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Integrated Graphics?

post #1 of 14
7/29/06 at 5:54am
Thread Starter 
What are integrated graphics? I was looking at a desktop and at you could order it pre-built with an integrated graphics card. Does that mean I can not change graphics cards, intrgrated does mean built in. This is what it says on the web site, (integrated NVIDIA GeForce 7300LE graphics with up 256MB shared video memory and TV out). Thank you for any help you may give.
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post #2 of 14
7/29/06 at 7:36am
Integrated graphics cards are graphics processors that utilize a portion of a computer's system RAM rather than dedicated graphics memory. They are cheaper than a dedicated gfx card but at a trade-off of being far less capable and are generally considered unfit to play modern games. Desktop motherboards may include an integrated graphics solution and have expansion slots available to add a dedicated graphics card later. Hope this helps
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post #3 of 14
7/29/06 at 3:38pm
only get integrated if you're absolutely sure you won't want to play any game more complex than solitaire and hearts..
or at least make sure there's a PCI-E slot available for a future video card upgrade. also remember to up your RAM, because the integrated video is gonna steal some of it..
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post #4 of 14
7/30/06 at 2:31am
Thread Starter 
So I might be able to upgrade the graphics card or I might not be able to? The desktop is a Hp media center, I was going to get it because I thought I could just upgrade the graphics so I could play my game. So what do I have to look for if I want to upgrade the graphics card? Thank you for any help you may give.
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post #5 of 14
7/30/06 at 2:36am
only the cheapest garbage made will not include a graphics expansion slot. Almost every single expansion slot based video card today is PCI-Express format, and a huge percentage of systems sold today come with PCI-e slot(s). so you do the math.

Integrated graphics are cheaper and slower. all there is to it. it means the maker saves money, and you MIGHT. if you want to ensure that system will support something, see if you can configure it with a different solution, say a GeForce 7600. If so, it's very unlikely it would come with a different mainboard, which should push your confidence towards 100% that you'd be fine starting with the integrated solution.

on the other hand, perhaps you could call and ask. sometimes people work at those companys

good luck
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post #6 of 14
7/30/06 at 5:04am
Thread Starter 
Thank you for your help,I am sorry if my question may of came off as stupid. But I dont really know all that much about computers, what I know I know from reading in these forums and the help people in them can give me.
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post #7 of 14
7/30/06 at 4:29pm
and that's why these forums exist

just make sure you actually open a display model and verify with your own eyes that there's a PCI-E slot inside. NEVER trust what the salesman tells you, believe it or not they're usually not doing things with your best interest in mind
Might want to look up some pictures of motherboards and maybe even print out a picture of what a PCI-E slot looks like.
If they won't let you open it up then tell them that's a pretty dumb way to lose a large sale...
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post #8 of 14
7/31/06 at 8:23am
nice sig
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post #9 of 14
7/31/06 at 9:53pm
Integrated graphics.....suck.....big......hairy......sweaty......sandwiches!!!

^^^ What did you think I was gonna type you dirty minded people!!??!!??!!??
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post #10 of 14
8/1/06 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory Banks
So I might be able to upgrade the graphics card or I might not be able to? The desktop is a Hp media center, I was going to get it because I thought I could just upgrade the graphics so I could play my game. So what do I have to look for if I want to upgrade the graphics card? Thank you for any help you may give.

The integrated gfx are actually part of the motherboard and not upgradeable. BUT, you will be able to add a GFX card for better computing so that you dont have to use the intagraded.

Sorry if thats confusing >.<
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post #11 of 14
8/2/06 at 2:41am
Thread Starter 
No problem, and you have been very helpful. But you are a bit right about the confusing part, what is a GFX card? Once again thank you for any help you may give.
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post #12 of 14
8/2/06 at 10:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory Banks
No problem, and you have been very helpful. But you are a bit right about the confusing part, what is a GFX card? Once again thank you for any help you may give.

GFX is short hand for Graphics.

So...the last statement but not short hand:
----------------
The integrated graphics are actually part of the motherboard and not upgradeable. BUT, you will be able to add a graphics card for better computing so that you dont have to use the intagrated.
----------------
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post #13 of 14
8/2/06 at 10:53am
with ATi producing chipset logic, and with ATi now a part of AMD, I'd look for some killer integration in the future. i.e., integrated graphics that DON'T suck, with performace-per-dollar approaching add-in cards. It'll never be the same, of course, because that would slaughter the OEM and graphics processor supply market
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post #14 of 14
8/2/06 at 11:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vincent Vega
with ATi producing chipset logic, and with ATi now a part of AMD, I'd look for some killer integration in the future. i.e., integrated graphics that DON'T suck, with performace-per-dollar approaching add-in cards. It'll never be the same, of course, because that would slaughter the OEM and graphics processor supply market

It would be really hard to keep at a decent tempurature I would think too. At least for newer gaming gfx.
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