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How to Fix Minecraft Using the CPU Instead of Your Gaming GPU

How to Fix Minecraft Using the CPU Instead of Your Gaming GPU

MinecraftPerformance
5 min read

Are you experiencing low FPS and lag while playing Minecraft on your gaming laptop? A common issue is Minecraft defaulting to your CPU’s integrated graphics instead of your dedicated GPU, like an NVIDIA GeForce card. This can cause reduced performance and a less enjoyable experience, especially with modded Minecraft setups.

This issue stems from how laptops are designed. Most gaming laptops include both a powerful dedicated GPU and a lower-powered integrated GPU (built into the CPU). By default, Windows often uses the integrated GPU to save battery life unless it recognizes an application as a performance-intensive game. Unfortunately, Minecraft (especially modded versions) doesn’t always get recognized, leading to poor performance.

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How to Tell if Minecraft Is Using the Wrong GPU

Here’s how to check if Minecraft is running on your CPU’s integrated GPU instead of your dedicated gaming GPU:

  1. Open Minecraft and Press F3:
    While playing Minecraft, press the F3 key to open the debug information screen.
  2. Look Under the Display Line:
    On the right-hand side of the screen, find the Display: line. Below this, you’ll see information about the GPU Minecraft is using.
  3. Check the GPU Name:
    • If you see the name of your dedicated GPU (like NVIDIA GeForce), Minecraft is running correctly on your GPU.
    • If you see something like Intel UHD Graphics or Integrated Graphics, Minecraft is running on the CPU’s lower-powered integrated GPU.

If the latter is the case, this guide will help you configure Windows to ensure Minecraft uses your dedicated GPU.

Why Are Gaming Laptops Set Up This Way?

Gaming laptops are designed with two GPUs:

  1. Integrated GPU:
    • Built into the CPU (e.g., Intel UHD Graphics).
    • Uses less power and is ideal for basic tasks like browsing, streaming, or office work.
    • Helps save battery life, which is a priority for portable devices like laptops.
  2. Dedicated GPU:
    • A separate, more powerful graphics processor (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon).
    • Designed for performance-intensive tasks like gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering.
    • Consumes more power, which is why it’s not always used by default, and is generally best to use while plugged in.

Windows typically switches between these GPUs depending on the application, using the integrated GPU for low-power tasks and the dedicated GPU for high-performance applications. However, because Minecraft (especially modded versions) runs through Java, Windows often doesn’t recognize it as a game, defaulting it to the integrated GPU.

Now that you know this is your issue, let’s fix it!

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Minecraft’s GPU Settings

Follow these steps to make sure Minecraft is running on your dedicated GPU:

Step 1 - Open Windows Graphics Settings

  1. Search for Graphics Settings:
    Open the Windows Start Menu and type “Graphics settings.” Click the result to open the Graphics Settings page.
  2. Add Java to the List:
    Since Minecraft (and modded launchers) run on Java, we’ll manually add the Java executable in the next steps.

Step 2 - Locate the Java Executable

Finding the correct javaw.exe can be tricky because different Minecraft launchers (like CurseForge, Prism, or ATLauncher) might use different Java installations. Here’s a simple trick:

  1. Launch Minecraft:
    Start your preferred launcher and run Minecraft (either vanilla or modded).
  2. Open Task Manager:
    Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Look for a process labeled Java or JDK (this depends on your Java installation).
  3. View Java Process Properties:
    • Right-click the Java process and select Properties.
    • In the General tab, you’ll see the file location for the Java executable. Copy this path. It typically looks like:makefileCopy codeC:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17\bin\javaw.exe

Step 3 - Assign High Performance to Java

  1. Add Java to Graphics Settings:
    • In the Graphics Settings window, click Browse and navigate to the javaw.exe path you copied earlier.
    • Select the file and add it to the list.
  2. Set to High Performance:
    • After adding Java to the list, click Options next to it.
    • Choose High performance (this ensures Minecraft uses your dedicated GPU, like NVIDIA GeForce).
    • Save your changes.

Step 4 - Verify the Fix

  1. Launch Minecraft Again:
    Stop and start Minecraft from your launcher.
  2. Check GPU Usage:
    Open the F3 Screen again in Minecraft and verify that it is now using your GPU.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Can’t Find the Java Path?
    Double-check your launcher settings. Some launchers let you specify the Java executable path, which can help you locate it.
  • Still Having Issues?
    Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date. Visit the NVIDIA or AMD website to download and install the latest drivers.

By ensuring Minecraft uses your dedicated GPU, you’ll dramatically improve performance. Whether you’re playing vanilla Minecraft or a heavily modded version with shaders, this tweak unlocks the full potential of your gaming laptop.

Minecraft is all about creativity and exploration, and you deserve smooth gameplay to enjoy it to the fullest. By following this guide, you can fix the performance issues caused by Minecraft defaulting to your CPU’s integrated graphics. If you found this post helpful, share it with other Minecraft players who might be struggling with similar issues.

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