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 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.
![Driver Driver](/uploads/1/1/8/6/118667205/653001810.jpg)
Graphics Driver Download Resources. How to Find the Latest Compatible Drivers for AMD Graphics Products. Obtaining Graphics Drivers Using the AMD Driver Auto-Detect Tool. Radeon Pro Software Certified ISV Applications. How to Identify the Manufacturer and Model of an AMD Graphics Card. How to Identify an AMD Professional Series Graphics Card. To find out which graphics card your Mac uses: Click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select About this Mac. Click on the More Info. Button in the About this Mac dialog.
Check if an app is using the dedicated GPU
![Graphic card driver for core 2 duo Graphic card driver for core 2 duo](/uploads/1/1/8/6/118667205/546888507.jpg)
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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.
In this example, iMovie and Final Cut Pro are using the higher-performance discrete GPU:
Learn more
Mac Pro Graphics Card
Here are a few examples of apps and accessories that use the higher-performance discrete GPU:
- iMovie
- Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign
- An external display
Learn how to use an external graphics processor (eGPU) with your Mac.
Graphics Card Driver Software Update
Learn how to set the graphics performance on your MacBook Pro or MacBook Pro with Retina display computer.