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Question

Better Option - Onboard or PCI Express Video?

by Jan 31, 2014 12:55PM PST

I have an ASUS P8Z77-V LK mobo and am using an ATI Radeon HD 4600 Series video card. Am I better off using the iGPU or the Radeon card? Which is actually easier on the system? I have been using the card, but I always wonder if I would be better off with the iGPU. Thanks in advance for any answers to this question.

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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Answer
Depends
by Jan 31, 2014 9:16PM PST

It depends on what you're doing. For regular day to day tasks like web browsing, email, word processing, etc, it makes no real difference. If there's even a small amount of gaming involved, the actual video card will win hands down every time.

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Better Option - Onboard or PCI Express Video?
by jackce Feb 1, 2014 12:26AM PST

I do some Photoshop, AutoCAD and video creation/editing. But most of the time it is just web surfing and watching online videos.

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Vid slot card
by pgc3 Feb 1, 2014 12:50AM PST

As Jimmy said, it depends but for what you are doing I'd recommend a slot card. As to how hard it is on the system, that too depends on how the system is set up. One item that can be a critical is the PSU, if you are adding peripheral devices such as Vid or sound cards, you need a PSU sufficient to the task and maybe a bit beyond. I've always incorporated after market VID and sometimes sound cards to my builds but I always stuff in a pretty hefty PSU for good measure.

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Then the card
by Jimmy Greystone Feb 1, 2014 1:40AM PST

Then the card. Of course I'm considering you as part of the system, since if we're talking purely about the electronics aspect, it makes no real difference. If we include you as part of the system, the actual card will make a lot of those tasks more efficient so will result in less stress for you, which in turn leads to better overall health.

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Better Option - Onboard or PCI Express Video?
by jackce Feb 1, 2014 3:13AM PST

Ok, thanks Jimmy and PGC3. I guess I will stay with the card.

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Answer
Well what processor will you use?
by Feb 4, 2014 12:00AM PST

Intel has been working on power conservation back to their Sandy Bridge processor. The haswell is the best of the Intel at this. What it does is if the discrete isn't needed the processor is smart enough to use the onboard graphics rather then the discrete. Since you already have the card I would use it and if it's needed it will be used.

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Well what processor will you use?
by jackce Feb 4, 2014 2:26AM PST

i7 2600

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