fault.
My niece did this, and the turnaround was really fast. She sent hers off on a Tuesday evening, and got it back the following Thursday morning. From what I hear, the repair depot is really good.
Be sure to make a good backup of your data before sending it in. Sometimes they erase the hard drive and reinstall the OS during the troubleshooting process. If you have replaced the RAM, send it in with the original Apple RAM.
If the problem is intermittent, be sure to include a screen shot and the crash report.
Good luck!

External Graphics Card for Macbook Pro 2011?

Tired of just having no graphics card which really irritates when i play high graphics games....just really need to know if there is an option of using an external graphics card

There is no external graphics solution that will be anything but much, much slower than what you have.
If your MacBook is not meeting your needs, sell it and buy one that better meets your needs. Most of the 15" units today have a discrete graphics processor that tag-teams with the Integrated graphics for superior performance under stress, acceptable battery life when not taxed.

Upgrade RAM to 16GB or new graphics card for Macbook Pro?

I edit very large photos daily in Photoshop CC, each photo around 25mb, with the finished PSD file at 300-500mb. I also have a dual-monitor display. There's a tiny bit of lag whenever more than one or two programs are open, and when I'm editing the screens will freeze for 10 seconds every minute or so. Is this a RAM issue, or do I just need a more powerful graphics card to power two displays? I'm a college student on a budget and want to keep this as cheap as possible. I've seen 16GB RAM on Amazon for $150, which is a stretch but doable. I don't know anything about graphics cards. Also, how would I go about installing either?

The correct RAM specifications for a 2012 13" MBP are: 204-pin PC3-12800 (1600 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM.
The most reliable sources of Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.
Look at this video which shows hoe to install RAM in your MBP:
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbookpro_13_unibody_mid12_mem/
Ciao.

Two graphics card on macbook pro which one do I use?

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