Whats the need for Intergrated Graphics again?

[ksec]

Previously, from a Energy / Green perspective, we wanted a low power GPU that is enough for everyday uses such as Web Browsing, Word Processing and playing video etc... None of these requires powerful GPUs.

Now that Nvidia and AMD have both gotten their top end card to idle at 15W and Long Idle at 3W. A possibly even lower in Mobile variant, wouldn't it make more sense for everyone to get a GPU instead of iGPU?

We could save those iGPU die space for more CPU improvements.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Integrated graphics are cheaper than a MB without and a comparable graphics card period.

 

[BrightCandle]

An integrated GPU can also potentially use less power as it has its own source of nice clean voltage and current (as provided to the CPU package) and has a hotline to RAM to go with it.

It isn't about performance just yet, but its rapidly heading towards being a coprocessor for massively parallel computation with openCL.

 

[maddie]

Actually, that raises an interesting question.

What about the people who need AND want minimal graphics power (no gaming). Will they be able to buy a powerful CPU with a low end integrated GPU, or will they be forced to buy one with a powerful graphics unit?

 

[Ferzerp]

Actually, that raises an interesting question.

I would like to commend you for your proper usage and understanding that begs the question does not mean the same thing as raises the question.

I salute you sir or madam.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Previously, from a Energy / Green perspective, we wanted a low power GPU that is enough for everyday uses such as Web Browsing, Word Processing and playing video etc... None of these requires powerful GPUs.

Now that Nvidia and AMD have both gotten their top end card to idle at 15W and Long Idle at 3W. A possibly even lower in Mobile variant, wouldn't it make more sense for everyone to get a GPU instead of iGPU?

We could save those iGPU die space for more CPU improvements.

Like what CPU improvements? More cores to do nothing with?

And 15W is alot. Really alot. Try check what the iGPU on Intel and AMD uses at idle and load. You be surprised and instantly aware that discrete GFX cards is chanceless. Not to mention heavy guzzlers.

Next there is the cost, manufactoring wise it cost a few $ at best to make the iGPUs for Intel atleast when R&D is excluded. A discrete card is alot more expensive. Not to mention size for logistics, integration, noise with its extra fan. More components to fail.

Discrete GFX cards is only useful for one thing only. High performance. Everything else they suck at.

 

[blastingcap]

Imagine using IGP or GPUs embedded in CPUs (APUs) for hardware accelerated physics via OpenCL.

 

[sandorski]

Integrated Graphics are a nice backup in case a card dies or maybe a system is relegated to menial tasks where Graphics are only needed on occasion.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Integrated Graphics are a nice backup in case a card dies or maybe a system is relegated to menial tasks where Graphics are only needed on occasion.

IGPs are more than plenty for everthing but gaming. Remove gaming for whatever reason, and the need for discrete GFX cards are gone.

 

[blastingcap]

IGPs are more than plenty for everthing but gaming. Remove gaming for whatever reason, and the need for discrete GFX cards are gone.

Most IGP incapable of more than 1920x1200. Important to have gfx card for higher resolutions.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Onboard graphics while a joke for most actually are ok depending on model for older games.

I have a hp pavilion dm4 with a i5 and hd3000 and it outgamed one of my first gaming pcs back in 2007 with a e6750 and a 6200le by like 5x....to me for a notebook that is excellent and heck i can play BF2 at 1366x768 medium with 80+ fps ....but there is only few people still into classic games so maybe this post won't go no where.

But when i go on vacation or somewhere at least i got a older game notebook.

 

[Kartajan]

another perspective is look at space constraints in laptops/ netbooks/ nettops. The addition of a discrete GPU from that point of view adds additional power, cooling, space requirements that may not fit in the planned TDP and physical space constraints. And if mom/ grandma/ super portable 3rd computer user just needs basic web access and not much else, why make those concessions? Not to mention that although IDLE power has made great strides, load power is still up there. How many of those video cards that you are referring to run on ONLY PCIe power without an additional PSU plug?

 

[ShintaiDK]

Most IGP incapable of more than 1920x1200. Important to have gfx card for higher resolutions.

Like what IGP? We use IGPs at work for 1920*1200 as well. Works fine.

 

[Ben90]

Most IGP incapable of more than 1920x1200. Important to have gfx card for higher resolutions.

Heh, Ivy does better than a GTX 580 in this regard

 

[Don Karnage]

HD 4000 isn't half bad. HD 5000 should be downright decent

 

[iCyborg]

Like what IGP? We use IGPs at work for 1920*1200 as well. Works fine.

We have AMD 4250 IGP running 1440p just fine for 2D, could probably run another monitor in extended mode. And that's slower than HD2000.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

I second the op. but intels reasons are
Backup
Virtu
Masses
Amd

 

[ShintaiDK]

We have AMD 4250 IGP running 1440p just fine for 2D, could probably run another monitor in extended mode. And that's slower than HD2000.

Yep, I dont think he knew what he was talking about.

 

[blastingcap]

Like what IGP? We use IGPs at work for 1920*1200 as well. Works fine.

Yep, I dont think he knew what he was talking about.

Well aren't you just Mr. Charming? Join date April 2012, 223 posts to boot. I suggest you learn some manners if you want to last long here. I also suggest you actually read my post before commenting with irrelevant stuff (seriously? commenting about 1920x1200 when I specifically said HIGHER than that resolution??). Newer IGPs may be able to power 30" monitors, but certainly not all, and not all mobos can output that high anyway. In which case a discrete card would be useful.

 

[beginner99]

I don't see the point in powerful iGPU. It should do 2d and video acceleration and maybe transcode and thats it. Usually enough for 90% of users and anyone else can go discrete. As someone said, discrete is only needed for gaming (or workstation usage).

 

[aaksheytalwar]

A $350 CPU doesn't need onboard gpu though, one could go $300 on the CPU with $50 gpu for argument sake

 

[iCyborg]

Newer IGPs may be able to power 30" monitors, but certainly not all, and not all mobos can output that high anyway. In which case a discrete card would be useful.

You'd be hard pressed to find a newer MB that doesn't have DL-DVI. I remember that even old crappy IGPs from P4 based Celeron MBs could run 1920x1200 easily at 2d. Heck, GeForce 2MX could run 2048x1536 @ 75Hz. So, GPU power-wise, there's no problem running 30" with 2D for any new IGP.

 

[blastingcap]

You'd be hard pressed to find a newer MB that doesn't have DL-DVI. I remember that even old crappy IGPs from P4 based Celeron MBs could run 1920x1200 easily at 2d. Heck, GeForce 2MX could run 2048x1536 @ 75Hz. So, GPU power-wise, there's no problem running 30" with 2D for any new IGP.

Most normal people do not upgrade their PCs as fast and as furiously as gamers. I know people who are still using Pentium II's even though they could afford way better. People who haven't upgraded their PCs in many years number in the millions. If even some of them occasionally upgrade their systems with discrete graphics cards (maybe to play back movies or whatever, not just for their new 2560xYYYY monitor), there will continue to be a market for discrete gfx cards for quite a while.

By the way, dual link DVI-D is only needed for resolutions past 1920x1200, I have no idea why you and the other guy keep harping on 1920x1200 as if it required dual link.

 

[Pneumothorax]

What I really want though is what I have in my MacBook pro. I can turn the discrete gpu on/off at will and only use the hd3000 when I'm not gaming. I would love to see this Ina desktop setup.

 

[ShintaiDK]

Well aren't you just Mr. Charming? Join date April 2012, 223 posts to boot. I suggest you learn some manners if you want to last long here. I also suggest you actually read my post before commenting with irrelevant stuff (seriously? commenting about 1920x1200 when I specifically said HIGHER than that resolution??). Newer IGPs may be able to power 30" monitors, but certainly not all, and not all mobos can output that high anyway. In which case a discrete card would be useful.

Even 4 series old IGP supports a 30 at 2560*1600.