You can choose from two types of graphics cards for PCs: dedicated and integrated. The first uses its own hardware and is regarded as the serious choice. The second borrows resources from the rest of the PC and has a reputation for being the compromise solution.
But is that fair? Each system has its pros and cons, and it's important to know them before you can decide which is right for you. So are integrated graphics good, or are dedicated graphics always better? Let's take a look.
1. What Is Integrated Graphics?
First of all, what does integrated graphics mean? It refers to a computer where the graphics processing unit (GPU) is built onto the same die as the CPU. This comes with several benefits. It's small, energy-efficient, and less expensive than a dedicated graphics card.
Integrated graphics used to have a bad reputation, but they've improved a lot in recent years.
They're now more than good enough for general computing, including some gaming and 4K video watching, but still struggle in some areas. They aren't suitable for working with graphics-intensive programs. While playing the latest high-end games is generally out—especially if you want to play at the highest settings—gaming on integrated graphics is possible if you're happy to make some compromises.
Another important note is that integrated graphics share memory with the main system memory. You'll sometimes see it described as shared graphics for this reason. If your computer has 8GB of RAM and 2GB of shared graphics memory, you'd only have 6GB of memory available for general computing tasks.
Most modern processors have an integrated GPU. In computers that also have a dedicated graphics card, the software will switch between the two automatically. It tries to balance performance and efficiency.
Shared graphics are most often used as the sole option on devices where compact size is a priority, like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. You'll also find this setup on budget desktop computers.
2. What Is a Dedicated Graphics Card?
A dedicated graphics card is a piece of hardware used to manage the graphics performance of a computer. They're sometimes also called video cards or discrete graphics.
There are lots of different types of graphics cards, but they all feature a GPU, some RAM, and a fan to keep it cool.
The benefit of graphics cards is that you can find one powerful enough for any task. They don't share system memory, and—in desktop systems—are easy to upgrade.
On the negative side, they're expensive, larger, and generate a lot of heat. You'll usually see dedicated graphics cards in mid-range or better desktop computers. Some mid-range or higher-end laptops also have them.
3. Dedicated Graphics Means Better Graphics
Most recent dedicated graphics cards will deliver better graphics performance than an integrated system. But that's only part of the story. Which you should go for depends on what your priorities are.
It's no surprise that dedicated hardware is better than an integrated system, but by how much? A check on the benchmarking site PassMark shows that the Intel Iris Xe graphics you'll find in a typical Core i7 processor provides similar performance to the dedicated GTX 560, a several-years-old graphics card that now sells for around $100.
The best performing integrated graphics comes from an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, but even that is only comparable to a high-end dedicated card from several years ago. By contrast, the best dedicated graphics cards like the RTX 4090 provide as much as four times the performance. They cost well over a thousand dollars, too—you get what you pay for.
The exception to all this is Apple computers that use Apple Silicon and deliver impressive integrated graphics performance. These are all things to consider when it's time to upgrade your graphics card.
4. Dedicated Graphics Also Use More Power
There's a reason why dedicated graphics cards have built-in fans: they get very hot. The RTX 3090 Ti has five fans to keep it cool.
The heat from a GPU comes in addition to the similar levels of heat generated by the CPU and other components inside the computer. It's essential to stop your PC from overheating.
By comparison, some thin, mainstream laptops don't have fans at all and use a lot less energy. Benchmarks show that the graphics performance on these setups compares to a dedicated card several years old. But if you aren't a gamer and value energy efficiency, then it's likely a better choice.
5. Dedicated Graphics Laptops Exist
You can get laptops with dedicated graphics cards, but your options are more limited. The trade-offs are a larger size and a higher price.
Integrated graphics laptops like the Dell XPS 13 are less than half an inch thick. A comparable Dell model with dedicated graphics adds both thickness and weight. Most laptops with discrete graphics are either gaming laptops or high-end machines aimed at pro users. The larger footprint also tends to mean that 13-inch models are rare, with 15 inches or above more common.
Don't want to compromise on size but want the best performance possible? There is a third, lesser-known choice: an external GPU.
6. Integrated Graphics Is Cheaper
Computers with integrated graphics are cheaper than comparably-specced machines with dedicated graphics cards. That doesn't mean they're the cheap option, though. These days, Apple is all-in on its own silicon for its laptops and desktops, but even before making that switch the company offered integrated graphics at all price points.
In desktop computers from other manufacturers, where you have much more freedom to configure and upgrade the machine, shared graphics is definitely the budget option. Adding a solid mid-range card like the Radeon RX 6700 will add an extra few hundred dollars to the price.
But this isn't to say that discrete graphics is expensive. Our comparison of the AMD RX 6400 and NVIDIA GTX 1630 shows two very capable and affordable entry-level GPUs.
7. Dedicated Graphics Is Better for Gaming
If shared graphics is less powerful, does that mean you can't use it for gaming? Not necessarily.
The online gaming platform Steam releases a monthly survey showing the hardware used by its 125 million customers. Dedicated graphics cards dominate the May 2023 list. But nearly 9% of users are gaming with Intel's integrated graphics.
If you choose to go this route, you will need to make some compromises. Not every game will be available to you, and you'll have to tone down the detail settings. Not that this is a big deal, as ultra graphics settings are overrated.
Why You Need Dedicated Graphics
In a straight integrated vs. dedicated graphics card comparison, it's easy to see which solution is right for you.
You need a dedicated graphics card for serious gaming and VR. And unless you're an Apple user, you also need one for professional work with graphics software, including animation, CAD, and video editing. Programs like Photoshop and Lightroom have support for modern graphics cards. These are essential for tasks like 3D work, and will help speed up RAW photo editing.
Powerful dedicated GPUs also became popular among people who mined Bitcoin, although that's less of an option for most people these days.
For everyone else, a CPU with integrated graphics is just fine. It can work for gaming at a reasonable level. It's more than good enough for most Adobe programs. And as long as you've got a fairly modern processor, it will be able to handle 4K video.
In fact, unless you have specific needs, the benefits of integrated graphics—like device size and better battery life—are likely to outweigh the benefits of discrete graphics.
If you do need the extra power, check out our guide to the best graphics cards for all budgets to help you decide which is right for you.
