Some Questions About Integrated Graphics & Dedicated Graphics.

[DumbFounded]

Hello, I am a newbie at tech and wanted some knowledge about graphic cards.

 

I have been wanting to buy a graphics card with a similar bench/strength as my integrated graphics, but I am unsure if it's good to buy one. My current GPU processor is an Intel UHD 630 (Integrated) with a 10th gen i5 CPU processor (if that's relevant to anything) and a 200w PSU. I know it's not much, but I am looking for a slight boost on the graphics side, and my PC has a PCIE 16x slot, which I'm thinking of filling with something similar strength as a UHD 630.

 

Questions:

1. What's the difference between Integrated and Dedicated? (Clearing up some confusion)

1. Is buying dedicated graphics with similar (or almost similar) benches as an integrated better?

2. Can you suggest a LOW PROFILE graphics card that is better than my integrated but limited to my system specs? (I am eyeing a GT 730 if that's better than a UHD 630)

3. Is there a useful website to compare graphics card benches? (just for helpful reference in the future)

 

Thanks if anyone answers!

[YoungBlade]

1. Integrated graphics refers to graphics that are integrated into another part, such as graphics integrated into the CPU (which you have) or graphics integrated into the motherboard (which was common in the past, but is now typically only done with server or workstation hardware, because the CPUs tend to lack integrated graphics).

 

1. If the graphics card performs the same as your current integrated graphics, it will not be better. And I wouldn't recommend getting a card that weak, although it's easier said than done with an Intel UHD solution - almost anything is better than that.

 

2. Do not get any of the old GT 7X0 cards. They are all terrible. Many are worse than your current graphics. If you need something that is both low profile and dirt cheap, my recommendation would be to spend <$20 on a Quadro K620 on eBay. It performs about as well as a GT 1030, but costs as much as an evening movie ticket, because there are so many workstations that are being gutted for parts and resold on eBay. It is also actually Maxwell based (900 series) in spite of its name, so it still gets driver updates to this day, whereas no GT 7X0 cards are currently supported by Nvidia.

 

3. TechPowerUp is the best website source. You can see their relative performance chart with dedicated graphics cards that shows the percent scaling. Here's a snapshot for the K620 for you to compare, as you can see, it's within 10% of the GT 1030 while costing way less.

 

 

If you have the time, a better way to gauge performance is by looking at dedicated reviews from sites like TechSpot, TechPowerUp, and Tom's Hardware, or by looking at reviews on YouTube from sources like Gamers Nexus, Hardware Unboxed, Hardware Canucks, LTT, and Optimum Tech - the data there should be more up-to-date and they can give recommendations based on their experience.

[SupaKomputa]

9 minutes ago, DumbFounded said:

Is buying dedicated graphics with similar (or almost similar) benches as an integrated better?

No. there's no point on having the same performance, other than additional ports, it won't add up to the total processing power.

 

You better buy a used RX580, it's $50 on ebay.

[YoungBlade]

1 minute ago, SupaKomputa said:

No. there's no point on having the same performance, other than additional ports, it won't add up to the total processing power.

 

You better buy a used RX580, it's $50 on ebay.

That's a great price for the level of performance if the OP has a PSU that can handle it and enough space in the case. However, they did ask specifically for a low profile recommendation. Unfortunately, GTX 1050/1050 Ti LP pricing is absolutely absurd - over $100 - and the GT 1030 is $60+, and RX 560 LP cards are over $80 after shipping.

[porina]

Low profile, 200W PSU, sounds like one of those compact desktops. Options will be limited as there wont be separate power available. Highest performance will be 1650 but they're not cheap.