GPU Optimizer

GPU Optimizer is a Windows desktop utility for finding processes that are using GPU dedicated memory and moving selected apps to the Windows power-saving GPU preference. It is intended for hybrid-GPU laptops and desktops where integrated graphics can handle lightweight apps while the discrete GPU memory should be kept free for heavier workloads.

Features

• Lists active GPU processes with process name, GPU adapter, dedicated memory usage, and current Windows GPU preference.
• Maps GPU counter adapter IDs to real GPU names using DXGI.
• Distinguishes integrated and discrete GPUs when Windows reports minimum-power and high-performance adapters.
• Shows per-GPU dedicated memory totals and selected discrete-GPU memory that may be saved.
• Applies Windows power-saving GPU preference (GpuPreference=1) to selected executable paths.
• Restores preferences to the original value when a backup exists, or resets to SystemDefault by deleting the current preference value.
• Supports English and Simplified Chinese.
• Follows the system light/dark theme.

Requirements

• Windows 10/11 with GPU performance counters available.
• .NET 10 runtime for framework-dependent builds, or use the self-contained release package.
• The target app usually needs to be restarted before Windows applies a changed GPU preference.

Usage

1. Start GPU Optimizer.
2. Review the list of processes using GPU dedicated memory.
3. Select apps that can run on the integrated GPU.
4. Click Optimize to set those apps to the Windows power-saving GPU preference.
5. Restart the target apps.
6. Use Restore to return selected apps to their original preference, or SystemDefault when no original backup exists.

How It Works

GPU Optimizer reads Windows GPU performance counters, including GPU Process Memory(*)\Dedicated Usage, and uses DXGI to map adapter LUIDs to real GPU names and integrated/discrete types. When optimization is applied, it writes the current user's Windows graphics preference under:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\DirectX\UserGpuPreferences

For selected executable paths, it writes:

GpuPreference=1;

This is Windows' power-saving GPU preference. Windows applies this preference after the target app is restarted.

Safety Notes

• GPU Optimizer only writes to the current user's GPU preference registry key.
• It does not terminate target processes.
• It backs up original preference values before applying optimization.
• System and protected processes may not always expose executable paths through Windows process APIs; the app hides entries that cannot be safely mapped.

Development

Build and test:

dotnet build
dotnet test --no-build

Run the app:

dotnet run --project GpuOptimizer.App

Publish a Windows x64 self-contained single-file executable:

dotnet publish GpuOptimizer.App -c Release

The distributable executable is GpuOptimizer.exe in the publish directory. Native debug symbol files, if emitted by dependent packages, are not required for running the app.

License

MIT License. See LICENSE.