APU question about adding a GPU

[mjb1424]

With AMD's new APU I'm thinking about a budget htpc. If I were to add a GPU later on would those 8 or 11 vega cores go unused during everyday use? Everyday here being web browsing, media, gaming. Thanks in advance!

 

[James Mason]

yes, they would go unused. Which is exactly how they perform currently with Intel's CPUs as well that also have integrated graphics.
If it were a laptop, it would have the ability to switch between them to reduce power consumption, but not in a desktop.

 

[mjb1424]

so it would be best to have a dual display set up to be able to really utilize all the hardware in an APU + GPU set up?

 

[dontlistentome]

Ideally you'd buy an APU because the APU graphics are enough for your needs, thereby saving the money you'd ordinarily have to spend on a videocard.

With videocard prices so high right now, I can understand why someone would want to buy a Ryzen APU for now, then add a videocard later when prices come down. Once you add the card, the APU graphics will go unused.