[SOLVED] Skyrim (original) won't detect my dedicated GPU

[Ozank]

Skyrim refuses to acknowledge my NVIDIA GPU over my integrated Intel HD Graphics. I have looked at a bunch of other threads here about this and none of them have worked for me.

Specs:
Intel Core i5-4210U
NVIDIA GeForce 840M 2GB
Samsung EVO 120GB
8GB DDR3-L

Other information: "vanilla" original Skyrim, Windows 7 Pro, Optimus

When going to options on the launcher menu, the only GPU I can choose is Intel integrated HD graphics. Upon launch when detecting video settings it sets it to Medium quality when Intel graphics are enabled, and Low when disabled.

I have tried ALL the following already:

• Use NVIDIA GPU as the default for all applications in NVIDIA control panel
  
• Add Skyrim executable AND launcher to NVIDIA control panel as using NVIDIA GPU
  
• Delete the skyrimprefs and other .ini files, have a bunch of other applications using the GPU already before opening Skyrim in the hopes it would see the NVIDIA GPU (does not)
  
• Disable the integrated graphics in BIOS (cannot, there is no option)
  
• Disable the integrated graphics in device manager (upon reboot Skyrim does not recognise a GPU at all and sets quality to Low)
  
• Manually change the name of the GPU in skyrimprefs to NVIDIA GeForce 840M (doesn't work, application simply overwrites it back to the Intel one upon reloading)
  
• Check using MSI afterburner to see if the NVIDIA GPU has any load during gameplay despite it says its using Intel (does not)
  
• Use the d3d9.dll (does not work because I am not using EMB or other mods)
  
• Use high performance power plan (already have been for all steps above)

Other notes: the NVIDIA GPU monitor application says the applications are apparently using the GPU, but when checking the load etc using MSI afterburner/CPU ID HW monitor all the values are at 0%. All my drivers are up to date and other applications detect my NVIDIA GPU just fine.

[Bomber]

I have a hybrid setup as well in my laptop, but i dont have those issues. And it seems like you have already tried everything i would have suggested. I am not sure, if there is any other way to fix it, its just a common issue with laptops in general.

[Nicklaj]

Have you tried to "Right click > Open with Nvidia GPU"?

[cheshirm]

doesnt sound like this is the way having a switchable graphics card is supposed to work. laptops are supposed to use integrated graphics for light stuff and switch to the integrated graphics card for demanding applications. has there been a motherboard bios update? try uninstalling the nvidia driver and clean install the latest driver.

[Ozank]

Nicklaj の投稿を引用：

Have you tried to "Right click > Open with Nvidia GPU"?

No such option. Skyrim is loaded through Steam. The shortcut to the game has no option to choose what GPU.

cheshirm の投稿を引用：

doesnt sound like this is the way having a switchable graphics card is supposed to work. laptops are supposed to use integrated graphics for light stuff and switch to the integrated graphics card for demanding applications. has there been a motherboard bios update? try uninstalling the nvidia driver and clean install the latest driver.

I'll try that, perhaps rollbacking my driver could help as well since it's a pretty dated game by now.

[blackguard3]

I'm having the same issue, only my gpu is a GTX 860m. What the ♥♥♥♥ happened to this game?

[jancawa55]

what is your connection to the monitor? Should be from Video card to Monitor, not other.

[Ozank]

jancawa55 の投稿を引用：

what is your connection to the monitor? Should be from Video card to Monitor, not other.

It's a laptop. It has hybrid graphics I believe, I guess the internal components are soldered together or through a PCI-E port.

[Bomber]

jancawa55 の投稿を引用：

what is your connection to the monitor? Should be from Video card to Monitor, not other.

Thats not how these hybrid laptops work these days. As cheshirm said already, the screen is connected to the onboard card, and whenever higher performance is needed, the main card will step in and do the job. This is mainly intended for saving power.

What you can try is starting the game from the .exe with right-click "execute with graphics processor" and then you pick Nvidia high performance card. This way it always works for me.
The .exe should be in "Steam/SteamApps/Common/Skyrim".

[jancawa55]

OK, I didn't read well enough, I don't do laptops.

[smoky mcpot]

Something like this can happen if you have the d3d9.dll file in your skyrim folder.
From your post I can't tell if you have it or not but if you do try moving it somewhere like the desktop then see if it will detect your hardware properly then you can put it back afterwards.

[Ozank]

smoky mcpot の投稿を引用：

Something like this can happen if you have the d3d9.dll file in your skyrim folder.
From your post I can't tell if you have it or not but if you do try moving it somewhere like the desktop then see if it will detect your hardware properly then you can put it back afterwards.

As I said in my original post there is no d3d9.dll file.

[ꑭCaliph of Hyperboreaꑭ]

Try nvidia inspector;

http://nvidia-inspector.en.lo4d.com

It's a third party software similar to the control panel, but with way more options and allows for more advanced overclocking. You can also do things like capping your framerate too!

[Ozank]

Bomber の投稿を引用：

What you can try is starting the game from the .exe with right-click "execute with graphics processor" and then you pick Nvidia high performance card. This way it always works for me.
The .exe should be in "Steam/SteamApps/Common/Skyrim".

I just tried this now with SkyrimLauncher.exe and TESV.exe. Still only picked up my Intel graphics.

[cheshirm]

does this happen with all games or just this one?

[Ozank]

Only Skyrim.