With Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS), your GPU takes over some of the workload that usually slows down your CPU.
This means your system can handle heavier visuals and games without your CPU bottlenecking the whole process. End result? Smoother gameplay, faster performance, and fewer annoying stutters.
It’s all about GPU scheduling optimization letting your card do its thing more efficiently.
How does it work?
Like mentioned earlier, the GPU takes over some of the scheduling duties that usually keep the CPU busy here. Think of it as moving certain “to-dos” from your CPU’s list to your GPU’s, freeing up CPU power.
Instead of each task bouncing back and forth, HAGS lets the GPU handle graphics-related tasks on its own. This means faster responses, smoother frames, and better GPU performance on Windows 11—perfect for graphics-heavy games and high-def videos.
System Requirements & Compatibility
Before diving into Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling (HAGS), make sure your system is compatible. Each component—Windows version, GPU model, and driver version—plays a role in unlocking the full benefits of GPU scheduling optimization.
Here’s a breakdown:
Windows Versions
HAGS is supported in the following Windows versions:
| Windows Version | Compatibility |
| Windows 10 | Version 2004 and later |
| Windows 11 | All versions |
Pro Tip: Keep your Windows version updated to ensure stability and access to the latest features.
NVIDIA GPUs
A minimum driver update is required across multiple series. This is essential to enable GPU scheduling optimization for improved graphics performance:
| GPU Series | Minimum Driver Version |
| GeForce 10 Series (Pascal) | 451.48 |
| GeForce 20 Series (Turing) | 451.48 |
| GeForce 30 Series (Ampere) | 451.48 |
| GeForce 40 Series (Ada Lovelace) | 451.48 |
AMD GPUs
HAGS support for AMD GPUs requires specific drivers as well. Here’s what to look for based on your AMD GPU model:
| GPU Series | Minimum Driver Version |
| Radeon RX 5000 Series (RDNA 1) | 20.5.1 |
| Radeon RX 6000 Series (RDNA 2) | 20.5.1 |
| Radeon RX 7000 Series (RDNA 3) | 23.12.1 |
Intel GPUs
If you’re using an Intel GPU, here’s what’s needed to enable HAGS:
| GPU Series | Minimum Driver Version |
| Intel Iris Xe | 27.20.100.8280 |
| Intel Arc Series | 30.0.101.1320 |
Note: Intel frequently updates drivers for its newer GPUs, so keeping them current will help optimize GPU performance on Windows 11.
Benefits
Turning on HAGS is all about boosting GPU performance (especially on Windows 11).
Here’s a breakdown of top 3 benefits:
FPS Improvements in Popular Games
Enabling HAGS can boost frame rates in games that rely heavily on graphics power.
For example, recent benchmarks show an increase of 3-5% FPS in titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Shadow of the Tomb Raider when HAGS is enabled.
While this may not be a night-and-day difference for every setup, competitive players using high refresh rate monitors (like 144Hz+ displays) might notice smoother gameplay and reduced stutters in fast-paced scenes.
System Responsiveness
If you’re a multitasker, HAGS can make your system feel snappier.
By shifting some workload from the CPU to the GPU, task-switching speeds improve. It’s ideal for juggling resource-heavy apps like Blender or Premiere while browsing or gaming on the side.
Benchmarks show a 10-15% boost in responsiveness—especially on systems with mid-range CPUs like the Intel Core i5. Got a newer NVIDIA or AMD GPU? Users report smoother performance and less lag, even when the system is under heavy load.
Power Consumption Changes
One surprising benefit of GPU scheduling optimization is a slight reduction in power consumption (especially during heavy tasks).
While it may not be massive—recent tests have shown around a 3-4% drop in power usage with HAGS enabled. For those who game or work on graphics-intensive projects for hours, this small saving can add up over time. Hence it’s a worthwhile feature for both performance and energy efficiency.
For those rocking liquid cooling or passive setups for cooling, this matters. (Less power = Less heat.) It’s a nice perk for anyone pushing their rig hard, whether for gaming or graphics-heavy work.
When to Enable vs Disable?
HAGS can make a difference in specific setups but might not suit every system. Here’s how to decide based on your configuration:
| Decision Point | Enable HAGS | Disable HAGS |
| CPU/GPU Combination | Modern CPU (e.g., Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5) with mid- to high-end GPUs like NVIDIA GeForce 20 Series or higher | Older CPUs or budget GPUs that might struggle under load |
| Monitor Setup | High refresh rate (144Hz+) for smoother frame rates | Standard 60Hz monitor where benefits are less noticeable |
| Application Use | High-performance games, rendering, editing applications | Older games or non-graphics-intensive applications |
| Performance Impact | If you experience lags or want a boost in responsiveness | Experiencing stability issues, frame drops, or app compatibility problems |