How to Enable Your Integrated GPU Alongside a Discrete GPU

By XaHertz  |  December 31, 2025  |  Last Updated : January 1, 2026

If your PC has both a discrete graphics card (NVIDIA/AMD) and an integrated GPU, the system often keeps the iGPU turned off by default. That’s sensible for power and compatibility, but it also leaves useful hardware idle.

Enabling the iGPU alongside your discrete GPU can give you extra monitor outputs, faster hardware encoding, and a way to offload lightweight apps so your main GPU stays focused on games or 3D work. This guide shows you how to enable and use both GPUs cleanly and safely.

Why Should You Do This?

Before we dive into the BIOS, here is why you might want to enable this feature:

  • More Physical Monitors: You can connect more monitors than your discrete card has ports for, by plugging them into ports on your motherboard.

  • Video Encoding: If you are a streamer or video editor, Intel’s Quick Sync technology is incredibly fast at video encoding. Enabling the iGPU allows software like OBS or Adobe Premiere to use the iGPU for encoding while your main GPU handles the heavy rendering/gaming.

  • Resource Offloading: You can force non-gaming apps (like Discord, Spotify, or web browsers) to run on the iGPU, leaving your powerful dedicated card free for gaming or rendering.

A Quick Checklist Before You Start

  • Confirm your CPU actually has an iGPU: On Intel, most non-F series desktop chips include an iGPU. On AMD, Ryzen 7000-9000 series have iGPUs. For older Ryzen 1000-5000 series, you need a "G" series chip.

  • Access to BIOS: Make sure you can access your BIOS/UEFI settings.

  • You have the latest iGPU drivers: Visit your iGPU manufacturer’s site (Intel or AMD) and download the latest stable driver. Save the installer somewhere for easier access.

Step 1: Enable the iGPU in BIOS

This is the most critical step. Manufacturers use slightly different wording, but the option you want is usually a toggle that allows both integrated and discrete GPUs to be active (often called iGPU Multi-Monitor, IGD Multi-Monitor, Internal Graphics, or similar). Here's how to enable it:

  1. Restart your computer and repeatedly press the BIOS key (usually Del, F2, or F10) before Windows loads.
  2. Switch to Advanced Mode (often F7).
  3. Find graphics or chipset settings and enable the multi-monitor / internal graphics option. Use the table below as a guide for common brands:
Motherboard Brand Common Path to Setting Target Setting Name Action
ASUS Advanced > System Agent (SA) Configuration > Graphics Configuration iGPU Multi-Monitor Set to Enabled
MSI Settings > Advanced > Integrated Graphics Configuration IGD Multi-Monitor Set to Enabled
Gigabyte Chipset > Internal Graphics Internal Graphics Set to Enabled
ASRock Advanced > Chipset Configuration iGPU Multi-Monitor Set to Enabled

Note: If you can’t find the option, check your motherboard's manual or vendor support page, some boards hide this option unless a CPU with an iGPU is installed.

  1. Make sure the Primary Display setting remains set to PCIe or PEG so your discrete GPU stays the primary card. You only want the iGPU active, not in charge.
  2. Save and Exit (usually F10).

Step 2: Install or Update Drivers

Once you boot back into Windows, your OS might not immediately recognize the "new" hardware because the drivers were likely dormant or uninstalled.

  1. Open Device Manager (Right-click Start button > Device Manager).
  2. Look under Display Adapters, you should see your dedicated card (someting like NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT).
  3. And also, you should now be able to see a second adapter (Intel UHD Graphics / Iris Xe Graphics / AMD iGPU).
  4. If it shows as Microsoft Basic Display Adapter or has a warning triangle, install the vendor drivers. Download the latest drivers for your specific iGPU from the Intel or AMD website and install them.
  5. Reboot if prompted. Once installed, both GPUs should appear in Device Manager without errors.

Step 3: Configuration

Now that both are active, you can tell Windows how to use them.

  • Use Extra Monitors: If you want extra monitors on the iGPU, plug them into the motherboard’s video outputs (HDMI/DP). Windows should detect new monitors automatically. For best gaming performance, keep your main monitor on the discrete GPU and use the iGPU for secondary screens.

  • Offload Specific Apps: To offload apps, go to Settings > System > Display > Graphics and select an app (like Google Chrome or OBS). Then click Options and Select Power Saving (which usually corresponds to the iGPU) to force that app to run on integrated graphics. This is useful for running non-game apps on the iGPU while your game uses the high-performance card.

Troubleshooting

  • Black screen after BIOS change: If you accidentally set the iGPU as primary and your monitor is on the discrete GPU, you may see no output. Try connecting the monitor to the motherboard, or clear CMOS to reset BIOS settings.

  • Performance Drop in Games: If an app or game runs on the iGPU accidentally, you’ll see lower performance. Set the game to High Performance in Windows Graphics settings or configure the game’s GPU preference where possible.

  • BIOS Updates: Firmware updates sometimes reset settings. If your iGPU disappears after an update, re-enable the multi-monitor option.

Final Thoughts

Enabling your iGPU alongside a discrete GPU is low risk and reversible. For streamers, editors, and multi-monitor users it often pays off immediately. Enable it if you want more display outputs, efficient hardware encoding, or to offload background apps so your discrete GPU stays focused on gaming or rendering.


Last updated on January 1, 2026