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Discrete vs integrated graphics

post #1 of 8
1/10/09 at 1:39am
Thread Starter 
Hi, this is my first post on this forum.

I've searched extensively in this forum and on the web for an answer to my question but I failed. How can I know if a graphics card is discrete or integrated ? I am interested in buying a Toshiba that has the "ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470" graphics card, and it took me a while to finally find that it is a discrete card (I think, I am not even sure).

Are there any indications when I look at the description of a notebook that would tell me if a card is discrete or integrated ?

Thank you !

Patrick
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post #2 of 8
1/10/09 at 1:59am
a discrete graphics card will list how much dedicated video RAM it has in its description. Integrated graphics will include the phrase "up to" when describing the amount of memory they can allocate. For a complete list of all different video card types, look here: www.notebookcheck.net
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post #3 of 8
1/10/09 at 4:08pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you very much, it's exactly what i was looking for !

Patrick
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post #4 of 8
1/10/09 at 6:58pm
Apparently you need to hone your interweb skills a bit. Drop 'ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3470' into google to find out lots of stuff about it...
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post #5 of 8
1/10/09 at 7:57pm
The way I tell is usually through experience. Just looking at the number in the name of the card usually tells the story. If the digit is '3' or lower it might just be integrated (however integrated is usually '1' I think). This would merit a search online for me instead of just my assumptions. Also, Intel as far as I know, doesn't make discrete cards.
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post #6 of 8
1/11/09 at 8:08pm
Generally speaking, when thinking of discrete or integrated in terms of graphics for laptops you're thinking of weather or not there is a seperate chip for graphics, or is it integrated with the core-logic on the motherboard. Any Intel system listed with nVidia or ATi graphics will have a discrete GPU on the motherboard. With an AMD notebook ATi graphics could be integrated while nvidia would always be discrete.
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post #7 of 8
1/12/09 at 1:00pm
Personally, I call a card integrated if it doesn't have any VRAM. Nvidia releases cards marketed as integrated although they are a separate chip. I think Intel IGP's are separate chips as well.
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post #8 of 8
1/12/09 at 3:19pm
Intel's IGPs are part of the motherboard core-logic. Hence why they are called Integrated Graphics Proccesor. They sit on the same die as the Memory controller and all the other goodies on the Northbridge.
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