Integrated graphics are a GPU built into the same chip package as the CPU that uses shared system RAM, while dedicated (discrete) graphics are a separate card or chip with its own GPU, memory, and cooling.
Why it matters
Integrated graphics are cheaper, use less power, and produce less heat, which suits office work, video playback, and light gaming. Dedicated graphics deliver far higher performance for modern games, 3D work, video editing, and machine learning, at the cost of price, power draw, and size. Because an integrated GPU shares system memory, faster RAM in dual-channel mode can noticeably improve its speed.
Many laptops combine both. The system switches to the integrated GPU to save battery and uses the dedicated one for demanding apps.
Example
A thin office laptop with integrated graphics can drive two external monitors and play 4K video comfortably. The same machine may manage a few older games at low settings. A desktop with a dedicated card can run recent games at high settings, but needs a suitable power supply and a free PCIe slot.
Common mistakes
- Running only one RAM stick and cutting integrated GPU performance.
- Plugging the monitor into the motherboard port when a dedicated card is installed, which uses the integrated GPU.
- Assuming a laptop automatically uses its dedicated GPU for every program.
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