Shared Graphics

WaxiesDargle

Hi

Can someone please explain what shared graphics are as opposed to integrated

Thanks

davb

Shared graphics just means it shares (steals) memory with the main system RAM, So in a simple case, you have 1GB RAM (1024MB) installed in a PC and allocate 256MB to shared graphics, that means Windows will only see 768MB RAM.
With dedicated graphics memory, the graphics has it's own memory, so in the example above, Windows would see the full 1024, and the graphics would still have 256.
Shared is basically a cheaper option.

4743hudsonj

WaxiesDargle wrote: »

Hi

Can someone please explain what shared graphics are as opposed to integrated

Thanks

Integrated and shared are the same thing.

Dedicated is the better option.

davb read your post a little off and posted a good explanations between shared/integrated AND dedicated.

WaxiesDargle

Thank you for your replies...all is now clear

AHAR

You can almost always upgrade to a dedicated graphics card yourself in future by fitting a suitable card to an expansion slot inside so don't feel that you have to decide at the time you buy a computer if that's why you're asking.
A few PCs won't have a suitable slot though especially ones with very compact designs.

markharding557

dedicated video cards can be got cheaply now loads on amazon and ebuyer

davb

You can upgrade the graphics if you are looking at a desktop PC - if however it's a laptop, you are stuck with what you get.