How To Make Terraria Use Gpu

To make Terraria use your GPU, open your graphics settings (Nvidia Control Panel or AMD Radeon), select Terraria, and update drivers.

In this article, we will explain how to make Terraria use your GPU instead of the integrated graphics, which can result in improved performance and better visuals. Whether you have a dedicated Nvidia or AMD graphics card, we will guide you through the steps in simple terms.

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Why Should Terraria Use GPU?

Terraria is known for its simple, pixelated graphics, but that doesn’t mean it cannot benefit from the power of a dedicated GPU. Your computer typically has two types of graphics processors:

Integrated Graphics: These are built into the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and are not as powerful as a dedicated GPU. Integrated graphics are usually good for light tasks but may struggle with demanding games.

Dedicated GPU: This is a separate graphics card installed in your computer. Dedicated GPUs are much more powerful and can handle complex graphical tasks much better than integrated graphics.

When Terraria uses the GPU, the game can run more smoothly, especially if you are running other applications or have a high-resolution monitor. Additionally, having the GPU handle the graphical tasks frees up the CPU for other operations, improving overall performance.

How to get Terraria to use GPU?

To get Terraria to use your GPU, you can set it manually through your graphics settings. For Nvidia users, open the Nvidia Control Panel, navigate to “Manage 3D Settings,” select Terraria, and set it to use the Nvidia GPU. For AMD users, use the Radeon Settings to assign Terraria to the High-Performance GPU. Alternatively, use Windows graphics settings to prioritize the GPU for Terraria. Make sure your drivers are up to date.

Steps to Make Terraria Use GPU:

Making Terraria use your GPU is a simple process. There are several methods depending on your graphics card (Nvidia or AMD). Let’s go through each method.

Using Nvidia Control Panel:

If you have an Nvidia graphics card, you can easily set Terraria to use the dedicated GPU through the Nvidia Control Panel.

Open Nvidia Control Panel:

Right-click on your desktop and select Nvidia Control Panel.

If you don’t see this option, you may need to install or update your Nvidia drivers. Download the latest drivers from the official Nvidia website.

Also read: Can You Replace The Gpu On A Gemibook Xpro – External Gpus And Other Alternatives!

Manage 3D Settings:

In the Nvidia Control Panel, go to Manage 3D settings under the “3D Settings” menu.

Click on the Program Settings tab.

Select Terraria:

Scroll down and find Terraria in the list of programs. If it’s not listed, click Add and browse to the Terraria installation folder (usually located in your Steam folder).

Once Terraria is added, select it from the dropdown menu.

Choose GPU:

Under the Select the preferred graphics processor for this program option, click the dropdown menu and select your Nvidia GPU.

Click Apply to save your changes.

Now, Terraria will always use your Nvidia GPU when you launch it.

Using AMD Radeon Settings:

If you have an AMD graphics card, you can follow these steps to ensure Terraria uses your GPU via AMD Radeon Settings.

Open AMD Radeon Settings:

Right-click on your desktop and select AMD Radeon Settings.

If you don’t see this option, you may need to install or update your AMD drivers. Visit the AMD website for the latest drivers.

Navigate to Graphics:

In the AMD Radeon Settings window, click on System.

Go to the Switchable Graphics tab.

Set Terraria to Use GPU:

Find Terraria in the list of installed programs. If it’s not listed, click Browse and locate the Terraria executable file (usually found in your Steam folder).

Set Terraria to use the High Performance (GPU) option.

Click Apply to confirm the changes.

Now, Terraria will use your dedicated AMD GPU whenever you play.

Setting GPU Priority in Windows Task Manager:

Windows also allows you to set which GPU to prioritize for specific applications through the Task Manager. Here’s how to do it:

Open Windows Settings:

Click on the Start menu and select Settings (the gear icon).

Navigate to System, and then click on Display.

Advanced Graphics Settings:

Scroll down to the bottom and click on Graphics settings.

This section allows you to add apps for graphics performance preferences.

Add Terraria to List:

Click Browse, and locate the Terraria executable file (usually found in your Steam folder).

After adding Terraria, click on it and choose Options.

Set Terraria to use the High Performance GPU option and click Save.

This method is a quick way to prioritize your GPU for specific applications.

Updating Graphics Drivers:

Outdated graphics drivers may prevent Terraria from using your GPU. Keeping your drivers updated can resolve these issues and improve performance.

Update Nvidia Drivers:

Visit the Nvidia Driver Download page.

Select your graphics card model and operating system, then download and install the latest driver.

Restart your computer after installation is complete.

Update AMD Drivers:

Go to the AMD Drivers and Support page.

Select your GPU model and operating system, then download and install the latest drivers.

Install the drivers and restart your computer.

After updating the drivers, check again to ensure Terraria is using your GPU.

Also read: Is Increasing The Gpu Power Limit In Msi Afterburner Bad – A Complete Guide!

Disable Integrated Graphics in BIOS (Advanced):

If your system has both integrated and dedicated graphics, you can disable the integrated graphics in BIOS to ensure that Terraria always uses the dedicated GPU. This is an advanced step and should be performed carefully.

Access BIOS:

Restart your computer and press the BIOS key (usually Del, F2, or Esc) during the boot process.

In the BIOS menu, find the Integrated Peripherals or Advanced section.

Disable Integrated Graphics:

Look for an option like IGFX or Integrated Graphics and set it to Disabled.

Save your settings and exit the BIOS.

Your system will now only use the dedicated GPU, and Terraria will automatically use it.

Is Terraria CPU or GPU bound?

Terraria is generally CPU-bound, meaning it relies more heavily on your processor than your graphics card. The game is 2D, with relatively simple graphics, so even mid-range or older GPUs can handle it without issue. However, Terraria’s performance can be impacted by the complexity of the world, the number of entities, and the level of detail in larger builds, which places a greater load on the CPU, particularly in multiplayer or large worlds.

Tips for Better Performance in Terraria:

Even after making Terraria use your GPU, here are a few tips to ensure better performance:

Reduce Game Resolution: If your PC is struggling, lowering the game’s resolution can help improve performance.

Lower Graphic Settings: In the game settings, you can adjust the quality of graphics effects to lighten the load on your GPU.

Close Background Apps: Make sure no other heavy applications are running in the background to free up resources for Terraria.

Use Frame Rate Limiter: Enabling a frame rate cap can help keep the game from using excessive resources.

FAQ’s

1. How can I make Terraria use my GPU instead of integrated graphics?

You can select your GPU for Terraria in the Nvidia Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings by choosing it from the “Program Settings” or “Graphics” menu.

2. Why is Terraria not using my GPU?

It could be because the game is set to use integrated graphics by default. You need to manually assign the game to your dedicated GPU through your graphics control settings.

3. Does Terraria require a powerful GPU to run well?

Terraria is not very demanding on the GPU, but using a dedicated GPU can improve performance, especially when running larger worlds or playing at higher resolutions.

4. What should I do if my GPU settings don’t work for Terraria?

Make sure your GPU drivers are updated. Also, check Windows graphics settings to prioritize the GPU for Terraria.

5. Can I disable integrated graphics to always use the GPU?

Yes, you can disable integrated graphics in BIOS to ensure your system always uses the dedicated GPU for games like Terraria.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making Terraria use your GPU instead of integrated graphics enhances performance and visual quality. You can do this by adjusting settings in the Nvidia Control Panel, AMD Radeon Settings, or Windows graphics preferences. Additionally, keeping your GPU drivers updated is crucial to avoid issues. These steps ensure smoother gameplay, especially in larger worlds or higher resolutions.

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How to get Terraria to use GPU?