Arch Linux

Gazpacho

Member

Registered: 2011-11-05

Posts: 17

Switchable graphic cards

Hello,

I have an Acer Aspire 4810TG with an hybrid ATI/Intel card, so is supposed the system can switch the graphic card for power saving or high graphics demand. Until now I was using the Catalyst proprietary driver with the switchable VGA disable in BIOS. After some problems, I have removed this driver and installed the open-source radeon driver. I have read the Arch wiki about switchable graphics but I don't know if the "switch" is working.

I always have a high temperature (an open bug) and I suppose is because the system is using the ATI card.

Someone can help me to know the VGA card the system is using?

Thanks

Carlinhos

Member

Registered: 2011-07-08

Posts: 41

Re: Switchable graphic cards

cat /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch should tell you wich one is powered. Do not forget to restart X whenever you switch cards.

Gazpacho

Member

Registered: 2011-11-05

Posts: 17

Re: Switchable graphic cards

Hi Carlinhos, thanks, but after a lot of troubles (mainly battery life) I've decided to return to a single card