When you create or edit a desktop pool of virtual machines, you can configure 3D graphics rendering for your desktops.

End users can take advantage of 3D applications for design, modeling, and multimedia, which typically require GPU hardware to perform well. For users that do not require physical GPU, a software option provides graphics enhancements that can support less demanding applications such as Windows AERO, Microsoft Office, and Google Earth.

Full-clone Linux desktop pools support NVIDIA GRID vGPU (shared GPU hardware acceleration) for the rendering of 3D graphics. This feature allows a physical GPU on an ESXi host to be shared among virtual machines and offers flexible hardware-accelerated 3D profiles ranging from lightweight 3D task workers to high-end workstation graphics power users.

In some cases, if an application such as a video game or 3D benchmark forces the desktop to display in full screen resolution, the desktop session can be disconnected. Possible workarounds include setting the application to run in Windowed mode or matching the Horizon 8 session desktop resolution to the default resolution expected by the application.