KDE Linux/Multi-GPU

If your computer has more than one graphics card (or "GPU"), most of the time applications that need to do heavy graphical work will automatically use the more powerful GPU.

If this has failed, here are some methods for forcing apps to do it:

Persistent change, using Menu Editor

This method will force the app to use the dedicated GPU every time it's launched from within KDE Plasma or any other app.

1. Launch the "Menu Editor" app
2. In the sidebar, locate the misbehaving app
3. Click the "Advanced" tab
4. Check the "Run using dedicated graphics card" checkbox
5. Click "Save".

Persistent change for Steam Games

This method will force the game to use the dedicated GPU every time it's launched from Steam.

1. Locate the game on your "Library" page and click it
2. Click the gear icon and select "Properties"
3. If your dedicated GPU is from AMD or Intel, enter:

   DRI_PRIME=1 %command%
   

4. If your dedicated GPU is from NVIDIA, enter:

   __NV_PRIME_RENDER_OFFLOAD=1 __VK_LAYER_NV_optimus=NVIDIA_only __GLX_VENDOR_LIBRARY_NAME=nvidia %command%
   

Temporary change, using the command-line

This method will temporarily force the app to use the dedicated GPU right now. The change will not be permanent if you run the app using any other method in the future.

Choose one option depending on which kind of dedicated GPU the system has, and then run that option's command in a terminal window:

• If the dedicated GPU is from AMD or Intel:

  DRI_PRIME=1 [the executable name/path of the app]
  

• If the dedicated GPU is from NVIDIA:

  prime-run [the executable name/path of the app]