You open a game, get a low frame rate, and wonder: do I even have a real graphics card? The answer depends on whether you have an integrated GPU (built into the CPU) or a dedicated GPU (a separate card with its own memory). Here's how to tell the difference — and what each one means for what you can do.
What Is an Integrated GPU?
An integrated GPU lives on the same chip as your CPU. It uses a slice of your system's RAM as video memory rather than having dedicated VRAM. This makes it power-efficient and common in thin laptops, tablets, and budget desktops — but it's not built for heavy graphical work.
Common integrated GPU names:
- Intel UHD Graphics 770 / 630 / 620 — found on Intel Core processors
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics — higher-end Intel integrated, capable of light gaming
- AMD Radeon Graphics (no model number) — found on AMD Ryzen APUs
- Apple M1 / M2 / M3 / M4 GPU — integrated into Apple Silicon, unusually powerful for integrated
If your GPU check shows any of these names, you are running on integrated graphics.
What Is a Dedicated GPU?
A dedicated (discrete) GPU is a separate piece of hardware — a graphics card that plugs into the motherboard and has its own VRAM (video memory). It can process graphics many times faster than integrated graphics because it is designed for exactly that job.
Common dedicated GPU names:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX / GTX — e.g., RTX 4060, RTX 4070, GTX 1660
- AMD Radeon RX — e.g., RX 7600, RX 7800 XT, RX 6700
- NVIDIA Quadro / RTX Pro — workstation cards for professional work
If you see one of these names, you have a dedicated GPU — and you can expect solid gaming and creative performance.
How to Check Which GPU You Have
The fastest method requires no installation. Open the MyDeviceScan GPU Check and your graphics card name appears in seconds. The tool reads GPU info directly from your browser via WebGL. Look at the name:
- "Intel UHD…" or "Intel Iris…" → integrated GPU
- "AMD Radeon Graphics" (no RX number) → integrated GPU (AMD APU)
- "NVIDIA GeForce RTX…" or "AMD Radeon RX…" → dedicated GPU
- "Apple M…" → integrated GPU (but Apple Silicon is more capable than typical integrated)
Check on Windows (System Method)
Press Win + R, type dxdiag, and press Enter. Open the Display tab — the "Name" field shows your active GPU. For a second GPU on a hybrid laptop, check both Display 1 and Display 2 tabs.
Alternatively: right-click the taskbar → Task Manager → Performance → GPU 0 / GPU 1. A laptop with hybrid graphics may show two GPUs here.
Check on macOS
Click the Apple menu → About This Mac → More Info… → System Report → Graphics/Displays. You'll see the GPU model and VRAM listed.
Integrated vs Dedicated GPU: Head-to-Head
| Integrated GPU | Dedicated GPU | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Inside the CPU chip | Separate card on motherboard |
| VRAM | Shares system RAM | Own dedicated VRAM (4–24 GB) |
| Performance | Low–moderate | High |
| Power use | Low (good for battery) | Higher (needs cooling) |
| Best for | Web, video, productivity | Gaming, 3D, video editing, AI |
| Can you upgrade it? | No (built into CPU) | Yes, on desktop (PCIe slot) |
| Examples | Intel UHD 770, Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Graphics | RTX 4060, RX 7800 XT |
Intel UHD vs NVIDIA: What's the Real Difference?
Intel UHD is an integrated GPU. NVIDIA GeForce is a dedicated GPU. Comparing them is a bit like comparing a bicycle to a car — both get you somewhere, but at very different speeds. For typical workloads (browsing, YouTube, Microsoft Office, Zoom), Intel UHD handles everything fine. The gap shows up in gaming and creative work:
- 1080p gaming: Intel UHD typically reaches 20–40 FPS on older or low-demand games; a mid-range NVIDIA RTX 4060 averages 80–120 FPS on modern titles at high settings.
- Video editing: Intel Iris Xe can do light 1080p editing; a dedicated GPU dramatically speeds up 4K exports and effects rendering.
- Machine learning / AI: Integrated GPUs are not practical for ML training. NVIDIA CUDA cores on a dedicated card are the standard.
Can You Add a Dedicated GPU?
On a desktop: yes, as long as your motherboard has a free PCIe x16 slot and your power supply can handle the card. Most modern desktops can accept a new GPU without other changes below the mid-range tier.
On a laptop: the GPU is almost always soldered to the motherboard and cannot be swapped. Some laptops support an eGPU (external GPU enclosure) via Thunderbolt 3 or 4 — you connect a full desktop GPU externally. Performance is roughly 80–90% of native due to bandwidth limits, but it is a real upgrade option for Thunderbolt-equipped laptops.
💻 Check your GPU now: Open the MyDeviceScan GPU Check — it detects your graphics card, CPU cores, RAM, and display info instantly in your browser. No install needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check if I have an integrated or dedicated GPU?
Open your browser and use the MyDeviceScan GPU Check — it shows your graphics card name instantly. If the name says "Intel UHD", "Intel Iris", or "AMD Radeon Graphics" (without a model number like RX 7600), you have integrated graphics. If it says "NVIDIA GeForce", "AMD Radeon RX", or shows a discrete model number, you have a dedicated GPU.
What is an integrated GPU?
An integrated GPU is a graphics processor built directly into the CPU chip, sharing the system's main RAM. It handles everyday tasks like web browsing, video playback, and light productivity well. Examples include Intel UHD Graphics, Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Graphics (in Ryzen APUs), and Apple M-series GPU cores.
What is a dedicated GPU?
A dedicated (discrete) GPU is a separate graphics card with its own VRAM (video memory). It delivers far higher performance than integrated graphics and is required for gaming, 3D rendering, video editing, and machine learning. Common examples: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060/4070/4080, AMD Radeon RX 7600/7800 XT.
Can a laptop have both integrated and dedicated graphics?
Yes — many laptops use a hybrid graphics setup (NVIDIA Optimus or AMD SmartShift). The integrated GPU handles light tasks to save battery; the dedicated GPU kicks in for demanding work. Your browser may report either one depending on which is currently active.
Intel UHD vs NVIDIA — which is better for gaming?
NVIDIA GeForce (dedicated) is significantly better. Intel UHD and Intel Iris Xe are integrated GPUs designed for everyday tasks. A mid-range NVIDIA RTX 4060 can be 10–20x faster than Intel UHD for gaming. If you see "Intel UHD" and want to game, a desktop with a discrete GPU or a gaming laptop upgrade is worth considering.
Do I have a graphics card if I only see "Intel" in the GPU name?
Technically yes — Intel UHD and Intel Iris Xe are GPUs — but they are integrated (built into the CPU), not a standalone graphics card. For gaming or GPU-intensive work, "Intel" in the GPU name usually means you are running on integrated graphics and would benefit from a dedicated card.