Some apps like OBS, older games, or certain creative software need you to pick a GPU by its index (for example, GPU 0 or GPU 1) instead of just its name. Most modern PCs have more than one GPU:
- Integrated GPU (iGPU): Built into the CPU, efficient but less powerful due to sharing proccessing with the CPU.
- Discrete GPU (dGPU): Your dedicated graphics card. The powerful one with fans that handles games and heavy workloads.
If you’re a professional editor, 3D artist, or just running multiple cards, knowing which GPU is assigned to which index can save you headaches. The good news? It’s quick and easy to check in Windows, and this guide will show you how.
Why Knowing Your GPU Index Matters
- OBS and streaming software may default to the wrong GPU.
- Older games often list GPUs by index instead of by name.
- Workstations with multiple GPUs (like NVIDIA + Intel, or dual RTX cards) need proper setup.
Method 1: Check in Task Manager (Fastest Way)
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- you can also right click the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the context menu.
- Click the Performance tab.
- Look on the left sidebar — you’ll see GPU 0, GPU 1, GPU 2, etc.
- Click each GPU to see its name and model.
Method 2: Use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (dxdiag)
- Press Win + R, type
dxdiag, and press Enter. - In the new window, go to the Display and Render tabs.
- Each GPU is listed in the order Windows assigns them.
- Display 1 = usually your integrated GPU.
- Render/Display 2 = usually your dedicated GPU.
Method 3: Device Manager
- Right-click the Start Menu and select Device Manager.
- Expand the Display adapters section.
- The order shown usually matches system indexing.
- The top device is typically GPU 0.
Method 4: Command Prompt or PowerShell
You can also query Windows directly to list GPU indexes.
Command Prompt:
wmic path win32_VideoController get name
PowerShell:
Get-WmiObject Win32_VideoController | Select-Object Name, DeviceID
The GPUs will be listed in the same order Windows uses for their system index.
Quick Recap
- GPU 0 = Usually the integrated GPU (Intel or AMD iGPU).
- GPU 1 (or higher) = Dedicated GPUs (NVIDIA GeForce, AMD Radeon, or pro cards).
- Task Manager is the easiest way to check.
- Use this info to configure apps like OBS, games, or rendering software.
