Running on laptop? Ensure Command is using your discrete GPU

[Dimitris]

Lately we have received an increasing number of reports that, in systems with both an integrated and a discrete GPU (ie. most gaming laptops), Windows exhibits an annoying tendency to pin Command to run on the integrated GPU (ie. the graphics chip embedded on the CPU itself) rather than on the discrete one, as it considers it a low-graphical-requirements desktop application rather than a full-fat Direct-X game.

While Command is not Cyberpunk 2077, its GPU requirements have steadily risen over the years, particularly after the migration to the DX11-based globe renderer. Several 3D features may also not be able to be supported by an iGPU at all. It is therefore important to be able to ensure that, in such an environment, Command is able to utilize the discrete GPU in your system.

Detecting the GPU currently used

First step is to check which GPU is currently used by Command. Navigate to Game --> Game Options --> Map Display and enable the option "Show Diagnostics":



Afterwards, the description "GPU: XXX" should appear on the top of the main map panel, like this:



If this description lists your "good", discrete GPU, everything is in order. If OTOH it lists something like "Intel HD graphics" or its AMD equivalent, this shows that Windows is erroneously assigning Command to your weak, integrated GPU. This needs to be changed.

Changing GPU assignment

The next step will depend on which discrete GPU your system is using.

For Nvidia GPUs:

• Right-click on your desktop and select "Nvidia Control Panel."
  Go to "Manage 3D Settings."
  Under the "Program Settings" tab, select [CMO installation folder]\Command.exe .
  Set the preferred graphics processor to "High-performance Nvidia processor."

For AMD GPUs:

• Right-click on your desktop and select "AMD Radeon Software."
  Go to "Settings" > "Graphics."
  Under "GPU Workload," select the application [CMO installation folder]\Command.exe and set it to use the AMD GPU.

For Intel GPUs:

• Right-click on your desktop and select "Intel Graphics Settings" or "Intel Graphics Command Center."
  Go to "Display" > "Graphics Settings."
  Select the application [CMO installation folder]\Command.exe and set it to use the Intel GPU.

Finally, in the most recent versions of Windows it is possible to customize this through Windows settings:

• Go to Settings > System > Display.
  Scroll down and click on "Graphics settings."
  Under "Choose an app to set preference," select the application [CMO installation folder]\Command.exe.
  Click on "Options" and select "High performance."

Hope this helps!