When building or buying a PC, one of your key decisions involves graphics processing: should you rely on integrated graphics built into the CPU, or invest in a dedicated graphics card? The answer depends on your use case, budget, and performance expectations. This guide helps you understand both options and make the right choice.
Understanding Integrated Graphics
Integrated graphics, often called iGPUs, are graphics processing units built directly into the CPU die. They share system memory (RAM) with the processor and offer a baseline level of graphics capability without requiring a separate graphics card.
Modern integrated graphics have improved dramatically. AMD's Ryzen APUs with Radeon Graphics and Intel's processors with Iris Xe graphics can handle everyday tasks smoothly and even manage some gaming at lower settings. However, they remain significantly less powerful than dedicated graphics cards.
Integrated graphics use your system RAM for graphics memory (VRAM). This means graphics performance depends partly on your RAM speed and capacity. Fast DDR5 memory particularly benefits AMD APU gaming performance.
Understanding Dedicated Graphics
Dedicated graphics cards (discrete GPUs) are separate components with their own processors, dedicated video memory (VRAM), and cooling solutions. They connect to your motherboard via PCIe slots and focus entirely on graphics processing.
Dedicated GPUs range from entry-level cards around $200 AUD to enthusiast models exceeding $3000 AUD. Even budget dedicated graphics typically outperform integrated solutions, with the gap widening dramatically at higher price points.
When Integrated Graphics Are Sufficient
Office and Productivity Work
For web browsing, document editing, email, and spreadsheets, integrated graphics are more than adequate. Modern iGPUs effortlessly drive multiple monitors for productivity setups and handle 4K video playback smoothly.
Light Photo Editing
Basic photo editing in programs like Lightroom or Photoshop works fine with integrated graphics. Only complex operations on very large files or extensive use of GPU-accelerated filters will feel sluggish.
Video Playback
Streaming Netflix in 4K, watching YouTube, or playing local video files requires minimal graphics power. Integrated graphics include hardware decoders for common video formats, making playback efficient and smooth.
Casual Gaming
Esports titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2 are playable at reduced settings on modern iGPUs. Older games and indie titles with modest requirements also work acceptably.
If you don't game seriously and don't do GPU-intensive creative work, integrated graphics save money and reduce system complexity without compromising your experience.
When You Need a Dedicated GPU
Serious Gaming
Modern AAA games at high settings require dedicated graphics. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, or Star Wars Outlaws need substantial GPU power for playable frame rates at reasonable quality settings. Even mid-range dedicated cards dramatically outperform any integrated solution for gaming.
Video Editing
Video editing software leverages GPU acceleration for timeline scrubbing, effects rendering, and export encoding. Dedicated graphics significantly speed up these workflows, especially with 4K or higher resolution footage. Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro all benefit substantially from dedicated GPUs.
3D Rendering and CAD
3D modelling, animation, and CAD work heavily utilise GPU acceleration. Programs like Blender, Maya, and AutoCAD run dramatically faster with dedicated graphics. Professional workloads may justify high-end workstation GPUs.
Machine Learning
AI and machine learning development typically requires dedicated NVIDIA graphics for CUDA acceleration. This is a specialised use case where GPU selection significantly impacts productivity.
Integrated graphics cannot match even budget dedicated GPUs for gaming. If gaming is important to you, budget for at least an entry-level dedicated graphics card.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Integrated Graphics Savings
Choosing integrated graphics saves $200-500+ AUD that would go toward a dedicated GPU. This money can fund better components elsewhere: faster CPU, more RAM, larger SSD, or higher quality peripherals. For non-gaming builds, these investments often provide more practical benefit than a graphics card would.
Total System Cost Examples
Office PC (iGPU): Ryzen 5 8500G build, complete system around $800-1000 AUD
Entry Gaming PC (dGPU): Ryzen 5 5600 + RX 7600 build, complete system around $1200-1400 AUD
Mid-Range Gaming (dGPU): Ryzen 5 9600X + RTX 4070 build, complete system around $2000-2400 AUD
Choosing the Right CPU
CPUs with Good Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen 8000G series: Best iGPU gaming performance, with the 8600G and 8700G offering playable frame rates in many titles
- Intel Core with Iris Xe: Solid integrated graphics in non-F suffix models, adequate for productivity and light gaming
CPUs Without Integrated Graphics
- AMD Ryzen (non-G): Standard Ryzen 5000, 7000, and 9000 series lack integrated graphics except the 8000G line
- Intel F-suffix: Models like the i5-14600KF lack integrated graphics but cost slightly less than non-F versions
Even if you plan to use a dedicated GPU, having integrated graphics provides a backup for troubleshooting and allows system use if your graphics card fails.
Our Recommendations
For Non-Gamers
Integrated graphics are the smart choice. An AMD Ryzen 5 8500G or Intel Core i5 (non-F) provides all the graphics power you need while simplifying your build and reducing costs.
For Casual Gamers
Consider starting with integrated graphics (Ryzen 8600G or 8700G) and adding a dedicated GPU later if desired. This approach lets you game immediately while saving for a better graphics card.
For Serious Gamers
Budget for a dedicated GPU from the start. Pair it with either an F-suffix Intel CPU to save money or a regular CPU to maintain integrated graphics as backup.
For Content Creators
Dedicated graphics significantly accelerate creative workflows. Invest in an appropriate GPU based on your software requirements and budget.
The integrated versus dedicated decision ultimately comes down to your specific needs. Be honest about your actual use case, not aspirational scenarios. If you primarily browse the web and edit documents, there's no shame in saving money with integrated graphics—it's the sensible choice.