The answer to this question is that motherboards don’t have integrated graphics. Integrated graphics are found on CPUs and not on motherboards. But why do people ask this question in the first place?
Keep reading because I will talk about the differences between integrated and dedicated graphics, why motherboards don’t have integrated graphics, and why people might think that they do.
Does my mobo has integrated graphics?
No, your motherboard does not have integrated graphics. Integrated graphics are found on CPUs and not on motherboards. Some really old motherboards did have integrated graphics, but nowadays, this is not common.
The Difference between Integrated Graphics and Dedicated Graphics
Integrated graphics are found on CPUs, and dedicated graphics are found on graphics cards. The main difference between these two types of graphics is that integrated graphics are less powerful than dedicated graphics. This doesn’t mean that integrated graphics are bad; it just means that they are not as powerful as dedicated graphics.
Another difference is the price. Dedicated graphics cards are usually more expensive than integrated graphics processors, so if you are on a tight budget, then integrated graphics might be a better option for you.
But if you plan to build your PC for gaming, then you should use a dedicated graphics card. However, integrated graphics will be fine if you are just using your computer for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing.
With that being said, there have been some decent integrated graphics processors in the last few years. In fact, the top AMD CPUs that use the Vega 8 integrated graphics card have better performance than some of the lower-end Nvidia graphics cards.
To prove my point, I have gathered some benchmark scores.
Here is a table with the benchmark scores of some popular integrated graphics processors vs some low-budget dedicated graphics cards.
GPU – iGPU Model | Benchmark Score |
---|---|
Radeon Ryzen 7 PRO 5750GE | 2,969 |
GeForce MX350 | 2,870 |
Radeon Ryzen 7 5700G | 2,837 |
Radeon Ryzen 5 PRO 5650GE | 2,693 |
GeForce GTX 465 | 2,679 |
Radeon Ryzen 7 4700GE | 2,662 |
GeForce GTX 850M | 2,603 |
Radeon Ryzen 5 5600G | 2,570 |
GeForce GTX 650 Ti | 2,555 |
GeForce GTX 950A | 2,539 |
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Can I use my motherboard without integrated graphics?
If you take a closer look at your motherboard’s rear I/O panel, you will see that there are some video output ports like DVI, VGA, and HDMI.
In order to use these ports, you need an integrated GPU. If your CPU does not have an integrated graphics card, then these ports will not work.
If you decide to buy a dedicated GPU, it will have its own ports, so the motherboard’s ports will not be used.
So, to sum up, yes, you can use your motherboard without integrated graphics. You will just need to buy a dedicated graphics card, but even with this card, you will not be able to use the motherboard’s ports.
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Why do people think motherboards have integrated graphics?
The reason why some people think motherboards have integrated graphics is that when they read the specs of a motherboard, they reach a section named “Onboard graphics.” This makes them think that the motherboard has its own integrated graphics processor.
However, this is not the case. The “Onboard Graphics” section in a motherboard’s specs refers to the ports that are available on the motherboard. These ports will only work if there is an integrated graphics processor on the motherboard. Without an integrated graphics processor, these ports will not work.
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Which CPUs come with iGPUs?
Not all processors come with an integrated graphics processor. Depending on the brand, there are some ways to know if a particular CPU has an iGPU or not.
AMD Processors with an iGPU
AMD’s processors that come with an integrated graphics processor are called APUs. APU stands for “Accelerated Processing Unit.” Which, in simple terms, means that the APU contains both a CPU and a graphics processor.
Most of AMD’s processors don’t come with an integrated graphics processor, but those that do have the letter “G” or “GE” at the end of the name. For example, both the Ryzen 3 5300G and the Ryzen 7 5700GE have an integrated graphics processor.
Related Article: Does Ryzen Have Integrated Graphics?
Most Powerful AMD APUs
- Ryzen 7 5700G
- Ryzen 7 5700GE
- Ryzen 5 5600G
- Ryzen 5 5600GE
- Ryzen 3 5300G
- Ryzen 3 5300GE
- Ryzen 5 4600G
- Ryzen 7 4700G
- Ryzen 7 Pro 4750G
Intel Processors with an iGPU
Things are completely the opposite when it comes to Intel CPUs. Most Intel processors come with an integrated graphics processor. The only exceptions are the CPUs that do have the letter “F” at the end of the name. For example, the Intel Core i5-8400F does not come with an integrated graphics processor.
In this essence, if you are looking to build a PC for everyday use, you should go for an Intel processor with an integrated graphics processor. This is because Intel has more models that come with an iGPU, so you will have more choices.
Most Powerful Intel Processors with an iGPU
- Intel Core i9 12900K
- Intel Core i7 12700K
- Intel Core i5 12600K
- Intel Core i9 11900K
- Intel Core i7 11700K
- Intel Core i5 11600K
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MotherBoard Integrated Graphics FAQ
How do I know if my motherboard has integrated graphics?
Because motherboards don’t have integrated graphics processors, there is no way to know that. The “Onboard Graphics” section in a motherboard’s specs refers to the ports that are available on the motherboard. These ports will only work if there is an integrated graphics processor on the motherboard. If you want to know if your CPU has an integrated graphics processor, you will need to check the manufacturer’s website.
Are integrated graphics on the motherboard or CPU?
Integrated graphics are on the CPU. Motherboards nowadays don’t come with iGPUs. You need to check your CPU to see if it has an IGP. You will need to buy a graphics card if it doesn’t.
Do AM4 motherboards have integrated graphics?
Like all other motherboards, AM4 motherboards do not have integrated graphics. You need to buy a CPU with an iGPU or buy a graphics card.
Can I use my motherboard without integrated graphics?
You can use your motherboard without integrated graphics, but you will need to buy a dedicated GPU. But keep in mind that the motherboard’s ports will not work if there is no integrated graphics processor on the motherboard, even with a graphics card.
Is Nvidia integrated or dedicated?
Nvidia is a dedicated graphics card. It is not integrated as it is not part of the CPU but an actual card that is installed in the PC.
Can I use my dedicated graphics card without using the motherboard’s ports?
Yes, if you have a dedicated graphics card, it comes with its own ports that you can use to connect your monitor. You don’t need the motherboard’s ports to use a graphics card.
Conclusion
I am pretty sure that now you know that motherboards don’t have integrated graphics processors, and you also know which CPUs come with an integrated graphics processor. If you are looking to build a PC for everyday use, you should probably go for an Intel processor with an integrated graphics processor. AMD processors don’t have many models that come with an iGPU, so your choices will be limited.
Thanks for reading!
Nick Ryley is a computer architect and the owner of The Pc Geekz.
His love for playing games got him interested in computers in the first place. He wanted to be able to build a gaming PC that could run all the latest games at max settings, and this has him pursuing a major in computer architecture!
He started this blog to help people out and answer some of the most common questions about computer building