Hardware Detection Issue, Dedicated Graphics Not Detected

[aymarei]

Hello,

I am currently having an issue on AutoCAD and Civil 3D on my laptop. Basically the software does not detect my dedicated GPU (AMD HD 8970m) but only detects the integrated Intel HD 4600. I tried updating the Performance Tuner, downloaded all service packs, updated both GPU's drivers. Nothing worked so far. AutoCAD does not recognize my second GPU and it's driving me crazy.

Any help is appreciate.

Full Specs of my Laptop:

Clevo P150SM-S (Sager NP8265)

CORE i7 4700MQ 2.4 GHz

16GB DDR3 1600 (2 DIMMS)

2.5" SATA 750GB(7200rpm) HDD

AMD RADEON HD 8970M W/4GB

BIGFOOT 1202 AGN+BT 4.0

WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM 64 BIT

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

welcome @forums.autodesk.com! 

What version of AutoCAD do you have`?

What version of Civil 3D do you have?

How did you verify that AutoCAD and Civil 3D does not recognize the AMD graphic card?

- alfred -

[aymarei]

AutoCAD and Civil 3D 2012.

Running on CCC settings, I chose high performance on switchable graphics for acad.exe for both applications.

On AutoCAD Settings, here's the log for the Tuner:

Performance Tuner Results Log
Version: 19.0.2.00
Date of Last Tune: 5/31/2014

Machine Configuration
---------------------
Processor Speed : 2.4 GHz
RAM : 16304 MB

3D Device
---------
Name : Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
Manufacturer : Intel(R)
Chip set : HD Graphics 4600
Memory : 3838 MB
Driver : 8.17.0010.1280

Your machine contains a 3D Device that is not certified.

As more graphics cards and 3D display drivers are tested, they are added to a list on the Autodesk website.

You can check for updates and download the latest certification list at any time. Run the 3DCONFIG command and click the Check for Updates button.

Current application driver: acaddm10.hdi

Current Effect Status:
----------------------
Enhanced 3D Performance: Available and on
Smooth display: Available and off
Gooch shader: Available and using hardware
Per-pixel lighting: Available and on
Full-shadow display: Available and on
Texture compression: Available and off
Advanced material effects: Available and on

Available application drivers and effect support:
-------------------------------------------------
Software driver
Effect support:

Enhanced 3D Performance: Not applicable
Smooth display: Not applicable
Gooch shader: Software emulation only
Per-pixel lighting: Not applicable
Full-shadow display: Not applicable
Texture compression: Not applicable
Advanced material effects: Not applicable

Autodesk driver: Not Certified
Effect support:

Enhanced 3D Performance: Available
Smooth display: Available
Gooch shader: Available
Per-pixel lighting: Available
Full-shadow display: Available
Texture compression: Available
Advanced material effects: Available

There's no way to disable intel HD from hardware on my laptop, so I cannot make the software detect it.

[pendean]

Here is the official solution:
http://knowledge.autodesk.com/article/AutoCAD-uses-the-wrong-graphics-card
There are many more from individual users posted all around this forum where you posted too: search and help yourself.
NOTE: on some devices there is not fix. Yet.

[aymarei]

I think my GPU falls under the devices with no fix..

I tried all the solutions provided for this issue. None of them seemed to work.

I'll keep trying, but isn't there a way to get the word out? If there's no apparent solution then the GPU is not supported. And I assume the same goes for many similar GPUs.

I'm surpirised that there isn't much of a discussion going regarding this. I mean I totally understand that I'm using a 'gaming' GPU that is meant for gaming and nothing else, but I know for a fact that the AMD 8970m has the power to run CAD software on par with Nvidia Quadro K2100m, if not better..

[marta.smu1]

Hello,

I’ve got a similiar problem with my Lenovo W540 and performance when working with AutoCAD 2015. Despite the fact that hardware configuration is powerful and installed graphics card is recommended by Autodesk I get lower performance then on 5 years old notebook. I suspect the issue to be in graphics card used by AutoCAD. It seems that program works on internal graphics card instead of discrete one. I have checked this in AutoCAD in “Graphics performance” window which shows: “Hardware Setup: Video Card : Intel HD Graphics 4600”. I've looked for solution and tried two different Nvidia drivers:

1.       NVIDIA Optimus Display Driver 9.18.13.2768

http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/thinkpad-w-series-laptops/thinkpad-w54...

1.       NVIDIA Quadro K1100M driver for Autodesk AutoCAD 2015 version 9.18.13.3311 (333.11)

http://support.lenovo.com/us/en/downloads/ds040485

In both of them in NVIDIA control panel I looked into settings and checked that for Autodesk AutoCAD, system will use NVIDIA high performance graphics. I have tried to turn this option as a global setting too but I always get the same result - AutoCAD shows it uses integrated graphics. I have also looked into Intel HD Graphics menu and in BIOS setup but didn’t find any solution for my problem. 

Hardware specification:

Lenovo W540

Processor: Intel Core i7- 4700Q

Graphics: Nvidia Quadro K1100M

Memory: 32GB

Disk: Samsung SSD 840 EVO 500GB

System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (64-bit) Pro (version: 6.3.9600)

BIOS: GNET61WW (2.09)