Should I use integrated graphics or video card?

[amdubay]

Hi all,

My question is whether I should keep using integrated graphics, and return a recently purchased graphics card. or should I keep the card, or should I return and get a better card?

Unfortunately I am going by 'feel' as I did not conduct benchmark tests before installing new card, but it seems like I got better performance from the integrated graphics before installing the new card. The problem is I want to run 3 monitors, which the integrated setup can't do.
As far as better performance, the new card doesn't perform any better or worse, at least significantly, although it seems like programs are having small glitches that I don't recall having before. One example is when I use Adobe Dreamweaver, occasionally, the liveview will not reflect a change I may make in the code, and I have to save, close and reopen dreamweaver, and it fixes. -Not sure if GPU even handles 2D applications?

Games run great, no complaints.

The one FAILURE is when 3D rendering in photoshop. This is the only 'benchmark' I have. When I was using the integrated, my system rendered a semi-complex logo in about 1 minute. But now, with the new graphics card, just rendering 3D text saying "test" took 15 minutes.

So what should I do? Another option is to get rid of the new card and switch back to integrated, and add a USB adapter for the 3rd monitor. The 3rd monitor is really only necessary so I can look at different code snippets online, or other sources while I have D.W. liveview on 1 full screen, and then the code editor and css designer on a 2nd.

Gaming is not a high priorty, I don't play games often, but it would be nice to have the ability to play across 3 monitors if I had the option.

Here's the details:


I have a HP Envy 700-216 computer
http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c04079597

Full specs at link above, helpful specs for question:

Processor:
AMD A10 6700
Speed: Up to 3.7GHz (up to 4.3GHz turbo)
# of cores: 4
Socket: FM2
Memory: 12GB Ram
Video=Integrated, and HP specifies that Integrated video is not available if a dedicated graphics card is installed.

I have upgraded PSU to 650W (Can't remember brand) Bronze Certified.

I just installed a graphics card XFX R7 650X 2GB Dual fan card. (Unfortunately specifics are at home) but these links are pretty much inline with the specs I remember

http://www.futuremark.com/hardware/gpu/AMD+Radeon+R7+260X/review

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Double-2XDVI-Graphics-Cards/dp/B00FSC5LW2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1441979430&sr=8-4&keywords=XFX+-+Radeon+R7+260


Thank you,


Update---

Hi all, I'm at work now and can't answer everyone. I Do have the monitors plugged into the graphics card... But I have not messed with bios or previous drivers.. I'll attempt and report back

 

[ak47jar3d]

The gtx 650 should be much better than integrated graphics. It's possible that the card is defective. Ibwould consider RMAing the card if possible.

 

[johnnyb105]

Try some free benchmarks first that card isn't a r 7 but a NVidia card also go into the bios and disable onboard gpu may be called something like igp but disable it and run your benchmarks before you move forward.

 

[ZENprime]

XFX 260x has much more performance than the A10 integrated graphics

By the way you have to connect your monitor's cable to the XFX 260x ports , not the motherboard's ports

For the Dreamweaver it seems to be a problem with the program itself , not the card

However in photoshop that seems to be a problem with the graphics card

Did you remove your old driver ?

Use DDU to remove old drivers :
http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html

Remove the old AMD drivers and download the latest from here :
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download
Use the manual method ( 260x is a desktop card )

What else do you have problem with ?
Have you disabled integrated graphics in the bios ( if you have that option )

 

[Wisecracker]

AMD and Adobe (and Apple) are in cahoots pushing OpenCL/GL GPU compute on APUs.

That said, the discreet Radeon card (with 3X the 'CUs') when properly configured should whup the APU HD 8670D.

 

[amdubay]

XFX 260x has much more performance than the A10 integrated graphics

By the way you have to connect your monitor's cable to the XFX 260x ports , not the motherboard's ports

For the Dreamweaver it seems to be a problem with the program itself , not the card

However in photoshop that seems to be a problem with the graphics card

Did you remove your old driver ?

Use DDU to remove old drivers :
http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/display-driver-uninstaller-download.html

Remove the old AMD drivers and download the latest from here :
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download
Use the manual method ( 260x is a desktop card )

What else do you have problem with ?
Have you disabled integrated graphics in the bios ( if you have that option )

Removing the old drivers did the trick. Thank you!

 

[amdubay]

The gtx 650 should be much better than integrated graphics. It's possible that the card is defective. Ibwould consider RMAing the card if possible.

Sorry to be a noob, but what does RMAing mean? I've tried googling before asking and there are mixed results. The most logical thing that I found is that RMAing means to return the device to the store for a refund?

An answer would be greatly appreciated, since I see this RMAing recommendation all over forums.

Thank you,

 

[ZENprime]

The gtx 650 should be much better than integrated graphics. It's possible that the card is defective. Ibwould consider RMAing the card if possible.

Sorry to be a noob, but what does RMAing mean? I've tried googling before asking and there are mixed results. The most logical thing that I found is that RMAing means to return the device to the store for a refund?

An answer would be greatly appreciated, since I see this RMAing recommendation all over forums.

Thank you,

It's the process of returning the card to it's manufacturer directly ( skipping warranty ) , you would need to contact the manufacturer directly before doing any thing , ask them for RMA in your country , they might accept it and give you an address to ship your item to , or they might refuse and redirect you to the warranty office in your country
It depends on which country you live and if the manufacturer can accept RMA from that country