What is an onboard graphics card? Easily explained
The graphics card in your PC displays the image, but what exactly is an onboard graphics card? In this practical tip, we explain what is behind the term.
Onboard graphics card: what is it?
No matter whether Mac or Windows, desktop PC or laptop - every computer has an onboard graphics card. This is often a very minimalist graphics card.
- Since the onboard graphics card is usually rather underperforming, many current computers also have a second, more powerful graphics card. However, this is not integrated directly into the PC, but is installed as additional hardware in the computer and installed using a driver. The small onboard graphics card is already "on board" your computer and is therefore permanently installed on the mainboard (see picture).
- If your strong main graphics card stops working or an error occurs with the driver, you would normally not see anything on your computer. In this case, the onboard graphics card is required and jumps in directly.
- To save battery in the notebook, many manufacturers use a specific driver that automatically switches between the two graphics cards. For simple office and internet applications, the notebook uses the onboard card, which is noticeable by a longer battery life. For graphics-intensive games or videos, the driver automatically switches to the stronger graphics card.
- Open your computer and look for the onboard graphics card, you won't find it at first glance. In contrast to a real graphics card, this is only a small integrated graphics processor in chip form. A correct graphics card is much larger.
