Games massively require heavier processes in the CPU, GPU, and RAM for you to experience smooth gameplay. But in general, gaming PCs are built with hardcore specs to handle heavier loads needed for running games.
Each game differs in how they take up your PC’s processors. One of which is the GPU Scaling. Modern games may need GPU Scaling, but most of them don’t require one at all. For older games, you will most likely need to enable your GPU Scaling. To know the reason why, read on for an easy explanation of GPU scaling.
First, what is GPU Scaling, and what is it for?
GPU Scaling is a feature that enables you to view a game or any media that is at a 5:4 or 4:3 aspect ratio. It stretches the image vertically and horizontally. You commonly see this aspect ratio in old video games, vintage videos, and old classical films. Since today’s screens are at a 16:9 ratio, you need a GPU Scaling feature to make it fit into your screen for much comfortable viewing. GPU Scaling feature also allows you to experience gaming on better quality.
There are 3 main types where you can enable GPU Scaling: preserve aspect ratio, full panel, and center.
Preserve Aspect Ratio
This will maintain the original aspect ratio of the game or movie while in full screen mode. You will expect to see black bars on the left and right areas of your screen. This will be perfect if you want to keep the aspect ratio of your media.
Full Panel
This will stretch the image to completely fit the entire screen. There’s a greater chance that the image will become pixelated, distorted, and cropped since the scaling is stretched from a different aspect ratio. Although it may seem pixelated, games that are initially smaller in size will be expanded, giving you a much better view.
Center
This will position the image into the center of the screen. It will appear smaller, especially if the original resolution is lower than the screen’s resolution. Centered trimming is handy when it comes to smaller images compared to the resolution of the screen. This scaling mode will show up black bars, which will cover up the centered image.
Effect of GPU Scaling on Performance
When GPU Scaling is enabled, you will notice a slight lag when playing videos, but it would be more prominent when playing games. The lag eats up a fraction of a second, which isn’t bothersome for videos, but it carries a huge effect on games. You can see that enabling GPU scaling boosts your graphic experience, which is how gamers usually want it.
Game experiences when GPU Scaling is enabled
One of the most important aspects of having a good gaming experience is having high-quality resolution and not having blurred image output. The best thing you can experience when you enable GPU scaling is to enhance your gaming experience by adjusting the height and width of the image on your monitor. This can lessen the blur and allows you to play with high resolution.
GPU scaling is a solution for some long-established games since some of them have no exact aspect ratio for the resolution of your monitor.
When should I turn off GPU Scaling?
It is advisable to turn off your GPU Scaling if you don’t need to view or play something in a different aspect ratio. If you’re not a fan of high resolution or don’t need it, then the GPU scaling is better turned off.
Also, if you are a gamer and you’re playing a newly established game, then turning your GPU Scaling off would be highly recommended. This is to prevent input lags so you will have smoother gameplay.
Disadvantages of GPU Scaling
GPU Scaling’s limits
As mentioned above, GPU scaling is not advisable for the new-established games since most of these games are compatible with the standard aspect ratio size of today’s monitors. Enabling GPU Scaling while playing new games will only let you experience input lag and affect your overall gaming experience.
Input lag
The disadvantage is that you may experience input lag since it takes some time to render the aspect ratio for your game to fit your monitor’s resolution. Unlike playing games, lags are not easily noticed when watching videos. It takes extra time before the lag is noticeable.
Steps on how to enable GPU Scaling with an AMD Graphics Card
- Right-click on your desktop, and when a menu shows, select AMD Radeon Settings
- Select the Display tab on the menu located at the top of the window once the AMD Radeon Settings are opened
- Select GPU Scaling and turn it On.
- Select the Scaling Mode that you prefer
Steps on how to enable GPU Scaling with an NVIDIA Graphics Card
- Right-click on your desktop, and when a menu shows, select NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Select Adjust desktop size and position once the NVIDIA Control Panel opened. It is located underneath the display tab on the left-hand menu
- You will see the “Adjust desktop size and position” option and from there, select the drop-down menu below the “Perform scaling on” option and choose GPU
- Select the scaling method and accompanying options that you prefer