Do I need a dedicated graphics card? (2024)

David P. Moore Member Posts: 610 ✭✭

August 2015

Mikael S Member Posts: 48

August 2015

What is the monitor interface? DVI or VGA? I would suppose discrete graphics cards with both VGA and DVI connectors are getting hard to find and/or expensive, although I haven't checked that's only what I suppose. So having both interfaces in the discrete card would be an unnecessary expense if You would need a new monitor soon anyway. Can that specific motherboard use on-board graphics until November and then adding the discrete (i.e. dedicated) graphics in November? That's my suggestion. In my experience good on-board graphics is OK, not perfect but excellent graphics is expensive and the refresh rate of Your old monitor may not be better than 5 ms which limits performance (although just very slightly).

translatio-princpld...
10 Bibls..Supporting the cause of the right for data

Deacon Steve Member Posts: 1,609

August 2015

Although Logos works fine with integrated graphics, I think the motherboard you are describing is built with the Intel Z97 chipset. That chipset does not have integrated graphics. You probably need to buy a graphics card regardless.

Make sure you look everything up and get the details sorted out beforehand.

[:)]

August 2015

Michael Sullivan Member Posts: 87

August 2015

Thanks for all the feed back. The z97 "mobo" I ordered does not have dedicated graphics. It relies on the processor (which has Intel's HD 4600 graphics built into it). The mobo does have vga, dvi and hdmi ports.

My current monitor uses a VGA port.

I do have a 2009 ATI Radeon HD4650 1gb (DDR2) discrete graphics card that I was using with my old system. Would this improve on the dedicated graphics (Intel's 4600) built into the processor?

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :) MVP Posts: 23,115

August 2015

I do have a 2009 ATI Radeon HD4650 1gb (DDR2) discrete graphics card that I was using with my old system. Would this improve on the dedicated graphics (Intel's 4600) built into the processor?

Intel 4600 benchmark is 718 on mid range chart=>http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/mid_range_gpus.html

Radeon HD 4650 is 342 on low end graphics =>http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/midlow_range_gpus.html

Graphics Price / Performance =>http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_value.html

#1 GeForce GTX 750 ($ 74.99) benchmark is 3,246 that is # 72 on high end list

#3 GeForce GTX 750 Ti ($ 109.99) benchmark is 3,686 that is # 61 on high end list

The 750 graphics use relatively low power (and associated heat).

High end benchmark list=>http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

Keep Smiling [:)]

August 2015

FWIW, Win 10 is said to favor AMD over Nvidia. Something to consider although I'm not sure that will be true once some software changes get lined up.

Mark Barnes Member Posts: 15,432 ✭✭✭

August 2015

You certainly don't need a dedicated graphics card, and in Logos I doubt you'd notice the difference between having one and not having one with your components. You might notice a small difference if you had a slow CPU, low RAM, 4k or a multiple monitor set up — but with those components, I doubt you'll see a difference.

You're much more likely to notice a difference in photo/video editing, but only if you're using professional software that supports GPU acceleration (e.g. Photoshop or Premier Pro). Even then, very few video cards are supported. Check to see if your software supports GPU acceleration before making a purchase.

Michael Sullivan Member Posts: 87

August 2015

Thank you to everyone who responded.

Geo Philips Member Posts: 398 ✭✭

August 2015

I have a feeling that list has not been updated since it does not include anything in the GTX 900 series.

If you do wish to go for a graphics card (like Mark said, this would probably be beneficial only for Lightroom/Photoshop/Premiere), consider something in the GTX 950 or 960 series (latest gen) or drop back a generation to get discounts on the GTX 760.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :) MVP Posts: 23,115

September 2015

consider something in the GTX 950 or 960 series (latest gen) or drop back a generation to get discounts on the GTX 760.

Graphics Price / Performance =>http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_value.html

# 2 GeForce GTX 950 ($ 159.99) benchmark is 5,563 that is # 22 on high end list.

# 4 is GeForce GTX 760 ($ 149.99) with benchmark of 4,955

# 6 is GeForce GTX 960 ($ 194.99) with benchmark of 5,988

Caveat:GeForce GTX 950, 760, & 960 have 6 pin power connection(s) so need adequate power supply (and heat dissipation).

Keep Smiling [:)]

abondservant Member Posts: 4,795

September 2015

Michael Sullivan Member Posts: 87

September 2015

Thank you for all the replies. I will keep my eyes open. Maybe I can find a good price on a new monitor and graphics card during the November sales. Sadly, I was a little ignorant when it came to purchasing a power supply - I only got a 500W (Bronze) which might be borderline weak for some of the higher end graphic cards.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :) MVP Posts: 23,115

September 2015

I only got a 500W (Bronze) which might be borderline weak for some of the higher end graphic cards.

Newegg has a refurbished superclock GeForce 750Ti for $ 99.99 =>http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487114

Keep Smiling [:)]