Dedicated Graphics Card vs. Integrated Graphics: Which is Better? 2024

When building a new computer, one of the first things you’ve got to figure out is the graphics. There are two main options: integrated or dedicated cards. They each have their pros and cons. Integrated graphics (called iGPUs) are built onto the CPU chip itself. For a long time, they lagged way behind stand-alone cards in performance. But chipmakers have been closing that gap by cramming more cores and faster memory onto the dies. These days, iGPUs are decent enough for basic office tasks. Dedicated cards (dGPUs) have their own circuit boards, cooling, and memory separate from the CPU. Because of that independent design, they absolutely destroy iGPUs in the power department. But they also cost more money since you’re getting a full graphics card.

So which is better for what you need—integrated or dedicated? It depends on what kinds of programs and games you’ll be running. Dedicated is great if you do 3D modeling or crave silky FPS. But integration may satisfy light usage while saving you cash.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

When building a new PC, one of the choices you’ll face is what type of graphics processing to go with. Your main options are dedicated graphics cards or integrated GPUs. So what’s the deal with each?

Dedicated cards are standalone units that plug right into your motherboard. They’ve got their own memory and power source, so they’re able to crank out some serious graphics power. More expensive, though, and use more juice.

Integrated GPUs are baked right onto the CPU chip itself. Not as beefy as a dedicated card since its sharing resources with the rest of the system. But it saves money on the power supply and cooler and is cheaper overall.

Of course, a dedicated card would crush an integrated GPU any day of the week for gaming or Photoshop work. But an iGPU could still handle the basics, like Netflix and word processing, just fine. Some PCs even come with both! So you get flexibility to use the big gun graphics card when needed.

Integrated Graphics Card:

You know how your CPU takes care of all the number crunching and general tasks on your computer? Well, your graphics card is in charge of the visuals—things like games, videos, and design apps. Integrated graphics take that a step further by combining the graphics processor right onto the same chip as the CPU. Both are baked into a single package. This means when you buy a PC or laptop with “integrated graphics,”  the processor actually has graphics capabilities built in. There is no need for a separate graphics card to take up space; the CPU handles both computation and rendering duties.

Are integrated graphics as powerful as a standalone graphics card? Nah, but they get the job done for basic stuff like browsing the web or light gaming. And the tradeoff is a cheaper, lower-power solution bundled right into your machine. So in essence, integrated just fuses the graphics core together with the CPU cores on one multipurpose chip. A nice tidy package that covers the visuals for many mainstream users on a budget.

Dedicated Graphics Card:

When building a PC, one of the big choices is what kind of graphics processing to go with—integrated or dedicated. Let me break down the main differences real quick. Dedicated graphics cards, also called discrete GPUs, are like their own separate little computer that handles all things visual. They plug right into your motherboard, independently from the CPU. This allows dedicated cards to have their own dedicated video memory (VRAM) chip. That private pool of RAM means super-fast access to textures and game assets, giving a nice performance boost.

Integrated graphics, on the other hand, are the graphics cores that are built right onto the CPU chip itself. There is no separate card; the processing duties are fused together. Without dedicated VRAM, integrated graphics have to use your regular system memory for graphic tasks. Not nearly as speedy as specialized VRAM.

What is the difference between an integrated and dedicated graphics card?

With integrated graphics, the CPU and GPU are squished together onto one chip. This used to really bog things down, but modern iGPUs are much improved. Still, cramming them together means they can slow each other down compared to having room to breathe separately. Dedicated graphics cards, on the other hand, have their own dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU) and memory. This takes the graphics workload entirely out of the CPU’s hands. Plus, giving the GPU its own cooling and power means it can crank up much higher for intense tasks.

Because integrated graphics use the CPU’s main system memory, things can get clogged up. But dedicated cards have video RAM just for graphics, allowing incredibly fast access to textures and game assets. So while a dedicated GPU unleashes way more power, most integrated solutions nowadays are totally fine for basic uses. It depends on whether you plan to do serious gaming, video work, or other demanding tasks that really benefit from dedicated graphics horsepower.

Pros of a Dedicated Graphics Card:

Whether or not you should get a dedicated graphics card depends on your budget and what you want from your computer. Following, we have discussed what a dedicated graphics card is good for, keeping in mind these factors.

Serious Gamers:

If you’re trying to get super high framerates and max out all the eye candy in games, a dedicated graphics card is an absolute must-have. Integrated graphics just ain’t going to cut it. See, to push all those hardcore titles at super high resolutions and detail levels, you need dedicated graphics processing power. That’s where a standalone GPU really shines. If you’re planning to build a sweet gaming rig capable of 1080p and beyond at 100+ fps, budget around $400–$500 for the graphics card alone.

Things like a GTX 1660 or RX 5500 XT will absolutely crush games at those resolutions. You’re talking smooth high/ultra settings at 100+ frames. So basically, if esports titles and fast frame rates are your jam, a dedicated card is non-negotiable for that kind of performance. Leave integrated graphics for lighter duty.

Professional Graphics-Related Work

You want to get creative with your PC by doing graphics design, sweet animations, chopping movie clips together, and all that good stuff. Well, then, homie, a dedicated graphics card is non-negotiable. Integrated graphics just ain’t going to cut it when you’re handling demanding creative workflows and software. All that photo/video rendering, animation layers, and effects—it’s seriously intensive.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an amateur having fun or a pro, either. Content creation requires serious GPU grunt work—way more than basic usage stuff. A standalone dedicated graphics card with its own dedicated RAM is a must. Without that power under the hood, your creative projects are going to crawl at a snail’s pace.

Pros of an Integrated Graphics Card:

Back in the day, integrated graphics were pretty weak sauce. But these days, on-chip iGPUs are way more capable than they used to be. So where do they actually make sense to use? Here we discuss where integrated graphics make sense.

Those who are looking for the basics of computing 

If you’re just looking to do basic computer stuff like browse the web, check emails, or stream some Netflix, integrated graphics is definitely the way to go. Dedicated graphics cards are complete overkill for everyday tasks. They’re meant for serious gaming, video editing, animation, and other intensive programs. But if all you need are the basics, an integrated solution will do you just fine without costing a fortune. You don’t need a beefy dedicated GPU for checking Facebook, my dude. So stick with integrated if chilling online is your main use. It’s the most wallet-friendly choice and has plenty of power for lightweight browsing and streaming. Those who have a very tight budget and want to play games I know you want to game, but cash is tight for a new rig. Don’t stress, though; integrated graphics have got your back!

Yeah, dedicated cards are way more powerful. But modern iGPUs can hang with esports and indie titles, no problem. Stuff like Dota, Rocket League, and Overwatch—they’ll run smooth as butter when integrated. And the best part is that you can build a whole new gaming PC with integrated graphics for like $300–$400 max. That’s a good deal to get back in the game without breaking the bank. You can finally join your boys for the night instead of watching streams. All without dropping a bag worth of cash. So if money’s tight right now, don’t sweat it, bro. Roll with integrated graphics for your new build and start gaming again on a dime store budget. Upgrades can come later once you stack more paper.

Conclusion:

There are two main options: integrated and dedicated. Let’s recap the key differences one last time. Integrated graphics means the CPU and GPU are packed together on a single chip. This works fine for basic tasks, but cramming them together can cause slowdowns compared to separate components. Dedicated graphics cards are standalone units with their own graphics processing unit (GPU). Having a GPU to itself lets it pump out way more power without dragging the CPU into it. Dedicated cards also have video RAM just for graphics. This provides lightning-fast access to textures vs. using slow system memory, like integrated graphics.

In short, dedicated cards unleash the graphics horsepower but cost more up front. Integrated graphics are perfect if you’re just browsing the web or casual gaming on a budget. Really, it comes down to your budget and what you need your PC for. Dedicated shines for heavy hitters like intense games or video editing. But integrated gets the job done for lighter daily tasks without breaking the bank.