diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/BootManager.cpp b/Source/Core/Core/BootManager.cpp
index 4dbe7a2f9d..23de16583b 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/BootManager.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/BootManager.cpp
@@ -96,7 +96,6 @@ private:
   float m_OCFactor;
   bool m_OCEnable;
   bool m_bt_passthrough_enabled;
-  std::string strBackend;
   std::string sBackend;
   std::string m_strGPUDeterminismMode;
   std::array<WiimoteSource, MAX_BBMOTES> iWiimoteSource;
@@ -127,7 +126,6 @@ void ConfigCache::SaveConfig(const SConfig& config)
   cpu_core = config.cpu_core;
   Volume = config.m_Volume;
   m_EmulationSpeed = config.m_EmulationSpeed;
-  strBackend = config.m_strVideoBackend;
   sBackend = config.sBackend;
   m_strGPUDeterminismMode = config.m_strGPUDeterminismMode;
   m_OCFactor = config.m_OCFactor;
@@ -202,13 +200,11 @@ void ConfigCache::RestoreConfig(SConfig* config)
       config->m_EXIDevice[i] = m_EXIDevice[i];
   }
 
-  config->m_strVideoBackend = strBackend;
   config->sBackend = sBackend;
   config->m_strGPUDeterminismMode = m_strGPUDeterminismMode;
   config->m_OCFactor = m_OCFactor;
   config->m_OCEnable = m_OCEnable;
   config->m_bt_passthrough_enabled = m_bt_passthrough_enabled;
-  VideoBackendBase::ActivateBackend(config->m_strVideoBackend);
 }
 
 static ConfigCache config_cache;
@@ -269,7 +265,6 @@ bool BootCore(std::unique_ptr<BootParameters> boot, const WindowSystemInfo& wsi)
     core_section->Get("SyncGPU", &StartUp.bSyncGPU, StartUp.bSyncGPU);
     core_section->Get("FastDiscSpeed", &StartUp.bFastDiscSpeed, StartUp.bFastDiscSpeed);
     core_section->Get("DSPHLE", &StartUp.bDSPHLE, StartUp.bDSPHLE);
-    core_section->Get("GFXBackend", &StartUp.m_strVideoBackend, StartUp.m_strVideoBackend);
     core_section->Get("CPUCore", &StartUp.cpu_core, StartUp.cpu_core);
     core_section->Get("HLE_BS2", &StartUp.bHLE_BS2, StartUp.bHLE_BS2);
     core_section->Get("GameCubeLanguage", &StartUp.SelectedLanguage, StartUp.SelectedLanguage);
@@ -280,7 +275,6 @@ bool BootCore(std::unique_ptr<BootParameters> boot, const WindowSystemInfo& wsi)
       config_cache.bSetVolume = true;
     dsp_section->Get("EnableJIT", &StartUp.m_DSPEnableJIT, StartUp.m_DSPEnableJIT);
     dsp_section->Get("Backend", &StartUp.sBackend, StartUp.sBackend);
-    VideoBackendBase::ActivateBackend(StartUp.m_strVideoBackend);
     core_section->Get("GPUDeterminismMode", &StartUp.m_strGPUDeterminismMode,
                       StartUp.m_strGPUDeterminismMode);
     core_section->Get("Overclock", &StartUp.m_OCFactor, StartUp.m_OCFactor);
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/ConfigLoaders/IsSettingSaveable.cpp b/Source/Core/Core/ConfigLoaders/IsSettingSaveable.cpp
index 98aca975e1..50532508f9 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/ConfigLoaders/IsSettingSaveable.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/ConfigLoaders/IsSettingSaveable.cpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ bool IsSettingSaveable(const Config::Location& config_location)
       return true;
   }
 
-  static constexpr std::array<const Config::Location*, 102> s_setting_saveable = {
+  static constexpr std::array<const Config::Location*, 103> s_setting_saveable = {
       // Main.Core
 
       &Config::MAIN_DEFAULT_ISO.location,
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ bool IsSettingSaveable(const Config::Location& config_location)
       &Config::MAIN_RAM_OVERRIDE_ENABLE.location,
       &Config::MAIN_MEM1_SIZE.location,
       &Config::MAIN_MEM2_SIZE.location,
+      &Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND.location,
 
       // Main.Display
 
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/ConfigManager.cpp b/Source/Core/Core/ConfigManager.cpp
index 3c7d223b52..092d45b1da 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/ConfigManager.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/ConfigManager.cpp
@@ -241,7 +241,6 @@ void SConfig::SaveCoreSettings(IniFile& ini)
   core->Set("EmulationSpeed", m_EmulationSpeed);
   core->Set("Overclock", m_OCFactor);
   core->Set("OverclockEnable", m_OCEnable);
-  core->Set("GFXBackend", m_strVideoBackend);
   core->Set("GPUDeterminismMode", m_strGPUDeterminismMode);
   core->Set("PerfMapDir", m_perfDir);
   core->Set("EnableCustomRTC", bEnableCustomRTC);
@@ -517,7 +516,6 @@ void SConfig::LoadCoreSettings(IniFile& ini)
   core->Get("EmulationSpeed", &m_EmulationSpeed, 1.0f);
   core->Get("Overclock", &m_OCFactor, 1.0f);
   core->Get("OverclockEnable", &m_OCEnable, false);
-  core->Get("GFXBackend", &m_strVideoBackend, "");
   core->Get("GPUDeterminismMode", &m_strGPUDeterminismMode, "auto");
   core->Get("PerfMapDir", &m_perfDir, "");
   core->Get("EnableCustomRTC", &bEnableCustomRTC, false);
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/ConfigManager.h b/Source/Core/Core/ConfigManager.h
index 87e0134e96..4341f88196 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/ConfigManager.h
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/ConfigManager.h
@@ -180,7 +180,6 @@ struct SConfig
 
   DiscIO::Region m_region;
 
-  std::string m_strVideoBackend;
   std::string m_strGPUDeterminismMode;
 
   // set based on the string version
diff --git a/Source/Core/Core/Core.cpp b/Source/Core/Core/Core.cpp
index 72b33dd37b..3e3b15bde6 100644
--- a/Source/Core/Core/Core.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/Core/Core.cpp
@@ -459,11 +459,7 @@ static void EmuThread(std::unique_ptr<BootParameters> boot, WindowSystemInfo wsi
     HLE::Clear();
   }};
 
-  // Backend info has to be initialized before we can initialize the backend.
-  // This is because when we load the config, we validate it against the current backend info.
-  // We also should have the correct adapter selected for creating the device in Initialize().
-  g_video_backend->InitBackendInfo();
-  g_Config.Refresh();
+  VideoBackendBase::PopulateBackendInfo();
 
   if (!g_video_backend->Initialize(wsi))
   {
diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GeneralWidget.cpp b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GeneralWidget.cpp
index c616880632..eeefbf7ddb 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GeneralWidget.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GeneralWidget.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ GeneralWidget::GeneralWidget(X11Utils::XRRConfiguration* xrr_config, GraphicsWin
   LoadSettings();
   ConnectWidgets();
   AddDescriptions();
-  emit BackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend));
+  emit BackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND)));
 
   connect(parent, &GraphicsWindow::BackendChanged, this, &GeneralWidget::OnBackendChanged);
   connect(&Settings::Instance(), &Settings::EmulationStateChanged, this,
@@ -150,14 +150,14 @@ void GeneralWidget::LoadSettings()
 {
   // Video Backend
   m_backend_combo->setCurrentIndex(m_backend_combo->findData(
-      QVariant(QString::fromStdString(SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend))));
+      QVariant(QString::fromStdString(Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND)))));
 }
 
 void GeneralWidget::SaveSettings()
 {
   // Video Backend
   const auto current_backend = m_backend_combo->currentData().toString().toStdString();
-  if (SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend != current_backend)
+  if (Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND) != current_backend)
   {
     auto warningMessage =
         g_available_video_backends[m_backend_combo->currentIndex()]->GetWarningMessage();
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ void GeneralWidget::SaveSettings()
       if (confirm_sw.exec() != QMessageBox::Yes)
       {
         m_backend_combo->setCurrentIndex(m_backend_combo->findData(
-            QVariant(QString::fromStdString(SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend))));
+            QVariant(QString::fromStdString(Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND)))));
         return;
       }
     }
diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GraphicsWindow.cpp b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GraphicsWindow.cpp
index e66f5a27ff..b9ca205b08 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GraphicsWindow.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GraphicsWindow.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,8 @@
 #include <QTabWidget>
 #include <QVBoxLayout>
 
+#include "Common/Config/Config.h"
+#include "Core/Config/MainSettings.h"
 #include "Core/ConfigManager.h"
 
 #include "DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/AdvancedWidget.h"
@@ -32,7 +34,7 @@ GraphicsWindow::GraphicsWindow(X11Utils::XRRConfiguration* xrr_config, MainWindo
   setWindowTitle(tr("Graphics"));
   setWindowFlags(windowFlags() & ~Qt::WindowContextHelpButtonHint);
 
-  OnBackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend));
+  OnBackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND)));
 }
 
 void GraphicsWindow::CreateMainLayout()
@@ -77,7 +79,7 @@ void GraphicsWindow::CreateMainLayout()
   m_wrapped_advanced = GetWrappedWidget(m_advanced_widget, this, 50, 305);
   m_wrapped_software = GetWrappedWidget(m_software_renderer, this, 50, 305);
 
-  if (SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend != "Software Renderer")
+  if (Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND) != "Software Renderer")
   {
     m_tab_widget->addTab(m_wrapped_general, tr("General"));
     m_tab_widget->addTab(m_wrapped_enhancements, tr("Enhancements"));
@@ -94,8 +96,8 @@ void GraphicsWindow::CreateMainLayout()
 
 void GraphicsWindow::OnBackendChanged(const QString& backend_name)
 {
-  SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend = backend_name.toStdString();
-  VideoBackendBase::PopulateBackendInfo();
+  Config::SetBase(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND, backend_name.toStdString());
+  VideoBackendBase::PopulateBackendInfoFromUI();
 
   setWindowTitle(
       tr("%1 Graphics Configuration").arg(tr(g_video_backend->GetDisplayName().c_str())));
diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/HacksWidget.cpp b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/HacksWidget.cpp
index 2229a51ddf..5aaf31480b 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/HacksWidget.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/HacksWidget.cpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include <QVBoxLayout>
 
 #include "Core/Config/GraphicsSettings.h"
+#include "Core/Config/MainSettings.h"
 #include "Core/ConfigManager.h"
 
 #include "DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/GraphicsBool.h"
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ HacksWidget::HacksWidget(GraphicsWindow* parent) : GraphicsWidget(parent)
   AddDescriptions();
 
   connect(parent, &GraphicsWindow::BackendChanged, this, &HacksWidget::OnBackendChanged);
-  OnBackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend));
+  OnBackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND)));
   connect(&Settings::Instance(), &Settings::ConfigChanged, this, &HacksWidget::LoadSettings);
 }
 
diff --git a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/SoftwareRendererWidget.cpp b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/SoftwareRendererWidget.cpp
index 5af91d0ff5..c1e7c5f73f 100644
--- a/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/SoftwareRendererWidget.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/DolphinQt/Config/Graphics/SoftwareRendererWidget.cpp
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 #include <QVBoxLayout>
 
 #include "Core/Config/GraphicsSettings.h"
+#include "Core/Config/MainSettings.h"
 #include "Core/ConfigManager.h"
 #include "Core/Core.h"
 
@@ -30,7 +31,7 @@ SoftwareRendererWidget::SoftwareRendererWidget(GraphicsWindow* parent) : Graphic
   LoadSettings();
   ConnectWidgets();
   AddDescriptions();
-  emit BackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend));
+  emit BackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND)));
 
   connect(parent, &GraphicsWindow::BackendChanged, [this] { LoadSettings(); });
   connect(&Settings::Instance(), &Settings::EmulationStateChanged, this,
@@ -123,9 +124,11 @@ void SoftwareRendererWidget::LoadSettings()
 {
   for (const auto& backend : g_available_video_backends)
   {
-    if (backend->GetName() == SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend)
+    if (backend->GetName() == Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND))
+    {
       m_backend_combo->setCurrentIndex(
           m_backend_combo->findText(tr(backend->GetDisplayName().c_str())));
+    }
   }
 
   m_object_range_min->setValue(Config::Get(Config::GFX_SW_DRAW_START));
@@ -139,7 +142,7 @@ void SoftwareRendererWidget::SaveSettings()
     if (tr(backend->GetDisplayName().c_str()) == m_backend_combo->currentText())
     {
       const auto backend_name = backend->GetName();
-      if (backend_name != SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend)
+      if (backend_name != Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND))
         emit BackendChanged(QString::fromStdString(backend_name));
       break;
     }
diff --git a/Source/Core/UICommon/UICommon.cpp b/Source/Core/UICommon/UICommon.cpp
index 86de40a8ca..c7bbf98e22 100644
--- a/Source/Core/UICommon/UICommon.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/UICommon/UICommon.cpp
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ void Init()
   VideoBackendBase::PopulateList();
   WiimoteReal::LoadSettings();
   GCAdapter::Init();
-  VideoBackendBase::ActivateBackend(SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend);
+  VideoBackendBase::ActivateBackend(Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND));
 
   Common::SetEnableAlert(SConfig::GetInstance().bUsePanicHandlers);
 }
diff --git a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/VideoBackendBase.cpp b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/VideoBackendBase.cpp
index 2c58449e1d..5e7337c767 100644
--- a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/VideoBackendBase.cpp
+++ b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/VideoBackendBase.cpp
@@ -14,9 +14,11 @@
 
 #include "Common/ChunkFile.h"
 #include "Common/CommonTypes.h"
+#include "Common/Config/Config.h"
 #include "Common/Event.h"
 #include "Common/Logging/Log.h"
 
+#include "Core/Config/MainSettings.h"
 #include "Core/ConfigManager.h"
 #include "Core/Core.h"
 
@@ -245,18 +247,21 @@ void VideoBackendBase::ActivateBackend(const std::string& name)
 
 void VideoBackendBase::PopulateBackendInfo()
 {
-  // If the core is running, the backend info will have been populated already.
-  // If we did it here, the UI thread can race with the with the GPU thread.
-  if (Core::IsRunning())
-    return;
-
   // We refresh the config after initializing the backend info, as system-specific settings
   // such as anti-aliasing, or the selected adapter may be invalid, and should be checked.
-  ActivateBackend(SConfig::GetInstance().m_strVideoBackend);
+  ActivateBackend(Config::Get(Config::MAIN_GFX_BACKEND));
   g_video_backend->InitBackendInfo();
   g_Config.Refresh();
 }
 
+void VideoBackendBase::PopulateBackendInfoFromUI()
+{
+  // If the core is running, the backend info will have been populated already.
+  // If we did it here, the UI thread can race with the with the GPU thread.
+  if (!Core::IsRunning())
+    PopulateBackendInfo();
+}
+
 void VideoBackendBase::DoState(PointerWrap& p)
 {
   if (!SConfig::GetInstance().bCPUThread)
diff --git a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/VideoBackendBase.h b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/VideoBackendBase.h
index 7eeffaaf95..0370ef2a44 100644
--- a/Source/Core/VideoCommon/VideoBackendBase.h
+++ b/Source/Core/VideoCommon/VideoBackendBase.h
@@ -64,8 +64,9 @@ public:
   static void ActivateBackend(const std::string& name);
 
   // Fills the backend_info fields with the capabilities of the selected backend/device.
-  // Called by the UI thread when the graphics config is opened.
   static void PopulateBackendInfo();
+  // Called by the UI thread when the graphics config is opened.
+  static void PopulateBackendInfoFromUI();
 
   // Wrapper function which pushes the event to the GPU thread.
   void DoState(PointerWrap& p);