Many 15-inch MacBook Pro notebooks have two graphics processors (GPU)—a discrete GPU and an integrated GPU. The discrete GPU provides substantial graphics performance but uses more energy. The integrated GPU optimizes battery life by using less energy.
Check if the discrete or integrated GPU is in use
To check which graphics card is currently installed in a given Mac, press and hold the Option key and navigate to Apple menu System Information Graphics/Displays. Compatible cards will show. XINTUOWANG 18AWG Dual Mini 6 Pin To 8 Pin Male PCI-E Cord Power Cable for Mac Pro Video Card Graphics Card Model #: W5H9-HA6F21-656W1683 Item #: 9SIAPRPBMC9462.
To see which graphics cards are in use, choose Apple () menu > About this Mac. The graphics cards currently in use appear next to Graphics. Learn which integrated GPUs your Mac might have.
Check if an app is using the dedicated GPU
The #1 place for Mac Pro graphics cards. GPU upgrades from AMD and Nvidia. 661-5314 IMac 27 Late 2009 A1312 Card Video 4670 256MB, ATI Radeon HD Core2Duo, Intel i5 - i7 graphic card NB-2835W $204.00. Low End Mac's Guide to NuBus Video Cards. Guide to NuBus Video Cards. This is a not-quite-comprehensive (but growing) guide to NuBus video cards for the Mac. Also see our Guide to LC PDS Video Cards, Guide to 030 PDS Video Cards, and Guide to Video Cards for 68000 Macs.
To see if an app is using the higher-performance discrete GPU, open Activity Monitor and click the Energy tab. If you don't see the Requires High Perf GPU column, your computer only has one graphics processor.
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In this example, iMovie and Final Cut Pro are using the higher-performance discrete GPU:
Learn more
Here are a few examples of apps and accessories that use the higher-performance discrete GPU:
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- iMovie
- Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign
- An external display
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