Nov 05, 2008 Here's a Quick Tip on how to switch graphics cards in the new MacBook Pro. Let's say I've been out and about using the power-friendly integrated graphics card, then I start playing a game.
Several issues can cause a monitor to turn off randomly. Some of the reasons relate to the monitor while others relate to the computer. Read through the following suggestions for reasons why your monitor may be turn off by itself.
TipIf the monitor stays on, but loses signal (e.g., power light goes from green to orange), it's an issue with the computer and not the monitor. See: Why does my computer turn off without warning?
NoteIf your computer turns off when not being used, but wakes up when pressing a button, there's nothing wrong with your monitor. It's operating according to your power management features.
Monitor overheating
One reason the monitor could shut off is because it's overheating. When a monitor overheats, it shuts off to prevent damage to the circuitry inside. Causes of overheating include dust build-up, excessive heat or humidity, or blockage of the vents that allow the heat to escape.
If the monitor is overheating, it is best to unplug the monitor and let it cool down fully before using it again. Then, if you have canned air (anti-static, for electronics), try to blow out any dust that may be inside the monitor casing. If the computer room is very hot, find a way to cool it down, either by turning on a fan or the air conditioning system. Wait until the room cools down some before trying to use the monitor again.
Also, if you're using an older CRT monitor, upgrading to a newer flat-panel display resolves many heat-related issues in a hot environment.
Loose cable
If the power cord is not securely connected to the back of the monitor, it can cause a loss of power and turn off the monitor. Make sure the power cord is firmly in place in the back of the monitor. It's also possible that the power connector in the monitor is going bad and not receiving adequate power from the power cord. In this case, it is best to replace the monitor instead of having it repaired.
Bad monitor
Another reason the monitor could shut off is because of a malfunction in the circuitry. There could be a short in the wiring or a circuitry failure causing the picture to go black or the monitor to shut off. In this case, there may not be much you can do other than buying a new replacement monitor. Monitors are usually not economical to have repaired since the repair cost can be more than the price of a new monitor. You could bring the monitor to a computer repair shop to have it looked at, but they're likely going to suggest having it replaced.
Video card or motherboard problem
If the monitor stays on, but you lose the video signal, it's very likely an issue with the video card or motherboard in the computer. A computer randomly shutting off can also be an issue with the computer or video card overheating or a defect with the video card.
If the video card is a known good video card or its part of the motherboard, there may be problems with the motherboard. A bulged capacitor or other failing components on the motherboard can cause a computer or monitor to shut off.
Additional information
- See our monitor definitions for further information and related links.
Mac Turn Graphic Switching Off For Gaming Windows 10
Apple touts the automatic graphics switching in its new 15' and 17' MacBook Pros as a 'breakthrough technology from Apple.' Some readers scoffed at the description earlier today, assuming (as we originally did) that Apple was using NVIDIA's Optimus technology. We discussed the graphics switching technology at length with Apple this afternoon, and though Apple's implementation is similar in concept, it differs in a few key areas from Optimus.
The main goal of Apple's automatic graphics switching is to balance graphics performance with long battery life. Intel's latest stable of mobile processors—Core i3, i5, and i7—all include integrated graphics in the same package as the CPU. Dubbed Intel HD, this integrated graphics processor is designed primarily for efficiency. While its performance is far better than the previous GMA950, for instance, it still wouldn't be classified as good for 'performance' graphics in any sense of the term in common usage.
In previous MacBook Pros, Apple attempted to achieve this goal by including a discrete GPU along with the integrated graphics from NVIDIA's 9400M chipset. Users could switch from one to the other manually via System Preferences, which required user intervention as well as the annoyance of logging out and logging back in. So, you could have either performance or better battery life, as long as you were willing to interrupt your workflow.
Other vendors offer their own solutions to the problem. Some use a hardware switch, which still requires user intervention and causes a short (though less annoying than logout/login) interruption in workflow. AMD/ATI uses a method that detects when a laptop is plugged into an outlet, and activates the discrete GPU; when on battery power, it uses integrated graphics. This makes switching automatic, but forces a user to rely on integrated graphics when using the battery—a problem if you need to, say, run Final Cut Pro while away from an outlet.
Mac Turn Graphic Switching Off For Gaming Laptop
NVIDIA's Optimus is another solution to this problem. It uses a combination of hardware and software to enable automatic switching between integrated graphics and a discrete GPU. To implement this, Optimus relies on a list which tells the system which apps need a discrete GPU and which apps can work fine with integrated graphics. NVIDIA manages a master list, which Optimus can download from the cloud, or the user can use a control panel to override this list.
Aside from the optional user intervention, Optimus does have some downsides. It works by keeping the integrated graphics powered up and running at all times. When Optimus activates the discrete GPU, it starts writing frames directly to the frame buffer used by the integrated graphics, which resides in RAM. This means that when high performance is called for, two GPUs are running at the same time (though only the discrete GPU is writing to the frame buffer), and it also causes a lot of extra traffic on the bus.
Apple's approach in the new 15' and 17' MacBook Pros differs from Optimus in two key ways. The first is that the switching is all handled automatically by Mac OS X without any user intervention (though there is actually a System Preference to deactivate it, if you choose). Apps that use advanced graphics frameworks such as OpenGL, Core Graphics, Quartz Composer or others will cause the OS to trigger the discrete GPU. So, when you are reading or writing Mail, or editing an Excel spreadsheet, Mac OS X will simply use the integrated Intel HD graphics. If you fire up Aperture or Photoshop, Mac OS X kicks on the NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M.
The second way that it differs from Optimus is that the integrated graphics are powered down when the discrete GPU is active. This saves even more power than Optimus does, leading to a stated battery life as long as nine hours.
Mac Turn Graphic Switching Off For Gaming Computer
Apple credits its solution to the company's attention to detail when it comes to user interaction (though its original solution with its login/logout missed this mark), and because Apple is unique among PC vendors in that it controls both the hardware and software. That level of integration is much more difficult when multiple vendors control different parts of the system.