gfxCardStatus

gfxCardStatus is an unobtrusive menu bar app for OS X that allows MacBook Pro users to see which apps are affecting their battery life by using the more power-hungry graphics.

requirements:

  • OS X Lion (10.7) or newer
  • 2008-2012, 15-17" dual-GPU MacBook Pro

what the menu bar icons mean:

i — you're using the integrated GPU.

d — you're using the higher-powered discrete GPU.

features:

  • Growl or Notification Center notifications when the GPU changes.
  • The Dependencies list: open the gfxCardStatus menu when your discrete GPU is active to see what is turning it on.
  • Manually switch to Integrated Only or Discrete Only mode to force one GPU on or the other.

Home Page:

http://gfx.io/