Many gaming laptops and some desktops include both integrated graphics and a dedicated GPU. Windows normally chooses automatically, but it can pick the low-power GPU after a reinstall, update, or with a game it does not recognize.
These steps apply to Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs and laptops with integrated Intel or AMD graphics plus a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD GPU.
Does this affect you?
Use this if a game runs slowly, visual settings are limited, or Task Manager shows the dedicated GPU barely being used.
Set GPU preference in Windows
- Right-click the desktop and choose Display settings.
- Scroll to Graphics, Advanced graphics settings, or Graphics performance.
- Choose Desktop app or Microsoft Store app depending on the game.
- Browse to the game’s .exe file and add it.
- Click the game in the list and choose Options.
- Select High performance.
- Save and launch the game again.
This tells Windows to use the dedicated GPU for that specific game instead of guessing.
Set the same preference in the GPU control panel
- For NVIDIA, open NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D Settings > Program Settings.
- Add or select the game and set Preferred graphics processor to High-performance NVIDIA processor.
- For AMD, open AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, go to Gaming, add the game, and set graphics to the dedicated AMD GPU.
- Apply changes and test again.
Setting both Windows and the GPU vendor preference prevents one setting from undoing the other.
Check laptop power and manufacturer software
- Plug the laptop into power before gaming.
- Set Windows Power mode to Best performance.
- Turn off Battery saver.
- Open manufacturer tools such as MSI Center, ASUS Armoury Crate, Lenovo Vantage, or similar.
- Look for hybrid graphics, discrete GPU, performance mode, or integrated-only settings.
Some laptops limit or disable the dedicated GPU on battery, no matter what a game setting says.
Confirm which GPU is active
Open Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc, go to Performance, and watch GPU 0 and GPU 1 while the game runs in windowed or borderless mode. The dedicated GPU should show load when the game is active.
Some systems also have BIOS or UEFI settings that control whether the dedicated GPU is available. Check your laptop or motherboard support documentation before changing firmware settings.
Close recording tools, video calls, RGB apps, and GPU-heavy utilities during testing because they can also claim the dedicated GPU and muddy the readings.
Sources
- NVIDIA Support – Setting the Preferred Graphics Processor (2025)
- AMD Support – Switchable Graphics and Power Settings (2025)
- Microsoft Support – Specify a GPU for an App in Windows (2025)