If my computer uses integrated graphics, can I still add a graphics card?

[Clifton Peck]

I recently bought a computer which uses integrated graphics, which apparently can't run games very well. Basically, I want to buy and install a new graphics card, but I want to know how this will effect my integrated graphics. Do I need to remove the integrated thing, or can I just add the graphics card? I get very poor framerates on games but otherwise it doesn't lag at all. Here's some pictures of the computer's specs.

http://i.gyazo.com/088e0ee252987dca1066313e334c3776.png
http://i.gyazo.com/587fac269eeb0a499d398c6961d9cefc.png
http://i.gyazo.com/a85389705bb3b09da4b0033c02238379.png

 

[JimF_35]

If you have an AMD APU then you can Crossfire with another AMD GPU.

It looks like you have Intel so no. I think you can however set the GPU up as a PhisX GPU if you get a NVidia but no SLI.

 

[JimF_35]

Correction. You can not PhysX the Intel GPU sorry....

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/364556-31-intel-graphics-dedicated-physics-processor

 

[Clifton Peck]

If you have an AMD APU then you can Crossfire with another AMD GPU.

It looks like you have Intel so no. I think you can however set the GPU up as a PhisX GPU if you get a NVidia but no SLI.

This sounds promising, but I have no idea what it means.

 

[Clifton Peck]

I'm not experienced at all with modifying computers. Basically I just want to know if buying a dedicated graphics card will be worth it or not.

 

[JimF_35]

SLI allows two Nvidia Graphics cards to share the workload give you almost twice the speed. Crossfire allows two AMD graphics cards to share the workload giving you almost twice the speed. Nvidia PhysX allows you to off load the physics processing to another card giving you a little more speed in physic intensive games.

Simply speaking, it allows you to have more than one graphics card.

Back to your original question. "Can you add another graphics card?" Yes but the onboard graphics in your CPU will be turned off. It will replace your CPU's GPU not add to it.

I hope this helps.

 

[Clifton Peck]

SLI allows two Nvidia Graphics cards to share the workload give you almost twice the speed. Crossfire allows two AMD graphics cards to share the workload giving you almost twice the speed. Nvidia PhysX allows you to off load the physics processing to another card giving you a little more speed in physic intensive games.

Simply speaking, it allows you to have more than one graphics card.

Back to your original question. "Can you add another graphics card?" Yes but the onboard graphics in your CPU will be turned off. It will replace your CPU's GPU not add to it.

I hope this helps.

Is it possible for me to get "SLI"? Also if I get a dedicated card will it be a net gain in performance, or will I just replace my CPU's GPU and be back where I started with a slow computer?

 

[JimF_35]

SLI allows two Nvidia Graphics cards to share the workload give you almost twice the speed. Crossfire allows two AMD graphics cards to share the workload giving you almost twice the speed. Nvidia PhysX allows you to off load the physics processing to another card giving you a little more speed in physic intensive games.

Simply speaking, it allows you to have more than one graphics card.

Back to your original question. "Can you add another graphics card?" Yes but the onboard graphics in your CPU will be turned off. It will replace your CPU's GPU not add to it.

I hope this helps.

Is it possible for me to get "SLI"? Also if I get a dedicated card will it be a net gain in performance, or will I just replace my CPU's GPU and be back where I started with a slow computer?

Depends if your mother board supports SLI or Crossfire. Not all mother boards do. What is the make and model of your motherboard?

or will I just replace my CPU's GPU and be back where I started with a slow computer?

If you get a slower card then yes. How do you define a slow computer though? GPUs give you more frames per second but not more CPU power. What is slow on your computer, loading games and files, browsing the internet, rendering videos or what?

 

[jerdle]

How much improvement you get depends on what kind of graphics card you buy. Almost any GPU will be better than integrated graphics. In order to give you an idea of what GPU to buy, we need to know how much $ you have to spend, and additionally, we need to know what kind of power supply you have.

 

[Clifton Peck]

Depends if your mother board supports SLI or Crossfire. Not all mother boards do. What is the make and model of your motherboard?

I'm not sure how to check

If you get a slower card then yes. How do you define a slow computer though? GPUs give you more frames per second but not more CPU power. What is slow on your computer, loading games and files, browsing the internet, rendering videos or what?

Rendering videos and browsing the internet the computer runs perfectly, amazingly fast. I can play some games like Civilization 5 and CS:GO at 60 fps consistently but on some games, mostly older games like titans quest, the game lags horribly. I have to reduce the resolution and graphics settings just to be able to play at all.

 

[Clifton Peck]

How much improvement you get depends on what kind of graphics card you buy. Almost any GPU will be better than integrated graphics. In order to give you an idea of what GPU to buy, we need to know how much $ you have to spend, and additionally, we need to know what kind of power supply you have.

I'm not sure what kind of power supply I have or how to check. I'd like to stay around the ~$100 range considering I bought the computer for $800. Any specific cards you'd recommend?

 

[JimF_35]

How much improvement you get depends on what kind of graphics card you buy. Almost any GPU will be better than integrated graphics. In order to give you an idea of what GPU to buy, we need to know how much $ you have to spend, and additionally, we need to know what kind of power supply you have.

I'm not sure what kind of power supply I have or how to check. I'd like to stay around the ~$100 range considering I bought the computer for $800. Any specific cards you'd recommend?

Open your case and look at the label on the side. It should tell you the wattage at least. Also the maker should be there too.