ANSWER:
If your game does not perform as well as you expect with your AMD or Nvidia graphics card, it may be running with the wrong GPU.
Most mobile computers (and, sometimes, desktop computers) have more than one GPU: an integrated and a dedicated one. The integrated graphics chipset is built into the processor and makes sure that your computer can use a display even without dedicated GPU. However, more demanding tasks such as gaming require a stronger GPU, which in most cases is the dedicated one.
The power saving options most laptop's have cause switching between the GPUs - the laptop will use the integrated graphics chipset for easier tasks to save power and switch back to the powerful dedicated GPU when needed.
If your game is running with the integrated GPU instead of the dedicated one, you will notice a lesser performance or issues running the game. The solution is to switch the game to the dedicated GPU. In this FAQ we'll explain how to do this for Nvidia and AMD video cards.
Finding out if your computer has more than one GPU
If you are unsure if your computer has one or more GPUs, you can easily check by opening the Device Manager (Windows 7, Windows 10) and navigating to Display Adapters. Your GPU or GPUs will be shown there.
Switching to the dedicated Nvidia GPU
Finally, save your changes. Your game should now run with the dedicated Nvidia GPU.
Switching to the dedicated AMD GPU
Finally, apply your changes. Your game should now run with the dedicated AMD GPU.
Should you still encounter issues after switching to the dedicated GPU, feel free to contact us! Note that for technical cases such as these, attaching a Dxdiag and Msinfo to your case will greatly help our agents to provide you with a solution.
Most mobile computers (and, sometimes, desktop computers) have more than one GPU: an integrated and a dedicated one. The integrated graphics chipset is built into the processor and makes sure that your computer can use a display even without dedicated GPU. However, more demanding tasks such as gaming require a stronger GPU, which in most cases is the dedicated one.
The power saving options most laptop's have cause switching between the GPUs - the laptop will use the integrated graphics chipset for easier tasks to save power and switch back to the powerful dedicated GPU when needed.
If your game is running with the integrated GPU instead of the dedicated one, you will notice a lesser performance or issues running the game. The solution is to switch the game to the dedicated GPU. In this FAQ we'll explain how to do this for Nvidia and AMD video cards.
Finding out if your computer has more than one GPU
If you are unsure if your computer has one or more GPUs, you can easily check by opening the Device Manager (Windows 7, Windows 10) and navigating to Display Adapters. Your GPU or GPUs will be shown there.
Switching to the dedicated Nvidia GPU
- First, open the Nvidia Control Panel. One way to do that is right-clicking on an empty space on the desktop and choosing Nvidia Control Panel from the menu.
- Navigate to 3D Settings > Manage 3D Settings.
- Open the tab Program Settings and choose the game from the dropdown menu.
- Next, select the preferred graphics processor for this program from the second dropdown. Your Nvidia GPU should show as High performance Nvidia processor.
- Navigate to 3D Settings > Manage 3D Settings.
- Open the tab Program Settings and choose the game from the dropdown menu.
- Next, select the preferred graphics processor for this program from the second dropdown. Your Nvidia GPU should show as High performance Nvidia processor.
Finally, save your changes. Your game should now run with the dedicated Nvidia GPU.
Switching to the dedicated AMD GPU
- First, open Radeon Settings. One way to do that is right-clicking on an empty space on the desktop and choosing Radeon Settings from the menu.
- Navigate to Preferences > Additional Settings > Power > Switchable Graphics Application Settings.
- Select the game from the list of applications. If it is not in the list, click the Add Application button and select the *.exe-file of the game from the game's installation directory. This adds the game to the list and you'll be able to select it afterwards.
- In the column Graphics Settings, assign the High Performance profile to the game.
- Navigate to Preferences > Additional Settings > Power > Switchable Graphics Application Settings.
- Select the game from the list of applications. If it is not in the list, click the Add Application button and select the *.exe-file of the game from the game's installation directory. This adds the game to the list and you'll be able to select it afterwards.
- In the column Graphics Settings, assign the High Performance profile to the game.
Finally, apply your changes. Your game should now run with the dedicated AMD GPU.
Should you still encounter issues after switching to the dedicated GPU, feel free to contact us! Note that for technical cases such as these, attaching a Dxdiag and Msinfo to your case will greatly help our agents to provide you with a solution.