Integrated vs Dedicated GPU (for architecture student)

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

mak8manos

Prominent
Jul 14, 2017
2
0
510
Hello guys I need your help!

I want to buy a new laptop and cannot decide between integrated graphics and dedicated. I know the differences and that dedicated gpu is better.

I am an architecture student my most used software is photoshop, autocad, indesign, illustrator and a bit rhino for 3d models.

I want to know if the integrated graphics like Intel HD 620 (all laptops with kaby lake cpus) or Intel Iris Pro 6100 (macbook pro 13 2015) is enough for what I want to do with my laptop.

Do you think I need something more than the integrated graphics or it is enough?

Thank you!
 
Solution
FauxisFox
Honestly, the regular Geforce and Radeon cards will work too. You'll get better performance from the other drivers, but that by no means bars the gaming oriented drivers from doing the job well.

Also, if you can, I recommend aiming to get Pascal cards like the 1050 ti and 1060 instead of the 950m and 960m. They'll give you better performance and better battery life.

Also, the Radeon Pros and Quadros in a laptop aren't really all that more expensive than their gaming counterparts (they have identical hardware/chips if you do some research). However, it's hard to find a lower cost laptop with those in them because of other factors (they're usually paired with more ram, quad core cpu's, higher resolution screens, etc.). If you want...
Sort by date Sort by votes
FauxisFox

FauxisFox

Prominent
Jul 12, 2017
119
0
760
A lot of CAD and other design software is optimized for discrete graphics cards. Integrated graphics cards like Intels also are still not well optimized for those sorts of applications. This means that you'll likely see better performance in those programs with a discrete graphics card, especially Radeon Pro's, Radeon FirePro's, and Nvidia Quadro's, which have unique drivers optimized for CAD rather than their Geforce and Radeon RX siblings, who have drivers optimized for games.

Also, the 13 inch macbook pro from 2015 has an Iris 6100, not an Iris Pro. And Iris Pro 6300 is much more powerful (around a Geforce 660m or Geforce 750m) and will probably perform fine in CAD. Just an exception to the "Integrated Graphics are not optimized" argument.


EDIT: I believe I didn't answer your question. In reality, most modern Intel integrated graphics are powerful enough to run some CAD software, with some performance concessions (rotating speed may be a little sluggish, same with zoom, etc.). You'll probably benefit from a quad core cpu in your laptop over a dual core like the one in the Macbook pro 13 inch you suggested. However, if your school offers a cloud version of the software that runs on their servers or allows you to use some server accelerators (a feature in some CAD software packages), you should definitely be able to save some money by sticking with integrated graphics and dual core cpus. All the heavy lifting (like Adobe's latest Creative suite) will be done in the cloud, so your laptop won't be doing very much processing.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
M

mak8manos

Prominent
Jul 14, 2017
2
0
510
@FauxisFox First of all thank you for the reply. Radeon Pro, FirePro and Quadro for a laptop? tha must be really expensive . :p I am a student so propably the best gpu I could have in my laptop is a gtx 950m or gtx 960m.

Also, I want to mention that my previous laptop had an i7-4700MQ and a GT 740M 2GB and it was just fine, i didnt have a problem
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
FauxisFox

FauxisFox

Prominent
Jul 12, 2017
119
0
760
Honestly, the regular Geforce and Radeon cards will work too. You'll get better performance from the other drivers, but that by no means bars the gaming oriented drivers from doing the job well.

Also, if you can, I recommend aiming to get Pascal cards like the 1050 ti and 1060 instead of the 950m and 960m. They'll give you better performance and better battery life.

Also, the Radeon Pros and Quadros in a laptop aren't really all that more expensive than their gaming counterparts (they have identical hardware/chips if you do some research). However, it's hard to find a lower cost laptop with those in them because of other factors (they're usually paired with more ram, quad core cpu's, higher resolution screens, etc.). If you want one at a relatively affordable price, take a look at Dell's Precision line up. I believe the Precision M3800 is just a Dell XPS 15 with a Quadro card in it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom