Dedicated graphics help

[georgeishungry]

Hi,

I built my own PC in May and opted for a CPU with integrated graphics as well as a dedicated graphics card.

The CPU is an AMD Raedon A10-6800 and in Control Panel, the graphics come up as 'AMD Raedon HD 8670D.

My graphics card is an MSI Raedon R9 270X.

How can I configure my computer (Win 8.1 64-bit) to use the graphics card, especially when I'm playing The Sims?

Thanks.

[Typhlosion]

If I'm not wrong, this option can be accessed in the BIOS setting to choose which graphics output you want.

Is the monitor connected to the card?

[georgeishungry]

If I'm not wrong, this option can be accessed in the BIOS setting to choose which graphics output you want.

Is the monitor connected to the card?

I think so.

Without sounding like a noob, how to I get to the BIOS and what setting am I looking for?

[CosmicNoodle]

If I'm not wrong, this option can be accessed in the BIOS setting to choose which graphics output you want.

Is the monitor connected to the card?

Yep, its found in the BIOS, just look around for a while untill youfind an option that lets you change your graphics output and change it to PCI

[Commander Thor]

Make sure your monitor(s) is/are plugged in to your graphics card itself.
The onboard graphics should automatically disable when it detects the expansion card is being used.

If you're plugged in to your expansion GPU and system properties is still showing your onboard GPU, try checking dxdiag to be sure (Start>Run>'dxdiag'>display tab) see if your expansion GPU is listed. If it is, then you can safely ignore what your system properties is telling you.
If it isn't, then yeah, you're going to need to get in to your BIOS.

Getting in to your BIOS varies by motherboard manufacturer. Look for the exact key when you first turn your computer on, should be on your MOBO's splash screen. It's usually either F2 or the Del key though.
As for the setting you're looking for, it should be labeled 'onboard graphics' or something similar.

You could also try disabling the onboard graphics using Device Manager (Start>Run>devmgmt.msc). It will be listed under 'Display Adapters'.
This may or may not work, depending on how insistent Windows or your BIOS is at using the onboard graphics.

[georgeishungry]

I've plugged my two screens into my graphics card: one via HDMI and one via DisplayPort. Neither display anything.

Now what?

[Commander Thor]

I've plugged my two screens into my graphics card: one via HDMI and one via DisplayPort. Neither display anything.

Now what?

"Did you try turning it off and on again?" :P

Since you said you built it yourself...
Did you make sure to put the card in PCIe slot 0 (Or whatever slot your MOBOs documentation designates as the primary graphics slot). Slot 0 should be the closest PCIe slot to the CPU socket.
Also, did you make sure to plug BOTH of the 6-pin PCIe power connectors in to the card? The card will not function without both of them plugged in.

Failing that, try reseating the card. Pull it out, blow any dust in the slot out, then put it back in.
You could also try moving PCIe slots, to see if it's a bad slot. Most motherboard prefer you use the slot closest to the CPU, but they usually will work if you use a further slot.

Your motherboard may also have little DIP switches somewhere to control your PCIe slots. Make sure the slot you're in is set to 'ON'.
They will look something like this (My motherboard):
http://i.imgur.com/gRUDz9H.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/gRUDz9H.jpg)


Also, check your BIOS to see if your card is even showing up. It's hard to tell what your screens will look like, as almost all BIOS's are different.
But it should look something like this:

(You can see slot 1 is operating at x16 mode, indicating there's a card in there)
http://i.imgur.com/6ykEDYC.png (http://i.imgur.com/6ykEDYC.png)

(This shows slot 1 is populated by an NVidia GPU, again operating at x16 mode)
http://i.imgur.com/dXohszV.png (http://i.imgur.com/dXohszV.png)



Failing all of the above...
There's a very slight chance that your motherboard's firmware doesn't support your card for whatever reason. Go to the manufacturer's website to see if there's updated firmware.

Other than that, there's only really two possibilities:
1. Your video card is dead.
2. Your motherboard has something wrong with it.

[georgeishungry]

Thanks for all your help. I've found a fix.

Turns out there wasn't enough power going to my graphics card, so I gave it some more and everything works now.

Thank you! :D