David Airlie Announces "Reverse Optimus" Multi-GPU

[elanthis]

Only if the big GPU can't go low enough in idle/2d modes. This is constantly improving, so in a generation or two only the most high-end mobile GPUs should require an integrated one too to keep power in check.

Except that all the CPUs just have GPUs built in anyway, and they're almost guaranteed to be more power efficient than keeping an entire second board powered, even in very low idle states, due to having integrated power regulation circuitry and not needing to keep an interconnect/bus powered.

[bundyo]

I think Primus has a much better approach - it doesn't use VirtualGL and does only one copy. And its fast and not so power hungry as only GLX gets handled.

[curaga]

Except that all the CPUs just have GPUs built in anyway, and they're almost guaranteed to be more power efficient than keeping an entire second board powered, even in very low idle states, due to having integrated power regulation circuitry and not needing to keep an interconnect/bus powered.

Yes, that doesn't conflict with it in any way. By then the "big gpu" will just be integrated into the cpu.

[droidhacker]

Are there any dual video card laptop configuration that work without a hitch? I don't mind if it takes up an effort to setup up though...

Yes. Any that allow you to "switch off" the discrete chip entirely. They work perfectly.