+- MacResource (https://forums.macresource.com)
+-- Forum: My Category (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=1)
+--- Forum: Tips and Deals (https://forums.macresource.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Thread: stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one (/showthread.php?tid=88675)
stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one - kap - 11-30-2009
The former is easily upgradable, correct? Since the latter is not then is it possible to 'turn off' the built-in video card and install the stand-alone one? Is it even financially sensible?
Re: stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one - Filliam H. Muffman - 11-30-2009
Laptop, iMac, or desktop? It can depend on the computer. Some high end video cards can add 40 Watts to the idle power use.
Re: stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one - kap - 11-30-2009
Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
Laptop, iMac, or desktop? It can depend on the computer. Some high end video cards can add 40 Watts to the idle power use.
Oops, I thought I'd left in the 'desktop' part when I edited the post the second time.
Windows desktop. Are Macs different?
Is this one any good for Photoshop? Integrated graphics - Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator X4500 [VGA]
Re: stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one - Filliam H. Muffman - 11-30-2009
Some advanced functions and filters in CS4 can be accelerated by video cards. Very little of what non pro users typically do is sped up by a more powerful video card. The GMA X4500 is the most recent integrated Intel chip.
Re: stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one - onthedownlow - 11-30-2009
If you have an add-in card in the system (stand-alone graphics), then (most) systems/motherboards utilize that as the enabled card and disable the integrated graphics (unless you enable it manually in order to have dual monitors...if the mobo supports it - add-on and integrated being used simultaneously...many computers allow this now).
So basically, no worries on a graphics card...just plug it in.
Re: stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one - kap - 11-30-2009
Cool! Thanks guys!
Re: stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one - Black - 11-30-2009
If you decide to go with a stand-alone graphics card, make sure you take the stand out of the box before discarding.