DM-corp Hi there,
Windows and most systems prioritize the GPU directly connected to the monitor. If the DisplayPort cable is plugged into the mini-PC , the system will default to the integrated GPU for rendering. To use the external GPU, the monitor must be connected to the external GPU’s DisplayPort/HDMI output on the docking station.
BIOS Settings:
While changing Primary Display to IGFX in the BIOS (Section 8 of the manual) enables both GPUs to be recognized, it does not automatically route workloads to the external GPU. This setting allows simultaneous detection but does not override the display connection logic.
Workaround for Automatic GPU Switching:
NVIDIA Control Panel: Set the external GPU as the default for specific applications:
Open NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Preferred Graphics Processor → Select High-performance NVIDIA processor.
Assign the external GPU to demanding applications like games or video editors.
Windows Graphics Settings:
Go to System → Display → Graphics → Add your application → Set it to High Performance (external GPU).
Limitations:
Automatic switching based on load (e.g., gaming) is not supported by the BIOS . You must manually configure applications to use the external GPU.
For full external GPU utilization, connect the monitor directly to the docking station’s GPU ports.
Final Recommendation:
Connect the monitor to the external GPU’s port on the docking station for gaming/GPU-intensive tasks.
Use the mini-PC’s DisplayPort for lighter tasks (office work, browsing).
If switching cables is inconvenient, use a monitor with multiple inputs or a KVM switch to toggle between the mini-PC and docking station outputs.
