Set up SOLIDWORKS to use your High Performance Graphics Card

Problem 

Sometimes, you may find that SOLIDWORKS is not running at its fullest potential when working on your models. You may experience lag when rotating your models or general performance issues. This can be due to your graphics card not being utilized.

This article will help you get your machine to use your high-powered NVIDIA graphics card instead of the power-saving Intel on-chip graphics for SOLIDWORKS.

Solution 1: Graphics Settings in Windows 10

1. In Windows 10, you can search from the Windows Start button and type Graphics Settings to bring up the Graphics Settings app. Open the app like this:
   
   
    
2. Select the Browse option and browse to the SLDWORKS file. By default, the file path is as follows.
   C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\ 
   
   Then select SLDWRKS; it may show the (*.exe), it may not. That depends on a Windows setting that shows the file extension. 
   
   
    
3. Click on the Options for SolidWorks, and select High performance:
   
   
    
4. Save this setting.
   
   

When you reboot, your system should always choose the NVIDIA card for SOLIDWORKS.

Solution 2: Graphics Settings in Windows 11

1. In Windows 11, you can search from the Windows Start button and type Graphics Settings to bring up the Graphics Settings app. Open the app like this:
   
   
    
2. Select the Add desktop app option and browse to the SLDWORKS file. By default, the file path is as follows.
   C:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SOLIDWORKS\ 
   
   Then select SLDWRKS; it may show the (*.exe), it may not. That depends on a Windows setting that shows the file extension.
   
   
    
3. Expand the dropdown menu and set the GPU preference to High Performance.
   
    

When you reboot, your system should always choose the NVIDIA card for SOLIDWORKS. 

For further assistance, please contact our Hawk Ridge Systems Support team at 877-266-4469(US) or 866-587-6803(Canada) and support@hawkridgesys.com.