About Hardware Acceleration
In computing, hardware acceleration refers to the usage of computer hardware that is specially made to perform some functions more efficiently than that is possible in software, which is running on a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU).
Hardware acceleration is advantageous for performance, and practical when the functions are fixed. Therefore, updates aren’t as necessary as in software solutions.
What Is Hardware Acceleration Spotify?
Spotify is an audio and media services provider. It provides digital copyright restricted recorded music and podcasts. What does hardware acceleration do in Spotify? Spotify hardware acceleration is a process that makes use of computer hardware, including CPU, motherboard, sound card, etc., instead of only Spotify software to optimize the performance of Spotify. Thus, only when you are using Spotify on a computer, can you use hardware acceleration on Spotify.
There are two hardware acceleration options within Spotify App. one is the one under Advanced User Settings and the other under Playback Preference. They have similar functions since they are both for triggering hardware to work together with software to improve task speed.
Spotify Hardware Acceleration on or Off?
Just as described in the above content, in general, hardware acceleration will give a better experience to its users. Without hardware acceleration, people can also use Spotify normally. Yet, maybe they will experience a potentially slower approach. So, it is recommended to turn on hardware acceleration for Spotify.
However, Spotify hardware acceleration also has disadvantages. For example, by using hardware acceleration, your hardware simply may not be up to the task. Many users using old and weak machines complain about tracks jumping or fast-forwarding.
Also, hardware acceleration may cause CPU usage difference that is nearly negligible. In respect of this, you may turn off hardware acceleration.
However, for the vast majority of listeners of Spotify, the hardware acceleration feature does not matter much. It has little impact on the lives of the users. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the function.
Spotify Enable Hardware Acceleration
On a PC, the Enable Hardware Acceleration option will appear in Spotify and it is enabled by default. If you are not sure whether you have ever shut it down or not accidentally, you can check it following the below two ways.
Method 1. Enable Spotify Hardware Acceleration in Advanced User Settings
Step 1. Click the arrow next to your Spotify account and choose Settings.
Step 2. Scroll down and select Show Advanced Settings.
Step 3. Find Enable Hardware Acceleration and toggle it on.
Method 2. Enable Spotify Hardware Acceleration Under View
Step 1. In the top right of the Spotify client, click the More icon (three dots).
Step 2. Under the More menu, move your mouse to View.
Step 3. In the submenu of View, check Hardware Acceleration.
Conclusion
Like other software hardware acceleration (e.g. Discord hardware acceleration), Spotify hardware acceleration also intends to let computer hardware cooperate with software to optimize the performance of certain operations of the software. Though sometimes there may be little problems, it does not matter and it is recommended to keep hardware acceleration on all the time for Spotify.
Also read:
- Spotify High-Resolution Audio: Exploring Sound Quality and Future Possibilities
- How to Add MP3 to Spotify on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS?
- How to Remove Songs from Spotify Playlist/Liked Songs/Queue?
- How to Undownload Songs on Spotify & Why Does Spotify Do That?
- [Is It Possible] How to Download Spotify Songs Without Premium?
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Helen Graduated from university in 2014 and started working as a tech editor in the same year. Her articles focus on video creation, editing, and conversion. She also has a good knowledge of disk management and data backup & recovery. Through an in-depth exploration of computer technology, Helen has successfully helped thousands of users solve their annoying problems.