Troubleshooting
System Configuration
Optimize the graphics card configuration

Optimize the graphics card configuration

For an enhanced 3D experience, RIM-Nat recommends using a high-performance GPU. This detailed guide will help you configure your dedicated GPU if your computer is equipped with two GPUs (e.g., Intel and NVIDIA). You’ll also learn how to check if your system has a high-performance GPU.

Check for a Dedicated GPU

Before starting, ensure your computer has a dedicated GPU:

On Windows

  1. Open Device Manager:
    • Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Check Graphics Cards:
    • In the list, expand Display adapters.
    • Look for two GPUs (e.g., Intel HD Graphics and NVIDIA GeForce).

Enable High-Performance GPU on Windows

Recommended Method: Windows Graphics Settings

  1. Access Display Settings:
    • Right-click on the desktop and select Display settings.
  2. Open Graphics Settings:
    • In the display settings window, scroll down and click Graphics settings.
  3. Choose an App to Set:
    • Under Graphics performance preference, select Desktop app from the dropdown.
    • Click Browse.
  4. Add Your Browser:
    • Navigate to the folder where your browser is installed (e.g., C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\ for Chrome).
    • Select the browser executable (e.g., chrome.exe) and click Add.
  5. Set Preferences:
    • Once the app is added, click Options.
    • Select High performance to use the dedicated GPU.
    • Click Save.
  6. Repeat for Other Browsers:
    • If you use multiple browsers, repeat steps 3 to 5 for each.

Alternative Method: Use a Registry File to Automate Configuration

To simplify enabling the high-performance GPU for your browsers, you can download and run a registry file that automatically applies the necessary settings.

Warning: Editing the Windows registry can be risky if done improperly. Be sure to create a restore point or back up your registry before proceeding.

Steps:

  1. Download Configuration File:
  2. Run the File:
    • Double-click the downloaded file to run it.
  3. Confirm Changes:
    • A Windows security prompt will appear. Click Yes to allow changes.
    • Confirm that you want to modify the registry by clicking Yes.
  4. Restart Your Computer:
    • Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

The gpu_correction.reg file includes the following entries, which set the high-performance GPU for popular browsers:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectX\UserGpuPreferences]
"C:\\Program Files\\Google\\Chrome\\Application\\chrome.exe"="GpuPreference=2;"
"C:\\Program Files\\Mozilla Firefox\\firefox.exe"="GpuPreference=2;"
"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Microsoft\\Edge\\Application\\msedge.exe"="GpuPreference=2;"

Alternative: NVIDIA Control Panel

If you prefer using the NVIDIA Control Panel:

  1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel:
    • Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. Access 3D Settings:
    • In the left menu, click Manage 3D settings.
  3. Program Settings:
    • Go to the Program Settings tab.
    • Click Add and choose your browser from the program list.
    • Set the Preferred graphics processor to High-performance NVIDIA processor.
  4. Apply Changes:
    • Click Apply to save the settings.

Browser-Specific Configuration

Google Chrome

Enable Hardware Acceleration

  1. Open Chrome Settings:
    • Click the three vertical dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  2. Access Advanced Settings:
    • Scroll down and click Advanced.
  3. Enable Hardware Acceleration:
    • Under System, enable Use hardware acceleration when available.
  4. Restart Chrome:
    • Click Relaunch to apply changes.

Check GPU Usage

  • Access GPU Page:
    • Type chrome://gpu in the address bar and press Enter.
  • Verify Features:
    • Ensure the items under Graphics Feature Status are marked as Hardware accelerated.

Microsoft Edge

Enable Hardware Acceleration

  1. Open Edge Settings:
    • Click the three horizontal dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  2. Go to System and Performance:
    • In the left menu, click System and performance.
  3. Enable Hardware Acceleration:
    • Enable Use hardware acceleration when available.
  4. Restart Edge:
    • Click Restart to apply changes.

Check GPU Usage

  • Access GPU Page:
    • Type edge://gpu in the address bar and press Enter.
  • Verify Features:
    • Confirm the features are Hardware accelerated.

Mozilla Firefox

Enable Hardware Acceleration

  1. Open Firefox Options:
    • Click the three horizontal bars in the top-right corner and select Options.
  2. Access Performance Settings:
    • Under the General tab, scroll down to Performance.
  3. Adjust Settings:
    • Uncheck Use recommended performance settings.
    • Check Use hardware acceleration when available.
  4. Restart Firefox:
    • Close and reopen the browser to apply changes.

Check GPU Usage

  • Access Support Page:
    • Type about:support in the address bar and press Enter.
  • Verify Graphics Details:
    • Under Graphics, ensure Compositing is set to GPU.

Final Check

On Windows

  • Use Task Manager:
    • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
    • Go to the Performance tab and select GPU to view real-time usage.
  • Use Resource Monitor:
    • Press Win + R, type resmon, and press Enter.
    • Check GPU usage under the Hardware tab.

Configuration on macOS

On macOS, the system automatically manages GPU usage. However, to force high-performance GPU usage:

  1. Open System Preferences:
    • Click the Apple menu () and select System Preferences.
  2. Open Battery or Energy Saver:
    • Click Battery (or Energy Saver on older versions).
  3. Disable Automatic Graphics Switching:
    • Uncheck Automatic graphics switching to force the dedicated GPU.

Configuration on Linux

Configuration may vary depending on the distribution, but generally:

  1. Install NVIDIA Proprietary Drivers:
    • Use the package manager to install appropriate NVIDIA drivers.
  2. Configure PRIME:
    • Use nvidia-settings to configure the high-performance GPU.
  3. Force NVIDIA GPU:
    • Adjust settings to set NVIDIA GPU as the primary graphics processor.

Final Check on macOS and Linux

On macOS

  • Use Activity Monitor:
    • Open Activity Monitor from Applications > Utilities.
    • Check GPU usage under the Energy tab.

On Linux

  • Use Command Line:
    • Type nvidia-smi in the terminal to see NVIDIA GPU usage.

Conclusion

By following these detailed steps, you ensure that your browser uses the high-performance GPU for an optimal experience with RIM-Nat. Don’t forget to restart your browser and, if needed, your computer after each change to apply the settings.

Last updated on by Loïc Roybon
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