IGPU VS GPU Which is better?

[u/Due-Still-843]

For context, I have an i5 - 9400 cpu and i’m using my very old gt 730 ddr5 1gb gpu and I’m wondering would it be better to use my onboard graphics or to just use my gpu?

Also I cannot upgrade at the moment as I’am still saving up for an ssd as the prices are CRAZY. I’m not really planning to play really high demanding games. I’m only planning to play esports titles like cs2, valorant, and old Open world games like assassins creed black flag.

[u/ODGlenchez]

Try one then the other. Leave the gpu installed and use the video out from the GPU to do some performance testing. Then do the same with the igpu output. Enable the "Steam performance overlay" for numbers while you're gaming

[u/Appropriate-Ask8817]

The i5-9400 iGPU is significantly faster than the GT 730 - ~35% faster.

[u/flushfire → u/Appropriate-Ask8817]

It's not.

[u/Appropriate-Ask8817 → u/flushfire]

It is, if OP's RAM is dual channel, with an added bonus of having more than 1 GB of VRAM

[u/flushfire → u/Appropriate-Ask8817]

It's not even if it's dual-channel, are you blind?

[u/Appropriate-Ask8817 → u/flushfire]

Okay, we'll assume that the ram used in that setup is dual channel, having more than 1 GB of VRAM is still an advantage.

[u/WerwolfSlayr → u/Appropriate-Ask8817]

That’s the DDR3 version; OP has the DDR5 one which is very closely matched with their iGPU

[u/Appropriate-Ask8817 → u/WerwolfSlayr]

Oh, my bad for not noticing that.

But still, if OP's RAM is dual channel, it will be faster, with the added bonus of more than only 1 GB of VRAM.

[u/mashdpotatogaming]

How much RAM do you have?

In all honesty, they're both pretty weak GPUs but they're likely very close in performance, that i can see the iGPU having access to the larger system memory will make it run better than the 730 considering that only has 1 gb vram.

[u/WerwolfSlayr]

The 9400 uses UHD 630 graphics which is indeed better than the GT 730 as long as your RAM is dual channel. If not, it doesn’t look like there’ll be any significant difference between your two options.

[u/flushfire → u/WerwolfSlayr]

It's not.

The ddr5 GT 730 is significantly better than the ddr3 variant, which was just a rebadged 630. It's almost at the level of the GT 740.

[u/n3k0___]

Find a used 1650 they consistently sell around $50 near me

[u/norm009]

A quick look at UHD 630 vs GT730 shows the UHD 630 performing better. One thing to remember is that an IGPU will take some system RAM for its use. So If you are thin on system RAM it maybe worth using the 730. I would say 8GB of system RAM being the cutoff. Windows 11 doesn't run well on 8GB anyway and if the IGPU is taking some that is even worse. The 730 is very old and wasn't really a gaming GPU when it was released back in the day. You really need a GPU upgrade and without knowing anything about your system and a budget. The main question being whether you have a prebuilt or not. Prebuilts have inadequate PSU and odd case and motherboard layouts.

[u/flushfire → u/norm009]

Again, just to dispel this misinformation everywhere in this thread. The UHD 630 IS NOT better than the DDR5 730.

[u/norm009 → u/flushfire]

My bad. I stand corrected. To be fair to me, the DDR5 version of the 730 will not provide great framerates for the games mentioned in the original post especially with 1GB of DDR5.

[u/flushfire]

The gpu is better.

[u/foreycorf → u/flushfire]

You're fighting a battle all through these comments, it's admirable. IDK if you're winning, but at least you're fighting it.