Why do some laptops have 2 GPU's?

Kratos Aurion

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I'm really sorry if this is kind of a n00b question, but why do some laptops come with na integrated intel GPU and an optional Nvidia Geforce?

I'm looking for a good performance laptop, to work with Vegas Pro and other heavy apps, and I found this sweet machine...expensive, but still sweet xD
But what really grinds my gears is the Intel + Nvidia combination. Why do some laptops come with two GPU's? Would such a combination result in combatility issues? Is it to choose which one to use, or does it use both for a more powerful result?

I'd appreciate some info on this, can't seem to find it online.

Thank you for your time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N53Jq-SX145V
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 740QM, 1.73GHz
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 425M VRAM 1GB
because the integrated GPU isn't good enough for some games or high end apps and some people prefer dedicated graphics and not integrated so they offer NVidia GPU as an optional extra. also the intel GPU is integrated into motherboard, NVidia one isn't

you will only use one GPU though.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8 64 bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
there will be no conflicts and will only one gpu at a time for best results ,as already said it will use the Nvidia Geforce for more intense graphics and games
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1.1 enterprise
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Hinze57
    CPU
    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
    Motherboard
    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
    Memory
    4gig ddr3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radon hd5000 Series
    Sound Card
    onboard realtek hd
    Monitor(s) Displays
    19" viewsonic/ 22"Samsung
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    128gig ssd Kingston
    80gig WD 10000 rpm spinner
    Case
    micro
    Keyboard
    microsoft curve 200
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless M215
    Internet Speed
    high speed 20
    Browser
    ie 11
    Antivirus
    windows defender
    Other Info
    updated enterprise apr 2/14
It is all about reducing power consumption and improving run time on battery power. The Intel GPU has lower performance and power consumption and is used for general use. When needed the higher performance Nvidia GPU will be used. By their nature high performance video GPUs require more power, whether the performance is currently needed or not.

Much of the design of Laptops centers around keeping power consumption down.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Owh, ok. Thank you so much for the replies, guys =D

Sounds great, if it really doesn't hurt graphical performance. But there's always a way to preset one of the GPU's to do everything at all times, right?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS N53Jq-SX145V
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 740QM, 1.73GHz
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 425M VRAM 1GB
Some laptops come with APU's. The CPU and GPU are on the same die, all in the one chip. Then they add a dedicated GPU as an option for better performance. My ASUS laptop has an AMD A-10 APU plus an ATI HD 7670M. I can chose what programs use what GPU and it can switch on the fly. The 7670M has 1 gig of dedicated video RAM. The 7660G in the A-10 APU will run cooler and draw less power. Having the option to chose which one you want it just a bonus feature.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X4 980 Black Edition Deneb 3.7GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS M4N68T-M V2 µATX Motherboard
    Memory
    8GB 4GBx2 Kingston PC10600 DDR3 1333 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA Geforce GT640 2 Gig DDR3 PCIe
    Sound Card
    VIA VT1708s High Definition Audio 8-channel Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LG E2242 1080p and 2 19" I-INC AG191D
    Screen Resolution
    1280x1024 - 1920x1080 - 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Crucial MX100 256 GB SSD and 500 GB WD Blue SATA
    PSU
    Thermaltake TR 620
    Case
    Power Up Black ATX Mid-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Stock heatsink fan
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless K350 Wave
    Mouse
    Logitech M570 Trackball and T650 TouchPad
    Internet Speed
    80 Mbps Down 30 Mbps Up
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
But there's always a way to preset one of the GPU's to do everything at all times, right?
There would be no need to have an option for this...and why would you want one? Even if you were running on AC power, the laptop would produce less heat and draw less power using the onboard graphics for normal tasks, extending the life of the internal components. For example, if you were browsing this forum, why would you want or need the Nvidia graphics chip running?

When you need the extra graphics power, it kicks in automatically. There would ne need or reason to have it run any other way. The onboard graphics are more than enough to handle regular tasks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z77-UD3H
    Memory
    16 GB Patriot Viper 3 DDR3-1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia 470 GTX
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 256 GB, WD WD20EFRX 2 TB
    PSU
    OCZ 700W
    Case
    Corsair 300R
    Cooling
    Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
I'm really sorry if this is kind of a n00b question, but why do some laptops come with na integrated intel GPU and an optional Nvidia Geforce?

I'm looking for a good performance laptop, to work with Vegas Pro and other heavy apps, and I found this sweet machine...expensive, but still sweet xD
But what really grinds my gears is the Intel + Nvidia combination. Why do some laptops come with two GPU's? Would such a combination result in combatility issues? Is it to choose which one to use, or does it use both for a more powerful result?

I'd appreciate some info on this, can't seem to find it online.

Thank you for your time.

There Is supposed to be some kind of Combo Dedicated/Integrated Video setup. That's why there are 2 GPUs, but they act as one.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
My Sony Laptop has 2 :

Graphics 1 - Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000 – Memory 1813 MB (1920x1080 60Hz)
Graphics 2 - AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6470M - ATI Technologies Inc.

But only can use 1 at the time ..... there is the switch you can toggle back and forth .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    wds 8.1- x 64Bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony SVF14N13CXB
    CPU
    Intel i5-4200U@1.60GHZ
    Memory
    8 GB x 64 Bit
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4400
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB
    Antivirus
    WDS Defender and MalwareByte Pro.
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