Does my Laptop NEED my GPU?

Kevin McCutcheon

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Dec 2, 2013
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I was wondering if my Asus G50Vt-x1 laptop needs my Nvidia 9800.. Stupid question but the computer is only needed for a garage for pulling trouble codes off of cars and the laptop gets VERY hot. and horrible battery.
 
Solution
Nope a GPU is not needed.
The heating issue though may need looking into plus a few tweaks might help the battery life.... but that's about it.

Kevin McCutcheon

Honorable
Dec 2, 2013
14
0
10,560


Any software suggestions? Would it just use integrated graphics? It is the P8400 Intel CORE2DUO processor.
 

LummusMaximus

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As long as you're not doing any graphically demanding tasks, you should do fine on the iGPU. Other ways to keep a laptop cool:

-reapply thermal paste/apply a superior thermal paste (To CPU and/or GPU)
-Clean out the fans
-Invest in a cooling pad
-Ensure the system is well ventilated
-Try to keep the system in a cool environment

As for disabling it, the drivers it came with should help you out there. Right click on the desktop, and go for the nvidia control centre. It may also be located in the system tray.
 
The normal way laptops were designed, when included a GPU, was when in 2D applications the integrated graphics were used (Word, Excel, Websurfing) but when you need graphics ((Games Videos, maybe even your diag software) the IGF was not capable enough to run the video so the added GPU would run.

I believe, as I understand, your mainissue is heat, it may need a good dusting, but by the age of the hardware your mentioning, I believe it may be more just end of life. If you are unaware, that GPU was put on the No longer supper list, and the Core2Duo is very dated. If the hardware has been used for a very long time, it just may be at end of life, as PC parts are only guaranteed for 3 years under normal 'office' conditions (40 hours use per week).