Using an APU with dedicated graphics card

[kev0]

This is my part list so far and I’ve started to read about the usage of APUs and dedicated graphics cards. This is starting to make me think twice about buying an APU such as the Ryzen 3 3200g to use with the RX 570. Would like help with picking a new processor if using an APU is not a good choice.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$124.99 @ Amazon Canada
Motherboard	ASRock - B450M-HDV Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$66.77 @ Vuugo
Memory	G.Skill - Aegis 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$25.00
Storage	Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	Purchased For $0.00
Video Card	MSI - Radeon RX 570 8 GB ARMOR OC Video Card	$199.99 @ Newegg Canada
Case	Thermaltake - Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case	$44.99 @ Amazon Canada
Power Supply	Enermax - MaxTytan 800 W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	Purchased For $0.00
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit	Purchased For $0.00
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$486.74
	Mail-in rebates	-$25.00
	Total	$461.74
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-26 15:39 EST-0500

 

[Fasauceome]

The APU is fine, you can just opt out of using the integrated graphics by putting your video cable into the graphics card (which you would do anyway)

[Guest]

1 minute ago, fasauceome said:

The APU is fine, you can just opt out of using the integrated graphics by putting your video cable into the graphics card (which you would do anyway)

Unless I'm dumb you have to disable the APU manually in the BIOS.

[Admiral Koba]

For the price - the APU is likely your best option. There is no issue with using a discrete graphics card with an APU. Most Intel CPUs also come with integrated graphics and discrete graphics cards are used instead in several cases. You're fine.

[Fasauceome]

Just now, ears_ears said:

Unless I'm dumb you have to disable the APU manually in the BIOS.

Nope, but you may need to change the default video source.

[pstarlord]

23 minutes ago, kev0 said:

This is my part list so far and I’ve started to read about the usage of APUs and dedicated graphics cards. This is starting to make me think twice about buying an APU such as the Ryzen 3 3200g to use with the RX 570. Would like help with picking a new processor if using an APU is not a good choice.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor	$124.99 @ Amazon Canada
Motherboard	ASRock - B450M-HDV Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard	$66.77 @ Vuugo
Memory	G.Skill - Aegis 8 GB (1 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory	$25.00
Storage	Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive	Purchased For $0.00
Video Card	MSI - Radeon RX 570 8 GB ARMOR OC Video Card	$199.99 @ Newegg Canada
Case	Thermaltake - Versa H15 MicroATX Mid Tower Case	$44.99 @ Amazon Canada
Power Supply	Enermax - MaxTytan 800 W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply	Purchased For $0.00
Operating System	Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit	Purchased For $0.00
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total (before mail-in rebates)	$486.74
	Mail-in rebates	-$25.00
	Total	$461.74
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-12-26 15:39 EST-0500

 

 

For that price, that's a great build with a very easy upgrade path down the line.  That motherboard supports a variety of upgrade options at CPU if you want to down the line.  You can always find a second stick of the same RAM to add dual channel.   I'd really try to add a small SSD to the build, just as a boot drive for Windows and other programs.  it'll make your overall experience a bit smoother.  

 

As for the APU, it's been said, but you don't NEED to use its integrated graphics.  It is great to have though if you ever need to trouble shoot your graphics card.