Can I use Intel QuickSync (accelerated video encoding) even when my dedicated GPU is providing the display output? IntroductionIntel QuickSync is an integral part of the integrated graphics units in modern Intel Core CPUs. The QuickSync engine is capable of compressing video content using various video codecs (such as H.264). Since this compression algorithms (also called "cencoding") are implemented in hardware, the process is significantly more energy-efficient than encoding in software. The CPU cores are almost not utilized at all, which is why only relatively little energy is consumed for the encoding. The dedicated graphics card is also not burdened. Typical scenarios include rendering video editing projects or transmitting screen content via live streaming over the internet.Why is the use of QuickSync good for performance?Here is a typical scenario: live streaming of PC gaming: The dedicated graphics card renders the image in 3D. The CPU cores calculate the game logic and supply the graphics card with information. The integrated graphics unit does not have much to do and can therefore devote itself to video encoding via QuickSync without affecting the performance of the other two components. In this setup, each component can play to its strengths without affecting the performance of the other components. In this way, a stable image transmission is achieved with high FPS in the game at the same time.Do AMD Ryzen CPUs offer a function similar to Intel QuickSync?AMD Ryzen CPUs also offer hardware-accelerated video encoding called "AMF" in their integrated graphics units. However, these integrated graphics units are not technologically on the same level as Intel QuickSync and therefore do not enjoy such broad software support. Fundamental improvements are expected here for future generations of AMD Ryzen, when their integrated graphics units implement the RDNA2 architecture. This is expected in 2023 at the earliest.However, the following section can be applied 1:1 to both Intel and AMD regardless. The term "video acceleration" is used here synonymously with both Intel QuickSync and AMD AMF.In what kind of laptop configurations is the iGPU available for video acceleration?In laptops that do not come with a dedicated graphics card, the iGPU is always available. For laptops with a dedicated graphics card, the following rules apply.Laptops with NVIDIA Optimus or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus If the laptop has NVIDIA Optimus or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, and if NVIDIA Optimus has not been manually disabled by the user, the iGPU's video acceleration is available even when the dedicated graphics card is used for running 3D apps or display output. Even when all active screens are connected to the dGPU, the iGPU will still remain available - again, as long as NVIDIA Optimus is not disabled. There are no exceptions to this. If, on the other hand, the user disabled NVIDIA Optimus by setting the laptop into the "dGPU-only" mode (or "Discrete" mode), which requires a restart, it depends on the model whether or not the iGPU is still available afterwards: Laptops with "normal" NVIDIA Optimus (MSHybrid): here the iGPU is completely switched off if you deactivate Optimus or switch to "dGPU-only" mode. Laptops with NVIDIA Advanced Optimus (also known as "cDDS"): here the iGPU remains available even in "dGPU-only" mode. Although there is then no screen connected to the iGPU, you can still use it for QuickSync and other acceleration technologies. Whether or not the iGPU is available can simply be checked in the Windows Device Manager. If the iGPU of the processor (Intel or AMD) is still listed under the category "Display adapters", then its video acceleration is still available. Accordingly, the video acceleration should also be selectable in the corresponding software (e.g. OBS - Open Broadcaster System).So most laptops can at least be configured to use the iGPU for video acceleration. Are there any exceptions?A small number of laptop models do not have the iGPU connected at all. This includes the following models: XMG APEX 15 (E20) and XMG APEX 15 MAX (E22): these models only support AMD desktop CPUs without iGPU. APU CPUs with integrated iGPU are not supported in hardware. XMG ULTRA series until 2021: these models support Intel desktop CPUs with integrated iGPU, but they do not connect the iGPU to the mainboard, i.e. they do not even provide power to the iGPU. Intel QuickSync cannot be used in the XMG ULTRA 17 (E21) and its predecessors - there is no workaround for this. In these few models, video acceleration via the iGPU is just not available. For all other models, the rules as described in the previous paragraphs apply.SummaryThe following table shows a final overview of the different laptop types and their configuration with regards to the use of the integrated graphics unit (iGPU) for accelerated video encoding.