About integrated video on Intel-based Macs
Summary
About shared memory
Some Intel-based Apple computers feature both an integrated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and a discrete GPU. Others may feature only one GPU, which can be either an integrated or discrete GPU.
While a discrete GPU provides high performance graphics support using discrete video memory, it consumes greater amounts of power than an integrated GPU. An integrated GPU provides effective graphics support using much less power and shares video memory with the main system.
For Mac computers with two GPUs, you can use Mac OS X to decide which GPU to use for rendering graphics. Select the integrated GPU for longer battery run-time when high performance graphics is not required, or if you're using applications with demanding graphics, select the discrete GPU.
Learn more about the integrated GPUs available with Intel-based Apple computers and the amount of system memory they share.
Products Affected
MacBook (13-inch), MacBook (13-inch Mid 2007), MacBook (13-inch Late 2006), Mac mini (Mid 2007), Mac mini (Late 2006), Mac mini (Early 2006), iMac (Mid 2006 17-inch), iMac (20-inch Late 2006), iMac (17-inch, Late 2006 CD), iMac (17-inch, Late 2006), MacBook (13-inch Late 2007), MacBook Air (Original), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2008), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009), MacBook (13-inch, Late 2008), MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008), MacBook Air (Late 2008), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)
GMA 950
The GMA 950 allocates a base amount of 64 MB for video and boot processes at startup. For example, a Mac mini (Mid 2007) with 512 MB of RAM installed has 448 MB of memory available to Mac OS X and applications (512-64=448).
Products with the Intel GMA 950:
- Mac mini (Early 2006)
- Mac mini (Late 2006)
- Mac mini (Mid 2007)
- iMac (Mid 2006) 17-inch (MA406)
- iMac (Late 2006) 17-inch (MA710)
- MacBook (13-inch)
- MacBook (Late 2006)
- MacBook (Mid 2007)
GMA X3100
The GMA X3100 allocates a base amount of 144 MB for video and boot processes at startup. For example, a MacBook (Late 2007) with 1 GB of RAM installed has 880 MB of memory available to Mac OS X and applications (1024-144=880).
Products with the Intel GMA X3100 include:
- MacBook (Late 2007)
- MacBook (Early 2008)
- MacBook (Late 2008)
- MacBook Air (Early 2008)
Note: Depending on the application or task being accomplished, Mac OS X may make additional main memory available to the graphics processor for texture use beyond the base amount mentioned above. The most common types of applications that request more system memory to be used as graphics memory are 3D and graphics-intense applications. Using an extended desktop or mirrored desktop may also increase the amount of system memory used as graphics memory. For example, the GMA 950 would allocate 80 MB, resulting in 432 MB of available memory (512-80=432). Likewise, the GMA X3100 would allocate 160 MB, resulting in 864 MB of available memory (1024-160=864).
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M
The Nvidia GeForce 9400M allocates a base amount of 256 MB for video and boot processes at startup. For example, a MacBook Air (Late 2008) with 2 GB of RAM installed has 1.7 GB of memory available to Mac OS X and applications (2048-256=1792). Mac mini (Early 2009) computers with 1GB of memory share 128MB of main memory with the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M.
Products with the Nvidia 9400M include:
- MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008)
- MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009)
- MacBook Air (Late 2008)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) when "Better battery life" is enabled
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) when "Better battery life" is enabled
- Mac mini (Early 2009)
- iMac (20-inch, Early 2009)
- iMac (24-inch, Early 2009) with 2.66GHz Intel Core Duo processor
- MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53 Ghz, Mid 2009)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) when "Better battery life" is enabled
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009) when "Better battery life" is enabled
Graphics performance
For best graphics performance, your computer should have two same-size SO-DIMMs installed, one in each slot. When memory is installed in your Mac in same size pairs, the computer gains some performance benefits from the memory being interleaved. If you upgrade the memory in your Mac, make sure you have matching SO-DIMMs (both in memory size and speed) in each slot for the best graphics performance.
Additional Information
For more information, see MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008) and later: How to set graphics performance.
Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.