While the number of features you need to consider when building a PC could make anyone’s head spin, one of the best ways to start is by considering whether your CPU offers integrated graphics.

Ryzen CPUs are a type of CPU that offers integrated graphics processors, depending on the model you decide to purchase. You’ll need to look for a model that is specified as including it.

How To Tell If A Ryzen CPU Has Integrated Graphics

You can easily tell whether or not your Ryzen CPU includes an integrated GPU by looking for the G series indicator in your CPU’s model number. If the model number includes a G, your Ryzen CPU has integrated graphics.

If you plan on building your own PC, it’s important to know whether or not your intended Ryzen CPU contains it. After all, without knowing whether or not you have a graphics card, you won’t be able to set up your computer’s display.

Luckily, AMD makes it extremely easy to tell whether or not your Ryzen CPU has integrated graphics. As mentioned, all their CPUs with integrated graphics processors are sold under the G series. The model number indicates whether or not a card is a part of the series.

Also, it’s important to note that if you’re using a laptop with a Ryzen CPU, you can be certain that the system uses an integrated GPU. You can be certain because AMD only sells laptop components as APUs (accelerated processing units) that contain both a CPU and an integrated graphics card.

What Are Integrated Graphics?

Close-up of a DisplayPort and HDMI port on a motherboard.

Integrated GPUs are a type of processing unit that is built into the CPU. Since the CPU and integrated GPU share the same cooler and system memory, they’re more efficient in using space and system resources. Unfortunately, integrated GPUs are also less powerful than dedicated GPUs.

Due to innovative design, integrated GPUs can provide incredible processing performance despite their compact size.

For example, while the brains of the GPU are relegated to the same space as the CPU, the hardware used for display output with integrated graphics is stored directly on the motherboard.

Even though integrated GPUs cannot offer the same level of performance as a comparable dedicated GPU, they do prove popular for a few important reasons.

Integrated graphics are crucial for making laptops energy-efficient. One of laptop manufacturers’ biggest obstacles is creating a device that delivers high performance and long battery life since the two goals are in direct opposition. Integrated GPUs make delivering both feasible.
They are much cheaper than dedicated GPUs. This is evident enough when integrated GPUs are installed combined rather than as two components. Manufacturers also save money because only one component must be housed and connected.
They are much smaller than dedicated graphics cards. While a bit of chunkiness might be acceptable for a premium high-performance laptop, there’s no doubt that thin laptops are in style. Integrated graphics help manufacturers create thin and lightweight laptops since they only need to house one processing unit.

Due to these qualities, integrated graphics are commonly used for laptops and low-end PCs. The compact size of the integrated GPU allows laptop manufacturers to save precious space, while the energy efficiency of integrated graphics improves the overall battery lifespan of laptops.

Are Integrated Graphics As Good As Dedicated Graphics?

Integrated GPUs aren’t as powerful as dedicated graphics. Still, depending on how you intend to use your computer, you may find that an iGPU unit’s level of performance is more than sufficient. Integrated GPUs are perfect for light PC users.

While integrated GPUs can be perfectly sufficient for how they’re used, it’s important to note that they have some drawbacks at the heart of their design. Because integrated GPUs are designed to use the same system memory and cooling system as the CPU, there’s an inherent limit to how much processing your system can do.

When you use a dedicated graphics processing unit, you won’t experience the same limitations. Because the dedicated GPU draws from completely different system resources, you will have a simple time adjusting performance if needed to ensure your computer continues functioning at its best.

You may or may not encounter these limitations depending on how you use your computer. For example, if you strictly use lightweight applications like word processors and web browsers, you likely won’t notice a difference between an integrated and dedicated graphics unit.

If you’re planning on gaming or rendering with your laptop, however, it’s safe to say that you will notice the difference between integrated and dedicated graphics. A system with a dedicated graphics unit can completely change the tone of games and computer activities since your GPU can dedicate full resources to your activities.

Are There Any Disadvantages To Integrated Graphics?

While integrated graphics are much cheaper and more compact than dedicated GPUs, there are some drawbacks you should be aware of when purchasing an integrated unit, especially when it comes to performance. Integrated graphics tend to perform much lower than comparable dedicated units.

Depending on how you intend to use your computer, you may find that the reduced performance of an integrated GPU is more or less relevant. Using lightweight applications like web browsers or PDF editors, you’ll find that a good integrated graphics processing unit delivers everything you need.

Suppose you use your new GPU for resource-intensive activities like 3D rendering or gaming. However, you should carefully consider whether an integrated graphics unit best fits your situation. While dedicated units initially require slightly more effort, they quickly prove worthwhile for users of resource-intensive applications.

Why Should I Purchase a Ryzen CPU With Integrated Graphics?

If you plan on using your laptop or PC for lightweight tasks like browsing the web, checking your email, and working with common files like PDFs, purchasing a Ryzen CPU with integrated graphics may save money and energy. Integrated Ryzen CPUs are often much cheaper than most dedicated GPU options.

Since you don’t have to worry about purchasing and installing two separate components, you often save costs by purchasing both together. Depending on the type of integrated GPU you choose to buy, you can save hundreds. That isn’t the only advantage choosing a Ryzen CPU with integrated graphics offers.

Even if you’re planning on playing lightweight games on reasonable settings, you’ll find that an integrated graphics unit is often more than sufficient to render the game without lag. And even if you plan on installing a dedicated graphics card on your PC, it never hurts to have an integrated graphics card as a backup.

Many people find that having a dedicated unit saves them from disastrous failure. Even if the dedicated unit fails, the computer can render graphics from the integrated unit.

Should I Purchase an Integrated or Dedicated Ryzen GPU?

It would be best to choose between purchasing an integrated or dedicated Ryzen GPU based on the applications you intend to use. If you are editing videos, rendering in 3D, mining for cryptocurrency, or playing graphics-intensive games, you should choose a dedicated GPU.

In almost all other cases, you’ll find that an integrated Ryzen graphics card is perfectly sufficient for supporting your computer usage.If you plan to do both, you can consider switching GPU to maximize power, performance, and efficiency.

You should consider a few other factors when purchasing an integrated or dedicated GPU.

What kind of games do you want to play? While a dedicated graphics card is necessary for triple-A (AAA) titles, you won’t have much trouble playing indie games or stylized classics with an integrated GPU.
Do you use applications that would make having separate memory for your GPU necessary? If you plan on editing a long video, you’ll need a dedicated GPU with its own memory and cooling.
Are you prepared to purchase an equally powerful CPU? Balancing your PC so one subpar component doesn’t bottleneck the performance is generally recommended.
What’s your budget? You should be prepared to pay more for a dedicated graphics card. This is especially true with laptops since they need more space for the GPU and a more powerful battery when built with a dedicated GPU.
Are you okay with the decreased battery performance? Dedicated graphics take significantly more power, so you must be prepared for reduced battery life. You may also find that the laptop overheats more easily than a comparable laptop with integrated GPUs.

How To Find a Ryzen CPU With Integrated Graphics

While CPUs with integrated graphics comprise a significant portion of the CPUs that AMD sells, it can be difficult to tell whether or not a specific Ryzen CPU has it included.

Luckily, you can use a few tricks to find a Ryzen CPU with an integrated graphics card. Here are some of my favorite methods.

Check whether or not the model number of the Ryzen CPU you’re considering has a G at the end. For example, if the model number is 2200G, you can be certain it has an integrated GPU.
Inspect the box of the Ryzen CPU you’re considering. If the CPU includes integrated graphics, the top right corner of the front of the box will state what solution the CPU includes.
Look at the product description of the Ryzen CPU you’re purchasing. Suppose you’re unable to determine whether the CPU includes it. In that case, you can find out by looking in the product description to see if a graphics solution type is listed.
Search the web to determine if the Ryzen CPU includes it. If all other attempts fail, you can easily determine whether or not your CPU has an integrated GPU by searching the web. Many forums provide all the information you need to pick the right CPU.

Does My PC’s Ryzen CPU Have Integrated Graphics?

Suppose your Ryzen CPU is already installed on your computer. In that case, you can check whether it includes integrated graphics by looking in the Device Manager under the Processors section and checking whether a ‘G’ is in your CPU’s model number.

As mentioned, every Ryzen CPU is sold under a model number, including its series. All Ryzen CPUs with an integrated GPU include a G in their model number. As a result, checking whether or not your PC’s CPU includes integrated graphics is as simple as checking the CPU model number in Device Manager.

You can check the name of your Ryzen CPU in Device Manager by following the steps.

Press Win+X or click to open the Start menu.
Search for Device Manager and open the application.
Once Device Manager is open, click the Processors label to expand it.
Look under the Processors tab until you see the name of your CPU. If the model number includes a G, your Ryzen CPU has it.