How to Make Assassin's Creed Valhalla Render on GPU

To force Assassin's Creed Valhalla to render on your dedicated GPU, navigate to Windows Settings > System > Display > Graphics settings, add the game executable or its launcher, and select "High performance" from the hardware acceleration dropdown. This overrides automatic driver selection, ensuring the game utilizes your powerful graphics card rather than integrated graphics for smoother gameplay.

Understanding Why the Game Uses Integrated Graphics

Many PC gamers encounter a frustrating issue where Assassin's Creed Valhalla runs poorly despite having a high-end graphics card installed. The root cause is often that Windows defaults to using the integrated graphics processor (iGPU), such as Intel UHD or Iris Xe, instead of the discrete GPU (dGPU) like NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon. This happens because modern laptops and some desktop setups have dual-graphics architectures designed to save battery life by switching to low-power chips when heavy lifting isn't strictly necessary. However, AC Valhalla is a graphically intensive open-world title that requires significant processing power, and relying on an iGPU leads to severe frame drops, stuttering, and low resolution. The game itself does not always make the correct choice automatically, especially if multiple applications are running in the background or if the display output is connected to a different port. By manually assigning the rendering preference at the operating system level, you ensure that every frame calculation is handled by the hardware capable of delivering the intended visual fidelity. This step is crucial for players experiencing low FPS or graphical glitches who suspect their hardware is underutilized.

Configuring Windows Graphics Settings

The most effective way to resolve this issue is through the Windows 10 and Windows 11 Graphics Settings menu. This centralized control panel allows users to define specific behavior for individual applications, overriding any default driver behaviors. Follow these steps to assign the correct GPU:

1. Open Settings: Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings application. Navigate to System and then select Display.
2. Access Graphics Settings: Scroll down to the bottom of the Display page and click on Graphics settings. Alternatively, you can search for "Graphics settings" in the Start menu.
3. Add the Application: Under the "Choose an app to set preference" section, click the Browse button. You must locate the main executable file for Assassin's Creed Valhalla. This is typically found in your Steam library folder under Steam\steamapps\common\Assassin's Creed Valhalla\Binaries\Win64 or the Epic Games equivalent. If you use a launcher, adding the launcher executable may also work, but adding the game's direct binary is more reliable.
4. Select High Performance: Once added, click on the Assassin's Creed Valhalla entry in the list and choose Options. In the dialog box that appears, select High performance. This option will explicitly list your dedicated GPU model (e.g., NVIDIA RTX 3070 or AMD RX 6800). Click Save.

After completing these steps, restart the game completely. The next time it launches, Windows will enforce the use of the selected GPU. It is important to note that this setting persists across reboots, so you only need to configure it once unless you reinstall the game or update major system components.

Verifying GPU Usage

Once you have applied the settings, it is wise to verify that the change has taken effect. You can do this using built-in Windows tools or third-party software. The easiest method is to enable the Xbox Game Bar overlay by pressing Win + G. Within the overlay, look for the performance widget that displays CPU and GPU usage. When playing AC Valhalla, check which GPU is showing activity. If the percentage for your dedicated GPU is high while the iGPU is near zero, the configuration was successful. For more detailed monitoring, tools like MSI Afterburner with RivaTuner Statistics Server provide granular data on GPU utilization, temperature, and clock speeds. These tools help confirm that the game is not just assigned to the GPU, but actually utilizing its full potential. If you notice that the dedicated GPU is still idle, there may be other factors at play, such as driver conflicts or power management settings within the BIOS.

Troubleshooting Persistent Issues

If the game continues to run on integrated graphics after following the above steps, consider checking your graphics driver software. For NVIDIA users, open the NVIDIA Control Panel, go to Manage 3D Settings, and under the Program Settings tab, add AC Valhalla and set the preferred graphics processor to "High-performance NVIDIA processor." Similarly, AMD Radeon Software has a corresponding Gaming section where you can specify which GPU handles specific titles. Additionally, ensure that your display cable is plugged directly into the dedicated GPU's ports rather than the motherboard's video outputs. Plugging a monitor into the motherboard forces the system to route all video signals through the iGPU, which can sometimes confuse the OS even if the application is set to use the dGPU for calculations. This physical connection is critical for both performance and proper signal transmission. For users experiencing related performance issues such as fetch errors or DNS problems during gameplay, resolving network connectivity can also improve overall stability. See Resolving Fetch Errors, DNS Resolve Errors, and 'Failed to Apply Critical Setting' Errors in Multiple Games for further assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this fix lag in AC Valhalla?

If your lag is caused by the game incorrectly using integrated graphics, yes, this fix will significantly improve performance. However, if the issue stems from thermal throttling, insufficient VRAM, or CPU bottlenecks, additional optimization steps are required. Always monitor temperatures to rule out overheating as a primary cause of stuttering.

Will updating drivers change this setting?

No, manual assignments in Windows Graphics Settings are stored independently of driver installations. While updating drivers ensures optimal compatibility and performance features, they do not reset your custom GPU preferences. Your high-performance assignment will remain intact after a driver update.

Can I do this for other games too?

Absolutely. The Windows Graphics Settings feature applies to any application on your system. If you have other demanding titles that suffer from poor performance, you can add them to the same list and assign them to the high-performance GPU. This is a universal solution for multi-GPU systems.

What if my dedicated GPU shows 0% usage?

If the dedicated GPU shows zero usage despite being selected, check your physical connections. Ensure your monitor is plugged into the GPU, not the motherboard. Also, verify that no other software is forcing the iGPU, such as certain laptop power-saving utilities or BIOS settings that disable the dGPU.

Does this affect gaming on laptops?

This is particularly critical for laptops, which often switch between iGPU and dGPU dynamically. Without this manual override, many laptops default to the iGPU for desktop apps and sometimes for games to conserve battery. Enforcing the dGPU ensures you get the maximum possible frame rates your laptop hardware can deliver.