GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

Try heading into the Nvidia Control Panel and looking for something under 3D settings or global settings—specifically, set the preferred graphics to the high-performance Nvidia processor.

Your laptop probably just runs on the Intel HD Graphics when you aren't doing much, and then maybe switches over to the Nvidia card once you actually start running something heavy

I tried disabling the Intel HD Graphics, but then I’m forced to restart the whole laptop because everything just goes black. It doesn't make any sense. It should just automatically hand things off to the Nvidia chip, but once I do that, the manager shows absolutely no graphics card at all. I tried installing the Nvidia drivers, but it keeps demanding Intel HD Graphics drivers first. It seems pretty logical that when you're actually running something demanding, the Nvidia should just kick in and take over.

I don't get what you're missing here. If it says the Nvidia isn't working, then it's not working. It’s pretty straightforward.

You need to install the Nvidia drivers first; otherwise, certain programs—like games—won't recognize the hardware automatically, and for some, you'll have to manually switch over to it...

Just head over to the Acer or Nvidia websites and hunt down the specific drivers meant for your exact laptop model and your version of Windows...

Look, quit assuming things and just listen to what people are actually telling you. Besides, why on earth were you even trying to disable the Intel HD Graphics in the first place?

Look, if you didn't catch my drift, I never said the Nvidia wasn't working. I'm saying it's just sitting there doing nothing. It’s not being utilized by the laptop at all. I've already gone through the whole routine—installed both the Intel and the Nvidia drivers, then did it all over again just to be sure. If you check Device Manager, both show up as installed, but the system is stubbornly sticking to the Intel chip instead of switching over to the Nvidia. Honestly, the only thing that makes sense here is what fadedorca66 pointed out: the laptop is supposed to run on Intel for basic stuff and only kick in the Nvidia when things actually get heavy.

Nathan Castillo16 said:Look, you clearly missed my point. I never said Nvidia wasn't working. I said the laptop isn't actually using it. Both the Intel and Nvidia drivers are installed—I checked twice. They both show up in Device Manager, but the laptop stays stuck on Intel instead of switching to Nvidia. It’s pretty obvious what fadedorca66 was getting at: the laptop uses Intel for basic stuff and kicks in the Nvidia for the heavy lifting.

That's how it's supposed to work in theory. The driver handles the switch based on how hard the system is working.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:in theory, that’s how it should work—the driver is supposed to handle everything based on the workload.

thanks. well, at least I learned something new today.

I'm looking for some kind of GPU to pair with my $367. I've currently got an A8-5600k and 4GB of RAM running...

AMD Radeon R7 265

crimsonstag84 said:XFX R7 265

Where can I actually find one? 🙂

So, I'm weighing two options here: that GeForce GTX 570 TGT Ultra Charged dual fan with 2.5GB, or just going straight for the EVGA GTX 680 2GB. Which way should I lean?

Jack James65 said:Where can I pick one up? 🙂

Everywhere. If you're looking at something just slightly above an R9 270, it should be easy enough
. What kind of power supply are you running?

Nathan Castillo16 said:A Point of View GeForce GTX 570 TGT Ultra Charged Dual Fan 2.5GB or an EVGA GTX 680 2GB.

The GTX 680 is clearly more powerful. The real question is what price are they asking, which specific PSU model are you using, and what CPU do you have?

EDIT

Unofficial performance figures for the 390X, Titan X, 980 Ti, and 960 Ti

Intel Core i5 4570 @ 3.2GHz
700W PSU
I'm currently running an EVGA GTX 680 and playing Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare on it, but I picked up a GTX 570 today. Just wondering if swapping them out is actually worth the effort.

comparison

Timothy Kim60 said:Everywhere. If it stretches past the R9 270 just a tiny bit more
What kind of PSU are you running?

I've got some random "Power" brand unit

Anyway, the 550W one has two 6-pins for the GPU, like, one 6-pin and one 6+2 pin

Power? You sure about that brand? Maybe it's LC Power?

fadedorca66 said:Power? You sure about the brand? Maybe LC Power?

Yeah, it's probably LC Power.

Jack James65 said:Since it's an LC Power

It's likely the LC Power GP series; it's decent enough to handle an R9 270.

Greetings, fellow hardware enthusiasts. I am seeking your expert opinions on a matter. I will soon be acquiring a very inexpensive http://support.lenovo.com/en/documents/pd013522
It features an i3 processor paired with an Intel Q65 chipset
My question is: which graphics card would you recommend for decent performance? It is primarily intended for virtual machines, though we do some gaming when those VMs are running 🙂
I can spend up to $167 on a GPU, so please share your suggestions. I trust your judgment regarding compatibility with my current setup

I noticed there are two PCI slots available. Could someone explain if it is possible to merge cards so they function as one? I may have just stated something entirely foolish 😁 By the way, the integrated graphics are either Intel HD 2000 or 3000. Thank you for your time

Additionally, I have not specified the exact type yet; I am still waiting to confirm 🙂