Permanently Disabling Built-in MX450 on Dell Latitude 5520 to Use External GPU (4080 Super)
As technology advances, laptop manufacturers are integrating powerful graphics processing units (GPUs) into their devices. However, there are instances when built-in GPUs may not meet the demands of specific software applications. This article will discuss how to permanently disable the built-in MX450 on a Dell Latitude 5520 to use an external GPU (4080 Super) for more demanding software use.
Understanding the Issue
The issue arises when the device manager indicates that there are not enough resources to run both the built-in MX450 and the external GPU (4080 Super). This problem is common in laptops, where resources are limited compared to desktop computers. The solution is to disable the built-in GPU to free up resources for the external GPU.
Disabling the Built-in MX450
To disable the built-in MX450, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section.
- Right-click on the built-in MX450 and select Disable device.
- Confirm the action by clicking Yes in the pop-up window.
Verifying the Disablement
To verify that the built-in MX450 is disabled, follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section.
- The built-in MX450 should have a downward arrow indicating that it is disabled.
Connecting the External GPU
After disabling the built-in GPU, connect the external GPU (4080 Super) to the laptop using a compatible Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C port. Once connected, the laptop should automatically recognize the external GPU and switch to it for graphics processing.
Testing the External GPU
To test the external GPU, run a graphics-intensive software application and monitor the laptop's performance. The laptop should now have access to the more powerful external GPU, resulting in improved performance.
Re-enabling the Built-in MX450
If necessary, the built-in MX450 can be re-enabled by following these steps:
- Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section.
- Right-click on the built-in MX450 and select Enable device.
- Confirm the action by clicking Yes in the pop-up window.
Disabling the built-in MX450 on a Dell Latitude 5520 to use an external GPU (4080 Super) can significantly improve the laptop's performance when running demanding software applications. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can easily disable and re-enable the built-in GPU as needed.
References
Dell. (2021). Dell Latitude 5520. https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/laptops-ultrabooks-tablets/latitude-5000-laptops/spd/latitude-15-5520-laptop/cn5520w700s
NVIDIA. (2021). GeForce RTX 4080 Super. https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/graphics-cards/4080-super/
// Sample code block in Python
def disable_gpu():
# Code to disable built-in GPU
pass
def enable_gpu():
# Code to enable built-in GPU
pass