Graphics switcher (Hybrid vs Discrete)

[ShortGiraffe]

Hi there!

I just bought my new Omen 16.1 gaming laptop (AMD Ryzen 7 6800H + RTX 3060 6GB) and I found a "Graphics Switcher" feature on Omen Gaming Hub app. I've never seen something like that on my previous Omen 15 laptop so I want to know more about it. I tried both Hybrid and Discrete modes and I haven't see any difference in my games. So in this case I can't find a reason to use Discrete mode. Because with Hybrid mode enabled, regular apps can use the AMD graphics card and when I run a game, the game will use the RTX 3060 card. Best of both worlds. No reason to use RTX 3060 for browsing and youtube if we already have good integrated AMD GPU.

At the same time everybody in Internet says to disable Hybrid mode. Because in their opinion Hybrid mode routes the discrete GPU thru the integrated GPU which results in around a 10-15% loss of performance due to that added overhead vs running straight from the discrete GPU. Is it true? Would you please explain it to me? Should I use Discrete mode for gaming and for better performance?

Thank you for your attention!

[Loomis1975]

Yes, it's true. Mid-level gaming laptops are starting to get this feature more as time goes on.

Discrete mode will give you "slightly" better gaming performance in games where you want to push the settings a bit further, higher frames per second, one step up in resolution, etc, I wouldn't use it for anything else, or for casual gaming.  I mean, you might notice it in some graphics intensive work as well, programming in Unity, graphic design, etc.

I have not had a gaming laptop from HP with this particular ability, usually called a MUX switch.  I have had it on several other laptops from the 2021 and 2022 years.  On those laptops once I selected the Discrete mode, I had to reboot for it to take hold and then it stayed that way till I switched it back and rebooted again.   There are some laptops where you don't have to reboot to change to Discrete mode or back.

If you aren't one to chase settings/feature optimization in games, i would just leave it in hybrid mode and enjoy the power savings and heat reduction.