Facilitating efficient switching between graphics-processing units

摘要

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates seamlessly switching between graphics-processing units (GPUs) to drive a display. In one embodiment, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system uses a kernel thread which operates in the background to configure the second GPU to prepare the second GPU to drive the display. While the kernel thread is configuring the second GPU, the system continues to drive the display with the first GPU and a user thread continues to execute a window manager which performs operations associated with servicing user requests. When configuration of the second GPU is complete, the system switches the signal source for the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.

主权项

1. A method for switching from using a first graphics-processing unit (GPU) to using a second GPU to drive a display, comprising:
using a first thread executing on a central processing unit to execute a window manager that performs operations associated with servicing user requests; receiving a request to switch from using the first GPU to using the second GPU as a signal source for driving the display; using a kernel-based second thread executing on the central processing unit to configure the second GPU in preparation for driving the display in response to the request; continuing to use the first thread to execute the window manager to service user requests while the second thread is configuring the second GPU; and switching the signal source which drives the display from the first GPU to the second GPU when configuration of the second GPU is complete.