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Does an external VGA or DVA monitor drain cpu on a black macbook?

K

kid606

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 3, 2007
1
0
i want to start using an external monitor with my black macbook (first generation)

basically i want to know if external monitors drain cpu usage or if the laptops are setup to handle them (maybe only up to a certain size?)

also, if they do task the processor, which one would put less of a drain, a vga or a dva?

many, many thanks in advance, i can't wait to start using an external monitor, i just need to know which adaptor and monitor i should buy first!
 
Running an external monitor won't use up any CPU at all. If the screen is large it might make Expose run less smoothly, but that's about it. Certainly nothing to worry about. I have an external 20 WS Samsung.

A VGA or DVI monitor should do you just fine.
 
it will drain your battery like a ferrari v29. but not ur cpu no, thats all done by the gpu u wont notice a thing... wiht my mbp running on battery sometimes i get about 1 min per %, my battery has been replaced im not sure how it performs now...maybe 2mins per % :D (partay!!!!)
 
DoFoT9 said:
it will drain your battery like a ferrari v29. but not ur cpu no, thats all done by the gpu u wont notice a thing... wiht my mbp running on battery sometimes i get about 1 min per %, my battery has been replaced im not sure how it performs now...maybe 2mins per % :D (partay!!!!)
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I haven't noticed that at all. My MacBook runs for several hours with an external monitor connected, as long as the the internal is shut off with the brightness controls.
 
is your monitor DVI-I or DVI-D?? mine is a DVI-D, dual link which i think drags more power... or it could be that im using extemded desktop.. one or the other
 
DoFoT9 said:
is your monitor DVI-I or DVI-D?? mine is a DVI-D, dual link which i think drags more power... or it could be that im using extemded desktop.. one or the other
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I run a DVI-I extended desktop, so its understandable that your MBP would suck up more juice.
 
DoFoT9 said:
is your monitor DVI-I or DVI-D?? mine is a DVI-D, dual link which i think drags more power... or it could be that im using extemded desktop.. one or the other
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The MacBook's mini-DVI port is only a single link DVI port. So I don't think it would make a difference whether or not the Monitor is a dual or a single. The MacBook can do a maximum external resolution of 1920 x 1200. The monitor would be limited to that.
 
kwood said:
The MacBook's mini-DVI port is only a single link DVI port. So I don't think it would make a difference whether or not the Monitor is a dual or a single. The MacBook can do a maximum external resolution of 1920 x 1200. The monitor would be limited to that.
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Right. So only difference for the OP is wether or not he wants to drive the displays in mirrored or extended mode, and wether or not he will be running off the adapter. In any case; adding a monitor to my setup was a real productivity booster, and didn't impact performance at all.

Thanks DoFoT9. :D
 
DoFoT9 said:
oh i always wondered how that would work. 256mb doesnt seem that big nemore....only 128 per each monitor *SHOCK HORROR*
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Not sure if it would have an effect on performance or not. Running the computer with the lid closed is probably the best option for gaming though. :)
 
dmw007 said:
Not sure if it would have an effect on performance or not. Running the computer with the lid closed is probably the best option for gaming though. :)
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oh really... i wonder if windows does the same kind of thing... i get quite good framerates with 2 monitors (cough cough *overclock* /cough cough)
 
DoFoT9 said:
hahahaha actually i dont overclock when running off battery, i take it out and run off power. when the batteryies out it takes the temp down like 10°C aswell.... iwierdz
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If i were to run a macbook as a desktop for a while would you recommend remoing the battery and running from the mains power supply? I didn't know that was possible?

Thanks
 
john2006wright said:
If i were to run a macbook as a desktop for a while would you recommend remoing the battery and running from the mains power supply? I didn't know that was possible?

Thanks
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yes id highly recommend it. you can take the battery out whenever you want. but id suggest making sure power is plugged in so that you dont loose all your work and have to power back up again!!!!!!! and dont take the battery out whilst its sleeping, unless its in deep sleep.
 
DoFoT9 said:
yes id highly recommend it. you can take the battery out whenever you want. but id suggest making sure power is plugged in so that you dont loose all your work and have to power back up again!!!!!!! and dont take the battery out whilst its sleeping, unless its in deep sleep.
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Sorry for jumping in.. :D

Is it true that leaving the battery out will make the macbook run significantly slower? I think I've read it somewhere in this forum.. about leaving it functions with single core or something? :confused:
 
kanketsu said:
Sorry for jumping in.. :D

Is it true that leaving the battery out will make the macbook run significantly slower? I think I've read it somewhere in this forum.. about leaving it functions with single core or something? :confused:
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yeap i read that thread. turned out that in the energy saver it when it was on power it was "Better Energy Savings" (see attached image)

lol btw ur entitled to bump in!!!! no1 controls these forums...cept those moderators :p
 

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DoFoT9 said:
yeap i read that thread. turned out that in the energy saver it when it was on power it was "Better Energy Savings" (see attached image)

lol btw ur entitled to bump in!!!! no1 controls these forums...cept those moderators :p
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hmm.. I didn't catch your point. sorry :)
Is it by showing me the attached image, you were trying to point that the macbook was not, or even unable to, run on its maximum performance with its battery being left out?
 
kanketsu said:
hmm.. I didn't catch your point. sorry :)
Is it by showing me the attached image, you were trying to point that the macbook was not, or even unable to, run on its maximum performance with its battery being left out?
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oh im sorry... the person that was using the computer left it on that minial setting....they hadnt realised that it was on "better bettery settings".

of course, after you change it to "better perfomace" everything goes back to normal.. your full powered mac!!!!!mwahaha
 
DoFoT9 said:
oh im sorry... the person that was using the computer left it on that minial setting....they hadnt realised that it was on "better bettery settings".

of course, after you change it to "better perfomace" everything goes back to normal.. your full powered mac!!!!!mwahaha
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Ah, I see. In other words, the whole performance-drop-because-of-missing-battery was just a rumor; the "drop" actually happened because he/ she set it to be that way, and not because the battery was taken out, right?

Glad to hear that :D
 
kanketsu said:
Ah, I see. In other words, the whole performance-drop-because-of-missing-battery was just a rumor; the "drop" actually happened because he/ she set it to be that way, and not because the battery was taken out, right?

Glad to hear that :D
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hahaha yup the n00b user...typical tsktsktsk. lol nah. yea its all sweet
 
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