Ableton Forum

Hi, I'm wondering if its possible to run live in integrated graphics mode on a macbook pro retina? By default it uses the discrete graphics card which uses a lot more battery

thanks

kiteless wrote:Hi, I'm wondering if its possible to run live in integrated graphics mode on a macbook pro retina? By default it uses the discrete graphics card which uses a lot more battery

You can try with gfxCardStatus. However:

Additionally, you must make sure that your application works correctly with multiple GPUs or else the system may continue forcing your application to use the discrete GPU

From: Technical Q&A QA1734: Allowing OpenGL applications to utilize the integrated GPU

It would seem that this lies in the hands of the developers, Ableton in this case. I hold it somewhat unlikely Ableton have done the above if they don't give us the option explicitly.

if i switch my GPU use to integrated-only with gfxCardStatus before launching Live, then it appears to stay on the integrated card. i haven't checked beneath the hood to see what exactly is happening with the discrete card though...

fishmonkey wrote:if i switch my GPU use to integrated-only with gfxCardStatus before launching Live, then it appears to stay on the integrated card. i haven't checked beneath the hood to see what exactly is happening with the discrete card though...

Have you discovered performance being affected negatively (slow graphics, CPU taking on more work)? Or does it work as usual?

Cool, if I switch to "Integrated Only" using gfxCardStatus before running live, the graphics doesn't switch to discrete.

I'll request that live runs like this by default. I can't see a good reason why it doesn't.

Thanks Stromkraft and fishmonkey!

mikb wrote:

fishmonkey wrote:if i switch my GPU use to integrated-only with gfxCardStatus before launching Live, then it appears to stay on the integrated card. i haven't checked beneath the hood to see what exactly is happening with the discrete card though...

Have you discovered performance being affected negatively (slow graphics, CPU taking on more work)? Or does it work as usual?

I havent noticed any negative affects but I haven't been maxing the CPU in live either. Discrete graphics could help is such situations but extending the battery life is a big plus for me.

kiteless wrote:

mikb wrote: Have you discovered performance being affected negatively (slow graphics, CPU taking on more work)? Or does it work as usual?

I havent noticed any negative affects but I haven't been maxing the CPU in live either. Discrete graphics could help is such situations but extending the battery life is a big plus for me.

I can understand that. I'm usually in a studio with speakers, but I can imagine writing songs with headphones and being anywhere. My current battery is dying so that is out of the question until I get a new one.

Even if the graphics are integrated, I don't believe CPU performance typically would be affected by lack of discrete graphics, unless they share some other resources.