Overwatch not accessing dGPU when Displaylink Hub plugged in

cpcfreak · 08-01-2019, 03:46 AM

An FYI for people investigating this problem.

I have an older laptop Dell Inspiron 15 7000 with Intel HD Graphics 4400 and Nvidia GeForce GT 750M switchable graphics, and a Dell D3000 DisplayLink dock.

With the latest Windows 10 1903 update the switchable graphics works fine only when no dock is attached.

This seems to contradict the suggestion that Windows 10 cannot be switch away from the POST GPU. FYI, I confirmed the switchable graphics were actually enabled by running Redway3D examples which only run accelerated from the Nvidia GPU.

I also found that certain OpenGL applications would only run from one or the other GPU so it was pretty easy to determine which GPU was enabled.

However, as soon as I plug in the D3000 Dock applications will no longer launch automatically or manually using the discrete graphics card. With the dock attached only Intel integrated graphics are functioning.

AlbanRampon · 08-01-2019, 08:17 AM

Hello Cpcfreak,

You're correct that some changes were made for switchable graphics in Windows 10 v1903 (19H1).
Unfortunately, these changes also break the docking use cases pretty badly, as you indicated.
Windows 10 20H1 Insiders build 18932 and newer is fixing that.

With the Windows 10 you have, marking the laptop display as main display before launching the application will allow the application to start properly, even when docked.
We have asked for the fix, tested in Windows 10 20H1 to be distributed to Windows 10 v1903 via the monthly patches.

If it is approved, we will then be able to use the dGPU for gaming (graphics computation), and still use the iGPU for our encoding (the POST GPU) on DL-6xxxx products, which would bring the best Windows 10 performance than until today as it would be leveraging both GPUs.
The encoder used for the Dell D3000 is on CPU though, so you'd have the game computing on dGPU and encoding on CPU. You will still see an uptick in performance as until Windows 10 v1809 (RS5), Windows would have made the game use the iGPU when docked, regardless of any other settings you tweak because it tends to be the POST card.

Kind regards,
Alban

AlbanRampon · 08-06-2019, 08:04 PM

Good evening,

I am pleased to announce Microsoft approved the multi-GPU machines fix for deployment to Windows 10 v1903 (19H1).
It is currently tracking to be an optional update starting rolling out on Tuesday 27th August (overall OS patch, not just that) and then pushed to all machines as part of the Tuesday 10th September cumulative patch and newer.

Optional updates are manually installed by going to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update, and clicking on "Check for updates".
There is no change to the DisplayLink driver you are currently using.

Kind regards,
Alban

drieschel · 08-28-2019, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbanRampon

Good evening,

I am pleased to announce Microsoft approved the multi-GPU machines fix for deployment to Windows 10 v1903 (19H1).
It is currently tracking to be an optional update starting rolling out on Tuesday 27th August (overall OS patch, not just that) and then pushed to all machines as part of the Tuesday 10th September cumulative patch and newer.

Optional updates are manually installed by going to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update, and clicking on "Check for updates".
There is no change to the DisplayLink driver you are currently using.

Kind regards,
Alban

Hello! I was very happy when I read the last posts in this thread. So I waited excited for the 27th August. But no optional update was rolled out by MS. Are there some news about it?

AlbanRampon · 08-28-2019, 08:09 PM

Hello,
Yes, they delayed the Tuesday update to Friday. I announced that on another thread.
Regards,
Alban

dmey503 · 08-28-2019, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbanRampon

Hello,
Yes, they delayed the Tuesday update to Friday. I announced that on another thread.
Regards,
Alban

Oh my god...there is hope! Do you think this fix might resolve my issues? You're the first person I've found online that seems to know what they're talking about so I'd appreciate your input.

I had zero issues with my setup until two weeks when Windows finally forced me to update. I don't do gaming but I create a lot of digital media for my job and use the standard applications (Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) I've reinstalled every app that seems to be affected, reinstalled windows, updated drivers, rolled back drivers, pulled error logs, etc.

I can barely do my work because it's so erratic and the problems with my GPU(s) and OpenGL(according to the error messages) seem to continue even when I'm not connected to my Targus docking station (dual 4k--don't have the model number available atm). I absolutely need dual monitors to do my work. Editing video on a 1920x1080 screen is a nightmare haha

At least a few times a day, usually when something goes haywire in Photoshop or After Effects, my docking station craps out and I have to unplug it from my computer, power it off, power it on, and plug it back in. Both my laptop and docking station are less than a year old.

I have the integrated Intel 630 graphics and a GeForce 1060 in my ASUS ROG laptop.

I can barely use Photoshop or After Effects, which I depend on the most. I've updated everything I could think of, even Adobe Camera Raw.

I found workarounds for the most part but even these seem to stop working after a day or two.
After Effects barely runs and like Photoshop, it seems to start crapping out as soon as I do any semi-complex action.

I can only get certain apps to run by right clicking and telling it to use my integrated GPU.

AlbanRampon · 08-28-2019, 11:09 PM

Thank you.
Can you try to keep the laptop lid open, make sure the laptop display is main display (shows the notification and icons of the system tray)?
Please do that before starting any application using the better GPU. The issue is when the application starts, it can't list displays properly.
If you get it working like that, then I'm confident it's the same thing.

Lid open is also advisable to prevent computer getting hot and then losing performance because everything gets throttled.

Kind regards,
Alban

drieschel · 08-31-2019, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlbanRampon

Hello,
Yes, they delayed the Tuesday update to Friday. I announced that on another thread.
Regards,
Alban

It's working now! But there seem to be still a small issue: The main display becomes number 1 by starting an application or game. It doesn't matter which display number it has by identifying it in the windows display settings. We will see if MS fixes this issue.

drieschel · 09-03-2019, 07:56 PM

@AlbanRampon

I have another problem: I can't open the "nvidia display settings" when the internal display is deactivated. Message is "NVIDIA display settings are not available". But I still can use the dgpu on the external displays. Is this a dgpu drivers related issue, also a bug in Windows or in the display link drivers?

08-01-2019, 08:17 AM	#2
AlbanRampon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 1,685	Hello Cpcfreak, You're correct that some changes were made for switchable graphics in Windows 10 v1903 (19H1). Unfortunately, these changes also break the docking use cases pretty badly, as you indicated. Windows 10 20H1 Insiders build 18932 and newer is fixing that. With the Windows 10 you have, marking the laptop display as main display before launching the application will allow the application to start properly, even when docked. We have asked for the fix, tested in Windows 10 20H1 to be distributed to Windows 10 v1903 via the monthly patches. If it is approved, we will then be able to use the dGPU for gaming (graphics computation), and still use the iGPU for our encoding (the POST GPU) on DL-6xxxx products, which would bring the best Windows 10 performance than until today as it would be leveraging both GPUs. The encoder used for the Dell D3000 is on CPU though, so you'd have the game computing on dGPU and encoding on CPU. You will still see an uptick in performance as until Windows 10 v1809 (RS5), Windows would have made the game use the iGPU when docked, regardless of any other settings you tweak because it tends to be the POST card. Kind regards, Alban __________________ Alban Rampon Senior product manager, universal docking stations and accessories Where to download the latest DisplayLink drivers How to clean up a corrupted installation How to report issues to DisplayLink for a speedy resolution

08-06-2019, 08:04 PM	#3
AlbanRampon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 1,685	Good evening, I am pleased to announce Microsoft approved the multi-GPU machines fix for deployment to Windows 10 v1903 (19H1). It is currently tracking to be an optional update starting rolling out on Tuesday 27th August (overall OS patch, not just that) and then pushed to all machines as part of the Tuesday 10th September cumulative patch and newer. Optional updates are manually installed by going to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update, and clicking on "Check for updates". There is no change to the DisplayLink driver you are currently using. Kind regards, Alban __________________ Alban Rampon Senior product manager, universal docking stations and accessories Where to download the latest DisplayLink drivers How to clean up a corrupted installation How to report issues to DisplayLink for a speedy resolution

08-28-2019, 08:09 PM	#5
AlbanRampon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 1,685	Hello, Yes, they delayed the Tuesday update to Friday. I announced that on another thread. Regards, Alban __________________ Alban Rampon Senior product manager, universal docking stations and accessories Where to download the latest DisplayLink drivers How to clean up a corrupted installation How to report issues to DisplayLink for a speedy resolution

08-28-2019, 11:09 PM	#7
AlbanRampon Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 1,685	Thank you. Can you try to keep the laptop lid open, make sure the laptop display is main display (shows the notification and icons of the system tray)? Please do that before starting any application using the better GPU. The issue is when the application starts, it can't list displays properly. If you get it working like that, then I'm confident it's the same thing. Lid open is also advisable to prevent computer getting hot and then losing performance because everything gets throttled. Kind regards, Alban __________________ Alban Rampon Senior product manager, universal docking stations and accessories Where to download the latest DisplayLink drivers How to clean up a corrupted installation How to report issues to DisplayLink for a speedy resolution

08-01-2019, 03:46 AM	#1
cpcfreak Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 2	An FYI for people investigating this problem. I have an older laptop Dell Inspiron 15 7000 with Intel HD Graphics 4400 and Nvidia GeForce GT 750M switchable graphics, and a Dell D3000 DisplayLink dock. With the latest Windows 10 1903 update the switchable graphics works fine only when no dock is attached. This seems to contradict the suggestion that Windows 10 cannot be switch away from the POST GPU. FYI, I confirmed the switchable graphics were actually enabled by running Redway3D examples which only run accelerated from the Nvidia GPU. I also found that certain OpenGL applications would only run from one or the other GPU so it was pretty easy to determine which GPU was enabled. However, as soon as I plug in the D3000 Dock applications will no longer launch automatically or manually using the discrete graphics card. With the dock attached only Intel integrated graphics are functioning.

09-03-2019, 07:56 PM	#9
drieschel Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Posts: 3	@AlbanRampon I have another problem: I can't open the "nvidia display settings" when the internal display is deactivated. Message is "NVIDIA display settings are not available". But I still can use the dgpu on the external displays. Is this a dgpu drivers related issue, also a bug in Windows or in the display link drivers?