Modern laptops are often equipped with two graphics cards – integrated and discrete. Each of them performs certain tasks, but often you have to change automatic processes by force. In this guide, we will tell you several effective ways that will help you turn your laptop into a discrete graphics card.
Why are discrete graphics cards needed in laptops?
The video card is one of the most important parts of personal computers and laptops. Its primary function is to display the image on the screen. However, this is not the only reason why a video adapter is needed. The more powerful the graphics core, the more different codecs and technologies it supports. With a good graphics card you can therefore run more demanding games and programs.
In general, video cards can be divided into two large groups: built-in and discrete.
The integrated video adapter is not a separate device and is usually part of the processor or motherboard. The possibilities of such a video card are extremely limited and suitable for basic tasks: working with files and office programs, but also for viewing audio and video material.
A discrete video adapter is a replacement device that can be removed or replaced with a newer one. Such a video card can easily handle all the functions of the built-in, but in addition it can significantly expand the capabilities of a PC or laptop – play modern games or programs, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Premiere Pro. An important difference is that such devices consume much more energy.
Why switch between graphics cards on a laptop
Usually on laptops the system automatically switches the video card. Loading demanding programs is performed by a discrete video card, while the built-in is used for all other tasks. However, this does not always happen. When working with the integrated graphics core, some programs may start more slowly or not at all. Then it is advisable to forcibly transfer their work to a discreet card.
On a laptop, this procedure is also necessary when you want to increase the power of the device as a whole. Some users do not want to save power and perform all tasks through a more powerful video adapter.
How to Switch from Laptop to Nvidia Discrete Card
Forced shifting methods vary slightly depending on the manufacturer. If you have an Nvidia graphics card, update the drivers to the latest version and right click on an empty space on your desktop.
You will notice a new submenu – “Nvidia Control Panel”. This utility appears automatically, so no additional programs need to be installed after installing the driver.
On the left side of the window that opens, find the “3D Settings” section and select “Manage Settings”. Then you need to select the desired program from the list or add it from the list of all installed programs and determine the desired graphics processor. This method works on all devices and does not depend on the version of Windows.
Switching a laptop to an AMD Radeon discrete card
The principle of moving to a discrete card from AMD is much the same, but you will need to install the Catalyst Control Center application additionally. You can download it from the official website at this link.
After opening the program, select “Power” – “Switchable graphics adapters”. Available apps can be set to High Performance or Power Saving.
For AMD devices, there is another utility: AMD Vision Engine Control Center. Run it, select “Performance” – Dual Graphics and click “Disable”.
How to Switch from Laptop to Discrete Card via Device Manager
To open “Device Manager”, right click on “Start”, select “Settings” and find the corresponding section. In the window that opens you will see all connected devices. If two video adapters are listed, disable the integrated one. We recommend using this method with caution, as there is a high risk of system errors that are difficult for a regular user to fix. The changes you made will take effect after a reboot.
How to Switch Laptop to Discrete Card via BIOS (Bios)
You can enter the BIOS by pressing a special key while Windows loads. Depending on the computer model, this may be “Delete”, F2 or F8.
In the menu, look for the “Peripherals” or “Config” and “Advanced” section. You will see a window with the option “Graphics Device”. Select it to track the active video adapter. If the integrated video adapter is active by default, set the value opposite “Disabled”.
This method may not work. Then the desired device should be placed first in the list or simply selected without any additional interruptions.
Save the changes and reboot your device. As in the previous case, this option is suitable for more advanced users, so use it at your own risk.
Source: VG Times
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.