Is It Better To Have A CPU With Integrated Graphics?

Integrated graphics is a budget-friendly source of more than average graphics and rendering.

The CPU and GPU collaboratively operate among the essential elements in the computing world to ensure an uninterrupted user experience. Nonetheless, a movement toward amalgamating these components has become apparent by creating CPUs fortified with graphics as one complete unit. 

This occurrence has triggered a controversial discussion between technophiles and gamers concerning the superiority between a CPU with embedded graphics and a devoted GPU. Integrated graphics CPUs – are they the way to go? Here, we will discuss all the aspects in detail.

Is It Better To Have A CPU With Integrated Graphics?

If you are not using any dedicated graphics card, then integrated graphics are the best way to get graphics. No doubt these graphics may have limitations and won’t be able to perform like dedicated GPUs. But these graphics are better than the CPU’s basic graphics.

An integrated graphics processor is a CPU with a built-in GPU on the same chip. Meanwhile, a dedicated GPU is an independent part designed solely for graphics assignments. It’s up for debate which is better for a particular application – a CPU with integrated graphics or a separate GPU. 

A CPU teamed with integrated graphics is well-suited for handling tasks like browsing the web, editing documents, and sending emails. These basic computer tasks generally don’t require much graphical processing power, so modern CPUs’ onboard graphics can easily handle them. 

Moreover, selecting a computer with an integrated GPU results in a lower cost since getting a separate graphics card is unnecessary. Here are some pros and cons of having a CPU with integrated graphics.

Pros	Cons
CPUs with integrated graphics are better than CPUs with basic graphics.	It is not competitive with a dedicated GPU and can’t handle stress.
They consume less power than dedicated graphics cards.	Their functionality is limited.
With fewer components on the motherboard, it prevents overheating.
Gives more performance than normal CPU graphics.

Does Not Having Integrated Graphics Affect CPU Performance?

Having integrated graphics may offer various benefits, yet one should not expect it to directly affect CPU performance. The speed and performance of the CPU may remain the same regardless of integrated graphics. Integrated graphics can only affect the image and rendering performance.

Nevertheless, a lack of integrated graphics can impact the system’s overall performance, particularly with graphics-intensive applications. Integrated graphics enable the CPU to relieve some of its processing work, thus resulting in a speedier, more efficient system.

Without integrated graphics, all graphical processes must be handled by the CPU alone, potentially slowing down the system and diminishing performance.

In addition to improved performance capabilities, integrated graphics may boost a computer’s overall visual experience. Despite not providing the same power level as dedicated cards, integrated graphics can perform basic tasks such as video playback and light gaming. Consequently, its absence may limit the computer’s abilities in these regions.

Still, eliminating integrated graphics allows for lower power consumption, as the CPU does not have to dedicate energy to the graphics processing unit (GPU). Not having integrated graphics can also lead to more economical systems since lower-cost CPUs and motherboards are often available without them.

Do I Need A CPU With Integrated Graphics If I Have A GPU?

You don’t need integrated graphics if you already have a dedicated GPU on your PC. But a CPU with integrated graphics is the best option if you don’t have dedicated GPUs. Also, you will need a dedicated GPU if your work requires intensive graphics.

While using your computer for basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and word processing with just a CPU’s integrated graphics is possible, more demanding activities such as gaming or video editing require a dedicated graphics card for optimal performance. 

It is worth noting that certain CPUs, such as Intel Xeon and AMD Ryzen Threadripper, are not equipped with integrated graphics, thus requiring a dedicated graphics card for any graphical tasks. 

However, such add-ons can come at a high price. Thus, those who wish to save money on their build should focus solely on the most basic activities and tasks, where integrated graphics should suffice.

Difference Between Dedicated and Integrated Graphics

Dedicated graphics is a specialized component specifically designed for intense graphic work. Professional video editing and gaming both require high-performance tasks that can be fulfilled by dedicated graphics, which is a separate GPU designated for graphics processing. Discrete and physically separate from the CPU.

On the other hand, integrated graphics encompass GPUs that are integrated into the CPU. These complex graphics processors are designed to achieve everyday tasks such as rendering web pages, streaming videos, and playing low-end games. 

However, they do not offer the same level of performance as discrete graphics cards, which offer significantly more power than integrated graphics. 

Despite this lack of performance, integrated graphics have their own merits, such as lower power consumption, lower heat production, and more affordability. Thus, integrated GPUs make sense when there is no need for intense gaming graphics.

Is There Any Way To Combine Integrated CPU Graphics With Dedicated?

There is no way to combine integrated CPU graphics with dedicated graphics. The integrated graphics will stop automatically when you connect the dedicated graphics to your PC. But with dedicated graphics, you can use Crossfire, SLI, and other technologies to combine graphics.

Integrated graphics are built directly into the CPU and share the computer’s memory and processing power, but not with the same power level as dedicated graphics cards, which boast their own dedicated memory and processing power. 

Dedicated graphics, perfect for gaming or video editing, are distinct from the CPU and have separate, discrete processing units and memory. Despite the seeming advantage of combining the two graphics types to ramp up performance, it is, unfortunately, impossible since integrated graphics and dedicated graphics are separate entities.

Are Intel or AMD Integrated Graphics Better?

Regarding Intel versus AMD integrated graphics, both have high competition. Intel’s current-generation integrated graphics, Intel Iris Xe, is seen as a significant jump in performance from prior generations. At the same time, AMD’s integrated graphics solutions have a reputation for being less powerful. 

Despite this, AMD’s Ryzen CPUs come equipped with the Vega graphics architecture, which, while still less powerful than Intel’s Iris Xe, is an improvement over AMD’s older integrated graphics solutions.

However, one must consider that the performance of integrated graphics can depend greatly on the specific task or application used; some may be better optimized for Intel’s architecture, others for AMDs. In addition, the overall performance of the CPU, combined with the amount of system memory, also plays a role in integrated graphics performance. Therefore, it is important to consider these factors to make a more informed decision.

Does CPU Affect Graphic Quality?

Although the CPU has a minimal direct impact on graphic quality, it still plays an instrumental role in the overall look of your gameplay. It is because it is responsible for loading the game or application, managing background tasks, processing user input, and communicating with the GPU through the system’s bus architecture. 

If the architecture is poorly optimized, data transfer between these components can be bottlenecked and cause the CPU to slow down, ultimately decreasing the performance and, potentially, the graphics quality. 

Moreover, other features such as the RAM and the speed and efficiency of the bus architecture play a role in this indirect effect and, therefore, could be seen as contributing factors.

Conclusion

Choosing between a CPU with integrated or dedicated graphics depends entirely on your needs. Integrated graphics can be cost-effective for common computer tasks like web browsing or word processing. However, they come with limited capabilities; they are low power, produce low heat, and can handle basic visual tasks but cannot handle extreme demands. 

Dedicated graphics cards are ideal for intense activities like gaming or video editing since they provide superior performance and will generally require more power. 

Moreover, there is no way to combine integrated and dedicated graphics on the same system, and when connected, the integrated will be automatically disabled. Not having integrated graphics won’t affect the direct CPU performance but will impact overall system performance when handling graphics-intensive applications.