When constructing or upgrading PCs, a common concern is whether your graphics card (GPU) is giving power to the main display or if your system is dependent on integrated graphics (IGPU). It is important for knowing, performance, gaming, video editing and even day-to-day multitasking.
If your performance is not connected to the right GPU, you may face bad frame rates, leggings or limited resolution options. In this guide, we will explain how to find out that your GPU is the main performance, phase rate.
If your GPU is the main performance then why does it matter
Modern CPUs often come with integrated graphics. While they are useful for mild tasks, they may not match the performance of a dedicated GPU. If your monitor is connected to the motherboard instead of the graphics card, your system will use IGPU.
This means that you will not get the full potential of your graphics card. To ensure that your dedicated GPU is the main performance, which will give you a smooth scene, rapid rendering and better gaming performance.
How to check if your GPU is the main performance
1. Observe your cable connection
The simplest way is to check where your monitor cable is connected:
Motherboard port: If HDMI, displayport, or DVI cable is plugged into the motherboard, you are using an integrated GPU.
GPU Port: If the cable is directly connected to the graphics card, then your dedicated GPU is running the main display.
Use Windows display settings
Windows makes it easy to confirm on which GPU your monitor is running.
- Right-click on the desktop and choose display settings.
- Scroll down and click on advanced performance settings.
- Here you can see the display connected and which graphics processor is being used.
If it shows your Nvidia or AMD GPU, then your dedicated GPU is the main performance.
Manager system
The task manager in Windows is a powerful tool for monitoring the GPU activity.
- To open the task manager, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- Go to the display tab.
- Check under GPU 0 / GPU 1 – one will represent an integrated GPU, and the other your dedicated card.
- Under the GPU engine column (in process tab), you can see which GPU your apps and displays are using.
Nvidia and AMD:
Control Panel NVidia and AMD offer control panels to manage performance settings.
- NVIDIA Control Panel Desktop> NVIDIA Control Panel> Display> Right-Click> Set several displays. You can see which display has been assigned to your GPU.
- AMD Radeon Settings: Right-Click Desktop> AMD Radeon Software> Disciple Tab. This shows the active GPU for your connected monitor.
BIOS/UEFI
Settings Sometimes, BIOS can prioritize an integrated GPU instead of dedicated one.
- Restart your computer and access the BIOS by pressing the DEL or F2 key during startup.
- Go to Advanced Settings> Integrated Graphics.
Ensure that the primary performance is set on adapter PCIE/PEG (your dedicated GPU).
Common signal that your GPU is not the main performance:
- Sports or heavy applications run with very little FPS.
- The GPU use shows 0% in the task manager while the CPU load is high.
- Resolution and refresh rate options are limited.
- The monitor cable is plugged into the motherboard instead of the GPU.
Tips to ensure the GPU is used as the main performance:
- Always connect your monitor to the GPU port.
- Update your GPU drivers (Nvidia/AMD).
- Set your favorite GPU in Windows graphics settings for specific applications.
- If you do not need it, disable integrated graphics in BIOS.
FAQs:
1. How do I know that my monitor is plugged into the GPU or the motherboard?
Check behind your PC. If the cable is plugged into a graphics card (usually a low slot), your GPU is giving power to the display.
2. Can I run both integrated and dedicated GPU at the same time?
Yes, but usually dedicated GPU is preferred for heavy tasks. You can enable hybrid mode in BIOS or Windows settings if necessary.
3. Why is my PC still using integrated graphics instead of GPU?
This may be due to BIOS settings, older drivers, or your monitor being connected to the wrong port.
4. Do laptops also allow checking which GPU is the main performance?
Yes, the laptop with Nvidia optimus or AMD swabble graphics allows you to choose the favorite GPU in the settings. You can check the GPU active in the task manager.
5. Is it bad if my system uses IGPU as the main performance?
It is not bad for mild use, but for gaming, video editing, or rendering, it significantly limits the performance. Dedicated GPU should be the main performance for the best results.
Final thoughts
Knowing whether your GPU is necessary to maximize your PC performance. A quick cable check, task manager monitoring, or BIOS setting confirmation will help you identify the active GPU. For gamers, content creators and professionals, ensuring that your dedicated graphics card display is a huge difference in performance and experience.
Always keep your drivers updated, connect your monitor directly to GPU, and adjust the settings if necessary. In this way, you may be convinced that your system is using the full power of your GPU.
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