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This thread serves as a tutorial for anyone running a laptop with hybrid or integrated graphics on Windows 10. Since the latest versions of NVIDIA GeForce Experience have completely stripped out the dedicated card switching options—honestly, I’m still fuming at NVIDIA for that decision—you’re forced to dig through some pretty disorganized Windows settings to get things working right.
If you happen to be one of the lucky ones still running older driver versions, follow this:
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/support/kb/faq/dh-017
For those on the newer drivers, here is the workaround:
Control Panel -> Power Options -> Change plan settings -> Change advanced power settings:
Switchable Dynamic Graphics -> Global Setting -> Plugged in -> Maximum Performance
NVIDIA graphics power setting -> NVIDIA powerplay setting -> Plugged in -> Maximum Performance
If these options don't show up in your Power Options after installing the new drivers, don't panic and reinstall Windows just yet (though NVIDIA certainly makes you want to)—I ended up having to do a full offline upgrade to Windows version 2004 to fix my own mess.
To force the integrated GPU for a specific game:
PC Settings -> System -> Display -> Graphics settings -> Browse for a desktop app -> Select the .exe, then set it to "Power Saving"
To force the hybrid GPU for a specific game:
Follow the exact same steps above, but select "High Performance" instead.
How to verify which GPU is actually active:
Right-click the Taskbar -> Task Manager -> Performance tab
GPU 0 is your integrated chip; GPU 1 is your hybrid card.
If you happen to be one of the lucky ones still running older driver versions, follow this:
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/support/kb/faq/dh-017
For those on the newer drivers, here is the workaround:
Control Panel -> Power Options -> Change plan settings -> Change advanced power settings:
Switchable Dynamic Graphics -> Global Setting -> Plugged in -> Maximum Performance
NVIDIA graphics power setting -> NVIDIA powerplay setting -> Plugged in -> Maximum Performance
If these options don't show up in your Power Options after installing the new drivers, don't panic and reinstall Windows just yet (though NVIDIA certainly makes you want to)—I ended up having to do a full offline upgrade to Windows version 2004 to fix my own mess.
To force the integrated GPU for a specific game:
PC Settings -> System -> Display -> Graphics settings -> Browse for a desktop app -> Select the .exe, then set it to "Power Saving"
To force the hybrid GPU for a specific game:
Follow the exact same steps above, but select "High Performance" instead.
How to verify which GPU is actually active:
Right-click the Taskbar -> Task Manager -> Performance tab
GPU 0 is your integrated chip; GPU 1 is your hybrid card.