Usb c to dp 1.4 alt mode not working with discrete gpu.

[Hagdo]

Recently I bought a gsync compatible monitor, a  LG UltraGear 27GS75Q-B, when I connected it to my laptopt using a usb c to display port cable it worked fine but for some reason it was not using the nvidia gpu, so I tried turning the hybrid graphics off in the omen hub to somewhat force it, but nonetheless it isn't using the nvidia gpu, when I connect through hdmi cable it is able to use it, but I'd really prefer to use the usb c port if it is possible, because the monitor I bought only has hdmi 2.0 compatibility so I will be losing more than one third of my fps at the expense of not being able to use the dp alt mode on the usb c port. Is there a way to fix this or is the usb c port exclusively connected to integrated graphics?

[Max3Aj]

@Hagdo, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
The behavior you're experiencing with your Victus by HP 16.1 inch Gaming Laptop PC 16-s0000 is likely due to the USB-C port being wired directly to the integrated GPU (iGPU) rather than the discrete NVIDIA GPU (dGPU). This is a common limitation in many gaming laptops that feature Hybrid Graphics (Optimus), where only certain ports (typically HDMI or Mini DisplayPort) are directly connected to the dGPU.

How to Check If Your USB-C Port Is Connected to the dGPU

Check NVIDIA Control Panel

• Open the NVIDIA Control Panel.
• Navigate to Display > Set up multiple displays.
• If your external monitor appears under the NVIDIA GPU, then it is using the dGPU. If it appears under the Intel GPU, then the USB-C DisplayPort (DP) Alt Mode is routed through the iGPU.

Use GPU-Z to Verify Display Connection

• Download and run GPU-Z from TechPowerUp.
• Click on the Display tab and check which GPU is driving the external display.

Possible Solutions

Try the "Prefer Maximum Performance" Setting

• Go to the NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage 3D settings > Global Settings.
• Set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.
• Set Monitor Technology to G-SYNC Compatible.

Override the Application's GPU Preference

• Right-click on your game or application and select Run with graphics processor > NVIDIA GPU.
• Alternatively, go to Windows Settings > Display > Graphics Settings, and assign the NVIDIA GPU manually.

Keep Hybrid Graphics Enabled

• Some laptops disable external monitor support on certain ports when Hybrid Graphics is turned off. If USB-C to DP isn't working after disabling Hybrid Mode, re-enable it.

Use a Different Port (If Available)

• If your laptop has a Mini DisplayPort or HDMI 2.1, those might be directly wired to the dGPU. Unfortunately, if your laptop only has HDMI 2.0, using DP Alt Mode on USB-C may be your only option for higher refresh rates.

Check if the BIOS Has a GPU Switching Option

• Some laptops allow users to force the dGPU for all external monitors in the BIOS. Check if there's an option for:
  • Discrete Graphics Mode
  • Mux Switch
  • Advanced Optimus
• If such an option is available, enable it.

Final Verdict

If none of these solutions work, it's likely that the USB-C DP Alt Mode is permanently wired to the Intel iGPU, meaning you cannot force it to use the NVIDIA GPU. Unfortunately, many laptops with Hybrid Graphics have this limitation. Your only options for achieving higher refresh rates with the dGPU would be:

• Using HDMI 2.0 (but at a lower refresh rate).
• Considering an external GPU enclosure (eGPU) if that’s an option for you.
• Investigating if a BIOS update changes GPU routing (though this is unlikely).

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Hagdo]

Hi thanks for the detailed response, to address a few things, I am certain that the usb c port is incapable of displaying throught the nvidia gpu, as disabling the radeon drivers and booting in discrete gpu only made the monitor display the no input screen. Furthermore I have proceeded to change a few of the setting on the nvidia control panel but the display options doesn't appear while I connect through usb c (because the dGPU isn't outputting), nonetheless I changed the 3d setting and manually switched the games to nvidia gpu in windows display settings too. I'd check later if gaming on high settings shoots the dGPU usage in the task manager later when I play over the weekend, as all the games are allowed hardware graphics acceleration in Windows display settings and in Nvidia app.

Turning the iGPU driver back on makes the monitor take input from the iGPU at all times, even when the discrete gpu mode is enabled in omen hub/bios, the bios doesn't have any mux options either. Enabling hybrid graphics just makes the monitor display through the iGPU, with no option to switch to the dGPU. For now I have connected a hdmi cable through my hdmi 2.1 port to the monitor's hdmi 2.0 port for gaming and have left the usb c to dp cable plugged for regular daily tasks, Window's detects it as two seperate displays but I disable the one that I am not using, in display settings. This is unconventional and unconvenient, I'd switch to hdmi completely but my monitor lacking hdmi 2.1 bandwidth chops my extra 60 frames at Qhd resolution while gaming and unless there is a way to make the dGPU fire up while gaming on the usb c cable there is no point in depending on one cable, as the colors generally look better over the usb c cable that supports wider gammut and an extra 60hz are noticeable in daily work. 

Aditionally I have noticed that the gsync compatibility while gaming on these gaming laptops is a bit of a fallacy as most don't come with a gsync compatible display and are incapable of connecting to the dGPU through usb c port dp alt mode, leaving the hdmi port the only remaining option to enjoy the capacity of the nvidia gpu, but only 40inch+ televisions are supported with Gsync compatibility over hdmi as per Nvidia website and their GPUs are built to work better with DP and they heavily push for DP too, that's why even the most expensive monitors only support premium features like G-sync through DP.

Lastly as I assess my situation my, I'd like to ask for advise on a final solution, a usb c to display port dongle/converter, while reading online I have read of usb c male to hdmi/dp female adapters that are able to bypass the iGPU in gaming laptops and access the power of the dGPU, do you reckon they work with HP laptops and will be somehow able to bypass the wiring? and a more broade,r in general question, if only the iGPU powers the monitor will the dGPU sit idle at all times, even when I game and or leave the hdmi cable connected but use the monitor throught the usb c cable at all times?

I really appreciate your help Max, thanks mate!  

[Kuroi_Kenshi · Accepted solution]

Hey @Hagdo,

Thanks a ton for your detailed reply! 😊 You're absolutely right in your observations, and it’s great to see how thoroughly you've tested and analyzed the behavior. Let’s address your remaining concerns and see if we can guide you a step further:

Unfortunately, if the USB-C port is hardware-wired to the iGPU (which seems to be the case based on your testing), no adapter or dongle can bypass this wiring. These ports are hardwired on the motherboard level, so an external USB-C to DP converter won’t reroute the signal to the NVIDIA GPU. 

Will the dGPU Still Be Used When Display is Driven by iGPU?

Yes, it can be used! Even if the display is connected through the iGPU, the dGPU can still handle rendering through a process called GPU offloading. This is common with NVIDIA Optimus. What happens is:

The dGPU renders the frame.

The iGPU displays the frame.

You can confirm this during gameplay by checking the GPU usage in Task Manager or NVIDIA's Performance Overlay. So while you're connected via USB-C (iGPU), the dGPU doesn’t sit idle as long as the app/game is configured to use it.

But there’s a small performance penalty (usually a few FPS), and G-SYNC compatibility may not work when the iGPU is displaying.

Stick to HDMI 2.1 for Gaming – It’s still your best bet to fully utilize the dGPU, even if the monitor supports only HDMI 2.0.

Use USB-C (DP) for Productivity – As you’re doing already, continue using it for daily tasks. Great color accuracy and higher refresh are perfect here.

Monitor GPU Usage – On gaming days, check your dGPU usage through Task Manager or NVIDIA Experience’s overlay to ensure offloading is working properly.

BIOS & Firmware Updates – Keep checking HP Support Assistant or HP’s driver page for any firmware updates. Occasionally, GPU routing or hybrid mode compatibility can improve.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Hagdo]

Thanks mate, you saved me a few extra bucks on the adapter, I appreciate your's and Max's effort in guiding me, while it is a shame I will have to just cope with it, no remedy to my problem sadly, still thanks for the insights.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Hagdo,

A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue. 

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 

Best Regards,