Glossary
Integrated graphics (iGPU)
A GPU built into the same silicon as the CPU, sharing system memory instead of using dedicated VRAM. Sufficient for productivity, light gaming, and video; not for AAA gaming at high settings.
Integrated graphics share the CPU's package, power budget, and memory bus. They eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in thin laptops, mini PCs, and budget desktops.
What modern iGPUs can do
- AMD Radeon 890M (Strix Point), Intel Arc 140V (Lunar Lake), Apple M-series GPU. All handle 1080p esports at 60+ FPS, light AAA gaming at low settings, and 4K video editing in proxies.
- NPU acceleration is often paired alongside, taking on AI inference the iGPU would otherwise handle.
Memory bandwidth is the limit
iGPUs are usually starved by DDR5/LPDDR5X bandwidth (around 100–135 GB/s). A discrete GPU with 500+ GB/s of GDDR6X bandwidth is in a different league for shader-heavy workloads.
In comparisons
For a productivity-focused laptop, a strong iGPU eliminates the need for a discrete GPU SKU — saving cost, weight, and battery. For gaming above 1080p medium, a discrete GPU remains essential.
Where this matters
Categories that use integrated graphics (igpu)
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