Guides/Windows
Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling: on or off?
Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling (HAGS) moves part of the work of managing graphics memory and frame queues from Windows to the graphics card. Some features need it; for everything else, the effect depends on the PC.
Where to switch it#
Windows 11: Settings → System → Display → Graphics → Change default graphics settings (or Advanced graphics settings) → Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling. Windows 10: Settings → System → Display → Graphics settings. A restart is needed. If the switch is missing, your graphics driver or card doesn't support it.
What it changes#
Without HAGS, Windows prepares and queues the graphics card's work on the processor. With it, the card's own scheduling processor takes part of that job. In theory that lowers latency and frees a little processor time. In practice, differences in frame rate are small, and how frame times behave depends on the game and the driver.
When you need it#
- DLSS Frame Generation on NVIDIA RTX 40 and 50 series requires HAGS.
- Some newer driver features list it as a requirement; the driver or game says so when it's missing.
When to try it off#
If you see new stutter after a driver update, or in an older game, switch it off, restart, and compare the same scene. Keep whatever measures better.
Questions#
Does HAGS increase FPS?
Why can't I find hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling?
Frametide has this setting under Tweaks, says what it does, and switches it and back with one click (some settings need Premium). With Premium it also measures FPS, 1% lows and stutters in your own game, so you see whether it helps on your PC.