Laptop and desktop computers offer two kinds of graphics card options: integrated and discrete. You’ll sometimes see graphics cards called video cards.
Integrated Graphics Cards
Integrated graphics cards from Intel use less power and make less noise than discrete graphics cards. However, integrated cards can’t provide the most dynamic visual experiences. Integrated cards are common in laptops, 2-in-1s, and desktops designed for relatively light workloads because they are more energy-efficient (though less powerful) than discrete cards.
Perfect for: A good balance of performance and efficiency for a wide range of tasks and workloads, ideal for most people using typical office productivity applications and occasionally stream a video.
Perfect for: A good balance of performance and efficiency for a wide range of tasks and workloads, ideal for most people using typical office productivity applications and occasionally stream a video.
Discrete Graphics Cards
Discrete graphics cards from NVIDIA and AMD are more powerful at processing video and digital content creation or games than integrated cards. Those applications render visual experiences in real time (rather than just playing back or streaming recorded video). Discrete cards use more power than integrated cards. They might limit your battery life in laptops. They also generate more heat, which might activate a fan or similar cooling solutions that make noise.
Perfect for: High performance for visual content creators and other users whose computing workloads are visually intense.
Perfect for: High performance for visual content creators and other users whose computing workloads are visually intense.
Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics — Game On!
New Intel® Iris® Xe graphics offer discrete-level graphics performance in sleeker, thinner, and lighter laptops.Intel® Iris® Xe graphics also deliver brilliant visuals with support for billions of colors, HDR10, Dolby Atmos sound, and long playback of Dolby Vision-enabled content with hardware acceleration, an industry first.
Not only can you play top games in up to 1080p at 30 fps or more and enjoy an amazingly immersive entertainment experience, but 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processors with Intel® Iris® Xe graphics also enable you to complete creative projects with blazing speed powered by unique hardware accelerated AI, all in a sleek, thin & light laptop with leading performance — whether plugged-in or unplugged.
| We Recommend | If you want |
| Integrated Graphics | Regular use of office productivity applications such as Outlook and PowerPoint offering the right balance of performance and efficiency for a wide range of tasks and workloads. Stream a TV show, playing games like solitaire or Minecraft or need the longest life from your laptop battery. |
| 2GB or 4GB Discrete Graphics Cards | Frequently create presentations using lots of graphs or images, use animated effects in your presentation, or are a fan of video games. |
| 6GB or 8GB Discrete Graphics Cards | If you’re using your PC to edit or create high-end content or to play visually intense games, |