Hardware

What Is GPU Scaling?

GPU is responsible for creating images for the output display. The quality of images and graphics in a laptop totally depends upon the efficiency of the graphics card(GPU). Laptops with AMD graphics cards come with the option of GPU scaling that can be adjusted with the help of an AMD catalyst. Everybody of us, while playing games, wish to have excellent image and graphics outputs. GPU scaling option can help in well-defined graphical outputs during gameplays.

This article talks about GPU scaling enabling GPU scaling in laptops with AMD graphics cards. So let’s go through the steps:

What Is GPU Scaling?

GPU scaling feature allows users to modify the aspect ratio of the game as per the resolution of the monitor.

Everytime you run games in an aspect ratio of 5:4 with a screen size of 16 inches or more results in poor graphics and blurred images. This shortcoming of pixelated images can be easily overcome with GPU scaling. GPU scaling becomes more useful when you play older games that require targets to be wide enough to shoot.

Different Types Of Image Scaling Modes

AMD radeon graphic card has settings that specifies how you wish to scale the image.

Centre: This option will place the image in the centre and place black bars at borders.

Full Panel: Full panel option, as the name tells, stretches the image so that it completely fills the screen.

Preserve Aspect Ratio: This option prevents the aspect ratio and adds black bars all around. This helps players to focus on the targets.

You can perform GPU scaling on both AMD and Nvidia graphic cards. One thing that should be kept in mind is that your monitor should have a digital connection with a graphics card.

To be precise, GPU scaling will work when connected through HDMI, DVI, or Display port.

How To Enable GPU Scaling On Laptop With AMD Graphics Card?

There are two different methods to enable GPU scaling on your device.

1. Enable GPU Scaling Using AMD Catalyst

Simply hit-right click on your desktop and choose “AMD catalyst control” from the list of options given below. Once you open the AMD catalyst control center, find and click on the My Digital Flat Panels option given at the sidebar on the left. Click on the Properties option from the drop-down menu displayed.

In the properties section, check the box saying “Enable GPU-UP scaling”. Choose the image scaling type and click on Apply. Wait for a few seconds for the display to apply the settings, and you are good to go.

2. Enable GPU Scaling From AMD Radeon Settings

Open the AMD radeon settings by right-clicking on the desktop or from the settings menu. Navigate to the display section and locate the option for GPU scaling. Slide the toggle to turn GPU scaling ON/Off. If you turn GPU scaling ON, you can select the preferred scaling mode in the next step.

How To Enable GPU Scaling On A Laptop With NVIDIA Graphics Card?

To enable GPU scaling in an Nvidia graphics card, you have to launch the Nvidia Control Panel. Simply right-click on your desktop and click on the option. You can also find the Nvidia control panel through the start menu. If you don’t find the control panel, you can download it from Nvidia’s website by going to the downloads section.

Open the Nvidia control and scroll down to find the Display section. You will be shown several options to scale your graphics. Click on Adjust desktop size and positioning. Now select “Perform Scaling On” and click on GPU from the drop-down list.

In the next prompt, you can select GPU scaling of your own choice and choose among other relevant settings. Also, set your resolution and Refresh rate to the highest mark possible.

Click Apply to save the changes, and you’re done with enabling GPU scaling On the Nvidia graphics card.

How Is Integer Scaling Different From GPU Scaling?

GPU scaling involves a change of images delivered by the applications, whereas Integer scaling adjusts the monitor to incorporate the application. Integer scaling is known to give crisp and clear graphics in retro games.

Another difference is that GPU scaling deals with aspect ratios, whereas Integer scaling deals with the resolutions. Enabling integer scaling is advocated only when playing some old-fashioned games, resulting in input delays.

Does GPU Scaling Affect FPS?

GPU scaling decreases the FPS a bit as it embraces the input lag. This, however, doesn’t affect the performance if you own a good graphics card.

Everytime you turn On GPU scaling, it takes time to stretch low aspect ratio graphics into high aspect ratio. This impacts the FPS(Frames Per Second).

Conclusion-Is GPU Scaling Important?

GPU scaling is not required for modern-day games and graphics as they are developed in a manner to sustain ultrawide displays. Scaling graphics can be important while playing retro games in order to prevent the pixelating of the graphics.

When playing an Old retro game with GPU scaling, you can prevent the aspect ratio to show black bars on all sides to keep you focused in full-screen mode.

So, If you are not into retro games, GPU scaling is not a suggestion for you as it adds to input lag. Though the lag is too little in quantity, you can feel it while playing games.

This was all about GPU scaling. I hope you loved reading the article.

About the author

Shubham Yadav

Shubham is a mechanical engineer by profession. Computer geek at heart he loves to explore new aspects of circuits, motherboards and general PC components.