Sunday, September 18, 2022

On-Board v Dedicated: Which Is the Future for GPUs?

 

On-Board v Dedicated: Which Is the Future for GPUs?

The world of graphics processing unit is changing. On-board graphics chips and CPU combinations are challenging the supremacy of the dedicated graphics card. Which direction will the future take for the GPU? Read on to find out.

What Is an On-Board GPU?

On-board or integrated graphics processing units are used predominantly in laptops but can also be used in desktops. Most smartphones, tablets, and smaller computers use an integrated GPU.

They come with a number of advantages, such as lower power consumption and lower price, but for a long time they could not compete with the power or potential of a dedicated GPU. The technology has come on in leaps and bounds since then, driven by the desire for more powerful laptops and smartphones. Now there are on-board graphic setups that can challenge dedicated graphics cards.

The Intel Arc GPU architecture covers both integrated and dedicated GPUs. Though some are more powerful than others they all provide a similar standard of graphics and video output. This is allowing laptops to finally compete with gaming PCs and provide similar gaming experiences to desktops.

What Is a Dedicated GPU?

This type of GPU is mostly found in gaming PCs and high-end systems. Integrated GPUs have taken over the low and mid-range PC market, reserving dedicated GPUs for high-end PCs for gaming or video processing.

GPUs are commonly called graphics cards, and the graphics processing unit is just one component. Many graphics cards have their own RAM to use, dedicated to holding graphic data. These cards are similar to a small computer, with their own motherboard-like card forming the foundation for a GPU, RAM, and other processing components to run on.

The bigger size and the extra help from dedicated RAM mean that dedicated GPUs have more power and potential than integrated GPU setups, but this comes at a cost. Graphics cards are power hungry, and the more powerful they are, the hungrier they become. Feeding these beasts often means more fans in the system and a more powerful power unit, all of which adds to the cost.

Which Is Better?

If you want absolute peak performance at the highest possible definitions at eye-water framerates you are going to have to use a graphics card, or dedicated GPU. Be prepared to spend a lot of money on one, as much as a whole mid-range laptop would cost to buy, plus accessories. To really push the envelope takes multiple graphics cards. You can spend thousands on graphics cards alone.

On-board GPUs are catching up. They are capable of providing great gaming experiences at a better price point. Pairing the right motherboard with a powerful and compatible CPU is often more than enough to play the latest games in crystal clarity. The framerates may not be quite as high, and the definition may be HD and not 4K, but only the most hardcore gamers would tell the difference.

The future of GPUs is on-board. This is the most common setup across all computers when you add smartphones, tablets, and micro-computers like the Raspberry Pi. They will only become more powerful as time goes on and will eventually catch up to their dedicated GPU competition.

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Playing With Power: The Nintendo Story - Signed Blu-rays For Sale! - Brett Weiss

 

Thanks to everyone who has ordered a signed (by me) copy of Playing With Power: The Nintendo Story! The response has been overwhelming (in a good way), so I'm really excited. I was able to put in a big order from the publisher, so I've got more copies for sale. If you are interested in a signed copy of the Blu-ray (I will remove the shrink wrap and sign the inner sleeve), please PayPal $30 to brettw105@sbcglobal.net. This includes U.S. shipping. *****Send $40 for Canada orders or $50 for the UK.

Here's the official description of the 5-part documentary: "How did Nintendo go from niche playing card company to global juggernaut of gaming? This Crackle Original series brings together the creators of Video Games: The Movie and Executive Producer Sean Astin to pull back the curtain on the famously secretive company. The electrifying story is presented by an ensemble of Nintendo personnel, celebrity icons and industry veterans, including Wil Wheaton (Star Trek: The Next Generation), Alison Haislip (Robot Chicken), Reggie Fils-Aimé (Nintendo Direct) and Xbox’s Phil Spencer."

I'm in all five episodes, and you'll see such gaming luminaries as Nolan Bushnell, Tom Kalinske, Chris Kohler, and Phoenix author Leonard Herman in the documentary as well. The audio/visual quality for the Blu-ray is AMAZING, and it's loaded with special features. 5-hour series, plus extras!

***Here are some Amazon reviews:

*I LOVE this docuseries!!! I had no idea the story of Nintendo—this was so fun! This gave so many nostalgic moments for me! Very, very, well done!!! Can’t wait to see the behind the scenes and extra footage! ~ Casey Danner

*Wow! I wasn't expecting to get teary-eyed at a video game documentary but this got me!! Lots of great, surprising facts about the history of Nintendo mixed with emotion, nostalgia, and fun. Took me back to my NES and SNES days in the 80's and 90's. My wife and kids dug it as well. Highly, highly recommend this for anyone who's ever played a Nintendo!! ~ Amazon Customer

*It's a great series! What I really like about it was that the story goes way deeper than Mario or anything you think about when you hear the word "Nintendo." The company has a long and deep history and this series showcases it perfectly! Highly recommend that you take the time to watch it. ~ Craig Shetterly