How to Identify and Troubleshoot my Dedicated Graphics Card (GPU)

Relates to all versions

This guide has been produced to show Alastri Products Users how to identify if they have a dedicated graphics card (GPU).

Identify Graphics Card

To identify if you have a dedicated graphics card (GPU), right-click on the Windows icon from the Taskbar.

Select Device Manager from the list of options.

Expand the Display adapters folder to view the available GPU. If you only see an Intel® card and no other, then no dedicated GPU is available, and the hardware is not compatible with Alastri Software. You will need to speak with your employer or IT regarding new hardware.

Figure 1: Device Manager Window

Update GPU Drivers

Alastri products require the latest graphics card drivers for best performance. The current driver date can be identified through the Device Manager by right-clicking on the dedicated GPU and selecting Properties.

Then select the Driver tab in the Properties window.

Figure 2: Display Adapter - Driver Properties

The following links will take you directly to the manufacturer’s website for driver updates if they are out of date.

Nvidia Driver Downloads

AMD Driver Downloads

Intel Driver Downloads

 

Set Preferred Graphics Card

Nvidia Graphics Cards

If you have an Nvidia graphics card, it may be defaulting to the integrated graphics card instead of the higher performance Nvidia graphics card.

To change the default video card for Alastri products:

1. Right click on your desktop and select “Nvidia Control Panel”.

2. Select “Manage 3D settings”.

3. Select “Program Settings”.

4. Choose “3DMark (3dmark.exe)” from the drop-down menu.

5. Select your Nvidia graphics card as “preferred graphics processor”.

6. Click Apply.
   
   

Figure 3: NVIDIA Control Panel

 

AMD Graphics Cards

If you are using an AMD graphics card, it may be defaulting to the integrated graphics card instead of the higher performance AMD graphics card.

To change the default video card to your Alastri product:

1. Right click on the desktop and open Catalyst Control Center.

2. Select “Power” from the left-hand menu.

3. Select “Switchable Graphics” from the list.

4. Browse the list of programs and find the executable (or C:\Program Files\Alastri Software\...).

5. Set the program name to “High Performance”.

6. Apply changes and restart your computer.
   
   

Advanced Power Settings

To ensure your computer is using its dedicated graphics card by default and not switching back to your Intel graphics, you need to change your Advanced power settings to High Performance/Best Performance.

Figure 4: Advanced Power Setting

• You can access this panel by right-clicking on the battery icon in the bottom right corner of the Taskbar or going through the Control Panel.
  
  

Figure 5: Control Panel Setting

If you do not see the option for “High Performance”, you may need to select the option “Create a power plan”, from the list on the left-hand column.

• Save and apply the new power plan.
  
  

Figure 6: Create a Power Plan

Display Link Adapter

To test if your Display Link Adapter is affecting the operation of your Graphics, you can disconnect the adapter and run the software with the Laptop screen only.

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