Laptop uses CPU instead of GPU regardless of settings

2lstgun

Commendable
Nov 13, 2016
6
0
1,510
My laptop has always been annoying in this regard and I have decided it's time to seek outside help. I believe I have some idea of what is causing it, but I'm probably wrong.

All programs (not just games) use my CPU rather then GPU regardless of what my settings are, with a few exceptions. Minecraft actually uses the GPU even if I tell it to use my CPU, and Java programs actually respond to my settings. Java is still strange though as while it is clearly using the GPU (from an inconsistant 20fps to a solid 50fps), it still says it's rendering with my CPU.

Systems specs:
Make: Samsung
MoBo: Phoenix
CPU: Intel i5-2530m
GPU: nVidia GeForce GT 520mx
RAM: 4gb
OS: WIndows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit

Things I have tried so far:
Cannot set the system to use GPU only due to BIOS not offering the setting.
Setting the default renderer to GPU in the nVidia Control Panel
Setting the renderer for each program to GPU in the nVidia Control Panel
Updating drivers - latest installed
Disabling Intel HD and restarting the system - resulted in poor resolution and only Minecraft/Java would run
Uninstalling drivers for both Intel HD and the GPU, before reinstalling Intel HD first, followed by GPU.
Turning it off and on again.

If there is anything I haven't tried yet that will fix my issue, please help me.
 
The top two reasons for losing ability to properly use dual graphics in laptops is changing from the original setup and using drivers not from the laptop support site, or a failing video card. If you updated the drivers from nVidia, uninstall them, run DDU utility to clear them out, and install the drivers from the laptop vendor support site. If that does not help, you may want to do a full factory reset.
 

2lstgun

Commendable
Nov 13, 2016
6
0
1,510


Well the GPU works. And it's not the drivers that are causing the issue - programs will actually us it. I should probably mention the system also has nVidia Optimus. I can't exactly do a factory reset since I do not have an installation disc for Windows or even a disc drive, and a digital copy would take around 3-4 days to download - during which time my internet would be unusable. Thankyou for the reply though.
 

2lstgun

Commendable
Nov 13, 2016
6
0
1,510


Wasn't easy to find their drivers for my laptop, but I am downloading the 520mx driver now. Will update with the result once I've installed it.
 
Mar 24, 2018
3
0
10


so is it working?