stand-alone Graphic card versus built-in one

[kap]

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?

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Laptop, iMac, or desktop? It can depend on the computer. Some high end video cards can add 40 Watts to the idle power use.

[kap]

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]

[Filliam H. Muffman]

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.

[onthedownlow]

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.

[kap]

Cool! Thanks guys!

[Black]

If you decide to go with a stand-alone graphics card, make sure you take the stand out of the box before discarding.