The short answer to your question “Do a laptop have a graphics card” is yes. All of the laptops have integrated graphics that make your laptop usable. Because without a graphics card whether it’s integrated or dedicated, you cannot see anything on your screen.
Now, maybe many of you get surprised by what is integrated and what is the dedicated graphics card. First of all, let me explain the difference between an integrated graphics card and a dedicated graphics card. Maybe there could be confusion in your mind about them as well.
What is a graphics card?
As we all know what is a GPU, if you don’t know let me tell you. GPU is the abbreviation of Graphics Processing Unit. All gaming, animations, 3D, and video output complex tasks are handled by GPU. There are two types of GPU; Integrated and Dedicated.
What is an integrated graphics card?
By its name you can clearly conclude that it says integrated that meaning it comes built-in into the processor. Every CPU has its own integrated graphics to represent the screen in front of you. An integrated GPU has a basic 3d processing capability and basic video output capability for your laptop or PC.
A question may rise in your mind, if you’re a graphics card on your laptop then you must play 3D games and can do other heavy stuff. So then the answer is no because interesting graphics is very weak as compared to others. It cannot perform bigger tasks and you can’t even do gaming on it. Its basic purpose is to show you videos and basic graphics while using your laptop.
What is a dedicated graphics card?
Same as Integrated GPU, its task is to perform 3D rendering and display output on the screen. But it is more powerful than that. Because they’re purposely made for it. It’s a kind of whole separated processing unit that you can internally or externally. It comes with its own dedicated video memory, but it uses more power than an integrated one. It is quite a more expensive graphics card there are several options available in the market for a dedicated GPU.
What is the basic difference between integrated and dedicated graphics cards?
The basic difference between them is that integrated graphics card don’t have their own processing unit, for that purpose they use the laptop’s CPU and RAM. On contrary, the dedicated graphics card has its own processing unit and RAM. They are independent of using laptop components. Another difference is that a dedicated graphics card can be used on laptops and computers. But an integrated graphics card cannot be detached from the CPU and cannot be used elsewhere. Dispute detaching the whole CPU and placing it elsewhere.
What are the most commonly used integrated graphics card?
Below is the image, I’ve clearly mentioned a few of the most commonly used integrated graphics cards on Intel’s and AMD’s processors:
How can I check which is my integrated laptop graphics card?
To check this, you can simply visit your laptop specification website. In the technical specification, you’d find a card type and card chipset section. This is the easiest way you can use to find out which integrated graphics card is being used by your laptop.
Before I get into dive into deep, let me tell you dedicated graphics cards are known as discrete graphics cards in laptops condition but in terms of PCs and work machines it’s known as dedicated graphics cards. So, don’t get confused if I replace the word dedicated with discrete.
Do I need a discrete graphics card on my laptop?
The requirement of a discrete or dedicated graphics card varies from user to user. Because everyone doesn’t buy laptops for a single and mutual purpose. Someone would buy it for general use, someone would buy it for gaming, and someone would buy it for 3D rendering. Same in the situation of GPU requirements, if you’re a professional gamer, editor, 3D modeler, or professional animator. Then you must need dedicated or discrete graphics in your laptop to handle these complex tasks. You don’t need a graphics card when you’re buying or using your laptop for general purposes such as:
- Basic office work
- Watching Movies
- Internet Browsing
- Word Processing
- University basic usage
- And other hardware less-extensive tasks.
When you want to use or buy your laptop for high-end and complex tasks that are hardware extensive, then you need a discrete or dedicated graphics card, those tasks could be:
- Professional Gaming
- High-end editing
- 3D Modeling and Animations
- And for other high-end rendering tasks
In this competitive world, there are several options available for you for a discrete graphics card for your laptop. But NVIDIA RTX 30 series is known as the king of the graphics card. Their GPUs are based on various powerful technologies such as RTX, AI-Based DLLs, and the latest Gen MAX-Q. Although you can have a look at AMD’s discrete GPUs as well, they deliver impressive performance as well.
How to install a dedicated graphics card in a laptop?
As we know, being a laptop users, we can’t upgrade our laptop’s existing graphics card. Then we have only one option to use an external GPU using a Thunderbolt 3 port. If your laptop has this then well and good you can use a dedicated GPU on your laptop. Remember don’t forget to check the upgradability of your laptop, if it supports then go otherwise you can’t do anything.
Here are a few steps you can follow to install and use a dedicated graphics card on your laptop:
- Check your laptop’s capability of using a dedicated graphics card (Thunderbolt 3).
- Buy a compatible new GPU for your laptop.
- Uninstall old drivers of your existing GPU.
- Install the new Graphics card.
- Install new drivers of your brand-new GPU.
There is nothing to mess up, it’s quite easy to use an external graphics card on your laptop. If you don’t know how to do that or don’t know about the capabilities and upgradability of your laptop, then you must take your laptop to an expert.
FAQs
Do all computer has integrated graphics card?
Yes, every computer has an IGPU (Integrated Graphics Processing Unit) built-in CPU to give you a basic 3D and video output. You can also check whether your computer has an IGPU or DGPU.
Do I need a dedicated graphic card?
Yes. Need a dedicated GPU whenever you want to do extreme gaming, 3D modeling, Animation, video editing, and any other hardware extensive rendering tasks. But if there is no use for these tasks on your side then you don’t need a dedicated GPU.
Which is better integrated or a dedicated graphics card?
As an integrated graphics card uses less power but it is depending on the CPU. However, a dedicated graphics card is more powerful in terms of performance. You can say a dedicated graphics card is far better than an integrated one. In addition, a dedicated GPU will consume more resources but it’s not dependent on the CPU and has its own Processing Unit and Video Memory.
What is a Discrete Graphics Card?
A discrete graphics unit is separate from the processor but installed on the motherboard in your laptop. It’s directly soldered on the motherboard but it has its own memory and processing unit. However, it consumes more power and generates heat as well.
Can I upgrade the graphics card on my laptop?
Unfortunately, the simple answer to this question is no. Because you cannot upgrade your laptop’s graphics card. Whether it’s integrated or dedicated, it is built-in in the CPU or directly soldered on the motherboard respectively.
Can I install a dedicated graphics card on the laptop?
You cannot install a dedicated graphics card inside your laptop but you can use a dedicated graphics card in your laptop externally if your laptop supports it and has a Thunderbolt 3 port. But using it externally makes no sense because of this your laptop’s main purpose would end is portability. Because then you’ve to carry another external component as well.
Do all laptops have a dedicated GPU?
No, it’s not true every laptop doesn’t have a dedicated graphics card, it only comes with laptops that need high graphics processing such as gaming and editing. However, every laptop has an integrated GPU.
Can I change my laptop GPU?
You can’t change your laptop GPU because it’s either built-in in your CPU (Integrated Graphics Card) or directly soldered on your laptop’s motherboard. (Discrete Graphics Card).
Conclusion
You’ve asked the question “Do laptops have A Graphics Card?”, Almost every laptop even a computer has an integrated graphics card that processes your daily usage of basic 3D tasks and video output. Many of you’d have a dedicated GPU in your laptop and many of you’d not because dedicated GPUs are mostly installed on editing, modeling, and gaming laptops.
In addition, having a dedicated graphics card in your laptop will surely make your laptop quite more expensive than others. Although, you can upgrade or use an external graphics card later if your laptop hasn’t a dedicated one.