Q: Graphics Acceleration is not being used?

I have some products that are written to take advantage of GPU-processing (Graphics Acceleration) if so configured.

• When I do not select Graphics Acceleration in the software, in Task Manager the process CPU load is ~2-3%.

• When I do select Graphics Acceleration in the software, the process CPU load is ~14%.

Which is very odd. In both cases GPUShark reports that no GPU processing power is used.

Everywhere I have looked tells me that the graphics hardware acceleration is enabled. The card is a Gainward 9500 GT (NVIDIA-based, Open GL 3.2.0, Open CL 1.0, CUDA 3.0.1). Old, I know by trouble-free, so far.

Any thoughts that will help me track down the problem? Is there any simple software which will test the GPU functionality (a load tester would not be necessary)?

Hi,
You might also switch to a High performance power plan instead of probably the default Balanced power plan,
Start/ Control panel/ Power options.

This is how to restore one but it should at least give you a guide
Power Plan - Restore Default Settings

Power Plan - Select

Thank you guys = I'll give those a try.

Curious - how would changing the power plan affect this?

Looking again at the GPU Shark data, different (small) amounts of GPU memory are being used so something is happening. The big mystery is why my CPU load rises significantly when I enable Graphics Acceleration in the program (I am talking to the developer too).

Hi,
Is this your gpu ?
https://www.alzashop.com/gainward-95...ng-d190743.htm
First thought would be overheating

Yep - that's the one.

I should say that I am not running anything that would put a heavy load on the board. GPUShark reports the temperature as 37 degrees C. After running a few 3DMark06 benchmarks the temperature rose to 47 or so.

Hi,
Why in the world would you benchmark that meager card it has no cooling fan of it's own

You definitely need a better card if you want to do things like that
Post a budget we might be able to give some suggestions to look at for real gpu.

All I wanted to do was to check that GPU-acceleration was working. I presume that as the reported temperature rose then the GPU was then doing something.

As you said, it does not have its own fan but is designed to run without one, relying on the passive heat-sink. The card was one of those recommended by the PC builder (a recognised name in the UK) and I do not think that they would have suggested a poor card.

I do not need super-high graphics performance. What I am trying to do is sort out why I am seeing higher CPU performance when I select "use graphics acceleration) on the software I am running.

I always considered that type of gpu to be static because all they do is produce heat without any type of distribution method of it besides case fans
Which can damage mother board pci/ pci-e slots if poor ventilation exists not to mention all other components anywhere close to it :)

I also would not expect a lot of performance from a ddr2 1gb card it is barely entry level 50.us card only 2 times your on board graphic's capabilities.

Looks like the builder considered your budget more than performance of gpu acceleration.