Input/Output to Graphics Card

[GaryYF]

Hello All,

I recently purchased a HP OMEN 16.1" Gaming Laptop - 14th Gen Intel Core i7-14650HX - GeForce RTX 4060 - 144Hz 1080p - Windows 11 - 32GB RAM - 1TB SSD (Model: 16-ae0073cl) in hopes of running VR using my PSVR2 through the PC adapter. However, the VR set must be input thru a DisplayPort (which my Omen does not have) or USB-C directly to the graphics card. There is only one USB-C port on my Omen, and I have successfully made it work, sort of. The thing is I am experiencing lag and I believe this is because the machine is using the integrated graphics card instead of the RTX4060, which is the whole reason I bought this laptop. I tried specifying the SteamVR app to use the RTX4060, but it either gives me an error that the VR set is not getting thru to the graphics card, or the setting gets switched back on it's own to let the machine decide what graphics card to use. So is this Omen machine only capable of input/output via USB-C to the integrated graphics and NOT the dedicated RTX4060? Is there a way to solve this issue? Thank you.

[NonSequitur777 · Accepted solution]

@GaryYF,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

Unfortunately, this issue arises because many gaming laptops, including the OMEN 16-ae0073cl, have their USB-C (or HDMI) ports wired to the integrated graphics (iGPU) rather than directly to the dedicated GPU (dGPU), in this case, the RTX 4060. This setup is common due to power efficiency considerations.

Here are some possible solutions:

1. Check MUX Switch / Advanced Optimus Settings:

Some OMEN laptops have a MUX switch or Advanced Optimus, allowing the user to disable the iGPU and force the system to use the dGPU for all display outputs.

• Open OMEN Gaming Hub → Go to Graphics Switcher (if available)
• Select "Discrete GPU only" (this may require a restart)

If your model does not have this option, it is likely that the USB-C DisplayPort output might be permanently linked to the iGPU.

2. Force dGPU Usage via Windows & NVIDIA Control Panel:

Try forcing applications to use the RTX 4060:

• Windows Settings:

  1. Go to Settings → System → Display → Graphics
  2. Locate SteamVR.exe and any other VR-related apps
  3. Set them to "High Performance", which should use the dGPU

• NVIDIA Control Panel:

  1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel
  2. Under "Manage 3D settings", go to "Program Settings"
  3. Select SteamVR (or add it manually)
  4. Set "Preferred graphics processor" to "High-performance NVIDIA processor"
  5. Apply changes and restart

 

3. External Adapter (USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter / Docking Station):

If your laptop’s USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, using a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter might allow direct connection to the dGPU. However, if the USB-C is hardwired to the iGPU, this won't solve the issue.

 

4. External GPU (eGPU) as a Last Resort:

If all else fails and direct dGPU output is required, an eGPU enclosure (with a more powerful GPU and proper DisplayPort output) could be an option, but this is expensive and not ideal -and, let's be honest, defeats the idea having an easily portable gaming laptop to begin with.

 

Verdict:

If your OMEN laptop lacks a direct GPU-wired DisplayPort output, running VR efficiently through the RTX 4060 may not be possible. You may need a different laptop with direct GPU output via USB-C/DisplayPort or use an external display solution.

Come to think of it, let me confirm if the USB-C port supports direct dGPU output. Meaning, I can check HP's official specs for you.

@GaryYF , upon reviewing the available information, it appears that the HP OMEN 16-ae0073cl model's USB-C port is primarily designed for data transfer and charging, and may not support video output via DisplayPort. This is suggested by similar models, such as the HP OMEN 16 with Intel Core i7-13700HX, which features a USB Type-C port with 5Gbps signaling rate, USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4, and HP Sleep and Charge: amazon.com.

However, without explicit confirmation from HP's official specifications for the 16-ae0073cl model, it's challenging for me to determine for sure whether the USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and, if so, whether it is wired directly to the dedicated NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU or the integrated graphics...

Recommended Steps:

1. Consult Official Documentation:

   • Refer to the user manual or technical specifications provided by HP for the 16-ae0073cl model to verify the capabilities of the USB-C port.

2. Contact HP Support:

   • Reach out to HP customer support for definitive information regarding the USB-C port's features and its connection to the GPU.

3. Test with an Adapter:

   • If feasible, use a USB-C to DisplayPort adapter to connect an external monitor.
   • Observe whether the display utilizes the RTX 4060 GPU by checking the display settings or using GPU monitoring software.

If it is determined that the USB-C port doesn't support video output or is routed through the integrated graphics, achieving optimal VR performance with the PSVR2 may be challenging on this laptop model.

For future considerations, when selecting a laptop for VR applications, ensure that it has video output ports (such as DisplayPort or HDMI) directly connected to the dedicated GPU to guarantee the best performance.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[GaryYF]

@NonSequitur777 Thank you so much for your help! I used the Graphics Switcher in the OMEN Gaming Hub to select Discrete GPU only and tried it after the restart. In the limited time I tested it, it no longer seems like it lags like it did before. Thank you again for your help!

[NonSequitur777]

@GaryYF,

You are most welcome -glad I was able to assist you!

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777