What is the difference between Integrated Graphics and Discrete Graphics

Before you see the difference between Integrated Graphics and Discrete Graphics, you need to understand what each one means. What are the characteristics of the two types of video cards and which offers better performance.

Knowing what each type of board means, you will know how to make the best choices for your laptop or computer.

What is an integrated video card?

Integrated video cards (integrated graphics) are the most known and common. The integrated video card is a type of graphics processing unit (GPU) which, as the name says, is integrated directly into the central processor (CPU) of a computer or laptop. This type of board does not use a separate memory bank or processing unit. The GPU uses the system memory that is shared with the processor.

It is not a video card that offers high performance for games, video editing, photo or other graphics processing applications. However, it is especially ideal for business and office laptops. Not being a separate unit, but incorporated in CPU, this takes up less space under the case and above all, less energy. Thus, a laptop with an integrated video card will consume less energy and have a longer battery life. And the costs are much lower than in the case of systems with dedicated video cards.

What is a discrete video card?

Discrete video card (Discrete Graphics) is found more on systems desktop. Discrete Graphics, is a type of graphics processing unit (GPU) separated from the central processor (CPU) of a computer or laptop. This means that discrete video card it has its own processor and dedicated video memory. These features make it more powerful and faster than an integrated video card, but it requires more space in the computer case and consumes more electricity.

Conference proceedings VRAM used by the discrete video card is very well optimized for processing and playing video content. Unlike RAM, which allows temporary storage and access to data (such as open files), VRAM it is much faster and can store intensive graphic information. When the system asks to display an image, VRAM processes it and then displays it on the screen.

Discrete video cards are preferred for games, video editing and other activities that require intensive graphic processing, because they offer superior performance in graphic editing, video and in displaying them at high resolutions.

What is the difference between Integrated Graphics si Discrete Graphics

The differences between Integrated Graphics si Discrete Graphics they are easy to intuit from the description given above for each individual type. It is about performance, flexibility, energy consumption and finally, costs.

The performance and flexibility of the discrete video card come with a separate cooling system, occupied space on the PCIe slots (where these discrete graphics cards are installed) and higher energy consumption.

The integrated video card is enough to play movies with resolutions up to 4K, but don't expect anything spectacular in the quality of the processed images. However, as I said above, it is suitable for business and office laptops. Low energy consumption.

Microsoft recently introduced, in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25336, a feature dedicated to systems that have two or more discrete graphics adapters. The new feature allows users to choose which of the adapters offers high performance and be set as the graphics adapter default. To be set as high performance GPU. The new feature is currently available in the test stage, on Canary Channel and it is not very well documented.

Passionate about technology, I enjoy writing on StealthSettings.com since 2006. I have a rich experience in operating systems: macOS, Windows, and Linux, as well as in programming languages and blogging platforms (WordPress) and for online stores (WooCommerce, Magento, PrestaShop).

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