I created an executable for the example project, and set the performance to discrete graphics card, and now I've got 60 fps at 1080p with all the particle effects. Do you think the high step % and ms I posted compared to yours is entirely due to the graphics card and the surface reset target function? I would figure out myself if I could figure out how to make windows run my debugging games from game maker using the better graphics card.
Ah, that makes some sense then. Integrated graphics are going to be extremely inconsistent depending on what rendering is being done. It is weird that it all sits at surface reset, but how they handle VRAM when its integrated would affect that.
I use a lot of multiple render target (MRT) outputs in the shaders, and I bet integrated graphics do not handle that well at all. So, yes you'll want to figure out why it decides to use your integrated graphics at all. If you do not use it at all, then I would suggest disabling it in your BIOS settings entirely. Then GM will have to choice when selecting a device.