GPU vs Graphics Card vs Video Card - Are there any differences?

There’s been a lot of confusion with the terms ‘GPU’ and ‘Graphics Card’ lately and since they’re often used interchangeably, simple folks are often left wondering what’s the difference between the two. For the most part, GPU and graphics cards are basically the same things but if we go into the depths of tech-realm, you’ll find a lot of interesting details about these sophisticated pieces of technology and realize that there’s a lot going behind the curtains.

As part of today's roundup, we'll address the burning questions people often have about the terms graphics cards, video cards, and GPUs. Bear with us as we untangle the mystery that’s been bugging you for quite some time. 

What’s a GPU? 

A GPU is short for ‘Graphics processing unit’ and it is responsible for handling intense video rendering and 3D animations. A GPU is quite similar to a CPU and it also contains a large number of cores and threads. Originally, GPU chips were designed to accelerate 3D rendering and were commonly used for video animations and machine learning. 

However, in the past couple of decades, GPUs were revolutionized when they became programmable and thanks to tech giants like Nvidia and AMD, graphics programmers were able to enhance the performance of GPUs to render high-quality animations at higher resolutions, making them one of the main essences of modern gaming.

With advancements in AI and machine learning, there’s a huge demand for GPUs because of their excellent processing ability that boosts the workload. Lately, GPUs have been in demand for the sole purpose of mining BitCoin and other cryptocurrencies as well. 

Currently, there are two types of GPUs on the market. One of them is called an Integrated Graphics Card and the second one is called a Dedicated Graphics Card. Both of them do similar work but there's a huge difference between the two. 

Integrated Graphics Card 

Some GPUs that come with the CPU are called integrated graphics cards and they don’t have any additional chip installed on the motherboard, instead, the graphics card is built inside the processor. Today, almost all the latest processors from AMD and Intel feature integrated graphics cards. 

And as one can guess, since integrated graphics cards are built inside the processor, they’re not quite powerful and can only handle less-intense graphical rendering and animations. For gaming or professional video rendering and designing, integrated graphics cards are almost worthless. 

However, not all of them are the same. For instance, the all-new Ryzen, 5000, and Intel 11th-gen CPUs are featuring powerful integrated graphics cards and some of them are capable of running Warzone, a highly intense and graphically demanding game, with playable frame rates. 

Commonly, an integrated graphics card is referred to as ‘GPU’ or ‘Video Card’. Bear in mind that an integrated graphics card is a part of the CPU meaning that it cannot be replaced and it will work as long as the CPU is working. Generally, integrated graphics cards are found in laptops and MacBooks. 

Dedicated Graphics Card 

The dedicated graphics card consists of a GPU chip mounted on a PCB (circuit board) and it is directly plugged into a PCIe slot on the motherboard. Aside from its own discreet circuit board, a dedicated graphics card consists of pre-built power connectors, PCIe 3.0x16 connector, heat dissipation exhaust fans, and many other moving parts are included. 

A dedicated graphics card is quite powerful and it is capable of carrying out intense video animations and can handle hardcore gaming. However, not all dedicated graphics cards are the same. Some are built to withstand everything you throw at them while others can barely keep up with small-time tasks. The ones that are highly capable are often quite expensive and will surely break your bank but, there are some budget-friendly options available on the market as well. 

For instance, if you’re into the business of professional video editing or want to enjoy the latest games at higher resolutions with flawless frame rates then dedicated graphic cards from the RTX 3000 series would be the ideal choice. On the contrary, if you’re working on a tight budget then you’ll have plenty of options to choose from as well. 

A dedicated graphics card is generally referred to as a ‘Graphics Card’ or a ‘3D Card’. And unlike an integrated graphics card, the dedicated graphics card can be replaced anytime and if they’re not working properly or getting overheated, there’s always a solution to fix them. 

Bottom Line 

Once you’ve learned the differences between an integrated and dedicated graphics card, you shouldn’t have a problem telling them apart and all the confusion regarding GPU, Graphics card, and video card will be sorted. But to make everything clear here’s a bit of a summary:

GPU, Graphics processing unit, or Video card are built inside the CPU and they’re not very powerful and they come as mandatory with many CPU chips. On the contrary, graphics cards or 3D cards are discreet pieces of hardware that plug into your motherboard using the PCIe slot and they’re very capable. 

Since they are frequently used interchangeably, this can often lead to confusion. Nevertheless, now that we've in-depthly described all the key factors, you shouldn't have any trouble telling them apart.

That’s all folks!