How to Force a Program to Use Integrated Graphics

Many modern computers come equipped with both an integrated graphics processing unit (iGPU), typically embedded within the CPU, and a dedicated graphics processing unit (dGPU), often a discrete graphics card. While the dGPU offers superior performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, the iGPU consumes significantly less power. This makes using the iGPU beneficial for extending battery life on laptops or reducing overall system power consumption on desktops when running less intensive applications.

This article explores the different methods you can employ to force a specific program to utilize your integrated graphics instead of the dedicated GPU. It covers various operating systems and common scenarios, ensuring you have the knowledge to manage your graphics processing effectively.

Table of Contents

Understanding Integrated vs. Dedicated Graphics

Before delving into the “how-to,” it’s crucial to understand the fundamental differences between integrated and dedicated graphics. Integrated graphics share system memory with the CPU, while a dedicated graphics card has its own dedicated memory (VRAM). This dedicated memory, along with a more powerful processor, allows the dGPU to handle complex graphical calculations much more efficiently.

The integrated GPU is generally sufficient for everyday tasks such as browsing the web, word processing, and watching videos. However, for graphically intensive applications, the dGPU provides a smoother and more responsive experience.

Choosing between the two usually involves a trade-off between performance and power consumption. Forcing a program to use integrated graphics will invariably result in lower graphical fidelity and potential performance limitations, but it can significantly extend battery life on a laptop.

Forcing Programs to Use Integrated Graphics on Windows

Windows offers several ways to control which GPU a program uses. The most common and user-friendly method is through the Windows Graphics Settings.

Using Windows Graphics Settings

This method applies globally to the selected application and is the most straightforward approach for most users.

Access Graphics Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select “Display settings.” Alternatively, search for “Graphics settings” in the Windows search bar and open it.
Choose the Application: In the Graphics settings window, you will see a dropdown menu labeled “Choose an app to set preference.” Select either “Classic app” or “Microsoft Store app” depending on the type of program you want to configure.
Browse for the Executable: If you selected “Classic app,” click the “Browse” button. Navigate to the location of the program’s executable file (.exe) and select it. The program will then be added to the list.
Set the Graphics Preference: Once the program is added, click on its name in the list. This will reveal an “Options” button. Click on the “Options” button.
Select Power Saving (iGPU): A dialog box will appear with options for the graphics preference. Choose “Power saving” to force the program to use the integrated graphics. The “High performance” option would utilize the dedicated graphics card. Save your selection.

The changes should take effect immediately. You can verify that the program is using the integrated graphics by monitoring GPU usage in Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc).

Adjusting NVIDIA Control Panel Settings

If you have an NVIDIA dedicated graphics card, you can use the NVIDIA Control Panel to manage GPU usage on a per-application basis.

Open NVIDIA Control Panel: Right-click on the desktop and select “NVIDIA Control Panel.” Alternatively, search for “NVIDIA Control Panel” in the Windows search bar.
Manage 3D Settings: In the NVIDIA Control Panel, navigate to “3D Settings” and select “Manage 3D settings.”
Program Settings Tab: Click on the “Program Settings” tab.
Select the Program: In the “Select a program to customize” dropdown menu, either choose the program from the list or click the “Add” button to browse for the program’s executable file (.exe).
Choose Integrated Graphics: In the “Select the preferred graphics processor for this program” dropdown menu, choose “Integrated graphics.”
Apply Changes: Click “Apply” to save your changes.

These changes will apply only to the selected program. To revert to the default settings, you can select “Use global setting (Auto-select: NVIDIA GPU)” in the “Select the preferred graphics processor for this program” dropdown menu.

Using AMD Radeon Settings

If you have an AMD dedicated graphics card, you can use the AMD Radeon Settings to control GPU usage for specific applications.

Open AMD Radeon Settings: Right-click on the desktop and select “AMD Radeon Settings.” Alternatively, search for “AMD Radeon Settings” in the Windows search bar.
Gaming Tab: Click on the “Gaming” tab.
Add the Application: If the program you want to configure is not listed, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and choose “Add Game.” Browse to the program’s executable file (.exe) and select it.
Application Profile: Click on the program’s icon in the list to access its profile settings.
Graphics Profile: Scroll down to the “Graphics Profile” section.
Select Power Saving: Locate the “GPU Workload” option. The specific wording may vary depending on the driver version, but look for an option that prioritizes power saving or specifically mentions the integrated graphics. Some older versions may require setting “Power Saving” as the preferred profile. Choose this option.
Apply Changes: The changes should be applied automatically.

Similar to the NVIDIA Control Panel, you can revert to the default settings by selecting “Use application settings” or a similar option in the “Graphics Profile” section.

Forcing Programs to Use Integrated Graphics on macOS

macOS generally manages GPU usage automatically and efficiently. However, there aren’t built-in controls to explicitly force an application to use the integrated graphics. macOS dynamically switches between the integrated and dedicated GPUs based on the application’s demands and power settings.

While direct control is limited, there are indirect methods to influence GPU usage.

Using Energy Saver Preferences

macOS Energy Saver settings can influence the system’s decision to use the integrated graphics.

Open System Preferences: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select “System Preferences.”
Energy Saver: Click on the “Energy Saver” icon.
Automatic Graphics Switching: Ensure that the “Automatic graphics switching” option is enabled. This allows macOS to automatically switch between the integrated and dedicated graphics based on the application’s needs.

Although this doesn’t explicitly force an application to use the integrated graphics, it encourages macOS to prioritize the iGPU when possible, especially when running on battery power.

Reducing System Load

By reducing the overall system load, you can indirectly encourage macOS to utilize the integrated graphics more frequently. This involves closing unnecessary applications, reducing the number of active browser tabs, and minimizing background processes.

A lighter system load reduces the demand on the GPU, making it more likely that macOS will rely on the integrated graphics for less demanding tasks.

Checking Activity Monitor

The Activity Monitor can provide insights into which GPU is being used by a particular application.

Open Activity Monitor: Open Finder, go to Applications, then Utilities, and open “Activity Monitor.”
Energy Tab: Click on the “Energy” tab.
Requires High Perf. GPU: Look for the “Requires High Perf. GPU” column. If this column displays “Yes” for a particular application, it indicates that the application is currently utilizing the dedicated graphics. If it displays “No,” the application is likely using the integrated graphics.

While this doesn’t provide direct control over GPU usage, it helps you understand which applications are triggering the use of the dedicated graphics.

Potential Issues and Troubleshooting

Forcing a program to use integrated graphics can sometimes lead to unexpected issues, particularly with graphically demanding applications.

Performance Degradation

The most common issue is a significant decrease in performance. Integrated graphics are simply not as powerful as dedicated graphics cards. This can result in lower frame rates, stuttering, and a generally less responsive experience. If you encounter unacceptable performance issues, you may need to allow the program to use the dedicated graphics card.

Compatibility Problems

Some programs may not be fully compatible with integrated graphics, leading to graphical glitches, crashes, or other unexpected behavior. In these cases, using the dedicated graphics card is usually the best solution. Check the program’s minimum system requirements to see if a dedicated graphics card is explicitly recommended or required.

Driver Issues

Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can also cause problems. Ensure that you have the latest drivers installed for both your integrated and dedicated graphics cards. You can download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website (Intel, NVIDIA, or AMD). Regularly updating drivers can often resolve compatibility issues and improve performance.

Incorrect Configuration

Double-check your configuration to ensure that you have correctly set the graphics preference for the desired program. It’s easy to accidentally select the wrong program or choose the wrong graphics option. Review the steps outlined in the previous sections to verify your settings.

Conclusion

Forcing a program to use integrated graphics can be a useful technique for extending battery life or reducing power consumption. Windows provides straightforward methods for managing GPU usage on a per-application basis through the Graphics Settings, NVIDIA Control Panel, and AMD Radeon Settings. macOS, while offering less direct control, can be influenced through Energy Saver preferences and by reducing overall system load.

By understanding the differences between integrated and dedicated graphics, and by carefully configuring your system settings, you can optimize your computer’s performance and power efficiency for various applications. Remember to monitor performance and troubleshoot any issues that may arise to ensure a smooth and stable experience. Always keep your graphics drivers updated to benefit from the latest performance improvements and compatibility fixes.

Why would I want to force a program to use integrated graphics?

Integrated graphics are generally less powerful than dedicated graphics cards. However, forcing a program to use integrated graphics can extend battery life on laptops, as the integrated GPU consumes significantly less power. This is particularly useful for tasks that don’t require heavy graphical processing, such as browsing the web, word processing, or watching videos.

Another reason to choose integrated graphics is troubleshooting. If you suspect your dedicated graphics card is causing issues with a specific program, forcing it to use the integrated GPU can help determine if the problem lies with the dedicated card itself or with the software. Successfully running the program on the integrated GPU may indicate a driver or hardware issue with the dedicated card.

How can I force a program to use integrated graphics on Windows?

On Windows, you can typically control which GPU a program uses through the Graphics settings. Open the Settings app (Windows key + I), navigate to System, then Display, and scroll down to Graphics settings. Here, you can browse for the executable file of the program you want to configure and add it to the list.

Once the program is added, select it and click “Options.” A window will appear where you can choose between “System default,” “Power saving GPU” (typically the integrated graphics), and “High performance GPU” (usually the dedicated graphics card). Select “Power saving GPU” to force the program to use the integrated graphics and click “Save.”

How can I force a program to use integrated graphics on macOS?

macOS doesn’t offer a direct setting to force a specific program to use integrated graphics in the same way as Windows. macOS dynamically switches between the integrated and dedicated GPUs based on the application’s needs and power considerations. This process is generally handled automatically by the operating system.

However, you can influence this behavior by enabling “Automatic graphics switching” in System Preferences. Go to System Preferences, then Energy Saver (or Battery). Ensure that “Automatic graphics switching” (or “Slightly prefer battery life when on battery”) is checked. This will encourage macOS to favor the integrated graphics for less demanding tasks to conserve battery power.

What if the program I want to configure doesn’t appear in the list of programs in the Windows Graphics settings?

If the program’s executable file isn’t listed in the Windows Graphics settings, you’ll need to manually add it. Click the “Browse” button in the Graphics settings window. This will open a file explorer window where you can navigate to the location of the program’s executable file (usually a .exe file) and select it.

After selecting the executable, the program will be added to the list in the Graphics settings. You can then select it and click “Options” to choose the “Power saving GPU” setting, which will force the program to use the integrated graphics when it runs. Remember to save your changes.

Will forcing a program to use integrated graphics significantly reduce its performance?

In many cases, yes, forcing a program that benefits from a dedicated graphics card to use the integrated GPU will noticeably reduce its performance. Integrated graphics are generally less powerful than dedicated cards, leading to lower frame rates in games, slower rendering times in video editing software, and reduced overall responsiveness in graphically intensive applications.

However, the performance impact depends on the specific program and the task it’s performing. For less demanding applications like web browsers or simple office applications, the performance difference may be minimal. It’s best to test the performance after forcing the change to determine if it’s acceptable for your needs.

Are there any programs that I should avoid forcing to use integrated graphics?

Generally, avoid forcing graphically intensive programs like modern video games, video editing software, 3D modeling applications, and CAD software to use integrated graphics. These programs are designed to utilize the power of a dedicated graphics card for optimal performance.

Using integrated graphics with these programs will likely result in significantly reduced performance, including low frame rates, stuttering, and slow rendering times, making the experience unpleasant or even unusable. Stick to using dedicated graphics for such applications.

Is it possible to revert the changes and allow a program to use the dedicated graphics card again?

Yes, reverting the changes is straightforward. On Windows, go back to the Graphics settings (Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings). Find the program you previously configured to use integrated graphics in the list. Select it and click “Options.”

In the options window, choose either “System default” or “High performance GPU” instead of “Power saving GPU.” “System default” will allow Windows to automatically decide which GPU to use, while “High performance GPU” will specifically force the program to use the dedicated graphics card. Click “Save” to apply the changes.