When you're buying a new desktop computer, what are the pros and cons of having an integrated video card?

Answer 1

The problem is limitation. Most onboard video chipsets are poor to marginal quality and usually limit the maximum amount of video memory to 128MB or less. Another drawback is this memory is from your available RAM. If you buy a system with 512MB RAM and the video ship uses 128MB, you really only have 384MB actual usable RAM. Usually, onboard video is cheaper, though. If money is a big issue, and it usually is, go for a system with the most RAM you can afford and onboard video. Just be sure that it has an open PCI-Express X16 slot . That way, you can upgrade it as finances allow. I know the base Gateways (like the DX110S) have this, many more probably do, too. Just ask. Feel free to email me from my 360 page if you have any more questions.

Answer 2

The advantage is the t it's one less component to think about :D
Actually onboard vid cards are not that great except in office situations where they don't really matter and cheep is all you're after. If on the other hand you want more than an ocasional movie out of the PC you have to think about a dedicated video card.
For example you want to play SUMDUM-GAME. And this game needs 32 megs of video memory and 256 MB o RAM. With an onboard vid card you will probably have between 8 - 128 megs(usually you can choose how much) of memory. But that memory will be actually ram shared as video memory. So in fact you would need 256+32 megs of ram.
This is just an example and you can always buy more ram but the ram will always be slowed down by having to be split and the processor will have to work as CPU and GPU.

conclusion if you buy cheep stuff you get (well nothing actually but because it rymes better i'll say you get) cheep stuff

Hope it helps

Answer 3

It all depends on you. I've worked with computers for nearly 5 years and have been asked this question at least 40 times.

PROS:
Cheaper
Easier to install (b/c you don't have to)
Usually does the job

CONS:
Virtually Impossible to repair if it burns out
Graphics are not as good
Not as many options

I reccomend integrated if this is a PC for office use or recreational use because it makes things easier. On the other hand if this will be used for gaming or watching DVDs I reccomend a non-integrated video card

By the way always use a video card that is AGP, never buy a PCI its no better than the integrated as far as graphics go.

Charles Terrry,
CEO Desktop Solutions

Answer 4

Do not buy an internal video card!!!!!!!!! These cards are inferior to cards that you would put into your computer at Best Buy and once the card is integrated into your new desktop computer, you cannot take it out and replace it with a new card! Just buy a cheap video card that is not embedded into your motherboard so that you can make upgrades when the time comes.

Answer 5

If you are just doing word processing and basic things that dont tax the system to much, than an integrated card should work just fine. If you go with an integrated card, it will save you money. If you are doing something that requires alot of graphics processing like 3D design and animation or if you play high end video games then it would be better to get a seperate card but it will cost you more.

Answer 6

Advantages: no configuring, no extra cost, etc. Mostly the things already mentioned.
Disadvantages: integrated video card goes out, it can damage other parts of the motherboard. Also, if you buy a new video card to replace it, you'll have to go to the hassle of disabling the old card (which from personal experience doesn't always work as planned). I won't say it's better to get one over the other. I'll say if you have problems, integrated video often makes them worse. Otherwise, they're great.

Answer 7

Well, for starters, you do not have to buy your own video card and install it. But then, you wouldn't have a choice on which video card to put in it. Usually, integrated video cards are cheaper than if you buy it yourself because the same computer company would have given you a "factory-direct" price instead of having some other store jack up the price so they can make a profit.

Answer 8

I have a Compaq SR1750NX Which ran me $600 about 6 months ago... It has the new ATI 200 Xpress Intergrated video in it. It's about the same as the ATI 300.

The difference between Intergrated and a true video card is as nite and day. While intergrated (new ones) are o.k. a true video card is the way to go. I can play most games. Everquest2, Tycoons , etc, but Really intense games like Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic I, II I can't they play in slow motion, because of the shodows. Intergratred grphics can not render Shadows worth a damn. I have 1 gig of Ram but only using 958, because it is sharing my ram which is also a down side to it. I could go on but make sure you get a true video card, if you play old games and whatch DVD's your fine with intergrated, but Intergrated graphics from 2 years ago or older is not something I want to run. The new ATI 200 Xpress is the best intergrated graphics I have found. But limits the games I can play, but play alot of games fine with close to 100 FPS, as in a intel graphics in my old computer of 3 years ago only gets like 10FPS in the same game.( Empire Earth.)

Answer 9

PROS:
- Cheap
- Uses no expansion slots

CONS:
- Cannot remove it
- Upgrade will take an expansion slot
- If it dies, you may need to either replace the Mother Board or Buy a new card that goes in a slot

Unless you are doing high end gaming or Video editing a built-in one is probably fine.

Answer 10

If you are not a gamer, then a built in card is great, saves a lot of money, and works just fine. Just up the memory.