Enabling and Configuring GPU Scaling
NOTE! The content contained in this article is based on Radeon™ Software Adrenalin 2019 Edition 19.12.1 and earlier Adrenalin Edition drivers. For Radeon™ Software Adrenalin 2020 Edition instructions, please refer to article.
This article provides information and instructions on how to enable and configure GPU Scaling using Radeon Settings.
GPU Scaling Overview
Most games are designed to support multiple resolutions with different aspect ratios. The aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between width and height of the image. For example, an image with a resolution of 1280x1024 (width x height) has an aspect ratio of 5:4, while an image with a resolution of 1920x1080 has a 16:9 aspect ratio.
The GPU Scaling option within Radeon Settings allows rendering games and content requiring a specific aspect ratio to fit on a display of a different aspect ratio. GPU Scaling can be applied using one of the following modes:
- Preserve aspect ratio - Expands the current image to the full size of the monitor while maintaining the aspect ratio of the image size. For example, at a resolution of 1280x1024 (5:4 aspect ratio), the screen will have black bars on the left and right side.
- Full panel - Expands the current image to the full size of the monitor for non-native resolutions. For example, at a resolution of 1280x1024 (5:4 aspect ratio), the screen will stretch to fill the monitor.
- Center - Turns off image scaling and centers the current image for non-native resolutions. Black bars may appear around the image. For example, setting a 24" monitor (native resolution of 1920x1200) at a resolution of 1680x1050 (16:10 aspect ratio) or lower will place a black border around the monitor.
Enabling GPU Scaling and Selecting the Desired Scaling Mode
To enable GPU Scaling within Radeon Settings, the following conditions must be met. Otherwise, the GPU Scaling option will not be available:
- A digital connection must be used. A digital connection is one of the following:
- DVI
- HDMI
- DisplayPort/Mini DisplayPort
- The display must be set to its native resolution and refresh rate. For instructions on how to set resolution and refresh rate for a display, please refer to article: Adjusting Display Brightness, Resolution and Refresh Rate.
- The latest supported graphics driver for your AMD Graphics product should be installed. For instructions on how to install the latest graphics driver, please refer to article: How to Install Radeon™ Software on a Windows® Based System
To enable GPU Scaling, follow the steps below:
1. Open Radeon™ Settings by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting AMD Radeon Settings.
2. Select Display.
3. Toggle the GPU Scaling option to On. The screen will go black momentarily while GPU Scaling is being enabled.
4. Once GPU Scaling is enabled, select the desired mode by clicking on the Scaling Mode option.
The available scaling modes are:
Preserve aspect ratio - Expands the current image to the full size of the monitor while maintaining the aspect ratio of the image size. For example, at a resolution of 1280x1024 (5:4 aspect ratio), the screen will have black bars on the left and right side.
Center - Turns off image scaling and centers the current image for non-native resolutions. Black bars may appear around the image. For example, setting a 24" monitor (native resolution of 1920x1200) at a resolution of 1680x1050 (16:10 aspect ratio) or lower will place a black border around the monitor.
NOTE! This feature is not designed to fix the issue of black borders on HDTV. To resolve black borders on HDTV, please refer to article: Unable to adjust a digital display to match the resolution of the desktop.
Full panel - Expands the current image to the full size of the monitor for non-native resolutions. For example, at a resolution of 1280x1024 (5:4 aspect ratio), the screen will stretch to fill the monitor.
NOTE! Scaling Mode will be applied immediately once selected.
