GTA IV not using discrete graphics, using Intergated graphics instead on nVidia GeForce GT555m

I've had my Alienware M14x for a year now, here are my specs:

Intel Core i7-2720QM 2.2 GHz
8GB 1600MHz
3GB nVidia GeForce GT555m (v304.48)
Window 7 Home Premium 64bit

My Problem is, that GTA IV never seems to use my nVidia GPU, i've tried methods like whitelisting and commandlines yet it still doesn't work.
I've tried just playing the game with my CPU, but at whatever setting it's still laggy.
I've looked at many other forums on this website and around the net, but I can't seem to find a fix. I usually determine whether my GPU is being used by using the benchmark tool.
How can i get GTA IV to recognize my GPU?

 

What video driver version are you using?

 

I included it in my specs. 304.48

 

Shoot! Didn't see it ... Well I would recommend you to get back to the DELL drivers. You will need to uninstall both, the Intel and the nVidia one. Then Download both of them from DELL.com and install them. After doing that make sure that you get all settings like this.

 

Okay, I'll try, but do you think it may have any effect on other games?

 

It won't harm anything. Actually those are the latest drivers approved by DELL and it will make the Optimus work better

 

I updated the drivers. I tried using the benchmark tool and it worked perfectly, but it still said it's using Intergrated graphics. I'm fine with that because it seems that it is actually using my GPU as the amount of video memory available had changed. Thanks for the help.

 

GTA IV is known to perform poorly on PC even on higher specd pc's. one way to check is also if it's using your GPU is to activate gpu activty in the nvidia control pannel. an icon will appear on the tool bar and it will say how many programs are using the gpu.

 

Then I'd suggest you try this: GTA 4 Command Lines & Benchmark, This work for me and most of fellow NBR users, however it seem like those who has the DVD version (such as myself), the fps seem to be a little bit higher than those having the Steam version as seen in the link above and this is a very old issue, like singkuy said, it's the problem with the poor coding of the game as like other console ported games.

 

I had the same problem when I started palying GTA IV. It's not a driver problem but a game problem as it's old. What did it for me was updating the game with the 6 or 7 patches available. Than it recognised the gpu.