# Choose dedicated or partitioned GPU access for Hyper-V workloads

> Does a virtualized workload require a whole physical GPU or a partition of one?

- Canonical URL: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-146-choose-dedicated-or-partitioned-gpu-access-for-hyper-v-workloads/
- Publisher: Detection Systems & Engineering (DSE Security)
- Author: DSE Security Editorial Team
- Published: 2026-09-08T18:14:45+00:00
- Modified: 2026-09-08T18:23:27+00:00
- Last reviewed by DSE: 2026-09-08
- Resource type: Guide
- DSE priority: Information
- Topics: IT, Networks & Infrastructure
- Reading time: 1 minutes

## What you need to know

Does a virtualized workload require a whole physical GPU or a partition of one?

## Potentially affected

Architects planning GPU acceleration for Hyper-V workloads on Windows Server.

## DSE recommendation

Compare a dedicated-device design with a partitioned design using the actual application requirements.

## Article

## Source facts

Microsoft distinguishes native GPU access on a physical Windows Server from the graphics virtualization needed inside Hyper-V VMs. Discrete Device Assignment dedicates one or more physical GPUs to a VM, which uses the native driver. Starting with Windows Server 2025, GPU partitioning lets multiple VMs receive dedicated portions of a physical GPU rather than each receiving the entire device. [Microsoft documentation](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/plan-for-gpu-acceleration-in-windows-server).

## Applicability

Identify the application, guest and host releases, GPU model, driver, and required features. Review the support requirements for the chosen mode, including any guest-platform restrictions, before deciding from density alone.

## DSE recommendation

Compare a dedicated-device design with a partitioned design using the actual application requirements. Have the workload and virtualization owners document the required GPU resources and acceptable sharing model. Include maintenance and migration expectations in the design review and retain the supported configuration evidence.

## Verification

Run the representative workload in the chosen supported configuration and inspect the GPU resources visible to the guest. Measure the agreed application tasks with the planned number of simultaneous VMs. Record unsupported features or an unmet performance target explicitly before approving the allocation model for wider use.

## Official references

[Microsoft Learn: Plan for GPU acceleration in Windows Server](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/plan-for-gpu-acceleration-in-windows-server). Source reviewed September 8, 2026.

## Primary reference

- Name: Plan for GPU acceleration in Windows Server
- Authority: Microsoft Learn
- URL: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/virtualization/hyper-v/plan/plan-for-gpu-acceleration-in-windows-server
- Source publication date: Not stated by the source

## Citation and use

Preferred citation: “Choose dedicated or partitioned GPU access for Hyper-V workloads,” DSE Security, https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-20260908-146-choose-dedicated-or-partitioned-gpu-access-for-hyper-v-workloads/
Publishing principles: https://update.dsesecurity.com/updates/dse-updates-editorial-methodology/
Usage and citation policy: https://update.dsesecurity.com/usage/
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